109 McCain Auditorium
785-532-3429
Fax: 785-532-6899
www.k-state.edu/music/graduate/
or
www.k-state.edu/theatre/academics/graduate.html
 

Director of School:

Jeff Ward

Directors of Graduate Studies:

Frederick Burrack (Music)
Sally Bailey (Theatre)

Graduate Faculty:

Sally D. Bailey, M.F.A., Trinity University, San Antonio, M.S.W. University of Maryland at Baltimore
Thomas Bell, M.L.I.S., University of Texas at Austin
Melissa Briggs, Ph.D, Kansas State University
*Frederick Burrack, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Alfred W. Cochran, Ph.D., Catholic University of America
Cora Cooper, D.M., Florida State University
Paige Dickinson, Ph.D., California School of Professional Psychology
Kate Digby, M.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Rachel Dirk,Ph.D., Kansas State University 
Slawomir Dobrzanski, D.M.A., University of Connecticut
*Jana Fallin, Ph.D., University of Texas-Austin
Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter, D.M.A., University of Georgia
Kurt Gartner, D.A., University of Northern Colorado
Wayne Goins, Ph.D., The Florida State University
Ruth Gurgel, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Paul Hunt, D.M.A., Eastman School of Music
Sylvia Israel, M.A., Clinical Psychology- California Institute of Integral Studies
Jim Johnson, D.M., Florida State University
K. Tod Kerstetter, D.M.A., University of Georgia
Karen Large, D.M., Florida State University
David Littrell, D.M.A., University of Texas-Austin
Steven Maxwell, Ph.D., University of Missouri - Kansas City
Randy Mulder, M.A., New York University
Agustin Muriago, D.M.A., University of Hartford
Joshua Oppenheim, D.M.A., University of North Texas
Craig B. Parker, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
*Phil Payne, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
Julie Pentz, M.F.A., University of Arizona
David Pickering, D.M.A., University of Kansas
Bryan Pinkall, D.M.A., University of Missouri Kansas City
Dana Pinkston, M.F.A., Penn State University
Reginald Pittman, D.M., Indiana University
Patricia Thompson, D.M., Indiana University
Frank Tracz, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Amy Rosine Underwood, D.M.A., University of Kansas
Melissa Salvatore, MFA, University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music
Shannon Skelton, Ph.D., The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nancy Sondag, M.A., Hunter College of The City University of New York
Ben Stark, M.F.A., Yale University
Jennifer G. Vellenga, M.F.A., Ohio University
*Kathleen Voecks, M.F.A., University of Missouri
Jeff Ward, D.M.A., Shenandoah University
Craig A. Weston, D.M.A., University of Washington

Alexander Wimmer, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Anna Wytko, D.M.A., University of Minnesota
Julie Yu, D.M.A., University of North Texas

*Denotes graduate faculty that are certified to serve as the major professor for doctoral students.

Graduate Faculty Associate:

Margaret LaVonne Canfield, MA, Kansas State University
Lanell Finneran, MS, Kansas State University

Music 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 Music program offers the master of music with a specialization in the following areas: music education, music history/literature, performance with pedagogy emphasis, and composition.

Areas of Emphasis

Bands: Goins, Tracz
Brass instruments: Fassler-Kerstetter, Hunt,  Parker, Maxwell
Chamber music: Cooper, Littrell, Kerstetter
Choral groups: Oppenheim, Yu
Conducting: Littrell, Oppenheim, Tracz, Yu,
History: Goins, Hunt, Parker
Jazz studies: A.W. Cochran, Gartner, Goins, Hunt, Payne
Keyboard instruments: Dobrzanski, Pickering
Music education: Burrack, Payne , Fallin, Oppenheim, Tracz, Yu
Music history and musicology: A.W. Cochran, Lewis, Parker
Opera and musical theatre: Rosine, Pittman
Orchestras: Littrell
Percussion instruments: Gartner
String instruments: Cooper, Littrell
Theory: Fassler-Kerstetter, Weston
Voice: Ganz, Pittman, Rosine, Thompson
Woodwind instruments: A.W. Cochran, Kerstetter
Composition: Weston

Theatre Program

The graduate program in theater offers a master of arts degree in theater with concentration in drama therapy. Students take courses in drama therapy, playwriting, and psychology/family studies/human development/counseling to fulfill the requirements for registry with the North American Drama Therapy Association.

