Choral Concentration

The Master of Arts degree with concentration in choral music education features a broad range of theoretical courses balanced by requirements that apply directly to choral directors' work with treble, emerging adolescent, and mature adolescent voices. Unique to this program is its emphasis on practical application in graduate study as well as cooperation among classroom, vocal, and instrumental music educatiors to produce superior music education in our schools.

In this program students will:

• sharpen conducting and rehearsal skills necessary for efficient choral artistry;
• gain insights into historical and contemporary choral literature through analytical study;
• improve musical competency;
• broaden understanding of music history, theory, and literature;
• gain pedagogoical insights into vocal development, sight-singing/musicianship, and choral music learning for choirs of all ages and ability levels;
• discover new applications for existing expertise; and
• emphasize the commonality of the goals and techniques shared by music educators at all levels. 

Choral Core courses

Students are required to take the following 13 semester credits and write a thesis.

GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and fall Saturdays in even years.

GMUS 608 Foundations of Music Education (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and every spring on Saturdays.

GMUS 611 Perspectives in Music Theory (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and fall on Saturdays in odd years.

GMUS 750 Musicianship and Ensemble (1 cr.)

Offered every summer, mornings during the last two weeks in June.

GMUS 875 Introduction to Thesis Writing (3 cr.)

Offered every summer, Monday and Wednesday evenings, and every fall on Saturdays.

GMUS 876 Directed Research (0 cr.)

To be scheduled with thesis advisor.

GMUS 890 Thesis (1 cr.)

To be scheduled with thesis supervisor. 

Choral Field of Concentration Courses

Students take 13 required credits in the choral field of concentration and 6 elective credits. Through the required concentration courses, students expand and refine the information needed to work successfullly with choral singers of all ages. Elective courses offer students opportunitites to further define and hone the depth and breadth of their expertise.

Required Choral Courses (13 cr.)

GMUS 574 Applied Voice Study (1 cr.)

Private study; 12, 30-minute lessons arranged through the graduate music education office.

GMUS 673 Choral Score Study and Literature I (2 cr.)

Offered afternoons, first two weeks in June, odd years.

GMUS 674 Choral Score Study and Literature II (2 cr.)

Offered afternooons, last two weeks in June, even summers.

GMUS 726 Intermediate Choral Conducting (2 cr.)

Offered the first two weeks in August every year.

GMUS 727 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 cr.)

Offered the first two weeks in August every year.

GMUS 676 Voice Fundamentals (2 cr.)

Offered in even summers.

Required Diction Courses (Choose 2)

GMUS 520 French Diction for Singers (1 cr.)

Offered in July 2010 and every third summer.

GMUS 521 German Diction for Singers (1 cr.)

Offered in July 2008 and every third summer.

GMUS 522 Italian Diction for Singers (1 cr.)

Offered in July 2009 and every third summer.

Recommended Choral Elective Courses (6 cr.)

GMUS 518 Developing the Child Voice in the Choral Setting (2 cr.)

Offered odd summers.

GMUS 524 Emerging Adolescent Voices: Repertoire and Teaching Techniques (2 cr.)

Offered in even summers.

GMUS 526 Mature Adolescent Voices: Repertoire and Teaching Techniques (2 cr.)

Offered in odd summers.

GMUS 727 Vocal Jazz Techniques (2 cr.)

Offered even summers in June.

GMUS 612 Topics in Music History, Literature, and Theory (3 cr.)

Offered every summer and in odd springs.

GMUS 651 Dalcroze Musicianship (3 cr.)

Offered every July, middle two weeks.

GMUS 753 Musicianship, Conducting, and Ensemble II (1 cr.)

Offered every summer, last two weeks in June.

GMUS 756 Musicianship, Conducting, and Ensemble III (1 cr.)

Offered every summer, last two weeks in June.