Performance (Conducting), MM
Orchestra, Performance, Wind Band, band conducting, conducting, music, orchestra conducting
Advance your craft as a conductor while developing your conducting skills. You will receive individual mentorship from faculty and have opportunities for significant podium time with an instrumental or choral ensemble.
The MM program in performance with a concentration in conducting presents conductors of orchestras, wind bands and vocal ensembles with the opportunity to improve their art, craft and scholarship in pursuit of both professional and academic career aspirations. This program is also beneficial for public school teachers of choirs, orchestras and wind bands who want to strengthen their skills.
There are four tracks within this concentration.
Wind band track: Conductors specializing in wind band conducting study privately with the director of bands and have the opportunity to work closely with other members of the conducting faculty, including the director of athletic bands. Time in front of an ensemble is essential; therefore, conductors have significant podium time as well as twice-weekly chamber winds classes. Study includes conducting technique, rehearsal technique, leadership, interpretation, score study, audience development and outreach, and career development.
Orchestral track: Required courses are specific to orchestral conducting, and elective courses provide additional opportunities for further orchestral study.
Music direction track: The music direction track is designed to meet the needs of the musical director, focusing on musical theatre and opera conducting. Required courses focus on music theatre and opera rehearsal techniques, technical production and repertoire.
Choral track: The choral track prepares conductors for careers throughout the choral field by helping them develop and refine their individual artistic voice. Students engage in a curriculum that explores culturally responsive applications, decolonial pedagogies, global score study, and interdisciplinary framing of gesture. All students receive substantial podium time and work closely with conducting faculty.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
32 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam
Required Core (4 credit hours) Concentration (7 credit hours) Track (9 or 10 credit hours) Other Studies in Music (11 or 12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Requirements The other studies in music requirement includes six credit hours of MHL coursework and five to six credit hours of MTC coursework. Track credit hours may include electives depending on course selections. Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students prior to enrollment in courses for these programs through the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre. This is tracked internally within the academic unit. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located at the bottom of the school's program page.
MUP 527 Studio Instruction (4)
MUP 596 Solo Performance (1)
MUP 597 Solo Performance (1)
Choose from the following for a total of 5 credit hours:
MUE 564 Instrumental Music, Advanced Rehearsal Techniques (3)
MUP 540 Principles of Integrated Conducting (2)
MUP 551 Repertoire: Music Theatre Repertoire (2)
MUP 571 Music Theatre: Workshops (2)
MUP 573 Music Theatre: Performance (1)
music history (6)
music theory (5--6)
written comprehensive exam (0)
Students select a track from the following: choral, wind band, orchestral or music direction. Students should see the academic unit for specific concentration and track course requirements for each track.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre application (including a resume, personal statement and repertoire list)
- official transcripts
- prescreening video
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.
A bachelor's degree in music is not required for admission to a master's program. However, all applicants without a bachelor's degree in music should contact MDTAdmissions@asu.edu for information on potential remedial courses. Remedial courses may be taken at ASU, another accredited university, or a community college before or after admission to this program, but they must be completed prior to starting graduate-level course requirements in music history and music theory.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines. After an applicant's complete application materials have been received, including recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency requirements, and a review has been conducted of prescreening materials, the applicant may be invited for a live audition.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Evaluate principles of leadership to prepare musicians for performances.
- Apply advanced skills in score preparation, repertoire selection, and rehearsal techniques for performances.
- Synthesize performance skills to create performances that are believable, specific and impactful.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and arts advocacy are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and the focused discipline needed for success as musicians are all highly valued by a wide range of companies and professions. School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Career examples include:
- artistic director
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- conductor
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
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MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
