Music Performance (MMus)
In addition to the University of Oregon Division of Graduate Studies' requirements for master’s degrees, the School of Music and Dance has the following requirements. For additional information, contact the music graduate office or consult the Info for Grad Students webpage.
A minimum of 9 credits must be taken in 600- or 700-level courses and at least one-half of the required credits must be in courses intended for graduate students only. Degree candidates must complete a terminal project (e.g., recital, thesis, project), all of which must be archived in one of the following locations: Music Services in Knight Library, Scholars’ Bank, ProQuest, or Cykler Music Education Library.
Options are available in
- Brass: Euphonium, Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba
- Keyboards: Collaborative Keyboard, Harpsichord, Orgaon, Solo Piano
- Multiple Instruments: Brass, Woodwinds
- Strings: Double Bass, Cello, Harp, Viola, Violin
- Percussion
- Voice
- Woodwinds: Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Ensemble Requirements
- Instrumental ensemble options: University Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Wind Ensemble, Oregon Wind Symphony
- Voice ensemble options: University Singers, Chamber Choir, Opera Ensemble
- Students studying harpsichord, piano, collaborative piano, organ, or harp have other ensemble options. See charts for associated instruments
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced competencies in performance. Studies in this area comprise as much as two-thirds or at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- Gain knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside the major such as theory and analysis, history and literature, musicology and ethnomusicology, and pedagogy. Such supportive studies in music that broaden and deepen musical competence comprise at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- Voice majors are expected to be proficient in English, German, French, and Italian diction and to have general phonetic knowledge and skills that can be applied to other languages. They should have language competencies sufficient to understand texts in the repertory.
- As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must present a public performance, which may serve as the thesis. Normally, the performance includes at least sixty minutes of recital in which the performer is a soloist.
Music Performance - Brass
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) | 12 | |
| Band: [Topic] | ||
or MUS 696 | Orchestra: [Topic] | |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 52-55 | |
| 1 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 2 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Keyboard: Collaborative Piano
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies: Piano Accompanying, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Performance Studies: Piano, MUP 650 | 4 | |
| Chamber Ensemble (6 terms) | 6 | |
| Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] | ||
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 1 | 2 |
| MUS 567–568 | Solo Vocal Music | 6 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| Two recitals | ||
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 52-53 | |
| 1 | Music for Chamber Ensemble. |
| 2 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 3 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Additional Requirements
Lyric Diction Proficiency is to be met by either passing MUS 155 and MUS 156, or the equivalent.
Music Performance - Keyboard: Harpsichord
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) 1 | 12 | |
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 2 | 3 |
| MUS 650 | Piano Literature | 3 |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 58-61 | |
| 1 | Harpsichord students may enroll in one of the following courses instead of large-conducted ensembles: MUS 605, MUS 691, MUS 694 |
| 2 | Harpsichord Literature. |
| 3 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 4 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Keyboard: Organ
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) 1 | 12 | |
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 2 | 1-4 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 56-62 | |
| 1 | Organ students may enroll in one of the following courses instead of large-conducted ensembles: MUS 605, MUS 691, MUS 694. |
| 2 | Organ Literature. |
| 3 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 4 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Keyboard: Solo Piano
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Ensemble | 9 | |
| The Collaborative Pianist | ||
| The Collaborative Pianist | ||
| The Collaborative Pianist | ||
| Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] 1 | ||
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUS 650 | Piano Literature | 3 |
| MUS 651 | Piano Literature | 3 |
| MUS 652 | Piano Literature | 3 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 58-61 | |
| 1 | Top Accompanying. One credit each, at least 3 terms. |
| 2 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 3 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Multiple Brass or Woodwinds
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (at least 3 terms) 1 | 12 | |
| Performance Studies on secondary instruments 2 | 8 | |
| Music Performance Studies | ||
or MUP 665 | Music Performance Studies | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (at least 3 terms) 3 | 6 | |
| Band: [Topic] | ||
or MUS 696 | Orchestra: [Topic] | |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 4 | 3 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 5 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 5 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 5 | 3-4 | |
| Recital on primary instrument | ||
| Recital of a substantial compositions on each of two secondary instruments | ||
| Final Oral Examination 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 48-51 | |
| 1 | Must be concurrently enrolled in a large ensemble for every term of studio instruction. |
| 2 | Woodwinds (2 secondary instruments) = 2 terms on each instrument of MUP 650. Brass (2 secondary instruments) = 1 term on each instrument of MUP 665. |
| 3 | May be met by concurrent ensemble requirement from footnote 1. |
| 4 | Wind Instrument Music. |
| 5 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 6 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Double Bass, Cello
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble, MUS 696 (6 terms) | 12 | |
| MUS 694 | Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] 1 | 3 |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 55-58 | |
| 1 | At least three terms. |
| 2 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 3 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Harp
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) 1 | 12 | |
| MUS 694 | Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] 2 | 3 |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 3 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 55-58 | |
| 1 | Harp students can include MUS 695, MUS 696, MUS 605, MUS 691 or MUS 694 |
| 2 | At least three terms. |
| 3 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 4 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Viola, Violin
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble, MUS 696 (6 terms) | 12 | |
| MUS 694 | Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] 1 | 3 |
| MUE 563 | Pedagogy Methods: Violin and Viola | 2 |
| MUE 564 | Advanced Violin/Viola Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUE 565 | Somatics for String Players | 1 |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 60-63 | |
| 1 | At least three terms. |
| 2 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 3 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Percussion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) | 12 | |
| Band: [Topic] | ||
or MUS 696 | Orchestra: [Topic] | |
| Percussion Ensemble, MUS 694 (6 terms) | 6-12 | |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 58-67 | |
| 1 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 2 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Performance - Voice
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Chorus or Opera Workshop (at least 3 terms) | 6 | |
| Chorus: [Topic] | ||
or MUS 698 | Opera Workshop | |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
| MUS 555 | Lyric Diction | 3 |
| MUS 556 | Lyric Diction | 3 |
| MUS 567 | Solo Vocal Music | 3 |
| MUS 568 | Solo Vocal Music | 3 |
| MUS 575 | History of Opera | 4 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 1 | 3-4 | |
| Recitals | ||
| Final Oral Examination 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 59-60 | |
| 1 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 2 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Additional Requirements
Language: One year of college study in each language – Italian, French, German. These can have been completed at a previous institution.
