Introduction
A Master of Music for the 21st Century
The Master of Music programs in performance, performance/pedagogy and conducting directly address the variety of career and life skills which the contemporary musician must possess. The process of optimally developing the performing musician is complemented with a range of other learning and experiential opportunities that address the teacher, small-business-person, and community-cultural-advocate roles that make up the profession today. These programs are also conceived in recognition of the fact that no two musicians will require exactly the same complement of professional skills. Thus the program permits a high degree of flexibility in the details of content within a common structure.
Regardless of the specialization, the program outline contains three principal components:
- Core research skills 6 credits
- Performance experience 12 to 16 credits
- Complementary professional skills 14 to 18 credits
General research skills (common core)
The development and application of essential research skills is the foundation of any graduate program, Master of Music programs not excepted. This two-semester course pair addresses these skills: one semester of research method followed by one semester of research application. This common core is not conceived to be interest-specific and the research application element will inevitably challenge students to expand their musical horizons beyond concerns with practice alone.
Performance experience
Across the range of performance and conducting options, the objective of this element of the program is the same: the acquisition of professional-level skill in the performance medium. This is traditionally done through the focused and disciplined preparation of public performances and in that respect this program is no different from others. However, this program acknowledges the variety of ways in which musicians “perform” today. Students are mentored in the preparation of two public concerts of professional calibre; they also have the option of realizing one of those performances as a compact disc of commercial quality – the basic calling card of most professional musicians today.
There is also considerable flexibility in defining the performance medium. Conducting majors have the option of working principally with instrumental ensembles, principally with vocal ensembles, or a balanced combination of both. In addition to the university resources and weekly access to a rehearsal ensemble of professional musicians, the unique resources of the musical community in St. John’s afford a wide range of conducting opportunities for graduate student conductors. Performance concentrations will be available across most of the range of orchestral instruments, guitar, keyboard and voice, with the option of a secondary performance specialization where appropriate and feasible. Candidates in the second year of the performance/pedagogy program may also adjust the balance in their lessons between pedagogy and performance.
Métier and complementary professional skills
Making up close to half the credit allocation of the program, this component addresses the role of the versatile professional in today’s world. Courses team-taught by industry professionals and established pedagogues put students in touch with the realities of the practice. Internships with placements in the music industry, in teaching studios or in professional organizations will offer hands-on applications of theory. Students may elect to meet the credit requirements of this component of the program exclusively through course work by taking additional courses in performance areas, in music education, or in other complementary fields.