Music, Theatre and Dance Facilities

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance is housed in McCain Auditorium, Nichols Hall, and the Purple Masque Theatre (West Stadium). Ample classrooms, rehearsal halls, practice studios, and offices are supplemented by a small hall for chamber music, a 1,800-seat auditorium, a 240-seat thrust theatre, and a 100 seat thrust theatre. 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), and a J.W. 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 one harpsichord, 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.

Music 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.

Music 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 theatre companies. Faculty recitals expand the opportunities to hear performances of professional caliber.

Theatre Season and Outreach Programs

The Theatre program offers 4 main stage shows each year: one musical, produced in conjunction with the music and dance programs, and three straight plays, usually directed by faculty. The Purple Masque season presents four non-musical plays per year. These productions are often directed by graduate students in theatre as part of their creative projects for their degree. Drama therapy graduate students are involved in the Growing Tree Theatre Company, which tours plays for young audiences to elementary and middle schools in the area, and the Barrier-Free Theatre, a company for actors with and without disabilities, among other outreach opportunities in the community.

Admission to the Graduate Program in Music

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 to Frederick Burrack, Director of Graduate Studies, School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Graduate Music Studies, 109 McCain Auditorium, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4702.

Application is made through http://www.k-state.edu/grad/admissions/application-process/ requiring the following:

1.      The application fee.

2.      One copy of an official transcript from each undergraduate and/or graduate institution previously attended.

3.      Three letters of recommendations.

4.      A statement of applicant’s personal and professional goals.

5.      Requested but not required: A compact disc (CD) or You Tube link demonstrating performance skills (if specialization performance, pedagogy; conducting/teaching skills if specialization is music education), sample original scores (if specialization is composition), or an example of scholarly work (if specialization is history/literature). On-campus auditions are usually required.

6.      International students are also required to send TOEFL scores and Affidavit of Financial Support. 

The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate in music requires a GRE score.

Admission to the Graduate Program in Theatre with concentration in Drama Therapy

Application is made through http://www.k-state.edu/grad/admissions/application-process/ requiring the following:

1. A completed application form (completed online - http://www.k-state.edu/grad/application
2. The application fee.
3. One copy of an official transcript each undergraduate and/or graduate institution previously attended.
4. Three letters of recommendations of professors or professional employers who can speak to your potential to succeed at the graduate academic level.
5. A statement of the applicant’s personal and professional goals.
6. International students are also required to send TOEFL scores and Affidavit of Financial Support.

Students interested in drama therapy need to arrange an interview with Sally Bailey, Director of the Drama Therapy Program at sdbailey@k-state.edu.

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.
   OR 
   Adequate preparation in the field of drama therapy: normally a B.A., B.S. or B.F.A. in theatre or the equivalent. Undergraduate electives in psychology are not required, but are helpful.
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 School of Music, Theatre and Dance 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. Summer study in music education requires on-campus attendance during these courses.

Candidates in music will require 4 semesters to complete the degree. The summer program can be completed in 3 summers. Candidates who serve as graduate assistants or hold positions outside of their academic responsibilities must be completed in four semesters.

Candidates in drama therapy will need at least 4 semesters and one summer to complete all of the academic requirements of the degree and of the North American Drama Therapy Association.

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 in the Music program 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, 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.

The Theatre program offers a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA). Most GTAs teach the basic speech course for the Communication Studies Department, but there are also a few assistantships in the theatre department. Students may apply to other departments and offices on campus for GRAs, GAs, and GTAs.

