An integration of curricular studies and applied music in organ or voice oriented to the practical and professional requirements of the church musician. This program will provide opportunities for the student to:
- Broaden experience with and understanding of music in the church.
- Engage in scholarly research in the church’s musical heritage.
- Adapt new forms of musical expression to the requirements of the parish.
- Extend one’s capacities in musical creativity and performance.
- Enhance one’s ability to enrich the worship life of the parish through music.
The Master of Church Music program may normally be completed in five consecutive summer terms.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study for in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements above, candidates for the Master of Church Music will:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent, with studies in the field of specialty
- Show evidence of completing a senior recital or its equivalent
- Pass entrance exams in music theory, aural skills and music history
- Demonstrate performance ability by audition in organ or voice
- Demonstrate piano skills equivalent to the intermediate level
- Have experience in church music leadership or demonstrate potential
Students with undergraduate deficiencies may satisfy the entrance requirements by taking undergraduate-level work, any available review courses, or by self-study and examination. Deficiencies in music theory, music history or aural skills should be removed by re-examination before the close of the second term of graduate study. Courses taken to satisfy deficiencies may not be counted toward the graduate degree.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Composing for the Liturgy | ||
| Music Theory: Form & Analysis | ||
| Orchestration & Arranging | ||
| Music Theory: Counterpoint | ||
| History | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| The Literature of the Organ | ||
| Johann Sebastian Bach and the Baroque | ||
| Twentieth-Century Music Literature and Techniques | ||
| Research | 3 | |
| Music Research and Bibliography | ||
| Required Church Music Courses | 13-14 | |
| Music for the Contemporary Church | ||
| Traditions of Christian Hymnody | ||
| Studies in Christian Worship: Theology and Music | ||
| Musical Heritage of the Church (2 hours) | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Service Playing and Liturgical Leadership (2 hours) | ||
| Graduate Choral Conducting | ||
| Performance Studies | 4-6 | |
| Primary Instrument (4-6 hours) | ||
| Graduate Applied Organ (variable credit) | ||
| Graduate Applied Voice (variable credit) | ||
| Secondary Instrument (0 to 2 hours) | ||
Other MUSA applied course(s) | ||
| Theology Electives | 0-3 | |
| Psalms (B-OT) | ||
| Baptism and Eucharist (S, CS) | ||
| Music Electives | 0-4 | |
| Select from the remaining music courses listed above plus the following: 1 | ||
| Baptism & Eucharist | ||
| Current Issues in Church Music | ||
| Organ Design & Registration | ||
| Graduate Organ Improvisation (1-2 hours) | ||
| Ensemble (0.5 credit per semester or summer) | 1 | |
| Supervised Apprenticeship | 1 | |
| Church Music Practicum | ||
| Written Comprehensive Examination | 0 | |
| Written comprehensive examination to be taken during the semester of, but prior to the completion of, the capstone project | ||
| Capstone Project | 1 | |
| Graduate Recital 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Capstone Experience
MUS-6520 Graduate Recital for one hour of credit serves as the capstone experience. All phases must meet the approval of the capstone committee. Oral and written examinations are required for all students. Consult the advisor to schedule a time for the oral examination. The written examination is taken during the semester of, but before, the capstone recital. The oral examination occurs following the recital.
- 1
Other courses may be considered with consent of the division chair.
- 2
The performance may consist of a recital (organ or voice), a lecture-recital, or planning and presenting a hymn festival.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application for this master's degree program.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher (grades of C or higher required for MAT programs),
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, portfolio, thesis or dissertation.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.