Lee University Catalog_2024-2025
School of Music Graduate Studies
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Graduate Studies in Music
Ron Brendel, Graduate Studies Director
William R. Green, Dean
Randy Sheeks, Associate Dean
Statement of Purpose
The School of Music provides discipline-related experiences in music performance, music and worship, and conducting which will prepare Lee University students for responsible artistic action.
For the student who wishes to pursue music as a profession, course offerings will assist in preparing graduate students for careers in the ministry of music in either church leadership or performance roles, conducting bands and choirs, and the public performance arena as a soloist or collaborative artist.
The Graduate Music Committee
The Graduate Music Committee’s responsibility is to give administrative oversight to the Graduate Studies in Music program. The committee considers and recommends curricular changes to the university faculty, approves all policies, assesses effectiveness of the graduate program, serves as the Admissions Committee, reviews candidacy, and approves applicants for graduation.
Graduate Programs in Music Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements for All Students:
The Applicant must have:
- Undergraduate degree in music from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
If the applicant has a grade point average less than 2.75, the student may petition for admission based on tenure as a music educator, private teacher, or professional experience for a cumulative period of no less than three years. Action on this petition will be determined by the Graduate Music Committee.
The following application materials must be submitted:
- Completed Lee University Application to Graduate Studies form (https://www.leeuniversity.edu/apply/)
- $25.00 Application Fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts of all college work
- Essay explaining rationale for graduate study (see criteria for specific degree program)
- Three Recommendation Forms completed by three professionals, including two academic and one personal reference (Conducting degree must have reference letters instead of the forms).
Each applicant is required to have an audition on his of her primary instrument.
Each applicant is required to have an interview with members of the Graduate Music Faculty.
After acceptance, each applicant must complete all placement exams required by the Graduate Music Office. These include placement exams in music history, music theory, and aural skills.
Specific Discipline Application Requirements
MM-Music and Worship
No Additional Application Requirements
MM-Conducting (Choral/Wind)
Submission of a rehearsal/performance video with the initial application to be reviewed by the Director of Graduate Studies in Music and members of the conducting faculty. Upon review by the graduate music committee, a limited number of applicants demonstrating proficient conducting skills will be invited for an on-campus live audition with one of the university ensembles, placement exams, and an interview with members of the graduate committee.
Note: The initial video submission should be a minimum of 15 minutes including a rehearsal and a performance. The camera should face the conductor. Please state your name clearly at the beginning of the video. DVD format or a working link to a hosting site is acceptable.
MM- Performance
- A dossier of available programs, articles, and performance reviews.
- Each applicant must perform an audition in his/her primary applied area for the graduate performance faculty. (See additional requirements: Master of Music - Performance Placement)
Specific Discipline Placements
MM-Music and Worship
Conducting Placement Exam: A Conducting Placement Exam will be administered to each student to determine whether the student’s conducting skills are appropriate for the study of conducting at the graduate level. Vocal students will conduct a university choral ensemble, and instrumental students will conduct a university instrumental ensemble. Please contact the Graduate Studies in Music Office for specific pieces to be used for the placement and to set up an appointment for the placement exam with one of the Lee University ensembles.
Vocal Placement Exam: For the Vocal exam, the student will perform one selection of his/her choosing for a faculty committee. The placement committee will be interested in having the student demonstrate his/her ability to produce a pleasant tone and to sing on pitch. This should be completed prior to matriculation.
Important Points:
- The student will sing a selection of his/her choosing for which a recorded accompaniment may be used.
- It is preferable for the student to select from sacred/church-related literature.
- Piano accompaniment is available when requested in advance.
International Students
The university is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students on an F-1 visa. International applicants are expected to apply well in advance of their projected beginning date. All academic records and other credentials must be accompanied by an official English translation. If transfer credit from an institution outside the United States is desired, an evaluation from World Education Services (www.WES.org) must be submitted. [Refer to the “Transfer Credit” section under Graduate Academic Policies for additional information.]
In addition to general admissions requirements, international students must supply the following:
- TOEFL Scores: All applicants who are not native speakers of English, who will be attending the university on a student visa, and who are not graduates of an American college or university are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information on this test can be obtained from TOEFL Educational Testing Service; Princeton, New Jersey 08540; U.S.A. (or go to www.toefl.org). All test scores should be sent directly from the testing agency to Lee University (Lee University Code: 1401). To be admitted to Lee University graduate studies without English remediation, a minimum TOEFL score of 61(iBT) is required. Remediation requirements are determined by the individual graduate programs.
- Financial Statement: An applicant on an F-1 student visa must supply, on the form provided by the university, sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family who will accompany the applicant to Lee. This requires that the applicant certify that his/her intent is to attend full time and that no employment will be required.
All of the above credentials must be received and approved before a SEVIS Form I-20 can be issued to the applicant. More information can be found in the Graduate International Student Booklet.
Completion Requirements
- Graduate students must successfully complete a final project based on their degree program. The final project must be completed at least three weeks prior to graduation.
- Master of Music - Music and Worship students must successfully complete a worship festival which must be completed at least three weeks prior to graduation. There can be no more than one worship festival in any one semester by one individual.
- Master of Music - Performance students must successfully present a one-hour public recital presented at least three weeks prior to graduation. Only one attempt per semester is allowed for the recital.
- Master of Music - Conducting students will conduct a portion of an ensemble concert for each of the four semesters they are enrolled in applied conducting lessons and serving as a student conductor with the ensemble. These performances collectively will qualify as a culminating project under the NASM standard of “concert-length performance or equivalent.” In addition, each student will compile a portfolio. The portfolio should be a representation of the student’s best work and document professional growth occurring throughout the course of study for the Master of Music - Conducting.
- After all coursework for the degree is completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, students will be allowed one semester to complete their thesis or final project. If the thesis or project is not completed during that semester, students will enroll in GRAD-599 and will be charged regular registration fees for each fall and/or spring semester in which a continuation is required. (Enrollment in this course will not be required over a summer semester unless collaborative work between the supervising professor and student is planned).
For more detailed information concerning the recital/final project/worship festival, refer to the School of Music Graduate Handbook.
- A student is considered for candidacy for graduate degrees only after the completion of 23 (MUSMW.MM) or 25 (MUSPF. MM, & MUSCO.MM) hours of course work and the successful completion of the written and oral comprehensive exams.
- Graduate Music and Worship students will have an internship requirement in which they will serve in a local church or other appropriate venue under the supervision of a qualified professional and his/her graduate faculty advisor.
ProgramsCourses
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