COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Music degree program in Performance: Strings, Winds, and Percussion at Wichita State University is designed to advance students’ musical training and professional development through intensive applied instruction, academic coursework, and ensemble participation, preparing graduates for careers as performers, educators, or doctoral-level study. The program requires a total of 32 credit hours and begins with foundational requirements that include a music theory assessment, along with core courses such as MUSC 852 Introduction to Bibliography and Research (3 credit hours) and either MUSC 829 Practical Application of Tonal Analysis (2 credit hours) or MUSC 831 Music Theory Pedagogy. Students also complete 7 credit hours of musicology and theory electives selected from courses such as Form and Analysis, Performance and Analysis, Topics in Musicology, Seminar in Music Theory, and Seminar in Music History, allowing them to deepen theoretical and historical understanding of music. The performance concentration requires 10 credit hours of graduate-level applied performance study (MUSA 732A-Z and MUSA 734A-Z), ensuring sustained one-on-one development in the student’s major instrument, alongside 2 credit hours of small chamber ensemble participation selected through auditioned ensembles such as orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz ensembles, percussion, or chamber groups. In addition, students complete 6 credit hours of electives in music or related fields at the 500 level or above, chosen with faculty approval to support individual artistic and academic goals. The program culminates in a 2-credit graduate recital (MUSP 873), which serves as a major performance requirement in lieu of a thesis and must meet departmental standards in repertoire and presentation. All candidates are also required to pass comprehensive examinations covering both musicology/theory and their performance discipline. Overall, the curriculum balances advanced performance training, scholarly study, and ensemble experience to develop well-rounded professional musicians capable of performing at a high artistic level.