Eric Branscome (Department Head)
Location: Music Building #175, 903-886-5303
School of Music Web Site
Texas A&M University-Commerce is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is a member of the Texas Association of Music Schools. The School of Music offers the Master of Music degree in Music with an emphasis in: Performance, Music Education and Piano Pedagogy.
Students in the Master of Music program choose either performance (applied music or conducting), music education or piano pedagogy. The M.M. in performance develops specific music skills and abilities to a high degree in the fields of instrumental and vocal performance and conducting. The M.M. in music education focuses on teacher training at the elementary and secondary levels. The M.M. in piano pedagogy combines an emphasis in performance with teacher training for private and small group settings.
Admission to a graduate program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the school. Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission in addition to meeting the general university requirements in Music.
Graduate students pursuing the Master of Music degree in performance must perform a fifty-minute public recital.
The School of Music requires the candidate to pass a written examination over the course work listed on the degree plan prior to taking an oral examination.
Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is required of all students.
Note: Individual departments may reserve the right to dismiss from their programs students who, in their judgment, would not meet the professional expectations of the field for which they are training.
MUS 500 - Mus Dept Comps Exam
Hours: 0
MUS 505 - Advanced Theory
Hours: 2
A study of advanced ideas of theoretical thinking. Exploration of 20th Century and 21st Century repertoire and the accompanying analytical techniques including, but not limited to: diatonic modes, non-tonal pitch collections, integer notation, set theory and twelve-tone theory. Pedagogical review of essential concepts and essential resources found in tonal music may also be included. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to comfortably navigate chromatic harmony, express and articulate pitch and key relationships, carefully discuss musical governance, actions and reactions and analyze formal and compositional techniques found in 20th and 21st century repertoire.
MUS 520 - Intro to Graduate Music
Hours: 2
Introduction to Graduate Study in Music - Two semester hours Description : The purpose of the course is to prepare students for advanced, in-depth study of music history and theory. The student learning objectives are, "Upon the conclusion of the course, the student will a. List and explain the dates, important geo-political events, aesthetic philosophies, and critical attributes of each stylistic period, from the Middle Ages to the present; b. List and define major genre of music literature and cite significant composers and compositions in each; c. Analyze and describe the structure of music in terms of form, harmony, rhythm, etc. during the Common Practice Period and subsequent 20th Century techniques of composition (i.e. octatonicsm, pitch-sets, serialism, etc.).
MUS 521 - World Music
Hours: 2
This course provides an overview of World Music from a variety of cultures and ways students can approach such repertoire in their musical careers.
MUS 522 - Music of the Baroque Era
Hours: 2
Music of the Baroque Era. Two semester hours. Music from 1600 to the death of Bach; styles, forms, and principal composers.
MUS 523 - Music of the Classic Era
Hours: 2
Music of the Classic Era. Two semester hours. Styles, forms, and composers from the pre-classic school to the death of Beethoven.
MUS 524 - Music of Romantic Era
Hours: 2
Music of the Romantic Era. Two semester hours. Early romantic elements in music. The development of the art song, piano music, opera, and instrumental music during the Nineteenth Century.
MUS 525 - Music of the 20th Century
Hours: 2
Music of the Twentieth Century. Two semester hours. Representative music literature from Debussy to the present.
MUS 526 - Music Literature and Repertoire
Hours: 1-3
Approved subtitles will include Levels I and II of the following areas: brass, woodwinds, double reeds, percussion, piano, voice, choral, wind ensemble, elementary(i.e. childrens' choir; textbook series, etc.). May be repeated for credit when subtitles vary.
MUS 529 - Workshop
Hours: 1-6
Workshop. One to six semester hours. Workshops in elementary music, vocal, instrumental, keyboard, and other selected areas of music.
MUS 531 - Pedagogy
Hours: 1-3
Pedagogy. One to three semester hours. Approved subtitles will include Levels I and II in each of the following areas: low brass, high brass, woodwinds, double reeds, percussion, piano, voice, elementary (i.e. Orff, Kodaly, etc.). May be repeated for credit when subtitles vary.
MUS 535 - Internship in Piano Pedagogy
Hours: 1-3
Supervised intern experiences in the instruction of piano in individual and group settings.
MUS 537 - Internship in Piano Pedagogy
Hours: 1-3
1-3 semester hours. Supervised intern experiences in the instruction of piano in individual and group settings. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
MUS 550 - Seminar in Music Education
Hours: 3
Approved subtitles will include Philosophy and Psychology of Music Teaching, Source and Research Techniques, Historical Studies, Theoretical Studies, and Experimental Studies. May be repeated for credit when subtitles vary.
MUS 551 - Minor Applied Music
Hours: 1-4
Applied Music. (Minor applied) One to four semester hours. Private instruction for graduate performance majors. Prerequisites: Satisfactory level assessed in the applied music performance audition.
MUS 552 - Principal Applied
Hours: 1-4
Applied Music. (Principal applied) One to four semester hours. Private instruction for music majors in keyboard, vocal instrumental, conducting, or composition. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 555 - Graduate Recital
Hours: 1
The graduate recital is required of graduate music majors in the MM Performance concentration. The graduate recital is a 60-minute recital with a minimum of 45 minutes of solo repertoire.
MUS 589 - Independent Study
Hours: 1-4
Independent Study. One to four semester hours. Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated when the topic varies. Prerequisite: Consent of department head.
MUS 595 - Research Lit & Techniques
Hours: 3
Research Literature and Techniques. Three semester hours. Bibliographical material, library resources, and research techniques applicable to graduate study in music will be surveyed.
MUS 597 - Special Topics
Hours: 1-4
Jeffrey Baker
Professor
B.M, University of Oklahoma; M.M., D.M.A., University of North Texas
Chris Beaty
Professor
B.S., Austin Peay State University, M.A., University of Cincinnati, D.M.A., University of Memphis
Eric Branscome
Professor & Department Head
B.M. Stephen F. Austin State University; M.M. Northwestern University; Ph.D. University of North Texas
Mary Druhan
Professor
B.M., Louisiana State University; M.M., University of Cincinnati; D.M.A., Louisiana State University.
Randall Hooper
Professor and Director of Choral Activities
B.M.E., Texas State University; M.M., Baylor University; D.M.A., Louisiana State University.
Daniel Kelly
Professor
B.S., Austin Peav State University; M.M., D.M.A., University of Illinois.
Michael H. Morrow
Associate Professor
B.S., Indiana State University; M.M., Morehead State University.
Luis Sanchez
Professor
B.M., Conservatorio Nacional de Música “Carlos Lopez Buchardo”, M.M., D.A., Ball State University
David Scott
Professor
B.M.E., Baylor University, B.M., Baylor University, M.M., The Ohio State University, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Julee Walker
Professor
B.M., The University of Texas at Austin; M.M., San Francisco Conservatory of Music; D.M.A., University of North Texas
Brian Zator
Professor
B.M.E., Baylor University; M.M., University of Michigan, D.M.A., University of North Texas
