Master of Music in Instrumental Performance in Fargo United States | North Dakota State University

Students can choose from three specialized tracks: Performance, Conducting, and Music Education. The Performance, Choral Conducting, and Instrumental Conducting programs each require completion of at least 30 credits, while the Music Education track mandates 32 credits. The Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance and Conducting serves as a professional degree for musicians seeking to enhance their artistic abilities, while the M.M. in Music Education caters to educators aiming to strengthen their teaching methodologies. Prospective students can submit applications through NDSU's Graduate School website (www.ndsu.edu/gradschool), which must include three recommendation letters, academic transcripts, and a writing sample. Applicants should inform the graduate music coordinator (jo.millerndsu.edu) of their application plans. Performance and conducting candidates must visit campus for an audition. After admission, students take a diagnostic test to help advisors tailor their course selection.

All courses require a minimum grade of B to pass. Before graduation, students must successfully complete comprehensive written exams in their major field and music academic studies, followed by an oral examination conducted by their faculty committee. Performance and conducting students present a recital as their culminating project, while music education candidates complete a written practicum, both developed with committee oversight. Each committee consists of three faculty members: the advisor, a music academic studies representative, and an additional music faculty member.

The Music Theory Pedagogy specialization serves dual purposes: enriching graduate students' academic backgrounds and enhancing their employment prospects, particularly for higher education teaching positions. Today's academic job market values candidates with expertise across multiple disciplines, especially in music history and theory. This program equips students with advanced music theory knowledge and teaching experience for undergraduate courses, making them competitive candidates for university positions that combine performance and classroom instruction. While typically pursued alongside another M.M. or DMA program in Performance or Conducting, the Music Theory Pedagogy track contains sufficient distinct coursework to stand as an independent degree.