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Note: Admissions have been suspended for the Diploma in Advanced Music Performance Studies for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Diploma in Advanced Music Performance Studies

Admission Requirements. Applicants must present evidence of highly developed skills in performance and will possess minimally a bachelor’s degree in performance or an equivalent professional certificate. Under exceptional circumstances, candidates may be accepted on the basis of audition alone, or by examination and/or proof of professional study in a recognized program. Students requiring background in certain areas essential to their proposed program of study may be asked to take qualifying courses. An audition should consist of a representative program of minimum 20 minutes duration. Non-resident candidates should prepare an unedited videotape, but may be asked to audition on arrival.

Requirements for the Diploma

1. Credits. A fully-qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 30 credits. Each candidate’s program of study will be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.
2. Residence. A candidate enrolled on a full-time basis will normally complete the program in two years. Exceptions may be granted by the Graduate Program Director.
3. Recital performances. Each candidate must successfully complete two recital performances (AMPS 520: Recital I and AMPS 530: Recital II, 6 credits each). The recital programs will be chosen in consultation with the candidate’s program advisor and approved by the Graduate Studies committee. The program advisor will supervise the preparation of the recitals. Final evaluations will be made by a jury chosen by the Graduate Studies committee.
4. Courses. Candidates must complete 6 credits of private instrumental or vocal instruction (AMPS 521/531) with a minimum average grade of B. A minimum of 3 credits must be completed from the seminar/workshop courses (AMPS 501, 503, 505, 507, 509). In addition, the candidate is expected to participate in orchestral or ensemble performance. Exceptions may be granted by the Graduate Program Director.

Academic Regulations

1. GPA Requirement. Students having completed at least four courses are assessed at the end of each academic year based on creditable courses completed after their first registration in the program. To be permitted to continue, students must have obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.70.
2. C Rule. Normally a student receiving a grade of C in two courses will be required to withdraw from the program. Students withdrawing for this reason may petition the Diploma Committee for special consideration. In cases of extenuating circumstances probationary continuation in the program will be considered.
3. F Rule. Students who receive a failing grade in the course of their studies will be withdrawn from the program. Students may apply for re-admission. Students who receive another failing grade after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program and will not be considered for re-admission.
4. Time Limit. All work for a diploma program must be completed before or during the calendar year, two years from the year of initial registration in the program for full-time students; for part-time students the time limit is four calendar years.
5. Graduation Requirement. To graduate, students must have completed all course requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.70.

Courses

AMPS 501 Seminar - Workshop in Performance Skills (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 502)
An intensive developmental course for individual and group performance. A broad range of subjects will be explored including practice methods, effective rehearsing, repertoire research, program-building, memorization, improvisation, and approaching auditions and competitions.

AMPS 503 String Seminar (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 504)
This course examines specific aspects of performance and repertoire studies for stringed instruments.

AMPS 505 Piano Seminar (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 506)
This course examines specific aspects of performance and repertoire studies for piano.

AMPS 507 Voice Seminar (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 508)
This course examines specific aspects of performance and repertoire studies for voice.

AMPS 509 Organ and Harpsichord Seminar (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 510)
This course examines specific aspects of performance and repertoire studies for organ and harpsichord.

AMPS 511 Chamber Ensembles (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 512)
Ensembles work intensively on preparation and presentation of public performances or competitions.

AMPS 513 Orchestra (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 514)
Preparation and public performance with orchestra of one or several works as soloist or principal player.

AMPS 515 Performance Practices (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 516)
Individual projects in particular aspects of performance practice such as basso continuo, ornamentation, the cadenza, contemporary performance techniques, improvisation.

AMPS 517 Special Project in Music (3 credits)
(This course may be repeated as AMPS 518)
Individual projects in music theory, analysis, composition, aesthetics, music history, or inter-disciplinary studies connected with music.

AMPS 519 Recording Production (3 credits)
An audio recording is made in partnership with an advanced recording student. The performer works with an advanced recording student to experiment with various sound recording possibilities, placement and type of microphones, creation of resonance, ambience, “honesty” vs. enhancement, etc. involving several sessions which could include listening to recordings the performer particularly enjoys or dislikes. The advanced recording student is responsible for producing a high-quality digitally edited recording (DAT or CD-R).

AMPS 520 Recital I (6 credits)

AMPS 521 Private Instrumental or Vocal Instruction I (3 credits)
Note: This is a full year course.

AMPS 530 Recital II (6 credits)

AMPS 531 Private Instrumental or Vocal Instruction II (3 credits)
Note: This is a full year course.

AMPS 598 Special Topics in Music Performance Studies (3 credits)

AMPS 599 Special Topics in Music Performance Studies (6 credits)

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