Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy

The Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy enables students to develop a high artistic level of performance, excellence in pedagogical inquiry, and effective teaching and leadership capacities while acquiring career related skills and experience in preparation for performance careers and teaching as well as additional graduate study. This program is designed for: vocalists and instrumentalists with undergraduate music degrees; vocalists and instrumentalists seeking to pursue careers in performance and teaching; and vocalists and instrumentalists seeking to pursue doctoral programs. Students choose a concentration area from the following options:

• Piano
• Voice
• Strings
• Percussion
• Wind

Many graduates will pursue doctoral degrees in music performance and pursue careers as performing musicians working with opera and lyric theatre companies orchestras, chamber vocal and instrumental ensembles, or as artist teachers in higher education. Others will create their own career path in music performance, teaching, and leadership.

The Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy will equip students with the skills to mold a career for themselves as independent musicians (performers and/or teachers) through performance training, pedagogy and literature courses and career seminars. An approved elective option allows students to select a non-music course offering that would be useful in planning their career paths.

Program Director
Jacob Ertl, D.M.A.
(585) 389-2696
jertl2@naz.edu

PROGRAM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Online Application
2. Completion of the professional statement as described on the application
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
   • Applicants must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate music degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term.
     • Applicants who do not meet these grade point average expectations must address them in their professional statement; please see the Professional Statement section of the admissions application for further information.
4. Two letters of recommendation, ideally, include one academic and one professional.
5. Resume and repertoire list (solo and collaborative).
6. A performance audition; a live performance is required (a DVD may be submitted prior to the audition). Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the Program Director. On site audition dates will coincide with the undergraduate auditions.
   • Voice: Five repertoire selections representing contrasting styles and three different languages:  two operatic arias, an oratorio aria, and two art songs from the core repertoire (i.e. German lied, French melodies, and Spanish or Russian songs.  Knowledge of French, German, Italian, and English diction is required.  Students who are not proficient in diction may be required to take additional remedial courses in diction.
   • Woodwind and Brass: a thirty-minute program including one complete concerto, sonata, or suite; two or three additional works representing various periods of standard repertoire (Baroque, Classic, Romantic, or Contemporary).
   • Strings: a 30-minute audition including one three-four octave scale with accompanying arpeggios; one standard etude or orchestral excerpt; one movement of a classical, romantic or contemporary concerto; one movement of a sonata (contrasting style with concerto) or showpiece.
   • Piano: a 30-minute program of repertoire from three contrasting stylistic periods.
   • Percussion: an advanced percussion solo on each of the following instruments: snare drum (or small multiple percussion setup), timpani (for four drums), and solo marimba (two and four mallet pieces).  Drum set and/or jazz vibraphone are optional.

Application Deadline
April 1 for Fall Term
Rolling admissions, with preference given to applications completed by February 1st.
Cohort model program with Fall semester start date only. 
Applications received after April 1st will be processed on a space-available basis.