Turn your passion for music performance into a fulfilling career as a solo performer, orchestral musician or studio teacher with the Master of Music degree. With a focus on literature, repertoire, performance skills and historical performance practices, our program prepares you for a wide range of professional music activities, as well as further study at the doctoral level.
Performance - M.M.
Contact Us
College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music
- Dr. Matthew Holm, Graduate Studies Coordinator
mholm2@kent.edu | 330-672-2522 - Connect with an Admissions Counselor:
U.S. Student | International Student
Master of Music in Performance - M.M.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Master of Music in Performance – M.M. provides targeted education in performance studies. This program offers career benefits for students looking to specialize in performance.
Program Information for Performance - M.M.
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Program Description
Full Description
The Master of Music degree in Performance is designed to prepare the student for professional music activities, including solo performance, orchestral playing, ensemble playing, collaborative performance, studio teaching; as well as doctoral study. The program emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire, performance skills, practice skills, interpretation and expression, performance pedagogy, historical performance practices, music history and music theory.
The Performance major includes the following optional concentrations:
- The Chamber Music concentration is for intensive coaching and performance of string quartet literature.
- The Collaborative Piano concentration provides focused study on performance, chamber music, accompanying and literature.
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Admissions
for Performance - M.M.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Audition
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
- Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 DET score
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International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Rolling admissions
- Spring Semester
- Rolling admissions
- Summer Term
- Rolling admissions
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Recognize, identify, interpret and perform representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
- Apply advanced performing skills in solo and ensemble settings, including tone production, accuracy, intonation, instrumental/vocal technique, musicality/expression, vocal language and diction and stage presence/presentation.
- Discuss, utilize and achieve high-quality results from efficient and effective practice techniques, including time management, achievable goals and use of appropriate technical skills, musical expression skills and focused work ethic.
- Have an enhanced understanding of interpretation and expression in music.
- Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific area of study.
- Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performances practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
- Utilize and discuss score study of literature performed and also representative literature from various historical periods and composers.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements MUS 62411 MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2 Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 1 12 MUS 66111APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO MUS 66311APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE MUS 66411APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN MUS 66412APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA MUS 66413APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO MUS 66414APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS MUS 66511APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE MUS 66512APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE MUS 66513APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET MUS 66514APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON MUS 66515APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE MUS 66611APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET MUS 66612APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN MUS 66613APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE MUS 66615APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA MUS 66711APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION Music Theory Requirement, choose from the following: 2 3 MUS 5114116TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT MUS 5115118TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT MUS 61131SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS MUS 61173WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS MUS 61174ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC MUS 61181POST-TONAL THEORY MUS 61191SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 Music History Requirement, choose from the following: 3 MUS 52131MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES MUS 52161HISTORY OF JAZZ MUS 52181POPULAR WORLD MUSIC MUS 62171MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES MUS 62281SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE Music Theory or Music History Elective, choose from the following: 3 3 Music Theory ElectivesMUS 5114116TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT MUS 5115118TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT MUS 61131SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS MUS 61173WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS MUS 61181POST-TONAL THEORY MUS 61191SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 Music History ElectivesMUS 52131MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES MUS 52161HISTORY OF JAZZ MUS 52181POPULAR WORLD MUSIC MUS 62171MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES MUS 62281SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE Culminating Requirement MUS 68687 RECITAL (taken twice for 1 credit hour each) 2 Additional Requirements or Concentration Choose from the following: 7 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 32 - 1
Students register for 4 credit hours of applied music courses in two of the semesters, and register for 2 credit hours of applied music in the two semesters in which they register for MUS 68687.
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Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.M. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.
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Students must select a third music theory or music history course. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 1 4 MUS 55121KENT CHORUS MUS 55131KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP MUS 55141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 55142CORO CANTARE MUS 55143CANTIQUE MUS 55151KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR MUS 55212ORCHESTRA MUS 55221SYMPHONY BAND MUS 55223WIND ENSEMBLE MUS 55231JAZZ ENSEMBLE MUS 55241TROMBONE ENSEMBLE MUS 55251PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE MUS 55261BASSOON ENSEMBLE MUS 55271NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55311CHAMBER MUSIC MUS 55314WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55321ACCOMPANYING Major Elective, choose from the following: 3 MUS 52221SYMPHONIC LITERATURE MUS 52241PIANO LITERATURE I MUS 52242PIANO LITERATURE II MUS 52251SONG LITERATURE MUS 52261OPERA LITERATURE MUS 55121KENT CHORUS MUS 55131KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP MUS 55141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 55142CORO CANTARE MUS 55143CANTIQUE MUS 55151KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR MUS 55212ORCHESTRA MUS 55223WIND ENSEMBLE MUS 55231JAZZ ENSEMBLE MUS 55241TROMBONE ENSEMBLE MUS 55251PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE MUS 55261BASSOON ENSEMBLE MUS 55271NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55311CHAMBER MUSIC MUS 55314WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55321ACCOMPANYING MUS 58241VOICE PEDAGOGY MUS 58257PEDAGOGY-INSTRUMENTAL MUS 58611ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I MUS 58612ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II MUS 68214PIANO PEDAGOGY I MUS 68215PIANO PEDAGOGY II Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) coursesMinimum Total Credit Hours: 7 - 1
Students in the following specializations must take the following every semester:
- Strings: MUS 55212
- Voice: MUS 55131
- Piano: MUS 55311 or MUS 55321
Chamber Music Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements MUS 55311 CHAMBER MUSIC (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each) 4 Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 3 MUS 55121KENT CHORUS MUS 55131KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP MUS 55141KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE MUS 55142CORO CANTARE MUS 55143CANTIQUE MUS 55151KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR MUS 55212ORCHESTRA MUS 55221SYMPHONY BAND MUS 55223WIND ENSEMBLE MUS 55231JAZZ ENSEMBLE MUS 55241TROMBONE ENSEMBLE MUS 55251PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE MUS 55261BASSOON ENSEMBLE MUS 55271NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55311CHAMBER MUSIC MUS 55314WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE MUS 55321ACCOMPANYING Minimum Total Credit Hours: 7 Collaborative Piano Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements MUS 55321 ACCOMPANYING (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each) 4 Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 3 MUS 52241PIANO LITERATURE I MUS 52242PIANO LITERATURE II MUS 52251SONG LITERATURE MUS 52261OPERA LITERATURE MUS 55311CHAMBER MUSIC MUS 58241VOICE PEDAGOGY MUS 58611ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I MUS 58612ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II MUS 64111CONDUCTING PROJECTS:CHORAL MUS 64131CONDUCTING PROJECTS:ORCHESTRA MUS 68214PIANO PEDAGOGY I MUS 68215PIANO PEDAGOGY II Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) coursesMinimum Total Credit Hours: 7 Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA - 3.000 - No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
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Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
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Accreditation
for Performance - M.M.
National Association of Schools of Music
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Performance - M.M.
Those who complete the Master of Music in Performance at Â鶹ÊÓƵ can benefit from specialized career opportunities in performance.
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Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
5.6%
faster than the average
116,300
number of jobs
$69,690
potential earnings
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Music directors and composers
1.7%
slower than the average
58,000
number of jobs
$52,250
potential earnings
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Musicians and singers
0.9%
little or no change
175,600
number of jobs
$N/A
potential earnings
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.