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Graduate & Professional | In-Person

Master of Music in Pedagogy

Are you searching for a way to improve your skills and better lead the next generation of musicians? Belmont's Master of Music in Pedagogy is for you!

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College of Music & Performing Arts

Angela Stenzel
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8307
Email Angela

Why Study Pedagogy? 

Belmont's Master of Music in Pedagogy is taught by talented, expert faculty and will provide the hands-on opportunities you need to hone your craft as an educator.

In this program, you will have the opportunity to practice teaching through a variety of experiences including teaching elective undergraduate courses within the School of Music, working alongside talented faculty members. Throughout your time on campus, you will be challenged to gain skills in performance and teaching.

What You'll Learn

  • Music research tools, materials and techniques
  • Analysis of music from across a range of genres and styles
  • Conduct individual and independent research
  • How to teach individuals or applied classes under the supervision of a faculty member
  • Survey of literature from your principal area, with a focus on literature, performance practice and notable composers
Music Faculty plays guitar

Program Details

View all program requirements:

Pedagogy Major, Instruments, M.M.

Pedagogy Major, Keyboard, M.M.

Pedagogy Major, Voice, M.M.

  • Introduction to Music Research: Introduction to music research tools, materials, and techniques. The focus of the course will include major references and indexes, database, and internet research. The course will be relevant to all majors and will encompass both quantitative and qualitative research. A research project relating to the student’s major will be required.
  • Music History Seminar: A series of in-depth topical seminars for graduate music students which will cover a wide range of periods, composers and musical genres. Prerequisites: MUG 5010 or passing score on Graduate History Placement Exam.
  • Analytical Techniques: Advanced study in the analysis of music from across a range of genres and styles. In addition to traditional harmonic and formal analysis, a variety of techniques will be explored and may include LaRue style analysis; analysis of rhythm and meter; and an introduction to Schenkerian and related linear-reductive systems. Prerequisites: MUG 5020 or passing score on Graduate Theory Placement Exam.
  • Culminating Project/Examinations: MUG 6000 includes the terminal requirements for the M.M. degree. All students are required to successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations and a culminating project which varies, depending on the student’s particular track. Options and requirements for each culminating track are described in Guidelines for the Master of Music Degree accessed through the Belmont University Portal. Students should register for the course during their final semester of enrollment. The class is graded pass/fail. Prerequisites: Student must have achieved Candidacy status.
  • Graduate Chamber Music Studies: Composed of graduate students interested in pursuing the chamber repertoire for their applied area. Requires two (2) hours of rehearsal and 30 minutes of coached time per week. A Graduate Chamber Music Studies Contract designating a coach and planned repertoire must be completed by student and coach and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
  • Ensemble Internship: Graduate students may select an internship with any of the following School of Music classical instrumental or choral ensembles: Instrumental - Belmont Wind Ensemble, Belmont Orchestra, Belmont Percussion Ensemble, Belmont Guitar Ensemble, Belmont Jazz Ensemble; Choral -Belmont Chamber Singers, Belmont Chorale, University Singers, Nashville Children’s Choir, Opera Workshop, Oratorio Chorus, Women’s Choir. An Internship Contract must be completed and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, describing specific responsibilities of the internship (e.g. assistant director, lead roles, etc.). Limited to two semesters of participation. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
  • Graduate Ensemble Studies: Graduate students may participate in an approved School of Music ensemble. Prerequisites: Permission of ensemble director and instructor required.
Specialization - Instrumental
  • Instrumental Literature: A historical survey of major instrumental music literature through the study of selected pieces from the solo, chamber, wind band and orchestral repertoire.
  • Instrumental Literature (Keyboard): A survey of keyboard literature from the Baroque era through the present. Emphasis will be placed on the standard keyboard performance literature along with the preeminent keyboard composers and common performance practices.
  • Introduction to Pedagogy of Applied Music: Introduction to Pedagogy of Applied Music will provide an overview of the current methods and literature, instructional techniques, philosophical bases, curriculum building and administration of the teaching of applied music. The focus will include both pre-college and undergraduate college levels and both individual and class teaching situations.
  • Advanced Pedagogy of Applied Music: This course is designed for advanced study in the field of pedagogy of applied music under faculty supervision. The focus may include, but will not be limited to, the following topics: supervised individual and independent research, observation, supervised teaching in Belmont Academy, supervised practicum in the vocal computerized lab, and other practicum experience. Prerequisites: MUP 5010.
  • Supervised Teaching: Supervised teaching is tailored to the needs and interests of the graduate student, and will include teaching individuals or applied class, concurrent with a study of literature appropriate to the type, age and maturity of students being taught.
Specialization - Voice
  • Opera Literature: A survey of solo literature in opera from the Baroque period through the present. The focus will include literature, performance practice and important composers.
  • Introduction to Pedagogy of Applied Music: Introduction to Pedagogy of Applied Music will provide an overview of the current methods and literature, instructional techniques, philosophical bases, curriculum building and administration of the teaching of applied music. The focus will include both pre-college and undergraduate college levels and both individual and class teaching situations.
  • Advanced Pedagogy of Applied Music: This course is designed for advanced study in the field of pedagogy of applied music under faculty supervision. The focus may include, but will not be limited to, the following topics: supervised individual and independent research, observation, supervised teaching in Belmont Academy, supervised practicum in the vocal computerized lab, and other practicum experience.
  • Supervised Teaching: Supervised teaching is tailored to the needs and interests of the graduate student, and will include teaching individuals or applied class, concurrent with a study of literature appropriate to the type, age and maturity of students being taught.
  • French and Italian Song Literature: A survey of Italian art song from the Baroque period through the present and French song literature from 1830 to the present. Emphasis will be placed on evolving performance practice and the important composers of both genres.
  • German Lied: A survey of German and Austrian lieder and its composers from the Baroque era to the present. Focus will be placed on evolving performance practice. Literature from the 19th and 20th centuries will be emphasized.
  • American/British Art Song: A survey of British and American art song works and their composers. The British portion will focus from John Dowland to the present. The American portion will focus on the post civil war period but will emphasize the 20th century.

