Overview

The Master of Music in String Pedagogy combines performance excellence with a focus on teaching. Our curriculum focuses on current methods, including Suzuki and Rolland, and provides opportunities to gain practical experience through hands-on teaching opportunities with K-12 students of all levels in the UWM String Academy.

You’ll expand your knowledge through courses in music education, research and specialized string pedagogy. Plus, you can customize your learning with electives. Culminate your studies with a recital and lecture demonstration to showcase your expertise, all with the support of a highly accomplished music faculty.

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Faculty and Staff

Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.

Scholarships and Aid 

Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Admission Requirements 

Graduate applicants must meet general Graduate School admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.

To learn more, request a remote audio or video appointment with the UWM Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission 

A student must successfully pass an audition that demonstrates outstanding performance skills to qualify for admission to the program. Specific audition repertoire and application procedures can be found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.

Diagnostic examinations in music history and theory are required of all entering and transferring graduate students before their first semester of study at UWM. Exceptions will be granted in extenuating circumstances. In no case will students be allowed to proceed beyond the first year of study without having taken the exams. The exams assist faculty in determining whether the student may proceed with required graduate courses, or whether they first need to remove deficiencies.

While prospective students are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination scores, they are advised to take these tests before or early in their graduate work if they wish to be considered for a UWM Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship or if they plan to continue their graduate work after completing a master’s degree at UWM.

Credits and Courses

1. Undergraduate music course background must include adequate preparation in music theory demonstrated through satisfactory completion of the following or equivalent courses:
    

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   MUSIC 127	Materials of Theory I	2
   MUSIC 128	Materials of Theory II	3
   MUSIC 225	Materials of Theory III	3
   MUSIC 123	Aural Theory I	1
   MUSIC 124	Aural Theory II	1
   MUSIC 226	Aural Theory III	1
   MUSIC 421	Materials of Theory IV	3

2. Preparation in music history and literature must be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a two-semester survey course in development of music from earliest times to the present plus one semester of more specialized music history.

Applicants exhibiting deficiencies in music history will be required to enroll in MUSIC 704, and those exhibiting deficiencies in music theory will be required to enroll in MUSIC 703; these courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “B” or better. Additionally, other areas of deficiency may require further review. Graduate Music History may count toward the degree as an elective. Credits earned in making up deficiencies in music theory do not count toward the degree. The following courses are recommended to fulfill the graduate theory elective requirement: MUSIC 680, MUSIC 731, MUSIC 744.

Minimum degree requirement is 40 graduate credits, all of which must be in specified music areas.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Specific Requirements
MUSIC 710	Graduate Studies in Music	3
MUSIC 711	Graduate Seminar in Music History:	3
MUSIC XXX	Graduate Theory Elective	3
MUSIC 991	Recital And Lecture Demonstration	1
Performance
MUSPERF 74X	String Instruments Violin/Viola/Cello (4 cr each for 4 semesters)	16
Select the following for 1 credit each for 2 semesters:		2
MUSIC 782	Symphony Orchestra
MUSIC 755	Advanced Instrumental Repertoire I: Strings	2
MUSIC 756	Advanced Instrumental Repertoire II: Strings	2
Pedagogy
MUSIC 718	Violin and Viola Pedagogy Level I	2
or MUSIC 722	Cello Pedagogy Level I
MUSIC 719	Violin and Viola Pedagogy Level II	2
or MUSIC 723	Cello Pedagogy Level II
Select one of the following:		2
MUSIC 720	Violin Pedagogy Level III
MUSIC 721	Viola Pedagogy Level III
MUSIC 724	Cello Pedagogy Level III
MUSIC 829	Seminar: Historical Perspectives On Violin, Viola And Cello Pedagogy	2
Total Credits		40

Additional Requirements

Comprehensive Examination

Comprehensive examinations in both music history and music theory are required following successful completion of the recital requirement.

Recital and Lecture Demonstration

The recital and lecture demonstration may be given at any time before the completion of the degree and consists of:

1. A performance of a minimum of 30-45 minutes of music that has been approved by the studio teacher.
2. A lecture totaling approximately 30 minutes to be given before, during, or after the recital, in which the candidate discusses one or more pieces on the recital program, with emphasis on pedagogical values of the piece(s), the difficulties, and how they are overcome.

Time Limit

Lessons, Studio Class, Convocation

Music performance instruction on the primary instrument consists of three components each week: a private lesson with the studio instructor (scheduled independently), a studio class with other students on the instrument, and a department-wide recital on Friday (Convocation) with a rotating selection of student performers.

Students are required to participate in an approved performing organization in each semester in which the student is registered for music performance instruction in the major instrument.

Performance Ensembles

Students pursuing a music degree are required to participate in performing organizations during their course of study. Students must be registered in an approved ensemble concurrent with each semester of private study in lessons. Directors make ensemble assignments at the beginning of each semester. Only one approved ensemble credit per semester may apply toward degree requirements. The Department of Music recognizes the following approved ensembles: Alta Voce, Bella Voce, Concert Chorale, Kameraden Chorus, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Other performance ensembles may be approved for music minors, students with provisional admission or in certain degree programs.

Graduate Advising 

Individual Peck School of the Arts graduate advisors are assigned upon admission. Your advisor will work closely with you during your time here. To connect with your graduate program representative, please visit the Graduate tab on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.

Music Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with this degree in Music will be able to: 

• Recognize and distinguish music from all periods of European art music history, and from a variety of other world cultures and traditions, based on musical and stylistic features. 
• Recognize assumptions, concepts, models, and various methods in musicological and ethnomusicological work and in their own thinking and will be able to choose the most appropriate analytical tools and concepts to examine specific music.
• Interpret, analyze, critique, and reflect on art music from different critical perspectives and aesthetic viewpoints.
• Express ideas about music in written form demonstrating a mastery of factual knowledge, bibliographic resources, analytical method, critical thinking, and the ability to construct a coherent and well-organized argument.
• Perform solo instrumental or vocal repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble music in public, in a practical demonstration of their understanding of period or cultural aesthetic ideals.
• Apply pedagogical skills appropriate to their instrument/voice, choosing performance exercises that deal with technical issues found in the repertoire, and guiding beginning students in learning music.

Policies & Regulations

Please review the Graduate School policies and regulations and refer to each specific program for any additional items.