Apply For Master of Music

• $120 application fee (non-refundable, payable by credit card, check or money order)
• Complete the Online Application Form
• Two Forms of Recommendation:
  Submit the names and email addresses of the individuals writing letters of recommendation on the document upload form and links to the recommendation forms will be sent to them.
• Official College/University Transcripts (must be in English – guidelines below)
• Copy of Bachelor’s Degree Diploma (must be in English)
• Audition materials (see individual Major requirements below)

All materials may be uploaded through the music department website Online Application page

NOTE: If official documents (transcripts, diplomas etc.) are in a foreign language, they must be translated into English by either notary public or by recognized credential evaluation organization.

Audition

An audition is required of all graduate applicants. Auditions are accepted in the form of video and/or audio recordings, and scores according to the following criteria.

Contemporary Performance Majors:

Please submit two video performances in two different genres (Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock, Fusion, Blues or Latin). Video recordings must be submitted on disc, or as a YouTube link. Please do not send video files as email attachments. Original songs are welcome, but not required.

Contemporary Composition & Film Scoring Majors:

Please submit one of your original instrumental compositions in two forms: as a recording and as a written score (PDF format). Recordings may be submitted as an MP3 email attachment, and/or a film clip or live video performance as a YouTube link. Please do not send video files as email attachments.

Songwriting Majors:

Please submit one of your original songs in two forms: as a recording and as a written lead sheet (PDF format). Recordings may be submitted as an MP3 email attachment, or live video performance as a YouTube link. Please do not send video files as email attachments.

Music production Majors:

Please submit a portfolio that includes at least two recordings of music that exhibit your technical and creative work in the recording studio. Your submission should clearly represent your skill as a recording engineer, and may also include any additional abilities you have as a producer, musician, or composer.

Contemporary Christian Music Majors:

Please pick from the following: 1) Submit two video performances of Christian music, and/or other genre (Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock, Fusion, Blues or Latin). Video recordings must be submitted on disc, or as a YouTube link. – OR 2) Submit one original composition/song in two forms: as a recording and as a written lead sheet (PDF format). Recordings may be submitted as an MP3 email attachment. Please do not send video files as email attachments.

Your portfolio should also include a brief written description of the contents explaining your contribution to each of the song titles and any other relevant information such as your working process and influences. Portfolios may be submitted in the following formats: email attachments (MP3 and PDF only – no video file attachments please), CD, DVD, or URL links.



Pre-requisite Requirements / Qualifying Exams

Incoming Master of Music students who do not possess a baccalaureate degree in music, or do not have foundational music courses on his/her transcript, must satisfy pre-requisite requirements in core music knowledge. Students may fulfill pre-requisite requirements by passing qualifying exams in Music History, Musicianship, and Jazz Harmony I / II. Students who do not pass, or choose not to take the qualifying exams must take the relevant classes to satisfy prerequisite requirements. Pre-requisite classes are graded as Pass/Fail and are not factored into the GPA.

Incoming Master of Music students with a baccalaureate degree in music are required to pass select qualifying exams in Musicianship, and Jazz Harmony I/II to satisfy prerequisite requirements – even if the student’s undergraduate transcript shows equivalent course work.

The History of Western Music prerequisite is satisfied if the student’s undergraduate transcript shows equivalent course work



Prerequisites as Electives

Master of Music students who are required to take prerequisite classes may apply these units toward their MM degree as elective units. The maximum number of prerequisite class units that can be used as electives is limited to the maximum number of electives for each individual MM major.



Transfer from Bachelor of Music to Master of Music

Students who wish to transfer from the Shepherd University BM program to the Shepherd University MM program may do so under the following guidelines:

• The student must have a Bachelor Degree (any field).
• The student must apply for admission to the Master of Music program.
• Upon acceptance, the student may transfer qualifying units earned in the BM program to the MM program by paying the difference in tuition cost for each unit transferred.