Department of Music

Students pursuing the Master's degree in the Department of Music should have the opportunity--and obligation--to synthesize their graduate experience in a final oral examination. Successful completion of this comprehensive examination is a requirement for obtaining the Master's degree through the ISU Department of Music.

The Graduate Music Adviser will provide each student with a list of the members of the faculty approved to teach graduate courses. From this list the student will select a chairperson for the committee from those instructors with whom he or she has taken two or more graduate courses. (Workshop directors are eligible only if they have taught the courses.) The remaining members of the three-person committee will be chosen by the committee chairperson, in consultation with the student, from the graduate faculty available at the time of the examination. The chairperson of the committee will contact the other members to be sure that all areas (see below) will be covered and will meet with the student to outline the scope and nature of the examination. The examination should be scheduled during the final semester of the student's residency, but in no case prior to the completion of 24 hours of course work. The examination may also be scheduled during either summer term (I or II) of the student's final residency. Suggested times include the beginning of Spring Semester, the end of the Spring Semester or the end of either Summer Term.

A basic knowledge of music theory and music history and literature will be covered, as well as the material from the graduate courses in which the student has been enrolled. The total amount of time for the examination, including that required by the committee to deliberate and vote, should be not less than sixty minutes and not more than ninety minutes. The examination might proceed as follows:

Not less than fifty percent of the total amount of time should be devoted to questions in the student's area of specialization: composition, music education, music history and literature, music performance, or music theory. The distribution of time among the examiners, agreed upon in advance of the examination, should be proportionate to the area of the specialization and coursework. It is the responsibility of the committee chairperson to maintain this schedule during the examination. A candidate must receive at least two positive votes in order to pass and will be informed of the decision immediately. Should a student fail the examination, it may be retaken one time, but not in the same term. The second examination, utilizing the same committee whenever possible, will cover only the areas in which the student was deficient. If substitute committee members are needed, the selection process would be the same as for the original group.