Program Overview
The Frost School of Music’s Department of Instrumental Performance has programs tailored to meet the needs and interests of students – like you – who aspire to performance careers. Graduates of these programs often pursue careers as symphony musicians, university professors, concert soloists, or band or orchestra conductors. Many graduates pursue advanced study and graduate degrees for further career preparation.
As an instrumental performance major, you will focus on developing and honing your performance skills on a selected brass, percussion, string, or woodwind instrument with assistance from faculty who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers and performing musicians. While the curriculum emphasizes development of tone and musicianship, as well as technical mastery of the instrument, it also includes music theory, music history and literature, orchestral literature and teaching methods. In addition, you will develop expertise in contemporary literature and chamber music performance. For more information, please visit the website for the department of Instrumental Performance.
Admission Requirements
All applicants to the Frost School must submit the following items:
· An online application
· Application fee
· Resume
· Three letters of recommendation
· Official transcripts from every post-secondary school attended
This graduate degree program also requires submission of certain supplemental materials, including:
· Prescreen/Performance
· Live audition (preferred)
· TOEFL/IELTS score, as applicable
For more detailed information, please visit our Graduate Admission website.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Area | ||
| Applied Lessons | 8 | |
| Instrumental Ensembles | 7 | |
| MCY Elective | 3 | |
| MTC Elective | 3 | |
| MIP 812 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Artist Development | 3 | |
| Choose one course from the following: | ||
| Arts Leadership | ||
| World of the Working Musician | ||
| Media Creation | ||
| Peak Performance Strategies for Musicians | ||
| The Teaching Artist | ||
| Communication, Marketing, and Publicity for the Musical Artist | ||
| Electives, chosen in consultation with advisor | 11 | |
| Comprehensive Masters Jury | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- *
Ensemble Policy: Students must be enrolled in at least one advisor-approved ensemble for each semester in residence.
- **
Recital Policy: Students must give one, full-length recital (MIP 812 Masters Recital). Students who wish to give a second, optional recital may enroll in MIP 813 Masters Second Recital, with advisor approval, under "Electives."
Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MIP XX6 Applied Lessons | 2 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MCY Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective(s) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIP XX6 Applied Lessons | 2 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MTC Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective(s) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MIP XX6 Applied Lessons | 2 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| Artist Development Course | 3 | |
| Approved Elective(s) | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIP XX6 Applied Lessons | 2 | |
| Instrumental Ensemble | 1 | |
| MIP 812 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Approved Elective(s) | 3 | |
| Comprehensive Masters Jury | ||
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
* This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Mission
The mission of the Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance is to:
- Provide students the highest quality of education available in the areas of instrumental performance and musicianship that will provide them the skills required to lead a professional performance career as a classical instrumentalist.
- To stimulate the student's awareness and artistic creativity in the field of instrumental performance
- To provide students public performance opportunities in a supportive and encouraging environment
- To provide students the writing and research skills needed in order to adequately prepare them for study at the doctoral level.
- To provide students with essential knowledge of repertoire, in all its facets, in order that they be conversant and readily able to apply it in their performance field.
Goals
As an instrumental performance major, you will focus on developing and honing your performance skills on a selected brass, percussion, string, or woodwind instrument with assistance from faculty who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers and performing musicians. While the curriculum emphasizes development of tone and musicianship, as well as technical mastery of the instrument, it also includes music theory, music history and literature, orchestral literature and teaching methods. In addition, you will develop expertise in contemporary literature and chamber music performance. For more information, please visit the website for the department of Instrumental Performance.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop instrumental Technique necessary to a master level. They should develop their Technique to continue graduate study at elite level music schools or pursue professional careers as classical instrumentalists.
- Students will develop instrumental Expression necessary to a master level. They should develop their Expression to continue graduate study at elite level music schools or pursue professional careers as classical instrumentalists.
- Students will demonstrate comprehensive performance skills required of a master’s degree from a leading performance music school, preparing them to pursue professional performance careers or continue study at the doctoral leve
