Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Graduate Catalog 
    
2008-2009 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Arts and Sciences


Music

Head:

Gary Mortenson

Director of graduate studies:

Frederick Burrack (Fall/Spring)
Frank Tracz (Summer/Distance)

Graduate faculty:

Frederick Burrack, Ph.D., University of Illinois.
Alfred W. Cochran, Ph.D., Catholic University of America.
Mary Lee Cochran, D.M.A., Catholic University of America.
Cora Cooper, D.M., Florida State University.
Slawomir Dobrzanski, D.M.A., University of Connecticut.
Jennifer R. Edwards, (Emeritus) D.M.A., Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Jana Fallin, Ph.D., University of Texas-Austin.
Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter, D.M.A., University of Georgia.
Dale Ganz, M.M., Opera Diploma, University of Cincinnati.
Kurt Gartner, D.A., University of Northern Colorado.
Wayne Goins, Ph.D., The Florida State University.
Virginia Houser, D.M.A., University of Oklahoma.
Paul Hunt, D.M.A., Eastman School of Music.
K. Tod Kerstetter, D.M.A., University of Georgia.
David Littrell, D.M.A., University of Texas-Austin.
Steven Maxwell, Ph.D., University of Missouri.
Gary Mortenson, D.M.A., University of Texas-Austin.
Craig B. Parker, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles.
Reginald Pittman, D.M., Indiana University.
Anthony Pursell, D.A., Ball State University.
Amy Rosine, D.M.A., University of Kansas.
Jean C. Sloop, (Emeritus) D.M.A., Eastman School of Music.
Mary Ellen Sutton, D.M.A., University of Kansas.
Frank Tracz, Ph.D., Ohio State University.
Rodney G. Walker, (Emeritus) M.M.E., Wichita State University.
Craig A. Weston, D.M.A., University of Washington.
Julie Yu, D.M.A., University of North Texas.

Areas of Emphasis

Bands: Goins, Tracz, Purcell
Brass instruments: Burrack, Fassler-Kerstetter, Hunt, Mortenson, Parker
Chamber music: Cooper, Littrell, Kerstetter, Mortenson
Choral groups: Yu
Conducting: Littrell, Tracz, Yu, Purcell
History: M.L. Cochran, Gbur, Goins, Hunt, Mortenson, Parker
Introductory courses for non-majors: M.L. Cochran, Mortenson
Jazz studies: A. W. Cochran, Gartner, Goins
Keyboard instruments: Dobrzanski, Houser, Sutton
Music education: Burrack, Fallin, Tracz, Yu
Music history and musicology: A. W. Cochran, Parker, Sloop, Sutton
Opera and musical theatre: J. Edwards, Pittman
Orchestras: Littrell
String instruments: Cooper, Littrell
Theory: M.L. Cochran, Fassler-Kerstetter, Kerstetter, Littrell, Sutton, Weston
Voice: J. Edwards, Ganz, Pittman, Sloop
Woodwind instruments: A. W. Cochran, M.L. Cochran, Gbur, Kerstetter

Program

Kansas State University’s graduate program in music is designed to furnish specialized professional training supported by competence in those fundamental areas needed by all musicians. Emphasis is placed on the personal growth and development of the student toward individual goals. The program is large enough to provide ample variety yet small enough to allow personal attention to each student. While students are given considerable responsibility in all phases of the educational program, faculty guidance is available constantly.

The Department of Music offers the master of music with specialization in the following areas: music education, music history/literature, performance, performance with pedagogy emphasis, and theory-composition.

Facilities

The Department of Music is housed in McCain Auditorium. Ample classrooms, rehearsal halls, practice studios, and offices are supplemented by a small hall for chamber music and an 1,800-seat auditorium. The Music Technology Lab provides 15 midi work-stations with a state-of-the-art teaching/presentation station. The department owns four concert grand pianos, several studio grands, and a number of well-maintained practice uprights. Organs include a concert Austin (40 rks), a Bosch tracker (9 rks), two Reuters (6 rks and 17 rks), and a Walker Continuo organ. An electronic studio centers around digital and analog synthesizers with ample supporting equipment. For the performance of early music, the department owns two harpsichords, a chest of matched viols, and assorted wind instruments.

The music division of Hale Library contains a growing reference and research collection fully adequate to master’s level work, as well as an extensive collection of recordings. The Special Collections Division holds a number of rare items, from 16th century prints to one of the two largest collections of the manuscripts of Gail Kubik, world-renowned 20th-century composer. The Graduate Music Seminar-Study Room offers a place in the Music Department in which materials may be placed on reserve for easy, convenient availability to graduate students.

