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The UC Santa Cruz Master of Arts degree program in music integrates studies in performance, composition/analysis, and research. The program seeks to maintain a balance of skills and interests and to encourage a diversity of approaches among its graduate students. In consultation with a faculty adviser, students pursue a two-year course of studies culminating in a final project that typically combines an original composition or written thesis with a related public performance. The student’s role in the performance may range from that of a performer or conductor to that of a coach (of original compositions or a selected repertoire).
The curriculum includes courses in research methods, analysis, composition, and performance practices in Western music from the Renaissance to the 21st century and in the musics of India, Latin America, and Asia. Graduate students have completed diverse final projects: theses in non-Western performance practice include “Continuity and Change in the Learning of Balinese Gender Wayang” and “Classification and Analysis of Rhythm and Harmony in Flamenco Guitar”; theses in Western performance practice include “Early Scottish Keyboard Music: William Kinloch. A Critical Edition” and “Piano Jewels of Alberto Ginastera: Performance Practice through Analysis in ‘Danzas argentinas’ and “‘Twelve American Preludes’ ”; theses in composition include “Cantigas Das Folhas” (composition) and “Atom Turning in the Sun of Eternity” (composition).
The faculty consists of 15 regular research professors active in scholarship and performance, 5 adjunct faculty, and 19 performing artists who provide individual instruction in applied music. Working with faculty in small seminars, independent studies, and performance-thesis preparations, students develop multiple skills and competence in several musical traditions while mastering materials in their areas of specialization. Graduates of the master’s program have become successful candidates for doctoral programs, academic positions, and other technical and professional careers in music.
MA Degree Requirements
Upon entering the program at the beginning of fall quarter, students will take a diagnostic exam testing historical, theoretical, and analytical skills. Based on assessment of this exam, some students may be required to correct deficiencies by completing undergraduate music courses.
Required courses include course 200, Introduction to Research Methods; course 201, Pretonal and Tonal Analysis; and course 202, Tonal and Posttonal Analysis. Students with an emphasis in ethnomusicology or performance practice also select three courses from the 203 series of seminars in performance practices of Euro-American music (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and twentieth-century periods) and of traditional musics of Asia and Latin America. Students with an emphasis in composition must complete Music 219, Techniques in Composition; Music 220, Graduate Seminar in Music Composition; and one course from the 203 series. Course information is available at the website http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/.
In consultation with an assigned adviser, a student determines a logical sequence of additional courses in support of professional goals, which may include contextual studies in other disciplines (e.g., anthropology, history of consciousness, theater arts, art, art history, film and digital media), language and literature studies, applied music instruction, ensembles, directed readings, or independent research.
Current reading skill and comprehension of a relevant foreign language must be demonstrated upon enrollment by passing level 3 of a UCSC language placement examination, or by satisfactory completion of level 3 of the language at UCSC during the first year of enrollment. With the approval of the primary adviser, students whose emphasis is algorithmic composition may complete three quarters (one year) of university-level instruction in computer programming in lieu of fulfillment of the foreign language requirement. Knowledge of languages not offered at UCSC must be demonstrated by means to be determined by the Music Graduate Committee. Given the global nature of performance practice studies and level of language skills needed for many fieldwork and research topics, all students are encouraged to continue language studies in conjunction with their graduate program curriculum.
By the end of spring quarter of their first year, all graduate students are required to submit a one- or two-page written proposal for their recital and thesis. Students should prepare their proposals in conjunction with their thesis adviser(s) and obtain the signature(s) of the adviser(s) who will assist on the project.
The final requirement for the degree is a thesis consisting of a substantive and original creative or scholarly work, along with a related public performance. Candidates for the M.A. degree normally complete their graduate recital (Music 298) and thesis (Music 299) during the final quarter of enrollment. Students are required to complete 60 quarter credits of study (equivalent to 12 full-credit courses).
Application and Admission
The Music Department welcomes applications from all qualified persons interested in creative approaches to the integration of performance, composition/analysis, and research. In general, we look for applicants with exceptional intellectual promise and ability, secure performing skills, and a mature commitment to the field. For admission to the graduate program, a bachelor's degree in music (or the equivalent) is required.
Applications are limited to programs of study beginning in fall quarter. The deadline for receipt of applications and other required materials is January 15. The application is accessible at the web site https://apply.embark.com/Grad/UCSantaCruz/78/.
Admission to the program is based on assessment of the application and the following required materials:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcripts of undergraduate and any previous graduate-level work.
- Writing or composition sample (e.g., term paper or senior thesis, scores, or other projects). Applicants who wish to emphasize electronic music composition may include two recordings without score, but one score must also be included.
- A 10- to 20-minute unedited recording on CD, DVD, VHS, etc., of one or more recent performances as instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, or performances of original compositions.
- Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and attain a minimum score of 550 on the paper test, or 220 on the computer test, or 83 on the on-line test.
Videotapes, audiocassettes, CDs, DVDs, scores, and other application materials are nonreturnable.
Material(s) should be submitted to the following address:
UC Santa Cruz
Music Department
Graduate Adviser
Music Center
1156 High St.
Santa Cruz CA 95064
Please contact Yalenda Listmann at yalenda@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-3199 for additional information about the program.
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