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3. Information for Prospective Graduate Students
3.1 SJSU Admission Standards
A. Candidates must have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association and be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
If you have any questions about the accreditation of your undergraduate school, please speak to the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations. Some colleges in the United States are not accredited, but exceptions may be requested by the School of Music & Dance. If you have a degree from a foreign institution, the Graduate School will determine whether or not the degree is equivalent to one from an accredited institution.
B. GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 units of undergraduate course work.
3.2 School of Music & Dance Requirements
A. An undergraduate degree with a major in music. If a highly qualified candidate applies for the master's degree without holding a bachelor's degree in music and is admitted, the graduate advisor in consultation with the major area professor will prescribe a course of undergraduate-level remediation. Such a course of remediation may significantly impact a student's time to degree. Under no circumstance, however, will a candidate admitted to the master's program without holding a completed bachelor's degree.
B. Evidence of the ability to carry on graduate work successfully. Students will be expected to read and utilize scholarly research written in English, be prepared to discuss coursework in class at the graduate level, and write term papers of 20-30 pages in English on topics in music theory and history.
C. Students with GPAs below 3.0 (but not below 2.5) may be admitted on a conditional status. They normally are required to establish a record of satisfactory performance before they are granted classified status (see Classification status below).
D. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for all students who graduated from a higher education institution outside of the U.S. where the primary language of instruction was not English. The School of Music & Dance minimum entrance score is 590 (paper based), 243 (computer based), or 96 (internet based), with a score 5 in the Writing Section. All test scores must be less than 2 years old. Test scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service office to SJSU (institution code is 4687). The School of Music & Dance does not require the GRE.
3.3 Entrance Evaluations in Music History and Music Systems/Theory
All entering masters students are admitted as "Conditionally Classified" and must take an Entrance Evaluation in Music History and Music Systems/Theory (see 3.6 "Classification Status" below). The goal of the Entrance Evaluations is to insure that all entering students have learned enough information at an undergraduate level to begin work at a master's level. These evaluations take place during Preinstruction Activities, usually one or two days before the first day of class (please see the Academic Calendar for dates), with Music Theory evaluations from 9:00-12:00 AM, and Music History Evaluations from 1:00-4:00 PM.
Reviewing your undergraduate course notes and texts will normally serve as adequate preparation for this entrance evaluation. Here are a few suggested texts.
Benjamin (et al). Techniques & Materials of Music, 6th ed. Thomson/Schirmer.
Green. Form in Tonal Music, 2nd ed. Wadsworth.
Burkhart. Anthology for Musical Analysis, 6th ed. Wadsworth.
Blatter. Instrumentation/Orchestration. Longman.
Trythall. Sixteenth Century Counterpoint. Brown & Benchmark
Trythall. Eighteenth Century Counterpoint. Brown & Benchmark
Bonds. History of Music in Western Culture. Prentice Hall.
Hanning. Concise History of Western Music. Norton.
Grout and Palisca. History of Western Music. Norton.
Stolba. Development of Western Music. McCraw Hill.
The evaluations are a very important assessment tool that enables the graduate faculty to gauge your potential success at SJSU, and will be kept in the student's file. Students who pass all their entrance evaluations will be granted "Graduate Classified" standing. This is important, as Graduate Classified standing is needed to take certain graduate seminars, and to be awarded the Master's degree. If a student does not pass sections of the evaluation, the student will remain "Conditionally Classified," and will need to remediate any deficiencies, either by taking undergraduate theory and/or music history classes.
Students who fail all of both parts of the evaluation may not be admitted to the program.
A. Music History Entrance Evaluation
The goal of the Music History Entrance Evaluation is to insure that all entering students have learned enough information from a standard undergraduate music history survey to begin work at a master's level. The examination is 3 hours long and tests knowledge in the following 3 areas: the Middle Ages and Renaissance; the Baroque and Classical eras; and the Romantic Modern periods.
Each section consists of 25 multiple-choice questions, and an essay question. The multiple choice questions test your knowledge of facts, and the essay questions are designed to let you demonstrate your broader knowledge and synthesis of music history. You will be expected to know composers' names, important dates, significant compositions, kinds of pieces written during each period, different styles, genre, and forms of music, influences, and other pertinent topics. The essay questions are designed to let you demonstrate your knowledge of music history in as much detail as possible. The essays must be written in complete sentences format and have introductions and conclusions.
B. Music Systems/Theory Entrance Evaluation
Not all students are required to take all portions of the Music Systems/Theory Entrance Evaluation. Please contact your Graduate Advisor.