Careers

In addition to enriching the quality of one’s life, enhancing the understanding of other epochs and cultures, and providing outlets for self-expression, graduate study in music prepares students for a variety of professions. K-State’s music alumni perform professionally with symphony orchestras, military bands, chamber music ensembles, opera and musical theatre companies, choral ensembles, jazz, rock, country, and bluegrass groups, in recording studios, and as soloists and accompanists. Others are active as composers of concert, commercial, liturgical, and/or educational music. K-State graduates also hold prominent positions in the fields of music education (pre-school through collegiate levels), private teaching, church music, music therapy, librarianship, and in the music industry. In addition, several K-State music graduates have used their arts degrees as preparation for professional schools such as law and medicine.

Ensembles, organizations, and concerts

A full range of performing organizations and small ensembles provides the graduate student with a variety of performance opportunities. These include Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Collegiate Chorale, Collegium Musicum, Opera Theater and Workshop, Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, Concert Band, University Band, University Choir, Concert Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab bands, Jazz Combos, Brass Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and the Percussion Ensembles. Moreover, the Collegium Musicum performs early music on authentic instruments, and chamber music flourishes in a number of small groups of various instrumentation.

The McCain Auditorium Performance Series brings to the campus large musical attractions, world-famous soloists, and chamber music, as well as dance troupes and drama companies. Faculty recitals expand the opportunities to hear performances of professional caliber.

Admission

Admission to the Graduate School of Kansas State University is handled through individual departments. Applicants interested in the Graduate Program in Music should send inquiries and application materials directly to Frederick Burrack, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Music, 109 McCain Auditorium, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4702.

Applicants should send:

  1. a completed application form and signature sheet.
  2. a statement of applicant’s personal and professional goals.
  3. a compact disc (CD) demonstrating your performance skills (if your specialization will be music education, performance, or performance with pedagogy emphasis), sample original scores (if you will be a theory/composition major), or an example of scholarly work (if you plan to be a music history/literature major). On-campus auditions for conductors is highly suggested.
  4. the application fee. United States citizens are required to pay an application fee of $30. International students are required to pay an application fee of $55. This should be in the form of a money order payable to the K-State Graduate School. Personal checks can be made payable to the K-State Graduate School.
  5. one copy of an official transcript each undergraduate or graduate institution previously attended.
  6. three letters of recommendations.
  7. International students are also required to send TOEFL scores and Affidavit of Financial Support (see: http://www.k-state.edu/grad/gsprospective/viewbook/intrnl.htm).

All new graduate students are encouraged to take a physical examination prior to enrollment.

International students, whose native language is not English, even those with a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution, must present a score of at least 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in order to be admitted to the graduate program in music at Kansas State University. Students scoring less than 600 should enroll in the K-State English Language Program (205 Fairchild Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-1106) before beginning graduate course work in music. 

Entrance requirements

Admission with full standing

To be considered for admission with full standing, the applicant must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution.

2. Adequate preparation in the field of music: normally a B.M., B.M.E., B.S. in music education, B.A. in music, or the equivalent.

3. An undergraduate average of B or better.

If all of the foregoing requirements are not met, probationary admission may be considered, provided there is other evidence that the applicant has the ability to do satisfactory graduate work. Such evidence might include a post-graduate record at another institution or successful professional work.

Probationary admission

Students may be admitted provisionally if there is uncertainty in evaluating transcripts.

Full standing for probationary or provisional students is attained automatically upon completion of at least 9 hours of work for graduate credit with a grade of B or better. Students admitted on probation may be denied continued enrollment if they receive a grade less than B.

Special students

An application for admission to the Graduate School in the Department of Music ordinarily implies the student’s intention to work toward an advanced degree. Students who do not plan to work toward an advanced degree, however, may be admitted as special students. Those who later wish to enter the degree program must undergo a full review. No more than 9 semester hours earned as a special student may be transferred into a regular degree program.

Admission to the Graduate School in the Department of Music does not necessarily imply admission to a particular program within the department. For special requirements, see the individual areas of emphasis.

Residence requirements

Graduate School regulations require that candidates for the master’s degree spend one academic year, or its equivalent, in residence. Candidates in music, however, are seldom advised to attempt completion of the master’s degree in less than two semesters and one summer. Candidates who serve as graduate assistants or hold positions outside of their academic responsibilities are generally advised to take four semesters.

