2022-2023 Samford University Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Music Division (Graduate)
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Faculty
Cindy B. St. Clair, Interim Chair, Assistant Professor
Philip L. Copeland, Professor
Grant B. Dalton, Professor
Joel S. Davis, Professor
Brad M. Diamond, Professor
Sharon L. Lawhon, Professor
Jeffrey Z. Flaniken, Associate Professor
Kristin Kenning, Associate Professor; Director, Samford Opera
Mark A. Lackey, Associate Professor
Brian B. Viliunas, Associate Professor
Emily Snider Andrews, Assistant Professor; Director, Graduate Studies
Michael Averett, Assistant Professor
M. Elizabeth (Beth) McGinnis, Assistant Professor
Steven A. Potaczek, Assistant Professor
Jonathan P. Rodgers, Assistant Professor
Morgan C. Soja, Assistant Professor
Jason A. Terry, Assistant Professor
Ryan T. Lovell, Instructor; Director, Athletic Bands
Mission
The Division of Music is preparing musicians to enrich society through a diligent pursuit of excellence.
General Information
The School of Arts, through its Division of Music, provides graduate studies in church music, music education, piano performance and pedagogy, instrumental and vocal performances. Each of these programs has a strong vocational focus, equipping students to serve in music ministries, teach music in the classroom setting, and perform and/or teach music in the private studio. Beyond the areas of specialization, the music division, through its graduate programs, aims to prepare well-rounded professionals who demonstrate a high level of musicianship, competence in solo performance and conducting, a secure knowledge of historical and analytical approaches to music literature, and the ability to do research and writing appropriate to the vocational areas.
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, Campus Worship Team, Worship Arts Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble, 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 (N.A.S.M.), and the teacher education program is accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Graduate Programs and Requirements
Degrees/Majors
Master of Arts (M.A.)*
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: Alternative Master’s Program (M.M.E.)
Music (National Board Cohort) (M.M.E.)
Joint Degree Pathway Program
Master of Music/Master of Divinity (M.M./M.Div.)
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The Division of Music offers graduate programs leading to the master of arts degree (M.A.) with a major in worship leadership*; master of music degree (M.M.), with majors in church music, instrumental performance, piano performance/pedagogy, and vocal performance; and the master of music education degree (M.M.E.), with three variations on the music major (traditional, alternative master’s, and National Board cohort).
Additionally, the music division offers a joint degree pathway program in cooperation with the Beeson School of Divinity, leading to both an M.M. and a master of divinity (M.Div.). Some credit sharing is allowed and overall credits of the combined programs are reduced.
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*Pending accreditation approval by the National Association of Schools of Music (N.A.S.M.)
Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)
The following basic policies and procedures apply to all graduate programs offered by the Division of Music. Program-specific policies are detailed in the program subsections below.
Admission Procedures
The application for admission to the graduate music program is located online. A grade-point average of 3.00 or above is recommended for admission to any program. International applicants must contact the coordinator of graduate studies in music for additional procedures.
Audition/Interview
In addition to the application materials, each applicant must audition and/or interview for the appropriate music performance faculty. Graduate audition dates are listed in the online application. Recorded auditions are acceptable in extenuating circumstances contingent upon prior approval. Prospective students should submit applications at least two weeks prior to a particular audition weekend to better ensure audition availability.
Area Audition Requirements
Audition requirements vary by degree. Please consult the website to locate your degree-specific page which will contain detailed information about audition requirements.
Transfer Credit
If approved by the coordinator of graduate studies in music upon consultation with the faculty and the music chair, as many as 12 of the credits required for a master’s degree in the music division may be transferred from other institutions (some programs allow fewer than 12 transfer credits). Transfer courses must have been completed within the six-year period prior to receipt of degree.
Time Limit
Candidates have six calendar years from the time of initial enrollment in the graduate program to complete the degree. Under extenuating circumstances, candidates may apply for a one-year extension.
Master of Arts (M.A.) with a Major in Worship Leadership
Admission Requirements
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 Samford’s music division. 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. Minimum GPA for conditional admission to all other programs is 2.50 on a 4-point scale.
International applicants must contact the director of graduate studies in music for additional procedures.
A complete application includes:
- The application form and fee ($35).
- An official transcript from each institution attended since high school.
- Typed statement, “My call to worship ministry.”
- Video link of student leading worship.
- Interview with music and worship area faculty.
- Two letters of support from an adult mentor and a church leader.
- 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.
- Consult the Division of Music Graduate Program Manual for additional requirements specific to each degree.
Time-to-Degree Completion Plan
When maintaining a full load of six to eight credit hours each semester, the degree will be completed in a four-semester sequence, over the course of two fiscal years. Students will spend two, separate weeks, each one at the beginning of the Fall semester, in a week-long course intensive with Samford faculty. The remainder of the degree will be delivered online.
Transfer Credit
If approved by the coordinator of graduate studies in the music division, in consultation with the faculty and the associate dean for music, as many as nine of the credits required for a master’s degree in the music division may be transferred from other institutions. Transfer courses must represent a grade of B or higher, and must have been completed within the six-year period prior to receipt of degree.
Progression Policies
No course in which the grade earned is below C- may be counted toward the degree. A candidate must maintain a grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) to remain in good standing. Should the candidate’s grade-point average fall below this standard, the candidate may continue on probation for one semester to provide an opportunity to raise the average to 3.00. If this average is not achieved, the candidate is automatically withdrawn from the program.
Time Limit
All courses required for the master of arts in worship leadership, including transfer work, must be completed within a period of six years.
Master of Music (M.M.); Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)
Admission Requirements
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 Samford’s music division. 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:
- The application form and fee ($35).
- An official transcript from each institution attended since high school. Applicants for the master of music education degrees must provide two official transcripts.
- 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.
- Three (3) recommendations from teachers or supervisors who can assess the student’s competence to undertake graduate study.
- 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.
ProgramsMasterCoursesMusic - Church MusicMusic - ConductingMusic - Music Education & PedagogyMusic - Music History & LiteratureMusic - Music Theory & CompositionMusic - Performance-RelatedMusic - Worship LeadershipMusic - 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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