Dictation: Chord identification, Tonal melodies, Modal melodies, 2-part duets, SATB: Tonal harmonic dictation (4 voices plus complete harmonic analysis)
Section Two: Written Music Systems: Analysis, Form, Orchestration, and Counterpoint (2 hours)
Harmonic Analysis: Tonal harmonic analysis (Roman numeral system, including nonharmonic tones and cadences); Modal melodic analysis (identify diatonic mode, nonharmonic tones, and cadence points); 12-tone serial analysis; Jazz chord identification.
Form & Analysis: (Most score examples are found in the Burkhart Anthology, 6th edition): Identify historical period; cite reasons supporting identification; Identify overall formal structure (or governing formal techniques, as with a fugue); Identify primary sections (e.g., formal A B A divisions, key changes, major cadences)
Orchestration: Identify ranges of standard instruments and voices (concert pitch and transposed); Define standard score expressions
Counterpoint: Complete either a short canonic 3-voice composition in 16th-century style modal counterpoint; or complete short imitative 3-voice composition (invention) in 18th-century style tonal counterpoint
3.4 Audition and Submission Procedures by Area of Study
Students must audition for one full-time faculty member and/or the applied area instructor in the proposed area of study. Auditions must take place by March 1 for admission to the fall semester. Early auditions are encouraged, as a limited amount of opening are available for qualified candidates, and earlier applications are given priority. For out-of-state applicants, a 20-30 minute recording may be requested in lieu of a live audition with the approval of the area coordinator.
A. Conducting
Choral Conducting Applicants to the Choral Conducting program are expected to have an undergraduate degree in music that focused on voice, piano, conducting, or music education; two semesters of conducting training with practical experience as a conductor or teacher; and superior musicianship skills, including sight-singing, dictation, keyboard facility, score reading, and conducting.
1. Repertory list of choral compositions they have studied and performed;
2. Repertory list of pieces studied and performed on his or her major instrument(s) with sample programs;
3. High quality VHS or DVD recording of the applicant conducting either a rehearsal or performance with the candidate's face and hands to the camera (for those applicants who do not regularly conduct a large ensemble, a smaller chamber group may be utilized);
4. High quality CD of a performance conducted by the applicant.
For further information please contact Director of Choral Activities Dr. Amanda Quist at Amanda.R.Quist@sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4645.
B. Instrumental Conducting
Applicants to the Instrumental Conducting program are expected to have a minimum of 2 years teaching/conducting experience or the equivalent; superior musicianship skills with a mastery of advanced conducting techniques beyond the training level; and demonstrable familiarity with a substantial repertory of music.
1. Repertory list of works the applicant has studied, and is prepared to conduct, and a list of compositions previously conducted;
2. High quality VHS or DVD recording of the applicant conducting either a rehearsal or performance with the candidate's face and hands to the camera (for those applicants who do not regularly conduct a large ensemble, a smaller chamber group may be utilized);
3. High quality CD recording of a performance conducted by the applicant.
The applicant will also audition and be interviewed by the conducting faculty. The applicant should be prepared to conduct a 10-minute rehearsal with the Wind Ensemble or other appropriate ensemble.
For further information please contact Director Dr. Edward C. Harris at music@email.sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4673.
C. Composition
The Master of Arts in Music in Composition is a program characterized by intense research and practice in contemporary music writing. A clear emphasis is placed on the thorough understanding of the modern music repertory in the Western art-music tradition). Applicants in composition and electro-acoustic music should have solid musicianship skills, including sight-singing, dictation, keyboard facility, score reading, and conducting (for conducting their own works and that of other composition students). Composition students are also expected to be active performers, involving involves participation in one of the university ensembles or as a soloist and/or conductor.
1. A letter of intent and resume providing information concerning musical training and experience to the Coordinator of the Composition and Electro-Acoustic Music.
2. Three letters of recommendation, on letterhead, mailed directly by individuals in authority or supervising capacity familiar with the applicant's work as a composer.
3. A portfolio of original compositions for any instrumental combination with or without electronics [at least two works should include live instruments] with a minimum of three works, including scores and audio CD recordings (no General MIDI mock-ups). Scores must be of highest possible quality.