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. Theatre students interested in an assistantship should submit their application and GTA application form by February 15 for the coming academic year. GTA application forms are available from the Director of Graduate Studies in Theatre.

Assistantships are awarded with the expectation that the student will spend two years in residence and that satisfactory performance of duties and satisfactory academic work will bring renewal of the assistantship. Assistantships are not available for more than two years. Graduate assistants in the Music Program 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 550 on the TOEFL and at least 50 on the Speak Test before being appointed to a graduate teaching assistantship in the Kansas State University Music Program.

Course loads

No graduate student in music shall take more than 16 hours of credit during fall or spring semesters. Most graduate students in theatre take 9 credit hours during fall or spring semesters and are typically involved in drama therapy internships and/or production work throughout the year. Courses taken during the summer are not covered under assistantship. Graduate assistantships will only cover the tuition for 10 credit hours per semester.  Any credit hours above that amount are paid for at the in-state tuition cost.  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. All theatre graduate students will register through the office of the Director of Graduate Studies in Theatre.

Music Placement tests

Each entering music 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 through coursework or by doing independent study before re-examination.

Supervisory committee

During the music student’s first semester, the director of graduate studies in music 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.

By the end of the first semester all theatre students should have identified a major professor in consultation with the director of graduate studies in theatre. No later than end of the second semester, a Supervisory Committee of three faculty members, including the major professor, should be identified and a program of study filed with the Graduate School.

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, report, or creative project 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 (music) or creative project (theatre), (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 School has signified approval by signing the completed form, the student will make will deliver the original to the Graduate School office, keeping a copy for him/herself.

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 Arts

• •  Theatre (M.A.)
• •  Theatre with concentration in Drama Therapy (M.A.)

Master of Music

• •  Master of Music (M.M.)

Courses

Dance

• •  DANCE 502 - Performance Production
• •  DANCE 503 - K-State Tap Dance Ensemble
• •  DANCE 505 - Methods and Materials of Teaching Dance
• •  DANCE 506 - Dance Education Fieldwork
• •  DANCE 507 - K-State African Dance and Music Ensemble
• •  DANCE 510 - Senior Project
• •  DANCE 599 - Independent Studies in Dance

