2018-2019 Samford University Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Samford University Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Music


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Faculty

Philip L. Copeland, Professor
Joseph H. Hopkins, Professor
Sharon L. Lawhon, Professor
W. Randall Richardson, Professor; Chair, Performance Studies in Music
Grant B. Dalton, Associate Professor
Joel S. Davis, Associate Professor
Brad Diamond, Associate Professor
Jeffrey Z. Flaniken, Associate Professor
Kristin Kenning, Associate Professor
Eric L. Mathis, Associate Professor; Director, Center for Worship and the Arts
Brian B. Viliunas, Associate Professor
Brian O. Walden, Associate Professor
Jovanni-Rey de Pedro, Assistant Professor
Larry E. Hardin, Assistant Professor
Timothy Heath, Assistant Professor
Mark A. Lackey, Assistant Professor; Director, Graduate Studies
Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) McGinnis, Assistant Professor
Emily Snider Andrews, Instructor


Mission

The Division of Music is preparing musicians to enrich society through a diligent pursuit of excellence.

General Information

Music study at Samford University is essentially a threefold program, including training in basic musicianship, training in specialized professional areas, and studies in the liberal arts. The core of the program is musicianship-continuous study in music performance, including solo and ensemble experiences, along with extensive work in music theory and history. In specialized areas, such as teacher training, composition, and music and worship, requirements include training and experiences in the special skills and knowledge appropriate to the respective degree program to equip the graduate to function effectively on the professional level. The liberal arts requirements contribute to the breadth of knowledge appropriate for the professional musician.

In addition to the academic programs, a wide variety of ensembles offer opportunities to both music and non-music majors for meaningful experiences in music making. University ensembles include A Cappella Choir, University Chorale, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and numerous chamber ensembles.

Accreditation

The Division of Music in the School of the Arts is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the teacher education program is accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education.


Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees

Master of Music (M.M.)

Church Music (M.M.)  with a Concentration in Conducting, Performance, or Thesis
Instrumental Performance (M.M.)  
Piano Performance and Pedagogy (M.M.) 
Vocal Performance (M.M.)  

Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)

Music: Pattern 1: Traditional Program (M.M.E.) 
Music: Pattern 2: Fifth Year Non-Traditional Program (M.M.E.) 
Music (National Board Cohort) (M.M.E.)  

Joint Degree

Master of Music/Master of Divinity (M.M./M.Div.)


The Division of Music offers graduate programs that meet requirements for the master of music and master of music education degrees. In cooperation with the Beeson School of Divinity, the School of the Arts also offers a joint degree in music and divinity (M.M./M.Div.)


Graduate Programs

Master of Music in Church Music: The master of music in church music (M.M.) is designed for college graduates who have articulated a call to vocational Christian ministry, chosen to pursue a graduate degree in ministry and possibly ordination. The degree program includes coursework in music, worship, ministry, and religion in order to adequately prepare students for sustainable tenures in the local church or in a parachurch organization. Students must choose a concentration in conducting, performance, or thesis.

Master of Music in Instrumental Performance: The master of music in instrumental performance (M.M.) prepares students to be proficient performers who are ready to pursue professional careers. Emphasis is placed on musical artistry and professionalism, together with developing students’ research skills. The degree concludes with a recital and an oral comprehensive examination.

Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy: The master of music in piano performance and pedagogy (M.M.) prepares students to be proficient performers and scholarly musicians who are ready to pursue professional careers as teachers of piano. Emphasis is placed on musical artistry and pedagogical professionalism, together with developing research skills. The degree requires two recitals and an oral comprehensive examination.

Master of Music in Vocal Performance: The master of music in vocal performance (M.M.) prepares students to be proficient performers who are ready to pursue professional careers. Emphasis is placed on musical artistry and professionalism, together with developing research skills. The degree concludes with a recital and an oral comprehensive examination.

Master of Music Education: The master of music education in music (M.M.E.) is designed to prepare students for increasing responsibilities in the field of music teaching. Completion of this degree qualifies the individual for an Alabama Class A teaching certificate. Two distinct programs are offered. The traditional program (Pattern 1) is for persons who hold an Alabama Class B teaching certificate or its equivalent. The fifth year non-traditional program (Pattern 2) is for persons whose previous education does not make them eligible for an Alabama Class B teaching certificate. Both programs conclude with an oral comprehensive examination.

Master of Music Education in Music (National Board Cohort): The master of music education in music with national board cohort (M.M.E.-MNBC) is designed specifically for in-service (practicing) music teachers who hold initial (Class B) certification in K-12 music in Alabama. The cohort design requires 15 months of continuous enrollment from start to finish, comprising two summers of full-time study plus part-time studies (fall and spring semesters) during the in-between academic year. The degree concludes with an oral comprehensive exam in the Division of Music. Class A teacher certification is granted by the State of Alabama’s Department of Education and will be issued by ALSDE upon meeting the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards (AQTS). Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 for admission to the program.

Master of Music/Master of Divinity: The M.M./M.Div. joint-degree program, offered in conjunction with the School of Divinity, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree.


Admission

A bachelor of music (B.M.) degree, or an equivalent degree, from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music is required for admission to all programs. An applicant whose undergraduate preparation does not meet these specifications may be admitted provisionally, with the requirement that course work stipulated at the time of admission be completed to ensure that preparation is equivalent to that of a graduate of the bachelor of music degree program offered by the Division of Music at Samford. Courses completed in satisfying this requirement must earn a grade of at least B and do not count toward the master’s degree.

Unconditional admission to any program requires a GPA of 3.00 or above. Admission to the master of music education programs requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) in music courses and on the undergraduate degree as a whole. There will be no exceptions. Minimum GPA for conditional admission to all other programs is 2.50 on a 4-point scale. All applicants for the master of music education programs must have passed the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) examination. Applicants for the master of music education (traditional program) must also submit minimum scores of 150 on the Music: Content Knowledge Exam (Test #0013) on the Praxis II Examination.

International applicants must contact the director of graduate studies in music for additional procedures.

A complete application includes:

  1. The application form and fee ($35).
  2. An official transcript from each institution attended since high school. Applicants for the master of music education degrees must provide two official transcripts.
  3. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), on which a minimum score of 90 is required.
  4. Three (3) recommendations from teachers or supervisors who can assess the student’s competence to undertake graduate study.
  5. Consult the Division of Music Graduate Program Manual for additional requirements specific to each degree.

In addition to application materials, each applicant must audition and interview for the appropriate music faculty.


 

Programs

    Master

    Courses

      Music - Church MusicMusic - ConductingMusic - Music Education & PedagogyMusic - Music History & LiteratureMusic - Music Theory & CompositionMusic - Performance-RelatedMusic - EnsemblesMusic - Performance Instruction

      Credit for performance study is consistent with the National Association of Schools of Music minimum standard of three hours of practice per week for each credit. For performance study, the first number of the course indicates classification level (1000-Freshman, 2000-Sophomore, 3000-Junior, 4000-Senior, 5000-Graduate) while the second number indicates the amount of course credits: i.e., MUSA 5111 Violin (1); MUSA 5251 Piano (2); MUSA 5357 Voice (3).

      Music - Class Instruction

      Students acquire a working knowledge of each family of instruments.

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