The Catholic University of America

This text is exerpted from the CUA Announcements. Please refer to the Announcements for further information on academic policies and programs.

Master of Music Degree

VOCAL PEDAGOGY

Entrance Requirement

The student’s undergraduate degree should be in voice with evidence of vocal proficiency in three languages and a senior recital.

Program of Study

This program is designed for the teacher of voice. The recommended length of study for this program is two years, although it can be completed in one year and two summers.

Prerequisites also include the successful completion of language examinations in French, German and Italian or, with the approval of the adviser, two years of undergraduate study of each language with a grade of B or better. Language study must be completed at an accredited college or university.

Coaching is available for graduate vocal pedagogy majors by request, for one semester hour only and only in the semester in which a recital is scheduled. For this coaching, students pay the elective study (higher) private instruction fee. 

Core Courses Semester Hours
Voice 6
Analytical Techniques II 3
Music History Elective 3
Survey in Solo Vocal Literature 2
Lyric Diction 3
Introduction to Vocal Pedagogy and Physiology 2
Vocal Pedagogy Practicum 2
Electives* 7
Solo Recital 2
Pedagogy Paper 1
Total 31
 
Electives  
University Chorus 1,1
Opera Practicum, Minor Role 1,1
Opera Practicum, Minor Role (MUS 526A) 2,2
Opera Practicum, Major Role 3,3
Opera Workshop 2,2
Seminar in Vocal Performance 3,3
Any graduate-level courses in speech and drama (max. 6)

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of a memorized solo recital of 60 minutes duration for a faculty committee is required.

The candidate shall present to a faculty committee a research paper on an aspect of vocal pedagogy. The paper shall be written under the guidance of the graduate adviser in vocal pedagogy and completed not later than four weeks before the end of the semester in which the student plans to graduate.

Minor in Latin American Music

Requirements listed above apply, with the following exceptions:

1. Six semester hours of Latin American music electives and one semester of chorus replace the seven semester hours of electives.

2. A significant portion of the student’s performance repertoire for juries and the final recital must consist of music by Latin American composers, and the research paper should be related to Latin American music.