Music (MM)
Music (MM)
The two-year (36-hour) degree plan provides advanced study in the concentration of specialization combined with music history, theory, and pedagogy beyond the scope of the undergraduate curriculum. The Master of Music (MM) program provides graduate level study in the following concentrations.
Composition: Composition will provide advanced instruction in the creation of original works and will expand the students' theoretical skills in the analysis of music from all time periods.
Conducting: Conducting concentration provides advanced graduate level study and preparation for musicians interested in pursuing the music conducting profession, with options in choral, orchestral, and wind music conducting.
Ethnomusicology: Ethnomusicology concentration is a flexible program in the history and culture of popular, traditional, and art repertoires with possible research in areas concerning border music, Latin America, the Caribbean, the African Diaspora, and more.
Multiple Instrument Performance: Multiple Instrument Performance concentration will result in the improvement of students’ musical skills on a primary instrument and two additional instruments, as well as knowledge of music literature beyond the scope of undergraduate training.
Music Education: Music Education concentration will provide graduate level knowledge to teach at the elementary, secondary, college, and university levels.
Performance: Performance concentration will result in the improvement of the student’s musical skills and techniques, as well as knowledge of music literature beyond the scope of undergraduate training.
- Ranked #79 among 300+ national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018
- Ranked 4th best college in Texas 2018 by BestColleges.com
- Accredited, cutting edge degree program
- Experienced, dedicated faculty
- Affordable tuition (ranked #1 in net price among national universities by Washington Monthly in 2018 and #3 most affordable university in America 2018 by BestValueSchools.com)
- Demonstrated student success in research, professional certification and career advancement
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. There is no application fee.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in music, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Letter of intent detailing reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Submission of an essay on professional goals
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- Personal interview
- Additional requirements specific to concentration selected:
MM – Conducting – The applicant will need to provide video recording of conduction a large ensemble.
MM – Music Education – The applicant will need to provide video recording of sample teaching including corresponding lesson plan. Length should be approximately 30 minutes. This recording may be either a guest coaching of a UTRGV ensemble (to be arranged by the graduate advisor and/or the ensemble director), or video of classroom/private teaching.
MM – Performance – The applicant must perform an audition, either for the spring audition committee or for a graduate faculty committee organized by the appropriate applied teacher or graduate advisor. Specific repertoire, scales, and memorization requirements are available from the appropriate applied professor. The applicant will also be asked to sight read. Following the audition, the committee will recommend or not recommend the applicant for admission. Voice students seeking a degree in Music Performance must meet prerequisites in both conversational language study and lyric diction in French, German, and Italian. Deficiency in any of these areas will require additional course work.
MM – Ethnomusicology – The applicant must submit a writing sample on a topic in music research. Any students seeking a degree in Ethnomusicology must take diagnostic exams to measure proficiency in Spanish and English. Deficiency in either of these areas will require additional course work.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline.
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
- For additional information, visit the Additional Documents for Domestic Applicants who Attend Foreign Universities section of our website.
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- For additional information, visit the International Admission page of our website.
To view a list of application deadlines and program contacts for our traditional programs, click here.
| Fall 2021-Summer 2022 Rates Tuition and Mandatory Fees | ||||
| Graduate | ||||
| Resident | Non-Resident* | |||
| Number of graduate course(s) (hours per course) |
Fall or Spring | Summer Session (each) | Fall or Spring | Summer Session (each) |
| One graduate course (3 hours a semester) |
$1,584.89 | $1,437.79 | $2,808.89 | $2,661.79 |
| Two graduate courses (6 hours a semester) |
$2,875.58 | $2,728.48 | $5,323.58 | $5,176.48 |
| Three graduate courses (9 hours a semester) |
$4,166.27 | $4,019.17 | $7,838.27 | $7,691.17 |
Fees included above:
- University Services Fee - $38.10 per hour ($457.20 maximum)
- Student Services Fee - $5.83 per hour ($69.96 maximum)
- Intercollegiate Athletics Fee - $15.00 per hour ($180.00 maximum)
- Recreation Fee ‐ $75 per Fall or Spring; $37.50 per summer term
- Medical Services Fee ‐ $30 per Fall or Spring; $15 per summer term
- Student Union Fee ‐ $30 per Fall or Spring; $15 per summer term
All resident tuition and mandatory fees shown above remain the same for hours over 20. Add $408 nonresident tuition for each hour over 20.
*Includes nonresident statutory tuition charges set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and subject to annual change.
Total does not include Lab and Supplemental Instruction Fees which vary by course, or Differential Tuition. To view graduate tuition and fees rates, visit UTRGV’s U Central.
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I definitely recommend the UTRGV School of Music to prospective students considering graduate music study. First, you will work with artist-caliber faculty, in solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings, in facilities that are beautiful. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to receive expert guidance in all aspects of your academic research. The faculty maintains a strong connection with the community, which facilitates hands-on teaching experiences for graduate students interested in pedagogy. Being here at UTRGV it feels more like a community with the faculty, because each faculty member truly cares about their students as individuals and helps them grow artistically as well as professionally. The mentoring from the faculty begins as soon as you introduce yourself, and continues post-graduation. I’m glad I chose UTRGV for graduate study and highly recommend the Master of Music program to others. - Camden Beavers, MM |