Music Performance - Woodwinds
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Performance Studies, MUP 665 (6 terms) | 24 | |
| Appropriate Ensemble (6 terms) | 12 | |
| Band: [Topic] | ||
or MUS 696 | Orchestra: [Topic] | |
| MUS 691 | Collegium Musicum 1 | 1 |
| Music in Historic Era - select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One music theory course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One music theory or musicology/ethnomusicology course at the 600-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| One musicology/ethnomusicology, theory, or literature course at the 500-level or above 2 | 3-4 | |
| Recital | ||
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 52-55 | |
| 1 | Not required for saxophone students. |
| 2 | Courses are listed in the Approved Courses section. |
| 3 | Oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium. |
Music Theory Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 516 | Post-Tonal Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 517 | Post-Tonal Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 530 | Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 531 | Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | 3 |
| MUS 532 | Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS 533 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 534 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 535 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 670 | Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | 4 |
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUS 629 | Repertoire and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 630 | History of Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 631 | History of Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 632 | History of Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 634 | Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | 3 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
Musicology/Ethnomusicology & Music Theory Courses (600-Level up)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 614 | Introduction to Musicology | 4 |
| MUS 643 | Notation of Medieval and Renaissance Music | 3 |
| MUS 660 | Music in the Middle Ages 1 | 3 |
| MUS 661 | Music in the Renaissance 1 | 3 |
| MUS 662 | Music in the Baroque Era 1 | 3 |
| MUS 663 | Music in the Classical Period 1 | 3 |
| MUS 664 | Music in the Romantic Era 1 | 3 |
| MUS 665 | Music in the 20th Century 1 | 3 |
| MUS 670 | Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | 4 |
| MUS 671 | Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | 4 |
| MUS 680 | Historical Performance Practices I | 3 |
| MUS 681 | Historical Performance Practices II | 3 |
| MUS 682 | Historical Performance Practices III | 3 |
| MUS 683 | Rhetoric and Music | 4 |
| MUS 684 | Musical Iconography | 4 |
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUS 629 | Repertoire and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 630 | History of Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 631 | History of Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 632 | History of Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 634 | Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | 3 |
| 1 | These courses can also count in this category, but only after the Music in Historic Era requirement is completed. |
Musicology/Ethnomusicology & Music Theory Courses (500-Level up)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 528 | Cultures of Musical Celebrity | 3 |
| MUS 551 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 |
| MUS 552 | Musical Instruments of the World | 4 |
| MUS 562 | Popular Musics in the African Diaspora | 4 |
| MUS 575 | History of Opera | 4 |
| MUS 587 | Music and Emotion | 4 |
| MUS 614 | Introduction to Musicology | 4 |
| MUS 643 | Notation of Medieval and Renaissance Music | 3 |
| MUS 660 | Music in the Middle Ages 1 | 3 |
| MUS 661 | Music in the Renaissance 1 | 3 |
| MUS 662 | Music in the Baroque Era 1 | 3 |
| MUS 663 | Music in the Classical Period 1 | 3 |
| MUS 664 | Music in the Romantic Era 1 | 3 |
| MUS 665 | Music in the 20th Century 1 | 3 |
| MUS 670 | Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | 4 |
| MUS 671 | Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | 4 |
| MUS 680 | Historical Performance Practices I | 3 |
| MUS 681 | Historical Performance Practices II | 3 |
| MUS 682 | Historical Performance Practices III | 3 |
| MUS 683 | Rhetoric and Music | 4 |
| MUS 684 | Musical Iconography | 4 |
| MUS 516 | Post-Tonal Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 517 | Post-Tonal Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 531 | Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | 3 |
| MUS 532 | Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS 533 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 534 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 535 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUS 629 | Repertoire and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 630 | History of Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 631 | History of Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 632 | History of Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 634 | Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | 3 |
| 1 | These courses can also count in this category, but only after the Music in Historic Era requirement is completed. |