2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/faa/music-mmus/instrumental-conducting-band/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/

for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Instrumental Conducting Band Concentration

Students must choose a concentration:

The School of Music has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1933.

Admission

For all degree programs, consult the admission requirements stated on the School of Music’s website. Admission is only available in the fall.

Requirements for admission to the Master of Music (MM) programs are a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or an equivalent degree from another accredited institution. Students holding other degrees may be admitted but will be expected to make up for any deficiencies and fulfill all requirements for the graduate degree.

Applicants to instrumental conducting (wind band or orchestra) must pass a qualifying audition for their major area or submit satisfactory recordings.

The School of Music requires all new MM students to complete entrance examinations in music theory and musicianship. These exams take place the week before the fall term begins.

Applicants to the MM whose native language is not English must present an iBT score of 90 for the Master of Music (MM). A TOEFL iBT score of 103 or higher is required for full-status admission to the University of Illinois Graduate College and School of Music. Please see the full English proficiency requirements.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an essential part of the graduate experience.

Financial Aid

Fellowships, teaching, graduate, and research assistantships are awarded on a one-year basis, with continuation dependent upon success in the program. Specific information on application procedures is available from the Music Admissions Office, by phone (217) 244-7899, or by email.

for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Instrumental Conducting Band Concentration

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.

Requirements for the MMUS in Music with a concentration in Instrumental Conducting Band

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | MUS 528 | Res & Bibliography in Music (sections A1-A3) | 2 | | MUS 540 | Graduate Wind Band Conducting | 12 | | MUS 509 | Graduate Seminar in Band Conducting, History, and Literature | 8 | | Advanced Musicology, Music Theory, or Performance Practice, choose from the following: | | 8 | | MUS 400 | Counterpoint and Fugue | | | MUS 408 | Analysis of Musical Form (sections A-E) | | | MUS 507 | Sem in Music Comp and Theory | | | MUS 511 | Foundations and Methods of Musicology I | | | MUS 512 | Fdns/Methods of Musicology II | | | MUS 516 | Fieldwork and Ethnography | | | MUS 517 | Topics in Instrumental Music | | | MUS 518 | Regional Studies in Musicology | | | MUS 519 | Analytical Methods: Musicology | | | MUS 520 | Social Theory in Ethnomusicology | | | MUS 521 | Historical Studies in 20thC Music | | | MUS 522 | Special Topics Seminar | | | MUS 523 | Seminar in Musicology | | | MUS 524 | Seminar in Works of Select Composer | | | MUS 526 | Baroque Performance Practice | | | MUS 527 | Classical Performance Practice | | | Electives to be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. | | 2 | | Master's Comprehensive Examination | | | | Total Hours | | 32 |

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements

Requirement	Description
Other requirements may overlap
Concentration required	Yes
Minimum 500-level hours required overall:	12
Minimum GPA:	3.0

for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Instrumental Conducting Band Concentration

Students in the Master of Music (MM) program, with concentrations in Instrumental Conducting (Wind Band), Instrumental Conducting (Orchestra), and Choral Music will:

Develop conducting skills at a high professional level, using creative and critical thinking to inform stylistic choices and artistic expression while demonstrating appropriate spontaneity, and will communicate their artistry to diverse audiences; in addition, students will demonstrate effective, musical, and efficient rehearsal techniques.
Exhibit an ability to summarize, synthesize, and discuss disciplinary content in relation to their major area of study (including a thorough knowledge of core repertoire), and to communicate their findings, using appropriate academic conventions, in written, oral and/or performative form.
Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate methods for library-based musical research and scholarly writing, and a facility in handling print and technology sources.
Demonstrate effective analytical and interpretative skills in music theory, musicology, or performance practice, as well as an ability to communicate an advanced understanding of that knowledge and ideas in written and/or oral form.
Pursue specialized studies, to develop expertise and an ability to synthesize knowledge in areas of interest that enhance their required curriculum and/or professional goals.
In addition, some Illinois MM students will develop experience and expertise in instruction, pedagogy, and student assessment in one or more areas of musical study, also gaining insights into rehearsal strategies for large ensemble, and appropriate methods of student evaluation.

for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Instrumental Conducting Band Concentration

School of Music

Director of School: Dr. Linda Moorhouse\ Associate Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Reynold Tharp\ Program Contact: Jenny Phillips\ School of Music website\ School of Music faculty\ 2040 Music Building, 1114 West Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-3459

College of Fine & Applied Arts

FAA College website

Admissions

Overview of School of Music Admissions & Requirements\ musicadmissions@illinois.edu\ (217) 244-7899\ Graduate College Admissions