Degrees
Yale University awards three graduate professional degrees through the School of Music: Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.), and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.). There is a Certificate in Performance (CERT) program and an Artist Diploma (A.D.) program for performers holding a minimum of a high school diploma and a combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Music (B.A./M.M.) program offered in conjunction with Yale College.
Graduate study in music history, music theory, and ethnomusicology, leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, is offered through the Department of Music in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Degrees in Performance
The degree programs in performance are designed for the student seeking a professional career as an instrumentalist, vocalist, or conductor. The curriculum has been designed to provide training in areas essential to the broadening and strengthening of students’ skills required to meet the exacting standards of today’s profession. Performance majors are offered in piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, and voice, as well as in orchestral and choral conducting. Admission is dependent upon the applicant’s performance abilities, and candidates are admitted on the basis of screening recordings and a live audition. For admissions requirements and processes, see the Admission Procedures section.
Degrees in Composition
The degree programs in composition are designed as preparation for professional work in composition and such related fields as teaching, arranging, scoring, music technology, and similar activities that require a high degree of professional competence in working with the materials of music. Admission is dependent upon the applicant’s demonstrated abilities in composition, and candidates are admitted on the basis of submitted scores and recordings of their music, in addition to a live interview. For admissions requirements and processes, see the Admission Procedures section.
General Requirements
All degrees and programs at the School of Music require the student’s engagement with performance requirements (practical coursework and related proficiencies specific to their major field) and non-performance requirements (classroom coursework and related proficiencies in a variety of disciplines). The requirements listed in this section obtain broadly, either across all degrees, programs, and major fields at the School of Music, or across many degrees, programs, and/or major fields. For requirements specific to each degree, program, and major field, please see the Program Requirements section.
Performance Requirements
Major Field Instruction
- Each student is assigned a principal teacher in the student’s area of specialization, receives individual instruction in the major, and participates in required seminars and master classes given by the major department. Seminars may also encompass off-campus field trips and fieldwork as assigned by the instructors.
- All instrumental majors except organists are required to participate in Chamber Music in each term of enrollment and are also assigned to New Music New Haven. String, wind, brass, harp, and percussion majors perform in the Yale Philharmonia, as assigned.
- All vocal majors participate in Opera Workshop or Schola Cantorum and take specialized classes as indicated below.
- All composition majors compose music for New Music New Haven and take specialized classes as indicated below.
Recitals and Equivalents
- All students present work in their major field in public concerts during their degree.
- Instrumentalists and vocalists present a juried public degree recital in the final year of study; certain degree programs and/or departments require an additional recital during the first year of residence, as described below.
- Orchestral conductors conduct the Yale Philharmonia in a public concert during their final year of study; choral conductors conduct the Recital Chorus in a public concert during their final year of study.
- Over the course of two years, composers present the equivalent of a full recital program in public performances of their music.
Accompanying Requirement for Piano Majors
All piano majors are required to play for at least one instrumental or vocal recital per academic year without pay as part of the departmental major. Priority will be given to degree recitals. Pianists must play all pieces that require piano accompaniment in a recital to fulfill this requirement, adding up to a total of no fewer than forty minutes of music.
- Pianists who are accompanying a recital for departmental major credit will play all rehearsals (including dress rehearsal), lessons, master classes, and studio lessons without pay. In extenuating circumstances that require more than fifteen hours of rehearsal, hours worked above fifteen hours can be paid with approval from the deputy dean.
- Fifteen hours of general accompaniment cannot be substituted for accompanying a recital.
- To fulfill this requirement, the student must notify the senior collaborative piano fellow in advance and provide a program after the recital is complete.
Additional Requirements
Students in individual departments are assessed for a variety of skills and may be required to take specific performance courses or to demonstrate specific proficiencies as outlined below.
Non-Performance Requirements
Non-Performance and Distribution Groups
- All students must complete at least one non-performance (NP) course per term.
- Master of Music and Certificate students must complete at least one NP class from each of distribution groups A, B, and C. Although some courses are cross listed in multiple distribution groups, each course can only be used to satisfy the requirements of one group. Most Yale University courses outside the School of Music and the Department of Music qualify for 4 NP credit hours per term under group C.
Analysis and Musicianship, Music History, and English Language
- All students entering the School of Music, with the exception of D.M.A. students, must take placement examinations in Analysis and Musicianship, Music History, and English Language.
- On the basis of the above examinations, students may be required to complete courses in Analysis and Musicianship (MUS 500, 501, 502) during their first year and/or courses in the Music History survey (MUS 511, 512, 513), or appropriate electives, during both years of their degree.
- On the basis of the above examinations or their admission materials, students may be required to complete English Language Skills (MUS 521) during their first year.
- D.M.A. students may be required to complete certain courses on the basis of the D.M.A. admission examination.
ISM Requirements
ISM Colloquium (MUS 519, 619, 719) is required each term of all students in the Institute of Sacred Music.
Additional Requirements
Individual departments may require students to take specific non-performance courses or to demonstrate specific proficiencies as outlined below.