The applicant will interview with the composition faculty and be prepared to discuss before three to five works from the modern repertory. The purpose of the oral presentation is to demonstrate familiarity with a substantial repertory of music. The focus is on the salient features of the works and the applicant's opinions about them. The applicant may choose three works from the contemporary repertoire. Examples may include: Béla Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra; Alban Berg's Wozzek; Luciano Berio's Circles; Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring; George Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children; Claude Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; Paul Hindemith, Mathis der Maler Symphony; Charles Ives, Three Places in New England; Arnold Schoenberg, Pierrot Lunaire; Igor Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring; Edgard Varèse, Octandre; and Anton Webern, Six Pieces for Orchestra.
For further information please contact Composition area coordinator Dr. Pablo Furman at pefurman@email.sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4646.
D. Jazz Studies
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, and preferably perform a live audition for the coordinator of Jazz Studies. Your selections should include:
3. A selection of your choice.
If an live audition is not possible, please submit a high-quality CD, DVD of a performance by the applicant selections on your primary instrument of the above selections.
For further information, contact the coordinator of Jazz Studies Dr. Aaron Lington at aaron.lington@sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4636.
E. Music Education
Applicants must have an on-campus interview with the Coordinator of Music Education, and must submit a:
1. Undergraduate term paper or project on a relevant topic;
3. Statement of teaching philosophy
4. Videotape or DVD of a teaching episode.
For further information please contact Music Education coordinator, Dr. Diana Hollinger at Diana.Hollinger@sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4631.
F. Music History
Applicants must have an on-campus interview with the Coordinator of Music History, and must submit two undergraduate term papers between 15-30 pages in length that demonstrate their:
1. Ability to think critically and originally
For further information please contact Music History coordinator Gordon Haramaki at gharamaki@gmail.com or (408) 924-4634.
G. Music Systems/Theory
Applicants must have an on-campus interview with the Coordinator of Music Systems/Theory, and must submit two undergraduate term papers between 15-30 pages in length that demonstrate their:
1. Ability to think critically and originally
For further information please contact Music Systems/Theory coordinator Dr. Brian Belet at beletmusic@sbcglobal.net or (408) 924-4632.
H. Instrumental Performance
All entering graduate students should be prepared to perform:
1. Two stylistically contrasting works from standard solo repertoire that demonstrate musicianship, skill, and proficiency
2. One etude from a standard study for your instrument; and
6. Arpeggios in extended ranges appropriate to your instrument.
For information on specific requirements for your instrument, please contact the appropriate area coordinator.
Brass : Dr. Kathryn James Adduci at Kathryn.Adduci@sjsu.edu or (408) 924 4653.
Percussion : Galen Lemmon at (408) 924-4681.
Strings : Bruce Moyer at Bmoyer1@email.sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4668.
Woodwinds : Dr. Janet Averett at AverettJM@aol.com or (408) 924-4682.
I. Keyboard Performance
All auditions must be performed from memory. Applicants must either perform in person or submit a high-quality recording of the following works:
1. J.S. Bach: 3 movements from any partita, English Suite, or French Suite;
2. Complete sonata from the Classical Period;
3. A large Romantic work (not including the Chopin etudes and Brahms Intermezzi);
4. A contemporary work written after 1950.
For further information please contact Keyboard Studies coordinator Dr. Gwendolyn Mok at gwendolyn.mok@sjsu.edu or (408) 924-4637.
J. Vocal Performance
Students submit a repertory list of songs and arias performed, and a current vitae. Students must either perform in person (a live audition is preferred), or submit a high-quality recording of five selections in a variety of styles and languages. For more information, please contact Vocal Performance area coordinator Joseph Frank ( FrankTenor@aol.com ) at (408) 924-4659.
3.5 Classification status
Students accepted into the masters program at SJSU are placed in one of two classifications:
A. Conditionally Classified
If students are found to have deficiencies through the Music History or Theory entrance evaluations, they will be "Conditionally Classified" until they take the remedial courses to correct their deficiency. Students who fail to demonstrate graduate-level English writing ability will be required to enroll in Music 100W. Students cannot receive their Master's Degree until they remediated all deficiencies.
When all the deficiencies have been remedied, the student should ask the Graduate Advisor to change their status to full classification, which represents full admission to the program. It is the responsibility of the student to make an appointment with the Graduate Advisor upon finishing all requirements. If a student has enrolled in a class to make up a deficiency, he or she should ask the instructor in writing to email the Graduate Advisor to notify him that the deficiency has been removed. The Graduate Advisor will change your classification with the Graduate School with the form that is included in the Appendix.
B. Graduate Classified
If students are found to have no deficiencies through the entrance evaluations, they are considered to be Graduate classified.
