Music Performance, MM
Immerse yourself in a vibrant musical environment that highlights your creativity and passion through performance opportunities on and off campus. Work closely with a dedicated faculty mentor, collaborate with peers, and expand your musical growth through experiences with distinguished guest artists.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Music Performance, MM degree description
In the Master of Music program in performance, you focus on developing advanced skills in both the performance and teaching of music.
You collaborate with faculty mentors to reach a professional level of performance through individual recitals; chamber music; and participation in ensembles such as choral, wind band, orchestra, jazz, musical theatre and opera, depending on your area of emphasis. On- and off-campus performance opportunities enhance your knowledge and abilities, preparing you for leadership roles in teaching, performance or arts advocacy within your musical communities.
Collaboration with music scholars, theorists, composers, educators, dancers and theatre artists provides a well-rounded foundation for advanced careers in music or continued doctoral studies. Additionally, you acquire essential skills for a successful music career, including audition preparation, networking, organizational strategies and opportunity creation, and you develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Why study music performance at ASU?
Study with internationally recognized artists, educators and scholars who bring deep expertise to your training. You build professional connections through a network of alumni, internships, residencies and partnerships that reach across the arts.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
32 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam
Required Core (4 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Area of Emphasis (10-11 credit hours) Other Studies in Music (11-12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Requirements The Other Studies in Music requirement consists of six credit hours of MHL coursework and five or six credit hours of MTC coursework. Students should see the academic unit for specific requirements. Area of Emphasis credit hours may include electives depending on course selections. All new graduate music students must complete diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory before enrolling in courses for these programs through the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. This is tracked internally within the academic unit. Additional information on requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum checksheet on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
MUP 527 Studio Instruction (4)
MUP 527 Studio Instruction (4)
MUP 596 Solo Performance (1)
MUP 597 Solo Performance (1)
written comprehensive exam (0)
Students select an area of emphasis from the following: instrumental performance, jazz performance, keyboard performance or multiple woodwinds performance. Students should see the academic unit for specific requirements for the selected area of emphasis.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Develop performance practices in the context of diverse musical settings and genres, demonstrating familiarity with the literature of one's instrument.
- Evaluate an instrument’s repertoire and pedagogy to develop a unique musical style.
- Produce a research study focusing on musical elements, social uses of music, and interplay among performers, composers, and institutions
Develop performance practices in the context of diverse musical settings and genres, demonstrating familiarity with the literature of one's instrument.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants must have earned a U.S. bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Applicants must perform an audition for admission. Auditions are scheduled following receipt of completed application materials (including recommendation letters, transcripts and proof of English proficiency) and, when applicable, a favorable review of prescreening materials. Students can find more information about the audition at the school's website. A bachelor's degree in music is not required for admission to a master's program. However, all applicants without a bachelor's degree in music should contact MDTAdmissions@asu.edu for information on potential courses to complete. Additional courses may be taken at ASU, another accredited university or a community college before or after admission to this program, but they must be completed before starting graduate-level required courses in music history and music theory. Voice applicants: Students should see the program website for application deadlines. After receipt of the completed application and review of prescreening materials, an applicant may be invited for an audition. Instrumental and keyboard applicants: Students should see the program website for application deadlines. After an applicant's complete application materials have been received, the applicant is confirmed for an audition.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this music performance master's degree prepares you for
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower individuals to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and arts advocacy are in high demand in many sectors and industries. Potential areas of employment include performing arts, education, entertainment, health and wellness, and community arts. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and focused discipline can help graduates be successful as musicians in a variety of companies, organizations and institutions.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- composer for film, video games or television
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