Music

• •  MUSIC 500 - Applied Recital
• •  MUSIC 501 - Half Recital
• •  MUSIC 502 - Full Recital
• •  MUSIC 510 - A Survey of Music Therapy
• •  MUSIC 511 - Music in the Schools, K-6
• •  MUSIC 512 - Music Program in Junior/Senior High Schools
• •  MUSIC 513 - Teaching Beginning Band and Jazz Techniques
• •  MUSIC 517 - Choral Conducting
• •  MUSIC 518 - Instrumental Conducting
• •  MUSIC 523 - Upper-Division Composition
• •  MUSIC 525 - Instrumentation and Arranging
• •  MUSIC 530 - Music History I: Ancient Greece through 1700
• •  MUSIC 531 - Music History II: 1700 to 1850
• •  MUSIC 532 - Music History III: 1850 to the Present
• •  MUSIC 570 - Musical Comedy
• •  MUSIC 599 - Special Studies in Music
• •  MUSIC 603 - Percussion Pedagogy
• •  MUSIC 604 - Upper String Pedagogy
• •  MUSIC 605 - Lower String Pedagogy
• •  MUSIC 614 - Graduate Theory Review
• •  MUSIC 615 - 18th Century Counterpoint
• •  MUSIC 616 - Theories of Contemporary Music
• •  MUSIC 618 - Graduate History Review
• •  MUSIC 631 - Technology of the Electronic Music Studio
• •  MUSIC 632 - Digital Sound Synthesis
• •  MUSIC 636 - Advanced Woodwind Techniques
• •  MUSIC 637 - Advanced Brass Techniques
• •  MUSIC 638 - Concert and Ethnic Percussion Techniques
• •  MUSIC 639 - Jazz and Marching Percussion Techniques
• •  MUSIC 641 - Secondary Performance Area
• •  MUSIC 650 - History of the Opera
• •  MUSIC 660 - Marching Band Techniques
• •  MUSIC 661 - Choral Ensemble Techniques
• •  MUSIC 665 - Jazz Techniques
• •  MUSIC 670 - Advanced Studies in Music Education
• •  MUSIC 675 - Arranging for Bands
• •  MUSIC 676 - Arranging Choral Music
• •  MUSIC 680 - Advanced Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques
• •  MUSIC 681 - Advanced Choral Rehearsal Techniques
• •  MUSIC 685 - Organization and Administration of School Music Programs
• •  MUSIC 690 - Survey of Vocal Solos for Adolescents
• •  MUSIC 696 - Jazz Theory I
• •  MUSIC 697 - Jazz Theory II
• •  MUSIC 698 - Jazz Improvisation I
• •  MUSIC 699 - Jazz Improvisation II
• •  MUSIC 700 - Literature Analysis
• •  MUSIC 702 - Style Analysis
• •  MUSIC 704 - Symphonic Literature
• •  MUSIC 705 - Chamber Music Literature
• •  MUSIC 706 - Song Literature
• •  MUSIC 707 - History of Wind Bands
• •  MUSIC 708 - Choral Literature
• •  MUSIC 709 - History of School Choral Music
• •  MUSIC 714 - Advanced Orchestration
• •  MUSIC 737 - Organ Literature
• •  MUSIC 738 - Piano Literature
• •  MUSIC 740 - Studies in Music Literature
• •  MUSIC 759 - Techniques of Music Technology
• •  MUSIC 766 - Seminar in the Life and Works of an Individual Composer
• •  MUSIC 767 - Topics in American Music
• •  MUSIC 791 - Advanced Vocal Pedagogy
• •  MUSIC 799 - Problems in Music
• •  MUSIC 801 - Introduction to Graduate Study in Music
• •  MUSIC 802 - Seminar in Music Theory
• •  MUSIC 803 - Seminar in Music History
• •  MUSIC 804 - Advanced Analysis
• •  MUSIC 805 - Theories of Music Education
• •  MUSIC 806 - Psychology of Music
• •  MUSIC 807 - History and Philosophy of Music Education
• •  MUSIC 808 - Research in Music Education
• •  MUSIC 809 - Seminar in Music Education
• •  MUSIC 810 - Curriculum Development and Learning Assessment
• •  MUSIC 811 - Symposium in Music
• •  MUSIC 813 - Improvisation and Composition in Elementary Curriculum
• •  MUSIC 814 - World Music Pedagogy, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and Special Populations in Music Education
• •  MUSIC 815 - The Undergraduate Music Curriculum
• •  MUSIC 816 - Field Experiences in an Undergraduate Music Curriculum
• •  MUSIC 821 - Piano Pedagogy I
• •  MUSIC 822 - Piano Pedagogy II
• •  MUSIC 823 - Supervised Teaching in Piano
• •  MUSIC 824 - Half Recital in Piano
• •  MUSIC 825 - Lecture Recital in Piano
• •  MUSIC 828 - Methods and Materials for the Studio
• •  MUSIC 830 - Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Music
• •  MUSIC 832 - Seminar in Baroque Music
• •  MUSIC 834 - Seminar in Classical Music
• •  MUSIC 836 - Seminar in Romantic Music
• •  MUSIC 837 - Seminar in 20th-Century Music
• •  MUSIC 838 - Opera Theatre
• •  MUSIC 839 - Vocal Ensemble
• •  MUSIC 840 - Instrumental Ensemble
• •  MUSIC 841 - Collegium Musicum
• •  MUSIC 842 - Concert Choir