Music: Conducting

Master's

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

You’ll specialize in one of three areas: band, orchestral or choral ensemble conducting. You’ll deepen your knowledge of music literature, history and analysis with the help of internationally accomplished faculty. And you’ll conduct ensembles and present a final project demonstrating mastery in your selected area.

In our program, you'll gain real-world conducting experience "at the podium" — more than most graduate programs of its kind. You'll have the opportunity to serve as the instructor of record for non-music major ensembles. And you'll have opportunities to collaborate with University Theatre as the musical orchestra director.

We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships with a tuition waiver of up to 20 credit hours and a stipend of $10,300. If awarded, you may teach at the collegiate level or assist directors of large ensembles.

Located in a modern 119,000-square-foot facility, you'll enjoy state-of-the-art resources, including our 500-seat concert hall with a 61-rank Casavant organ, 100-seat recital hall, digital audio technology labs, recording facilities and music resource center.

Alumni of our nationally-accredited program have gone on to teach and conduct in K-12 institutions as well as in tenure-track positions at universities. Others have been recognized with awards, such as the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year award. And others have been admitted to competitive doctorate programs, such as the University of Washington, Arizona State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Texas.

Program Highlights

As a conducting graduate student here, you'll:

• Gain expertise in one of three areas: choral, wind, or orchestral conducting.
• Learn from experienced faculty with many years of experience, such as James Batcheller, whose orchestrations have been performed by stars of opera and the Broadway stage, and Chris Chapman, who regularly gives clinics and masterclasses at conferences, including one of the largest conferences of its kind in the world (the Midwest Clinic).
• Have opportunities to gain “podium-time” as a conductor and director throughout the program.
• Gain real-world teaching and directing experience if awarded a funded graduate assistantship.