Welcome to graduate study in Music at Western Carolina University!
The information and instructions contained in this Handbook summarize, interpret, and supplement the official publications of the University Graduate Catalog. Please take time to make yourself familiar with the information presented on this page. This material will assist you in planning your graduate study in music. If there are any discrepancies between the information in this Handbook and any official University publications, the University documents are understood to have precedence.
Please note that while the following information relates to the Master of Arts in Applied Music (MA), the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd), and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), the MAEd and MAT are officially administered by the College of Education and Allied Professions. For more information about those programs, please follow the link above and/or contact:
College of Education and Allied Professions
Master of Arts in Education Program
220 Killian Building
(828) 227-7311
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information |
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Comprehensive Examinations |
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Master of Music Degree (MM) |
Master of Arts in Education Degree (MAEd) |
Master of Arts in Teaching Degree (MAT) |
The Department of Music is a unit in the College of Arts and
Sciences of Western Carolina University, a comprehensive state university.
The department complements the general objectives of the university by providing
quality curricula in music with professional and liberal arts emphases. An
atmosphere of scholarly and creative activity in music pedagogy, research,
composition, and performance leads to professional and community service.
The Department of Music primarily serves the western North Carolina region
while maintaining a national graduate and undergraduate student body. The
Bachelor of Arts (music, music industry, or performing emphasis), Bachelor
of Science in Education (vocal, keyboard, or instrumental music), the Master
of Music (in Performance), and the Master of Arts (with a concentration in
music education) degrees are conferred. The Department of Music serves as
a primary source of musical culture and education within the rural environment
of western North Carolina through musical performances, clinics, workshops,
festivals, and consultant work.
Nestled in a beautiful valley just 30 minutes south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Western Carolina University serves approximately 6500 students. Sixteen highly-qualified music faculty members teach studio lessons in their areas of performance and academic courses in their areas of scholarly interest. An active faculty recital series is supplemented by guest artists from around the country and the world. Along with student recitals, more than 60 formal concerts are given on campus each year. Performance opportunities for graduate students include two large vocal ensembles, an early music ensemble, jazz ensemble, a wind ensemble, and a concert band. Chamber music activities are also encouraged. Some of our students also perform in various orchestras in the region. Whether your interest in graduate study is for professional or purely personal reasons, Western Carolina University is here to serve you.
The Department of Music is housed in the spacious, modern Coulter
Building located near the center of campus. The building contains ample space
for all of the classes and activities of the department. Current facilities
include a 420-seat recital hall, two ample rehearsal halls, a MIDI lab and
an electronic keyboard lab, two seminar rooms, 18 office/studios, 29 practice
rooms, and a reference/study room.
The Department of Music services three separate degree tracks:
1.) Master of Music degree (MM)
2.) Master of Arts in Education degree (MAEd)
3.) Master of Arts in Teaching degree (MAT)
Each degree is outlined at the links above and the components
and audition procedures are detailed. The MAEd degree and the MAT degree are
conferred through the College of Education
and Allied Professions, and while much of the coursework will be taken
in the Department of Music, primary advising and portfolio requirements will
be administered through that College.
A limited number of teaching or research assistantships in the music department are available to qualified graduate music students. Assistantships provide students with supervised teaching, performing, and work experiences in music while offsetting the cost of a graduate degree. Duties may include one or more of the following, depending on the student's area of focus:
1.) teaching within the major area studio
2.) assisting in the band or choral programs
3.) assisting with music theory or history
4.) assisting with piano lab classes and accompanying
5.) supervising the Electronic Reference Lab
6.) assisting in faculty research projects
Recipients are required to register for a minimum of nine semester hours per semester. Because out-of-state tuition rates are higher, out-of-state students are encouraged to apply for a partial tuition waiver. Other assistantships may be available through the Graduate School or other offices on campus.
Each semester, the Graduate School awards a number of Study Grants to well-qualified graduate students. The amount of the award is $300 per semester. Students must register for a minimum of three semester hours. There is no work requirement, and the awards are made on the basis of merit as reflected by the student's application file. Contact the Graduate School for more information.
Various other types of financial aid (loans, work-study grants, and other work opportunities) are described in brochures available from the Financial Aid Office. Questions concerning these opportunities should be addressed to:
Every effort is made to assign music graduate assistants an office in which to study and practice, subject to space availability. This office (for which there is no charge) is usually shared by other music graduate assistants. Graduate students may also apply for a study carrel in the Hunter Library.
The role of the Advisor is to assist you in planning and scheduling a creative educational program that meets both the University requirements and your academic and career interests. You are encouraged to consult your Advisor on a regular basis with regard to class selection and scheduling, preparation for the lecture recital and comprehensive examinations, and any special problems you may encounter. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies and the Department Head are also available for consultation. So that we may contact you easily, please keep the music office informed of any changes in your local address or telephone number.
MUS 503: Marching Band Techniques (2)
MUS 520: Studies in Music Literature (3, R9). Historical and theoretical study of various forms of music literature. Only 3 hours may be counted as part of the graduate core curriculum.
MUS 593: Topics in Music (1-3, R12). Issues in music performance, education, or the music business. Only six credit hours may be counted toward degree requirements.
