Music - Music Performance
Overview
Priority application deadline is March 1.
Master of Music in Performance students are afforded intensive applied study with a professionally accomplished artist-teacher. Performance degrees are offered in all orchestral and band instruments, as well as in piano, guitar, and voice.
The MM in Performance prepares you for a career in:
- Symphony orchestras
- Military ensembles
- Broadway
- Opera houses
- Teaching at the college level
The MM in Performance curriculum includes:
- Applied music
- Music pedagogy and literature
- Analysis for Performers
- History
- Research
- Ensembles
- Electives which could include: Non-degree recitals, music technology, music history, music theory, music education, music therapy, music business, applied music, jazz studies and non-music courses
- A written comprehensive exam and a recital are required for graduation.
Priority application deadline for admission and assistantship consideration is March 1.
Point of Pride
Performance graduate students concertize regularly in solo and chamber performances, including concerto-aria competitions, as well as national performance competitions such as the Music Teachers National Association and National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Angelo Favis
(309) 438-8960
Centennial East 230
Schedule a Visit
Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.
How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to a master's program must:
- have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
- have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
- present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must:
- Undergraduate degree in music, or the equivalent for international students.
- School of Music application (included within the university application).
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate enrollment.
- Three current letters of recommendation.
- A live or recorded performance audition on your primary applied instrument. Find suggested repertoire of your specific instrument/voice.
The GRE is not required.
Additional Admission Requirements for International Students
- English translation(s) of official transcript(s), verified with fresh seals and signatures.
- Declaration of Finances.
- Official English Language Exam Score (TOEFL or IELTS). The minimum iBT TOEFL score is 79. The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5. Official scores need to be sent to Illinois State directly from ETS (TOEFL) or the testing center which administered the test (IELTS).
- Copy of passport.
The documents listed above for international students need to be sent to the Office of Admissions.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Term — Applications reviewed as space permits
- Spring Term — Applications reviewed as space permits
- Summer Term — Applications reviewed as space permits
Graduate Assistantships
The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,
- be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
- be in good-standing
- be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).
Benefits
Graduate assistants receive
- monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
- a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
- a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment
Graduate Tuition Waivers
The School of Music awards a limited number of Graduate Tuition Waivers on a competitive basis to incoming students who show promise for success and who have not received an assistantship or other awards funding tuition costs. The School of Music may also award Graduate Tuition Waivers to current students who show or continue to show growth and promise for success and have made positive contributions to the School. These tuition waivers are awarded upon recommendation of the faculty and approval by the Graduate Advisory Committee, and are contingent upon funding from the University.
Incoming students who have been admitted into graduate programs in the School of Music must be enrolled full-time and have a minimum entrance GPA of 2.8 to be eligible to apply. In addition, incoming summers-only MMEd students may be eligible to receive tuition waiver funds but must be full-time teachers and not already receiving funding from their employing school district.
Current full-time students in the School of Music must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to apply. In addition, current summers-only MMEd students may be eligible to receive tuition waiver funds but must be full-time teachers and not already receiving funding from their employing school district.
To apply, complete the tuition waiver application (including the Selective Service Statement) and return the application to Dr. Angelo L. Favis in the School of Music Office (CE 230). Tuition waivers may be applied to the cost of tuition only; the graduate student must make arrangements to pay student fees, insurance, or other educational expenses.
The deadline for priority consideration for a tuition waiver for the fall semester is May 1.
The deadline for priority consideration for the spring semester is November 1.
The deadline for priority consideration for the summer semester is April 1.
Review more information about graduate funding options at Illinois State University.
Costs & Funding
See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.
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