You'll have a variety of opportunities in Belmont's Master's of Music in Pedagogy program including:

  • Participating in ensembles with other students passionate about music
  • Performing in state-of-the-art performance halls
  • Joining a thriving and creative musical community in Nashville

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

1. Apply to the University

  • Create a BU4U account
  • Complete the Belmont University Graduate Studies Application for Admission
  • Pay the $50 Application Fee

2. Submit Supplemental Materials

Once the application is submitted and the application fee is paid, an email will be sent with instructions for submitting the supplemental pieces of the application. Applicants will be required to provide the following:

  1. Two completed recommendation forms from individuals who know the applicant's musical abilities. At least one recommendation must be completed by an individual who can address the applicant's accomplishments and potential in the academic classroom setting.
  2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
  3. A writing sample from undergraduate academic course work.
  4. Statement of Purpose. This one-page essay should describe why you are interested in the desired degree program and Belmont University, and address your personal and professional career goals.
  5. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work. International applicants with college level coursework from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (wes.org). Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students who have earned below a 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deadlines

All prospective students should apply as soon as possible to submit their application, including all supplemental materials by the deadlines.

 

3. Audition for the School of Music

All applicants are required to audition for the School of Music. The audition day will consist of a live audition and interview with our performance faculty and an informational meeting. The information session will also allow time for questions from attendees.

Audition Dates

 

Audition Requirements:

Voice

  1. Three (3) art songs
  2. One (1) aria from the operatic or oratorio repertoire in the original language.

The four (4) pieces performed in the audition should include a selection in each of the following languages: Italian, German, French and English.

Instrumental

  1. Two (2) works appropriate to the instrument that demonstrates two (2) distinctly different styles. This includes individual pieces, sonata or concerto movements or etudes (Percussionists see MM Performance Major audition requirements for suggested repertoire)
  2. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales and arpeggios

Piano

  1. A substantial work from the Baroque repertoire by such composers as: Bach, Handel, Haydn or Scarlatti; or a sonata movement by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
  2. A substantial work by a 19th century composer such as Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, or Schumann; or a 20th century movement from a work by a composer such as: Barber, Bartok, Copland, Debussy, Hindemith, Prokofiev or Ravel
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of scales, arpeggios and sight-reading

Organ

  1. A work by J.S. Bach or another important Baroque composer for organ, specifically
  2. A 19th century work by a composer such as Franck or Mendelssohn; or a 20th century work by one of the following: Dupre, Hindemith, Langlais, Vierne or Widor
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of scales and sight-reading

All scholarships will be distributed based on the strength of the audition. All applicants are considered for scholarships.

Learn more about the Program

Career Possibilities

  • Instructor in an applied instrumental studio
  • Composer of pedagogical materials
  • Instructor in a vocal studio
  • Arranger of pedagogical materials
  • University professor in pedagogy and applied studies

Request Information

Contact Us

College of Music & Performing Arts

Angela Stenzel
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8307
Email Angela