The Composition Division offers related fields in Composition, Computer Music, and Contemporary Music Performance for eligible students in other graduate music programs (MM, MA, DMA, PhD). Please contact your major field professor or area advisor to determine if this is an option for your degree plan; application guidelines for these related fields are included on the Admissions page of this site. Below are the requirements for students accepted to these related fields:
Related Field in Composition—Degree and Graduation Requirements:
Master's Students—9 hours:
• 3-6 hours, MUCP 5185 (Concentration Composition).
• 3-6 hours selected from MUCP 5320 (Orchestration), MUCP 5460 (Contemporary Music), MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music), MUCP 5580 (Contemporary Performance Practices), MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts).
Prior to graduation, the student will submit an electronic portfolio that includes links to the following:
• Scores and recordings of original compositions completed while in the program
• Artist statement (750-1250 words)
• Complete list of original works and performances.
This portfolio must be submitted to the related field professor at least one week prior to the scheduled oral comprehensive examination. The oral examination will include questions pertaining to the portfolio as well as the student's coursework and related topics.
Doctoral Students—12 hours:
• 6 hours, MUCP 5185 (Concentration Composition).
• 6 hours selected from MUCP 5320 (Orchestration), MUCP 5460 (Contemporary Music), MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music), MUCP 5580 (Contemporary Performance Practices), MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts), MUCP 6465 (Topics in Contemporary Music).
Prior to candidacy, the student will submit an electronic portfolio that includes links to the following:
• Scores and recordings of original compositions completed while in the program
• Artist statement (1250-1750 words)
• Complete list of original works and performances.
This portfolio will serve as the related field portion of the qualifying examination and must be submitted to the related field professor at the time the written qualifying examination is administered. The oral examination will include questions pertaining to the portfolio as well as the student's coursework and related topics.
Related Field in Computer Music—Degree and Graduation Requirements:
Master's Students—9 hours selected from:
• MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music): varied subjects; may be repeated for credit as topics change.
• MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts).
Prior to graduation, the student will submit a research paper (2000-2500 words) on a topic to be provided by a representative from the composition division (related field professor), which will be based on the student's research interests within the field of computer music and its relation to their work in the major field of study. The paper will be evaluated by the related field professor prior to the final oral examination.
Doctoral Students—12 hours selected from:
• MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music): varied subjects; may be repeated for credit as topics change.
• MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts).
• MUCP 6200 (Advanced Research in Computer Music): may be repeated for credit.
Prior to candidacy, the student will submit a research paper (2500-3500 words) on a topic to be provided by a representative from the composition division (related field professor), which will be based on the student's research interests within the field of computer music and its relation to their work in the major field of study. This research paper will serve as the related field portion of the qualifying examination and must be submitted to the related field professor at the time the written qualifying examination is administered. The oral examination will include questions pertaining to this paper as well as the student's coursework and related topics.
Related Field in Contemporary Music Performance—Degree and Graduation Requirements:
Master's Students—9 hours:
• 3 hours, MUCP 5580 (Contemporary Performance Practices).
• 3 hours selected from MUCP 5460 (Contemporary Music), MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music), MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts), MUCP 6465 (Topics in Contemporary Music).
• 3 hours MUEN 5585 (Nova Ensemble).
Additionally, the student must demonstrate competency in the interpretation of contemporary music by performing at least one contemporary work each semester (in addition to performances with the Nova Ensemble) and including a substantial work composed since 1950 on the master's degree recital (to be determined in consultation with the major professor and related field representative).
Prior to graduation, the student will submit an electronic portfolio that includes links to the following:
• Recordings of contemporary works performed while in the program
• Programs including contemporary works performed while in the program
• Artist statement (750-1250 words)
• Complete list of contemporary projects and repertoire performed while in the program.
This portfolio must be submitted to the related field professor at least one week prior to the scheduled oral comprehensive examination. The oral examination will include questions pertaining to the portfolio as well as the student's coursework and related topics.
Doctoral Students—12 hours:
• 3 hours, MUCP 5580 (Contemporary Performance Practices).
• 6 hours selected from MUCP 5460 (Contemporary Music), MUCP 5690 (Topics in Electroacoustic Music), MUCP 5590/MUEN 5595 (Intermedia Performance Arts), MUCP 6465 (Topics in Contemporary Music).
• 3 hours Nova Ensemble MUEN 5585.
Additionally, the student must demonstrate competency in the interpretation of contemporary music by performing at least one contemporary work each semester (in addition to performances with the Nova Ensemble) and including at least two substantial works composed since 1950 on one or more of the doctoral degree recitals (to be determined in consultation with the major professor and related field representative).
Prior to candidacy, the student will submit an electronic portfolio that includes links to the following:
• Recordings of contemporary works performed while in the program
• Programs including contemporary works performed while in the program
• Artist statement (1250-2000 words)
• Complete list of contemporary projects and repertoire performed while in the program.
This portfolio will serve as the related field portion of the qualifying examination and must be submitted to the related field professor at the time the written qualifying examination is administered.
The oral examination will include questions pertaining to the portfolio as well as the student's coursework and related topics; doctoral students preparing for the related field portion of the oral qualifying examination will be expected to address the following:
1) Speak in detail about the repertoire they have studied/performed as part of the related field.
2) Speak broadly about music they have not yet studied/performed (e.g., are there holes in the student's repertoire?) and discuss future plans regarding contemporary music.
3) Discuss important composers and works for the student's instrument from 1945 to the present.
4) Discuss important practitioners of the student's instrument who have been active between 1945 and the present.
5) Discuss any relationships between points (3) and (4) above.
6) Discuss any recordings of relevance pertaining to contemporary music.
7) Speak about their studies in performance practice class and in other related field courses.