For current students: Fall 2024 Ensembles Audition Information
A wide variety of performance opportunities await our students each year, with orchestras, bands, choirs and opera, jazz nonets and combos, small ensembles, and more.
A variety of programs and initiatives operate continuously or annually to enhance learning experiences and help students prepare for their future in music.
The MSU College of Music supports and challenges students, values innovation and creativity, and helps every community member achieve professional excellence.
The Master’s degree in Music Theory offers outstanding scholarly training in the analytical approaches, skills, and research methods of music theory. Through theory pedagogy seminars, actual classroom experience, and mentoring by faculty whose doors are always open, students also become skilled teachers. Our students earn admission to highly competitive doctoral programs in music theory and consistently land collegiate teaching positions. Learn more about the successes of our alumni and our current students.
Graduates of our Master’s program have a head start. One of the reasons why our students are so successful is that we offer in a Master’s program many courses that scholars often do not encounter until doctoral study:
Learn more about the specific courses in our graduate curriculum.
Each student completes two capstones experiences, intended as direct preparation for future work as scholars and in job interviews:
Learning takes place in informal ways, too. A vibrant guest-scholars program brings seven renowned guests each year to the MSU campus to interact with students. In addition, a bi-weekly music theory colloquium serves as a music theory “studio class,” where faculty and students present research-in-progress and the community discusses professional development issues (such as writing a curriculum vitae or cover letter). Finally, faculty members prioritize accessibility and work constantly with graduate students on projects and problems that interest the students. Learn more about the mentoring opportunities in the music theory area.
Graduate assistantships and fellowship monies are available to students pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Theory. Learn more.
Learn more about our application requirements and timeline. Or see our answers to frequently asked questions. Or contact us to learn more, set up a campus visit, or schedule a phone conversation. We would love to hear from you.