Graduate Bulletin

String Pedagogy, M.M.

BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1

Spring: December 1

Applications are processed as they arrive up to the deadline date.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who are able to provide insight into your abilities and talents, as well as comment on your aptitude for graduate study.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate Bachelor of Music degree at Temple University, which is based on a curriculum of 124 to 135 hours.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A degree in music is expected.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include your special interests within the discipline and expectations for the program.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based.

Audition:

1. At least two movements from a Bach unaccompanied suite/sonata.

2. A movement from a Classical concerto or sonata.

3. A movement from a Romantic concerto, or a 19th or 20th century concert piece.

Applicants must arrange for an accompanist.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Students who wish to transfer credit should speak with their academic advisor and obtain a transfer of credit form, available at www.temple.edu/grad/forms/documents/Transfer_Grad_Credit_05.pdf Transfer credits must be approved by the Advisor, the Department Chair, and the Associate Dean. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Other:

Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, Boyer College of Music specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in Boyer College of Music admission decisions. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College's Optimum Enrollment Policy. This Policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 33

Required Courses (29 s.h.):

Music 8500: Instrumental Ensemble

Music 8510: Instrumental Ensemble

Music 8541: Advanced Orchestral Conducting

Music 8561: Lower String Pedagogy

OR

Music 8562: Upper String Pedagogy

Music 8566-8569: String Major/Pedagogy

Music 9996: Final Project: String Pedagogy

Music Education 8653: Music Learning Theory

Music Studies 8701: Research in Music

All string majors (except Guitar) at the master's degree level must perform in the university orchestra each semester they receive lessons.

Electives (4 s.h.) selected from Music, Music Education, Music Studies, or other graduate departments. Performance practice courses recommended. Advisor approval required.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Diagnostic Entrance Examinations:

Harmony, Counterpoint, Aural Theory, and Music History. Taken before the first semester of graduate study. Remedial coursework may be required.

All entering Master of Music students are required to take Diagnostic Examinations in Harmony, Counterpoint, Aural Skills, and Music History prior to the first semester of graduate study. The purpose of these examinations is to determine weaknesses in undergraduate preparation. Depending on the examination results, students may be required to take one or more remedial courses. In these instances, the remedial courses will be graded on a "Credit / No Credit" basis and the official university transcript will indicate "CR" (for "Credit", meaning that the deficiency has been satisfied) or "NC" (for "No Credit", meaning that the deficiency has not been satisfied). Students must have a "B-" or better average in any remedial course or section thereof to earn the grade of "Credit" and to satisfy the requirement. Students who earn a grade of "NC" (that is, having a class average below "B-") must retake that course or section until an average of "B-" or higher is achieved and a grade of "CR" is recorded on the official university transcript. Remedial courses are offered for undergraduate credit only, and may not count toward graduate degree requirements.

1. All entering MM students must take the harmony, counterpoint, and aural skills examination prior to the first semester of graduate study unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). Students may take the test only once, and if they do not pass the test or any portion thereof, they must enroll in the remedial course(s) during their first semester of study. Depending on which section(s) of the examination are failed, the examiners will stipulate which sections of remedial coursework the student must take. The courses are "Diatonic Harmony Review" (Music Studies 5001), "Chromatic Harmony Review" (Music Studies 5002), "Counterpoint Review" (Music Studies 5003), and "Graduate Aural Theory Review " (Music Studies 5004).

2. Music History All entering MM students are required to take Diagnostic Examinations in Music History prior to registering for their first semester of graduate student, unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). If the student is unsuccessful in passing any portion of the Music History examination, the student may select one of two options. (Option A): Register to take Music History Review (Music Studies 5005 for 1 to 5 undergraduate credits, with 1 credit assigned to each of the following five periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. Students may register for a maximum of 3 credits of Music History Review in any semester; thus, it is possible to extend the remediation over two semesters. (Option B): Students may study independently and retake the failed sections of the examination at the end of the first semester of study. Students may retake the examination only once, and if any section is failed a second time, they must take the assigned remedial sections in their second semester of study.

3. Conditions for Exemption The requirement to take the Examination in any of these areas is waived only for graduates of the Boyer College of Music who:

1) matriculate and enroll in the semester immediately following completion of all undergraduate degree requirements, and

2) received grades of "B-" or better in every undergraduate course taken in each individual examination area to be waived.

Independent Study Courses:

Independent study courses provide a special opportunity for graduate students to work in a highly individualized setting with one or more faculty members. All such study must receive the approval of the faculty member providing the instruction, the students' major advisor, and the Associate Dean. Approval will be granted only after the student has presented a detailed description of the intended independent study project. Approval of independent study projects will be granted only for students whose academic and musical record provides substantial support for the benefits of this type of study. In no case may more than 20% of a graduate student's curriculum be taken as independent study. Private lessons beyond those required in the curriculum are not an appropriate form of independent study.

All incomplete grades and keyboard proficiencies must be completed by the 1st day of the month in which the student expects to graduate.

Except as noted, all degree credits are to be earned at Temple University.

Professional Development Policy:

All students in the Boyer College of Music, in addition to the required subjects toward their degrees, are obliged to serve in a number of capacities in order to enrich their academic and musical expertise. The Boyer College believes that such experiences give impetus to successful professional careers. Among the duties that may be required are conducting laboratory classes, tutoring, teaching private lessons, coaching, participating in the distribution and inventory control of University-owned musical instruments and instructional materials, participating in ensembles, accompanying, performing at admissions and open house events, supervising performance classes, and other academically related activities.