MUS 597: Seminar in Piano Pedagogy (1, R4)
MUS 598: Seminar in Accompanying (1, R4)
MUS 611: Applied Music (1, R4). One half-hour lesson per week in minor performance area.
MUS 614: Applied Conducting (1, R4). One half-hour lesson per week in choral or instrumental conducting.
MUS 640: Studies in Music Pedagogy (3, R6). Techniques and materials of teaching for voice and instruments. Only 3 hours may be applied toward major area requirements.
MUS 650: Advanced Flute Repair (2, R8). PREQ: MUS 593 (Special Topics: Instrument Repair); permission of the instructor.
MUS 680: Independent Study (1, R6)
MUS 693: Orff-Schulwerk Level II (3). A study of intermediate level Orff-Schulwerk techniques. PREQ: 592.
MUS 694: Orff-Schulwerk Level III (3). A study of advanced level Orff-Schulwerk techniques. PREQ: 693.
MUS 699: Thesis (3, R6). Requirements determined by the student's Advisory Committee. Only 3 hours may be counted toward degree requirements.
MUS 999: Continuing Research (2, R24). See policy on completion of thesis and dissertation found in the Admissions and Degree Requirements of the Graduate Catalog.
General Guidelines. An hour-long recital should be accompanied by a
scholarly set of program notes that demonstrate your historical and theoretical
understanding of the music that is being performed. This should take from 4-8
pages if carefully and concisely written. Weighting for the program notes should
not be less than 10% of the total grade. A lecture/recital with a minimum of
20 minutes of music should be accompanied by a theoretical, historical, or pedagogical
paper of 25 to 35 pages, discussing in significant detail one or more of the
works performed. For such a project, weighting of the written work should not
exceed 50% of the total grade.
Mary Kay Bauer, Associate Professor (Voice), Coordinator of Graduate
Studies
M.M., Northwestern University, 1983; D.M.A., University of Minnesota, 1989
Bruce Frazier, Professor of Music (Commercial and Electronic
Music)
Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Music
D.M.A. University of Southern California
Robert A. Holquist, Professor (Voice)
M.S., Wisconsin State University, 1971; D.M.A., University of Iowa, 1977
Robert W. Kehrberg, Professor (Trombone), Head of Department
M.A., University of Iowa, 1973; D.A., University of Northern Colorado, 1983
Alan F. Mattingly, Associate Professor (Horn)
M.M., D.M., Florida State University, 1993, 1998
Lillian Buss Pearson, Associate Professor (Piano)
M.M., University of Illinois, 1969; D.M.A., Florida State University, 1975
Will Peebles, Professor (Bassoon)
M.M., D.M.A., Michigan State University, 1982, 1994
Eldred Spell, Professor (Flute)
M.M., East Carolina University, 1977; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1990
P. Bradley Ulrich, Associate Professor (Trumpet)
M.M., D.M.A., University of Illinois, 1986, 1989
John T. West, Professor, Director of Bands (Saxophone)
M.M.E., Ph.D., Florida State University, 1982, 1985
A. Yes: all degree requirements must be completed within a six-year period. If you leave the university before all requirements are satisfied, remember that you may not merely submit the remaining material and graduate. You must be enrolled in a course (usually MUS 999) during the semester in which you get your degree. See policy on completion of thesis and dissertation found in the Admissions and Degree Requirements of the Graduate Catalog.
Q. How many hours may be transferred from another university?
A. Up to six hours of graduate credit with grades of B or better may be transferred from other regionally accredited graduate schools.
Q. How do I request transfer hours to be counted toward the degree?
A. A transcript of all graduate work completed at another institution should be sent to the Graduate School at the time of application. This work is evaluated by the Department of Music and a recommendation as to course equivalencies is made to the Graduate School. Forms for this procedure are available from the Graduate School.
Q. May I transfer graduate credit taken at another school after I start the program at Western?
A. You may transfer coursework taken at another graduate school (up to the six-credit limit), even after beginning the graduate program. Usually, this occurs when a student wishes to take a summer course at home or to finish up a final course after completing the residency. Any such coursework must be approved in advance. Forms for this procedure are available from the Graduate School. You must have official transcripts sent to WCU when the course is completed.
Q. Are graduate students required to participate in ensembles?
A. If your concentration is in applied music, you must participate in a regularly performing ensemble for one semester. Additional ensemble credit may be applied toward electives.
Q. If the applied teacher in my area is not a member of the graduate faculty, can I still study with him or her and receive a degree?
A. Yes, but your Advisor will be the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, or some other member of the graduate faculty whom you choose.
Q. May I change from the MA in applied music to the MAEd in music education or vice versa?
A. Yes. You may change programs, but you may do so only by making a formal application to the new program. While the two programs share a core of courses in music, admission requirements and overall program requirements are different. You must realize that not all of the courses you may have taken are applicable to both degree programs. You may end up with a few surplus electives.
Q. Do all graduate students get an office?
A. No. When possible, the Department makes office space available for graduate assistants, but this is not guaranteed, as space is often limited. Offices for graduate assistants are usually shared among two or three students.
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