Graduate Studies

Music Performance
2020-2021

Director: Jeffrey Brown
Graduate Committee Chairperson: Anita Hardeman
Office: Browne Hall 122
Telephone: (309) 298-1544
Fax: (309) 298-1968
E-mail: music@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/music
Location of Program Offering: Macomb

Program Description

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Performance offers students another avenue of advanced applied study, upon completion of a BM in Music Performance or equivalent degree. Students may pursue the PBC in the following areas of performance:  piano, voice, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. Students can complete the PBC either before or after the completion of the M.M. degree. The PBC in Music Performance supplies students with a higher level of concentration on the performance medium, accommodated by greater focus on lessons, ensembles, and other performance-related skills. Students who have pursued a degree other than Music Performance (e.g., Music Education, Musicology, Music Therapy, Music Business, or even a subject outside Music) but who seek a higher level of professional development in this area will also benefit from the applied performance concentration of the PBC. 

The PBC in Music Performance offers an excellent opportunity for professional development within the School of Music at WIU. The achievement of our student performers will be aimed at the highest level, focusing on the needs of individuals bound for DMA programs and successful careers in performance. Because the DMA is increasingly the standard for professional careers among performers, our PBC is well placed to help students achieve that goal.  For students entering the performance field via our PBC, this program will provide credentials in performance, making them highly competitive in the job markets for Music Education, Music Business, and other fields.

Students will complete 18 s.h. over a two-semester period. During this time, the student will be afforded a higher level of concentration on the performance medium, accommodated by greater focus on lessons (8 s.h.), ensembles (4 s.h.), and other performance-related skills, without the lecture-style coursework requirements of the full M.M. degree. Directed electives will enable students to pursue cognate areas closest related to their area of expertise, e.g., literature and pedagogy in their performance medium.

Requirements for Enrollment

  • An application to the School of Graduate Studies with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
  • International applicants must have completed a TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 73 IBT, 533 PBT, or an IELTS score of 6.0 overall.
  • All students (including current M.M. performance students) must complete an audition prior to being accepted into the PBC. The audition requirements for the PBC are more demanding than that of the M.M. degree, involving a larger amount of repertoire with greater musical complexity; additionally, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of musicality beyond that of the M.M. applicant. Audition requirements are available online.

Certificate Requirements

I. Applied Lessons: 8 s.h.

Select from:

MUS 504 Violin
MUS 505 Viola
MUS 506 Cello
MUS 507 Bass
MUS 509 Guitar
MUS 512 Voice
MUS 515 Piano
MUS 516 Voice
MUS 517 Composition
MUS 518 Conducting
MUS 519 Clarinet
MUS 520 Saxophone
MUS 521 Flute
MUS 522 Oboe
MUS 523 Bassoon
MUS 524 Trumpet
MUS 525 Trombone
MUS 526 Euphonium
MUS 527 Horn
MUS 528 Tuba
MUS 529 Percussion

II. Ensembles: 4 s.h.

MUS 501 Ensemble Performance (1, repeatable)

III. Directed Electives: 6 s.h.

Select from the following depending on performance medium:

MUS 461G String Pedagogy
MUS 465G Piano Pedagogy I
MUS 466G Piano Pedagogy II
MUS 492G String Literature I
MUS 495G Piano Literature I
MUS 496G Piano Literature II
MUS 499G Vocal Literature and Pedagogy
MUS 500 Independent Study
MUS 508 Applied Jazz Studies
MUS 510 Conducting
MUS 511 Composition
MUS 513 Jazz Composition
MUS 514 Organ
MUS 538 Advanced Conducting and Score Analysis
MUS 565 Piano Pedagogy
MUS 590 Literature of the Applied Field

IV. Recital: 0 s.h.

MUS 602 Recital (0)

TOTAL: 18 s.h.

Course Descriptions

Music (MUS)

461G String Pedagogy. (1–2, repeatable to 8) Study of the methods and approaches to the teaching of strings in class and studio. Laboratory observation and teaching. Prerequisites: String principal and permission of the instructor.

465G Piano Pedagogy I. (2) Introduction to the history of piano pedagogy and current learning theories. Examination of teaching methods and materials at the beginning through intermediate levels. Lecture/discussion meetings will be complemented with student presentation.

466G Piano Pedagogy II. (2) Introduction to piano pedagogy research. Examination of teaching methods and materials for advanced and adult students. Students will be asked to complete a teaching demonstration. Prerequisites: MUS 465G or permission of the instructor.

492G String Literature I. (2) History of stringed instruments and early performance practices including performers, pedagogical treatises, and literature through the 18th century. Prerequisites: String principal and permission of the instructor.

495G, 496G Piano Literature I and II. (2) Survey of keyboard literature considered from its historical, formal, stylistic, and aesthetic aspects. Nonsequential. Prerequisites: Piano major and permission of the instructor.

499G Vocal Literature and Pedagogy. (3) Survey of vocal literature and pedagogical philosophies and techniques considered from historical and applied respects. Includes performance/pedagogy projects of Early English/Italian repertories, German “Lieder”, French “Mélodie”, English language repertory as well as other selected national and ethnic traditions. Prerequisite: vocal or piano major or permission of the instructor.

501 Ensemble Performance. (1, repeatable) Band, orchestra, chorus, or smaller ensembles.

Applied Study: (1–4, repeatable to 24) Private study in music performance and composition. All lessons offered each semester. Exception: Summer Term (see summer catalog). Specialists in performance or composition will receive four semester hours of credit. All others will receive a maximum of two hours of credit per semester. Prerequisite: audition and/or written permission of area chairperson and instructor.

504 Violin
505 Viola
506 Cello
507 Bass
509 Guitar
512 Voice
515 Piano
519 Clarinet
520 Saxophone
521 Flute
522 Oboe
523 Bassoon
524 Trumpet
525 Trombone
526 Euphonium
527 Horn
528 Tuba
529 Percussion

538 Advanced Conducting and Score Analysis. (1–4, repeatable to 4) Advanced techniques of conducting. Preparation to assume leadership of advanced instrumental ensembles.  

565 Piano Pedagogy. (1-2, repeatable up to 10 hours) Materials, methods, teaching techniques and learning theories as applied to the teaching of (college-level) piano classes and advanced-level studio lessons.  Lecture/discussion meetings are complemented with practice in class and studio teaching. Prerequisite: Piano major or permission of the instructor.

590 Literature of Applied Field. (1–2, repeatable) Areas of study include: strings, woodwinds, brass, keyboard, percussion, solo vocal, choral or instrumental ensemble literature.

602 Recital. (0, repeatable) Recital will be either two full recitals, or one full recital and a paper relating to the recital literature. Graded S/U.