Music Performance MM

The Department of Music has-for decades-enjoyed a reputation as one of a handful of departments in North America dedicated to contemporary musical creation at the highest level. Composition at the University at Buffalo flourishes today, by providing a wide range of stimulating musical and intellectual experiences within a program that allows students the space to develop and mature. In an atmosphere that encourages musical and technological experiment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the development of authentic creative character, graduate composers at UB take advantage of a number of resources and opportunities.

Studio Lessons (12 credits)

4 semesters of Studio Lessons on Major Instrument, Voice, or Conducting:

MUS 559TUT - Piano Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 561TUT - Harp Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 563TUT - Organ Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 565TUT - Harpsichord Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 568TUT - Guitar Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 569TUT - Voice Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 571TUT - Violin Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 573TUT - Viola Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 575TUT - Cello Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 577TUT - Double Bass Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 579TUT - Saxophone Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 581TUT - Flute Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 583TUT - Oboe Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 585TUT - Clarinet Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 587TUT - Bassoon Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 589TUT - French Horn Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 591TUT - Trumpet Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 593TUT - Trombone Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 595TUT - Tuba Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 597TUT - Percussion Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 635TUT - Advanced Conducting Credits: 4

Ensemble & Performance Core (8 credits)

Ensemble Choice (4-6 credits)

2 semesters of Ensemble:

MUS 538LAB - UB Symphony Orchestra Credits: 2
MUS 540LAB - Chamber Music Credits: 2
MUS 543LAB - Percussion Ensemble Credits: 2
MUS 547LAB - Contemporary Ensemble Credits: 2
MUS 550TUT - Opera Studio Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 551LAB - University Choir Credits: 2
MUS 556LAB - Jazz Ensemble Big Band Credits: 2
MUS 557LAB - Jazz Ensemble Combo Credits: 2

Performance Specialty Electives (2-4 credits)

Number of Performance Specialty Elective credits may vary depending on Ensemble choice. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 8 minimum total credit hours between Ensemble and Performance Specialty Electives. 

MUS 513LEC - On the Edge Performance Credits: 2
MUS 514LEC - Sem in Vocal Pedagogy Credits: 4 (One semester required for voice majors)
MUS 555LAB - Composer and Performer Lab Credits: 2

Didactic Seminars (16 credits)

Music History Requirement (4-8 credits)

Select 1 or 2 from the following:

MUS 515SEM - Music and Queer Studies Credits: 4
MUS 517SEM - Music, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 4
MUS 525SEM - Popular Music Studies Credits: 4
MUS 527SEM - Music and Modernity Credits: 4
MUS 528SEM - Media, Memory, and Notation Credits: 4
MUS 529LEC - Studies in US Music Credits: 4
MUS 615SEM - Discussion in Musicology Credits: 4

Music Theory Requirement (4-8 credits)

Select 1 or 2 from the following:

MUS 613SEM - Analyzing Popular Music Credits: 4
MUS 614SEM - Discourses in Music Theory Credits: 4
MUS 621SEM - Topics in Tonal Theory and Analysis Credits: 4
MUS 629SEM - Analyzing Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music Credits: 4

Colloquium (4 credits)

MUS 500SEM - Colloquium Credits: 4

Foreign Language Requirement for Voice

One foreign language (usually German, French or Italian), and a special examination in the diction of all three of these languages is required for Voice students.

Culminating Experience: Project (0 credits)

Two recitals of advanced solo and chamber music

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

36 Hours

Time-To-Degree

1.5 to 2 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.