Graduate Private Lesson Policy:

Weekly one-hour private lessons are provided for all matriculated master's and doctoral performance majors in good standing, provided at least three additional credits of programmatically required graduate level study are taken simultaneously. A $150 per semester lesson fee (subject to change without notice) is charged for all private lessons. Tuition remission may not be used to cover the private lesson fee.

Performing Ensembles:

1. Touring-All students in touring performing ensembles are required to participate in all scheduled tours. These tours, usually one or two weeks in length, often take place immediately after termination of semesters. Students must arrange their schedules to accommodate this requirement.

2. Participation-Master's degree candidates in wind, brass, and percussion instruments must be available for ensemble assignments at the discretion of the Department Chair, including participation beyond curricular requirements. 3. Non-Credit Participation-With special permission, graduate students for whom there is no ensemble requirement, or where previous ensemble credits exceed the graduation requirement, may participate in choral and instrumental ensembles without cost, with prior permission from the ensemble director, the department chair, and the Associate Dean.

Acceptable English:

All students, including those for whom English is not the native language, are expected to present all written work in acceptable English. No double standard exists to differentiate students on the basis of proficiency in the use of the English language. Students are also responsible for becoming familiar with the College's statement on plagiarism and academic honesty.

1. Lessons: Private applied lessons beyond the four-semester requirement currently in effect for graduate performance students, may be extended only with the permission of the jury, department chair, and the Associate Dean or Dean of the Boyer College of Music. Tuition for these additional terms of private study (Recital Extension 5000) will be the cost of two graduate credits plus a $400 Recital Extension fee. Graduate assistantships and other forms of university-sponsored financial aid do not cover the Recital Extension fee.

2. The degree status of students who are unable to present a recital after one semester of recital extension will be reviewed by the Associate Dean and the major advisor, who, in consultation with the major teacher and department, will determine whether or not the student may continue in the program. Inability to present the recital after one semester of Recital Extension may be grounds for dismissal from the degree program for failing to maintain reasonable academic progress.

Culminating Events:

Comprehensive Examination:

All candidates for the Master of Music degree are required to take a one-hour comprehensive examination in music literature and theory. A list of l00 musical works of the standard literature from the Middle Ages through the 20th century is available to the student when admitted to the College. It is suggested that this examination be taken in the penultimate term of study. The list is intended as an aid to preparation for the examination.

The examination is in three parts: identification of specific selections from a list of 100 works, identification of a "mystery" selection, and score analysis.

Students should plan to take the examination in the penultimate semester of study.

Members of the graduate music history and music theory department select the music scores and musical selections. Two graduate faculty members grade the examination.

Students must pass all three sections. A score of 70% or better must be achieved in the identification section, and a "pass" or "weak pass" must be achieved in the "mystery" selection and the score analysis section.

The examination is administered approximately ten times each year. Students notify the music graduate secretary no later than one week prior to the requested examination administration date. For examination dates, visit the Graduate Music Examination Schedule page on Boyer's website.

Final Pedagogy Project:

The final pedagogy project is based upon a subject determined with the major advisor, and should culminate in the presentation of a lecture/recital. The culminating presentation may vary, but may take the form of a lecture/recital, teaching demonstration, research paper, article, or method book. Faculty members in the Department of Instrumental Ensembles grade the final project.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/boyer/

Department Information:

Dept. of Instrumental Studies
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
jeffrey.solow@temple.edu
215-204-5527

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

James Short
jshort@temple.edu
215-204-8598

Program Coordinator:

Professor Jeffrey Solow
jeffrey.solow@temple.edu
215-204-5527

Graduate Chairperson:

Professor Jeffrey Solow
jeffrey.solow@temple.edu
215-204-5527

Chairperson:

Professor Jeffrey Solow
jeffrey.solow@temple.edu
215-204-5527

About the Program

The Master of Music in String Pedagogy is for the graduate student who desires to concentrate on the pedagogy of stringed instruments.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 6 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Instrumental Studies
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
jeffrey.solow@temple.edu
215-204-5527

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

The Boyer College of Music has been ranked among the top 30 music schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

This degree program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Areas of Specialization:

While private lessons and ensemble participation are required each semester, a major concentration of the curriculum is the study and practice of the teaching of stringed instruments. Included in this concentration are coursework and fieldwork through the College's preparatory division.

Job Placement:

The program prepares musicians for either professional activity or doctoral study.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students may enroll in selected courses in music with permission, but may not take applied lessons until they have been fully admitted and matriculated.

Financing Opportunities

The Boyer College offers a number of assistantships and academic internships to matriculated graduate students. Full awards carry a cash stipend plus full tuition remission for the fall and spring semesters. Partial awards also are available in values of 1/4 or 1/2 of a full award. Duties for assistantships and internships vary, but typically include teaching, tutoring, classroom assistance, research, artistic performance, and/or direct service related to academic programs. Applicants must submit an assistantship/internship application by March 1 to obtain priority consideration for an award. Applications are available online at the Graduate Financial Aid page of Boyer's website. Typically these awards are made only in the fall semester for up to two semesters, fall and spring. Awards may be renewed on an annual basis (typically up to one additional year for Master's students and up to three years for Doctoral students) based upon departmental needs as well as satisfactory academic and musical progress by the recipient.

May 2007