Music, MM

School of Music, College of Communication, Fine Arts & Media

Vision Statement

The Master of Music degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is divided into four concentrations: music education, music performance, jazz and conducting. The music performance and jazz concentrations are 30 hour programs that emphasize performance and applied music. Courses dealing with history, theory, and pedagogy are included, and opportunities for internships and performances in local professional organizations such as Opera Omaha, Omaha Performing Arts, the Jewell and the Omaha Symphony are enjoyed by students at UNO.  The music education concentration is a 30 hour program with courses that emphasize pedagogy, practical application of music skills, and research for teachers at all levels. The class times and offerings are scheduled with the current practitioner in mind and include the option to complete much of the coursework online or during summer sessions. The conducting concentration is a 30 hour program that emphasizes individualized instruction in conducting and maximizes experiences in front of an ensemble. Courses in music history, literature, and theory supplement the practical experience to help produce well-rounded graduates with considerable knowledge of techniques and literature. The conducting concentration is available through in-person instruction, online/remote instruction, or hybrid instruction. In order to pursue the online/remote delivery option students must have an off-campus lab ensemble approved by graduate conducting faculty as part of the audition process.

Program Contact Information

Pete Madsen, DMA, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
226 Strauss Performing Arts (SPAC)
402.554.2297
petermadsen@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024)

  • Fall: June 15
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: April 15

Other Requirements

  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in music from an accredited institution and have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 or better in all music courses.
  • English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
    • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110 
  • Resume
  • If the applicant does not have an undergraduate degree in music, the applicant must take the School of Music Graduate Diagnostic Exam before enrolling in any graduate courses in order to determine which undergraduate foundation courses may be necessary.
  • An audition for a panel of three graduate faculty members is required for all applicants wishing to pursue the performance, jazz or conducting concentration.
    • Conducting students wishing to pursue the online delivery option must have an off-campus lab ensemble approved by graduate conducting faculty as part of the audition process. 

Degree Requirements

Student must select an area of concentration.

Concentrations 

Conducting Concentration

Required Concentration Courses
MUS 8630RESEARCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY IN MUSIC3
MUS 8700CONDUCTING PRACTICUM (12 hours required)12
MUS 8460MUSIC ANALYSIS FOR PERFORMANCE3
Music History and Literature
Select 3 hours from the following:3
RENAISSANCE MUSIC LITERATURE
BAROQUE MUSIC LITERATURE
CLASSICAL MUSIC LITERATURE
ROMANTIC MUSIC LITERATURE
MUSIC FROM 1900 - 1945
MUSIC SINCE 1945
Electives
The electives are approved by the graduate advisor during the advising process. Six of the 9 hours must be in music and the remaining 3 hours can be from any academic area. Special note, students pursuing the choral conducting option must complete MUS 8726 as an elective. 9
Total Credits30

Jazz Concentration

Required Concentration Courses
Select 12 hours in MUS 815 Applied Music A-Z12
MUS 8630RESEARCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY IN MUSIC3
MUS 8436ARRANGING FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE3
MUS 8596AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC FROM BEBOP TO HIP-HOP3
MUS 8160PERFORMING ENSEMBLES (Must complete a total of 3 hours of MUS 8160)3
Electives in Music6
Electives are approved by the graduate advisor during the advising process.
Total Credits30

Music Education Concentration

Required Concentration Courses
MUS 8630RESEARCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY IN MUSIC3
MUS 8610ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION IN MUSIC3
MUS 8640FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC EDUCATION3
MUS 8600PEDAGOGY OF WORLD MUSIC3
MUS 8660PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY3
Required Music Theory Course
MUS 8460MUSIC ANALYSIS FOR PERFORMANCE3
Required Music History and Literature Course
Select 3 hours from the following:3
RENAISSANCE MUSIC LITERATURE
BAROQUE MUSIC LITERATURE
CLASSICAL MUSIC LITERATURE
ROMANTIC MUSIC LITERATURE
MUSIC FROM 1900 - 1945
MUSIC SINCE 1945
Electives in Music6
Electives in Music or Education3
All electives must be approved by the graduate advisor during the advising process.
Total Credits30

Music Performance Concentration

Required Concentration Courses
Select 12 hours in MUS 815 A-Z12
MUS 8630RESEARCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY IN MUSIC3
MUS 8460MUSIC ANALYSIS FOR PERFORMANCE3
MUS 8160PERFORMING ENSEMBLES (Must complete a total of 3 hours of MUS 8160)3
Required Music History and Literature
Select 3 hours from the following:3
RENAISSANCE MUSIC LITERATURE
BAROQUE MUSIC LITERATURE
CLASSICAL MUSIC LITERATURE
ROMANTIC MUSIC LITERATURE
MUSIC FROM 1900 - 1945
MUSIC SINCE 1945
Electives in Music
Electives are approved by the graduate advisor during the advising process.6
Total Credits30

Exit Requirements

All students must take final comprehensive examinations. Students can take comprehensive exams before the semester in which they intend to graduate; however, all required coursework in the program must be completed. The exception is if a student has not completed one required course and is enrolled in that course during the semester in which they are taking the comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams will be offered three times during the course of the year—Fall, Spring and Summer. Normally the exams are administered on the last Saturday of October or first Saturday in November (Fall Semester), the second or third Saturday in April (Spring Semester), and the last Friday of June or the first Friday of July (Summer Term).

The concentrations identified below have an additional culminating demonstration of professional capability in the concentration field.

  • Students completing the Conducting concentration must present and pass two public performances. The graduate program coordinator must approve the public performances which typically consist of a recital or concert.
  • Students in Performance and Jazz concentrations must present and pass two public performances or present and pass one public performance and complete MUS 8970 Graduate Project. The graduate program coordinator must approve the public performance(s) which typically consist of a recital or major role in an opera. MUS 8970 can count toward electives.