This concentration is designed primarily for students who wish to do advanced study in music history and literature. For some students, the degree is a terminal degree (for example, music teachers who may wish to pursue graduate work in music history rather than in music education), while for others it serves as preparation for the study of musicology at the doctoral level.
While prospective students are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination scores, they are strongly advised to take these tests before or early in their graduate work if they wish to be considered for a UWM Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship or if they plan to continue their graduate work after completing a master’s degree at UWM.
Diagnostic examinations in both music history and music theory are required of all entering and transferring graduate students before their first semester of study at UWM. Exceptions will be granted in extenuating circumstances. In no case will students be allowed to proceed beyond the first year of graduate study without having taken the diagnostic exams. These examinations assist the faculty in determining whether the student may proceed with required graduate courses, or whether they first need to remove deficiencies.
Applicants exhibiting deficiencies in music history will be required to enroll in Graduate Music History (MUSIC 704), and those exhibiting deficiencies in music theory will be required to enroll in Graduate Theory Foundations (MUSIC 703); these courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “B” or better. Additionally, other areas of deficiency may require further review. Graduate Music History may count toward the degree as an elective. Credits earned in making up deficiencies in music theory do not count toward the degree. The following courses are recommended to fulfill the graduate theory elective requirement: MUSIC 680, MUSIC 731, MUSIC 744.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
Applicant must have a reading knowledge of a language other than English, preferably German.
Applicant must submit two examples of written work (essays, research papers).
Diagnostic examinations in both music history and music theory are required of all entering and transferring graduate students before their first semester of study at UWM. Exceptions will be granted in extenuating circumstances. In no case will students be allowed to proceed beyond the first year of graduate study without having taken the diagnostic exams. These examinations assist the faculty in determining whether the student may proceed with required graduate courses, or whether they first need to remove deficiencies.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, those seeking admission to the Master of Music degree program must submit the following to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Music:
- A Graduate Music Application (available upon request from the Department of Music, Dr. Timothy Noonan: tpnoonan@uwm.edu, 414-229-2286
). - A one-page resume of the applicant’s performance experience and extracurricular activities.
- A one-page statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wishing to pursue a degree program at UWM, the applicant’s career goals, and what they intend to do with a UWM degree.
- Three letters of recommendation.
While prospective students are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination scores, they are strongly advised to take these tests before or early in their graduate work if they wish to be considered for a UWM Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship or if they plan to continue their graduate work after completing a master’s degree at UWM.
Credits and Courses
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Undergraduate music course background must include adequate preparation in music theory demonstrated through satisfactory completion of the following or equivalent courses:
Course List Code Title Credits MUSIC 127 Materials of Theory I 2 MUSIC 128 Materials of Theory II 3 MUSIC 225 Materials of Theory III 3 MUSIC 123 Aural Theory I 1 MUSIC 124 Aural Theory II 1 MUSIC 226 Aural Theory III 1 MUSIC 421 Materials of Theory IV 3 - Preparation in music history and literature must be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a two-semester survey course in development of music from earliest times to the present plus one semester of more specialized music history.
Applicants exhibiting deficiencies in music history will be required to enroll in MUSIC 704, and those exhibiting deficiencies in music theory will be required to enroll in MUSIC 703; these courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “B” or better. Additionally, other areas of deficiency may require further review. Graduate Music History may count toward the degree as an elective. Credits earned in making up deficiencies in music theory do not count toward the degree. The following courses are recommended to fulfill the graduate theory elective requirement: MUSIC 680, MUSIC 731, MUSIC 744.
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, 27 of which must be in specified music areas, 3 of which may be in one of the other areas or in a related field.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Requirements | ||
| MUSIC 450 | Introduction to Musicology | 3 |
| MUSIC 452 | Early Music Ensemble (1 credit each for two semesters) | 2 |
| MUSIC 710 | Graduate Studies in Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 711 | Graduate Seminar in Music History: | 3 |
| MUSIC XXX | Graduate Theory Elective | 3 |
| MUSIC 911 | Seminar In Musicology I | 3 |
| MUSIC 990 | Research of Thesis | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Music History | 6 | |
| Other Areas of Music | 1 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-30 | |
3 credits of General Electives (UG or G) | ||
30 credits in Library Science if M.M./MLIS major | ||
| Total Credits | 30-57 | |
The program must also include:
- MUSIC 314G, if not previously completed.
- Reading knowledge of German, French or Italian (see below for specific details).
Additional Requirements
Language Requirement
Candidates for the Master of Music degree with a concentration in Music History and Literature must demonstrate a reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian. The examiner, a member of the music history faculty, will choose several paragraphs totaling approximately 500 words taken from a suitable book or periodical article approved by the advisor, and dealing with a musical topic, and ask for a written translation. The candidate may use a dictionary. The results of the test will be communicated by the examiner to the Music History and Literature area Chair. Candidates failing the exam the first time may take it a second time, provided an appropriate interval has elapsed.
Thesis
The student must submit an acceptable thesis or thesis equivalent, which must be read and approved by both the student’s thesis advisor and a second reader belonging to the Graduate Faculty. Appropriate thesis equivalents may be:
- Two revised or expanded seminar papers totaling between 30 and 40 pages of text; or
- One revised or expanded seminar paper, plus one of the following:
- A comprehensive review essay of an edition or major musical monograph.
- A concentrated study of the life and work of a musician or musical scholar.
Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass final written comprehensive examinations in both music history and music theory.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.