Courses taken more than six years before the completion of the degree generally cannot be credited toward the degree.

Transfer credit

Graduate credit with a grade of B, or better, may be transferred from other accredited institutions. Transfer of more than 6 hours requires special action; in no case may more than 10 hours be transferred.

Assistantships and financial aid

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available during the regular academic session, but they are not available in the summer. Assistantships are given in specific areas, according to departmental needs. Teaching assistants are usually needed in aural skills, music theory, music education, accompanying, band, choir, orchestra, collegium musicum, music appreciation, piano class, trumpet (studio teaching), and voice (class and/or studio teaching). Other assistantships involve work in the Music Library, the instrument room, and various aspects of administration. All assistantships include monitoring the technology lab and taking attendance at recitals. 

Graduate assistantships require up to 16-20 hours a week, which is regarded as five-tenths of full time. Such an appointment entitles the student to a full waiver of tuition and out-of-state fees, as well as eligibility to apply for university health insurance. Graduate assistants who are appointed to a .25 tenths position work 8-10 hours per week. All applicants for full-time study in the Master of Music program are automatically considered for assistantships; no additional application form is needed. Assistantships are awarded with the expectation that the student will spend two years in residence and that satisfactory performance of duties and satifactory academic work will bring renewal of the assistantship. Assistanships are not available for more than two years. Graduate assistants are expected to participate in a large ensemble each semester.

For eligible students, work study funds are available for a variety of jobs on campus. Inquiries regarding eligibility for work-study should be addressed to the Office of Aids and Awards, Fairchild Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

All non-native English-speaking applicants, including those with a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university, must score at least 600 on the TOEFL and at least 50 on the Speak Test before being appointed to a graduate teaching assistantship in the Kansas State University Department of Music.

Course loads

No graduate student in music shall take more than 16 hours of credit during fall or spring semesters. Courses taken during the summer are not covered under assistantship. Graduate assistantships will only cover 10 hours per semester. Graduate assistants may not take less than six hours in any semester.

Registration

Registration procedures are outlined each semester in the Schedule of Classes and Enrollment Procedures. First-term graduate students may be required to arrive on campus (for orientation and testing) one week before classes begin. The needed information will be communicated to each student in ample time by the Director of Graduate Studies. All music graduate students will register through the office of the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

Placement tests

Before registration for the first term, each entering graduate student will take placement tests. The written tests will consist of two sections, theory and music history. The tests will include components equivalent to those of the KSU undergraduate program.


The results of these tests will be used in planning a suitable program of study for each individual. If remedial work is indicated, it may be accomplished either by taking the proper undergraduate course or by doing independent study before re-examination.

Supervisory committee

During the student’s first semester, the director of graduate studies shall, in consultation with the student, appoint a major professor for each student. No later than the second semester, the major professor will organize a supervisory committee consisting of himself/herself as chair, the Director of Graduate Studies in Music, and at least one other faculty member.

The duties of the Major Professor will be to (1) meet no later than the student’s second semester to review the student’s work, (2) meet with the student no later than the second semester in order to formulate and approve the student’s academic program, (3) offer counsel and advice to the student throughout his/her academic career and to approve such changes in his/her program as are agreed upon, (4) advise the student in the selection of a topic for the master’s thesis or report, or the program for master’s recital, and to approve the final choice, (5) The Supervisory Committee will act as the final reading committee of the master’s thesis, or report, or as the judging committee for the student’s final master’s recital, (6) serve as the examining committee for the student’s comprehensive examination.

The initial organization of the Supervisory Committee and the scheduling of its first meeting shall be the responsibility of the major professor. Thereafter, the student has the responsibility for consultation with members of his or her committee and for obtaining the approval of the committee on appropriate matters.

Student’s program of study

No later than a student’s second semester, each student will, at some time before preregistration for the following term, meet with his/her major professor and, in consultation with other members of his/her Supervisory Committee, plan his/her academic program. This program is entered on the official form which the student receives from the Graduate School. When each of the members of the Supervisory Committee and the head of the music department have signified approval by signing the completed form, the student will make six copies and will deliver the original, and all copies, to the Graduate School office.

The student is then responsible for following the program through his/her academic career, for obtaining the Supervisory Committee’s approval for any desired or needed changes, and for seeing that his/her major professor registers such changes with the Graduate School office.

Programs

Master of Music

Courses

Music

Music Education

Performance

Performance Organizations

Studio Performance