Concentrations in choral music, composition, organ, voice.

Entrance Requirements

The undergraduate music degree is a prerequisite except in extraordinary circumstances. Graduate entrance examinations will be administered according to current practice.

Musical prerequisites

• Applicants in the areas of performance (choral music, organ and vocal performance) will submit a 30-minute tape, video preferred, audio acceptable.

• Applicants in composition will submit representative manuscripts in lieu of the audition tape.

• Tapes and manuscripts must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions with all other application documents.

Invitation to campus for auditions, interviews, and testing is based on evaluation of the above materials. Applicants in organ and vocal performance concentrations will perform for the respective faculties at the time of their visit. All concentrations require an on-campus visit for testing and demonstration of conducting skills. Testing consists of demonstration of keyboard proficiency, open score-reading and sight-singing. The conducting audition is composed of two specified works with the CUA Chamber Choir and will determine placement in the conducting sequence. Auditions are held once each semester. The applicant should contact the school of music for details and dates.

Liturgical prerequisite

TRS 540, Introduction to Liturgy. Equivalency in this field may be demonstrated by written examination.

Program of Study

The program of study includes a minimum of 38 semester hours of graduate work. 

	Semester Hours
Liturgical Studies	6
TRS 741A Liturgy: Theological and Historical Perspectives (3)
TRS 744 Eucharist: A Liturgical Theology (3)
Sacred and Choral Music	9
MUS 584 Liturgical Music (3)
MUS 637 Choral Development (3)
MUS 746 Seminar in Sacred Music (3)
Applied Skills	9
Private Music Instruction (organ, composition, conducting, or voice) (6)
MUS 638 Advanced Conducting I (3)
Music History	6
MUS 556 History of Sacred Music (3)
MUS 731 Research Methodology (3)
Music Theory	3
MUS 712 Analytical Techniques II (3)
Music Literature	3

The student must take one of the following courses according to his/her area of specialization:

MUS 516/517 Survey of Organ Literature I/II
MUS 640/640A/640B Choral Literature I/II/III
MUS 642 Forms and Techniques in Sacred Music
Music Performance	2
CUA Chamber Choir (MUS 507)

Upon completion of unit requirement, noncredit participation in CUA Chamber Choir is required each semester in residence. For this noncredit participation, the student should register for MUS 507C.

Colloquium in Sacred Music	0
Enrollment is required each semester in residence.
Final Recital (see below)	0
(EXAM 598-01 w/ classes; EXAM 599-02 w/o classes)
Total	38

Graduation Requirements

The student may schedule comprehensive examinations following the adviser’s written approval. Four two-hour examinations are administered over a two-day period: (1) liturgical studies; (2) sacred and choral music; (3) music history; and (4) music theory and music literature. The student must pass all four examinations.

A one-hour public recital in the area of concentration is required; for the composer, the submission and performance of an original work.

Minor in Latin American Music

Requirements listed above apply, with the following exceptions:

1. A minimum of 44 hours of graduate work is required.

2. Six semester hours of Latin American music electives are required.

3. A significant portion of the student’s performance repertoire for the final recital must consist of music by Iberian or Latin American composers. For the composer, a significant portion of compositions must be works for Hispanic/Latin American liturgical needs.