Conducting, Specialization in Orchestral Conducting, M.M.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Master of Music degree program is designed to prepare musicians to practice their specialization in the changing environment of current American music culture. The program encompasses eleven emphases: music composition, music education, music history, ethnomusicology, music performance, collaborative piano, conducting, jazz studies, piano pedagogy, vocal pedagogy, and music theory.

The music education emphasis features seven specializations-Plan I: Comprehensive, Instrumental, or Choral Music Education and Plan II: Comprehensive, Instrumental, Choral Music, and online Teaching Artistry.

Music performance majors may select from ten options: choral conducting, orchestral conducting, voice, voice science and pedagogy, piano, piano pedagogy, collaborative piano, jazz studies, instrumental performance, and instrumental specialist. The instrumental specialist option consists of a concentration in a major instrument and at least two minor instruments within the brass, strings, and woodwind areas. Considerable flexibility is permitted within an individual program to meet the special needs of students.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Masters degree, students in the Music Performance program are expected to be able to:

Develop appropriate technical proficiency and artistry to perform as soloists and in ensembles.
Analyze music as a means of enhancing performance skills and developing teaching competency.
Demonstrate teaching skills in individual and group settings.
Interpret a common body of music literature as appropriate for their performance medium.
Demonstrate the ability to use music performance for engagement with the outside world.

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline is August 1 for Fall and December 1 for Spring. Funding deadline is March 1. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.
Additional Documents required:

Three Letters of Recommendation
Professional Resume
Applicants must audition in person, unless the applicant resides more than 250 miles away from BGSU. In this case, an online submission will be accepted.

Audition/Interview required:

Domestic applicants must select an audition/Interview date under the Secondary Music Application tab
International applicants must submit either a recorded videos/papers/scores online* OR select an audition/Interview date under the Secondary Music Application tab
*under the Portfolio section, if available in this application, or on your Application Status Page after you submit your application

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (22 credits)

Orchestral conducting majors are required to regsiter for Philharmonia each semester.

Electives (7 credits)

Applied music: Applied piano or orchestral instrument (string instrument reccomended if proficient in piano). Select 3 credits from:

MUSP 5230 MUSP 5240 MUSP 5250 MUSP 5260 MUSP 5270 MUSP 5310 MUSP 5320 MUSP 5330 MUSP 5350 MUSP 5360 MUSP 5410 MUSP 5420 MUSP 5430 MUSP 5450 MUSP 5610 MUSP 5620 MUSP 5630 MUSP 6230 MUSP 6240 MUSP 6250 MUSP 6260 MUSP 6270 MUSP 6310 MUSP 6320 MUSP 6330 MUSP 6350 MUSP 6410 MUSP 6420 MUSP 6430 MUSP 6450 MUSP 6610 MUSP 6630

Academic Courses. Select 4 credits from:

MUCT ********** MUED ********** MUSP 5020 MUSP 5200 MUSP 5530 MUSP 5540 MUSP 5580 MUSP 6080 MUSP 6090 MUSP 6220 MUSP 6710 MUSP 6640 MUSP 6650 MUSP 6660 MUSP 6670 MUSP 6740 MUSP 6760

Other Requirements

Student must take placement examinations in Music History/Literature and Music Theory as they begin their program. Those who do not pass one or more portions are permitted to retest during the first semester of residence. If the re-test is not passed, student must take the appropriate remedial courses, depending on the exam and the score. NOTE: Remedial courses listed here may not be used to satisfy degree requirements, except in the case of MUCT 6080 and MUCT 6120.

1. Music Theory Placement Exam - Pass 1 Exam or select 1 from the following remedial courses:

2. Music History/Literature Exams - Pass 2 Exams or select 2 from the following remedial courses:

Orchestal conducting majors are expected to compile on video tape 30 to 45 minutes of music consisting of repertory approved by the appropriate conducting faculty.

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

Candidates in performance are expected to fulfill the final project requirement by presenting a public recital or recitals. Conducting majors are expected to submit videos electronically of 30 to 45 minutes of music consisting of repertory approved by the appropriate conducting faculty. Ensembles used by candidates will be assigned by the faculty from standing College ensembles, or approved by the faculty.

Plan I:

MUSP 6990 - Thesis Research

Plan II:

MUSP 6980 - Recital and Portfolio

Minimum Total Credits (32 credits)

Additional Requirements

Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements.
Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
Minimum of 24 credits must be earned at BGSU
All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.