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

Major Area
Applied Lessons8
Instrumental Ensembles7
MCY Elective3
MTC Elective3
MIP 812Master's Recital1
Artist Development3
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 advisor11
Comprehensive Masters Jury
Total Credit Hours36
*

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MIP XX6 Applied Lessons 2
Instrumental Ensemble 1
Instrumental Ensemble 1
MCY Elective 3
Approved Elective(s) 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring
MIP XX6 Applied Lessons 2
Instrumental Ensemble 1
Instrumental Ensemble 1
MTC Elective 3
Approved Elective(s) 3
 Credit Hours10
Year Two
Fall
MIP XX6 Applied Lessons 2
Instrumental Ensemble 1
Instrumental Ensemble 1
Artist Development Course 3
Approved Elective(s) 2
 Credit Hours9
Spring
MIP XX6 Applied Lessons 2
Instrumental Ensemble 1
MIP 812 Master's Recital 1
Approved Elective(s) 3
Comprehensive Masters Jury
 Credit Hours7
 Total Credit Hours36

* 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