Contents
Catalog Links

Emphasis in Pre-Professional Studies in Conducting

This four-semester program is designed to give the aspiring conductor the necessary preparation for the Master of Music program in conducting. To be considered for this selective program, a student must first audition and be accepted into one of the Bachelor of Music programs offered by the Department of Music Performance. This is typically the Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Instruments. Students in other Bachelor of Music programs interested in this emphasis should first speak to the conducting faculty about the feasibility of completing the program in their degree program in four years. Students are officially accepted into the Pre-Professional Conducting program during the second semester of the sophomore year, following an audition for the conducting faculty. Preparation for the audition typically begins during the first semester of the freshman year, though at the discretion of the faculty, students may be permitted to begin preparation at a later time.

Students in this program will complete all the requirements for the Bachelor of Music program for which they auditioned and were accepted. In the first two years of study, the student will follow the prescribed course of study for his/her major. In addition, in order to prepare for acceptance into the program, each semester the student will:

  • observe the Graduate Conducting Seminar (MUS 643) (which may take the form of Independent Study);
  • observe the Practicum in Score Reading and Analysis for Conductors (MUS 622) (which may take the form of Independent Study);
  • observe rehearsals of the orchestra and opera studio in which the student is not already participating;
  • observe or perform in the weekly Repertory Orchestra (MUS 480A);
  • complete four credits of private (basic) conducting lessons with advanced conducting graduate students, overseen by the conducting faculty. This will typically be fulfilled by four semesters of one-credit lessons, though students may opt to complete these credits in a different fashion (e.g. one semester of one-credit lessons and one semester of three-credit lessons). These private lessons will replace the required conducting courses in the major (MUS 337, MUS 457);
  • meet twice each semester with a member of the conducting faculty for evaluation.
  • Emphasis Requirements:

    MUPI 330 / MUPI 330A Private Conducting (8 Credits) (12 recommended)

    MUPI 320A Private Piano (4 Credits)

    MUS 480A or MUS 508K Repertory Orchestra (0-4 Credits)

    MUS 476 Combined Lyric Diction I (2 Credits)

    MUS 622 Practicum in Score Reading (2 Credits)

    MUS 643 Graduate Conducting Seminar (2 Credits)

    Conducting Emphasis total credits: 18-22