Master of Music (MMus) Degree in the field of String Quartet Performance
Program Learning Outcomes for the MMus Degree
Upon completing the MMus degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical and musical competence in performance, composition, or historical scholarship at a professional level.
- Develop advanced analytical skills in music theory and a deep understanding of how those skills inform music performance.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the relationship between music history and music performance.
- Develop career development skills that complement their professional-level performance skills.
Requirements for the MMus Degree
The MMus degree in the field of String Quartet Performance is a non-thesis master's degree. For general university requirements, please see Non-Thesis Master's Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students. Students pursuing the MMus degree in the field of String Quartet Performance must complete:
- A minimum of 45 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at the 500-level or above).
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken at Rice University.
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken in standard or traditional courses (with a course type of lecture, seminar, laboratory, lecture/laboratory, studio).
- A minimum residency enrollment of one fall or spring semester of full-time graduate study at Rice University.
- A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework.
- A minimum program GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the non-thesis master’s degree.
Students completing the MMus degree in all fields of study must participate in core music, applied music, and other required music courses as well as in chamber music and large ensembles, plus electives. They are entitled to one hour of private lessons each week of each semester they are enrolled as an MMus degree candidate; private or group lessons beyond this may result in additional fees.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this degree program. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the program's academic advisor or, where applicable, the department or program's Director of Graduate Studies. Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the department or program's Official Certifier. Additionally, these course substitutions must be approved by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the MMus Degree in the field of String Quartet Performance | 45 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Requirements | ||
| MUSI 698 | ADVANCED STRING QUARTETS (minimum of 4 semesters) | 3 |
| MUSI 690 | INDIVIDUAL INSTRUMENT COACHING FOR STRING QUARTET MAJORS (minimum of 4 semesters) | 3 |
| MUSI 635 | ADVANCED ORCHESTRA (minimum of 2 semesters) | 2 |
| MUSI 705 | APPRENTICESHIP - ARTISTIC OUTREACH (minimum of 4 semesters, 2 credit hours per semester) | 2 |
| MUSI 742 | STRING QUARTET RECITAL (minimum of 3 semesters) 1 | 0 |
| MUSI 741 | MASTER'S RECITAL II 1 | 0 |
| Academic Coursework | ||
| MUSI 405 | MUSIC BUSINESS AND LAW | 3 |
| MUSI 407 | CHAMBER MUSIC IN THE CLASSIC PERIOD | 3 |
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
1 course from the Music History course offerings (see course list below) | ||
1 course from the Music Theory course offerings (see course list below) | ||
3 credit hours of Independent Study in Music History or Music Theory (MUSI 649) | ||
| Proficiencies 2 | ||
| Students must demonstrate the following proficiencies: | ||
Piano proficiency | ||
Aural skills proficiency | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | Three (3) string quartet recitals (MUSI 742) and one (1) solo recital (MUSI 741) are required for the MMus degree in the field of String Quartet Performance. |
| 2 | Deficiencies in these areas will result in remedial coursework being added to a student's degree plan. |
Course Lists to Satisfy Requirements
Academic Coursework
Academic Coursework is comprised of MUSI 405, MUSI 407, and 1 course (3 credit hours) from the Music History, Music Theory, or Graduate Independent Study Coursework below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music History, Music Theory, and Graduate Independent Study Coursework | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS | ||
| MODAL COUNTERPOINT | ||
| SCORE READING AND THEORY AT THE KEYBOARD | ||
| ADVANCED ORCHESTRATION | ||
| EARLY MODERN MASTERS | ||
| AMERICAN MUSIC | ||
| PERFORMANCE PRACTICES SEMINAR | ||
| TOPICS IN EARLY MUSIC | ||
| TOPICS IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES | ||
| TOPICS IN 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES | ||
| MUSIC, MAGIC, AND SCIENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD | ||
| PROGRAM MUSIC IN THE 19TH CENTURY | ||
| MUSIC AND MODERNISM IN FRANCE | ||
| ADVANCED ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER MUSIC SYSTEMS | ||
| ADVANCED COMPUTER SOUND SYNTHESIS | ||
| MUSIC THEORIES OF THE WORLD: CROSS-CULTURAL APPROACHES TO PITCH, MELODY, AND RHYTHM | ||
| CLASSROOM PEDAGOGY | ||
| TONAL COUNTERPOINT | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC THEORY AND MUSIC THEORY COMPOSITION | ||
| MUSIC OF RAVEL: MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION | ||
| MUSIC SINCE 1950 | ||
| SELECTED STUDIES IN MUSIC HISTORY | ||
| J.S. BACH: CAREER, WORKS, AND CRITICAL RECEPTION | ||
| SEMINAR ON A SELECTED COMPOSER | ||
| MOZART OPERAS | ||
| THE CLASSICAL STYLE | ||
| ROMANTIC SONGS AND PIANO PIECES | ||
| GRADUATE INDEPENDENT STUDY 1 | ||
| ANALYTICAL APPROACHES | ||
| SEMINAR IN ADVANCED ANALYSIS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN ADVANCED ANALYSIS | ||
| MUSIC OF THE MIDDLE AGES | ||
| RENAISSANCE MUSIC | ||
| AESTHETICS OF MUSIC | ||
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | MUSI 649 Graduate Independent Study must be taken for at least 3 credit hours to fulfill this requirement. |
Policies for the MMus Degree
Shepherd School of Music Graduate Program Handbook
The General Announcements (GA) is the official Rice curriculum. As an additional resource for students, the Shepherd School of Music publishes a graduate program handbook, which can be found here: https://gradhandbooks.rice.edu/2024_25/Shepherd_School_of_Music_Graduate_Handbook.pdf.
Admission
For Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Orchestral Conducting applicants, an audition is required. Composition applicants must submit portfolios, and Musicology applicants must provide samples of their written work. Musicology applicants must also complete advanced music tests as well as the Graduate Record Examination for admission consideration.
Academic Standards
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
Further information on curricular requirements for all majors and degree programs is available from the Shepherd School of Music.
Grading Policy
A minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) per course is expected of all music students in their major applied area. A grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in the student's major applied area is considered unsatisfactory and will be evaluated in the following manner:
- A music major who receives a grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in their major applied area will be placed on music probation. Music probation signifies that the student’s work has been sufficiently unsatisfactory to preclude graduation unless marked improvement is achieved promptly. A student on music probation may be absent from class only for extraordinary reasons and may not represent the school in any public function not directly a part of a degree program.
- If a student receives a second semester of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in their major applied area, whether for consecutive semesters or not, the student will be discontinued as a music performance major and merit scholarship from the Shepherd School will be discontinued.
Note: For music history and musicology majors a grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in any music history course is considered unsatisfactory and will be evaluated as above.
Graduate degree requirement: a minimum overall grade point average of 2.67 is necessary for graduation.
Leaves of Absence and Voluntary Withdrawal
Music majors must obtain permission in writing from the dean of the Shepherd School before requesting a leave of absence from the university. Requests must be in the dean’s office before the first day of classes in the semester for which leave is requested.
Music majors taking voluntary withdrawal from the university are not guaranteed readmission into the Shepherd School and may be asked to reapply/reaudition. Students should explain the reasons for their withdrawal to the dean before leaving campus.
Performance
Students are expected to perform frequently during their residency at Rice. MMus students in any of the performance fields of study must present at least two full recitals. Composition and Conducting students should present recitals as specified by their degree programs. Students are expected to attend both faculty and student recitals. In addition, all MMus students must participate in the school’s conducted ensembles as assigned.
Thesis
A thesis is required for MMus students in the field of Musicology. In lieu of a thesis, MMus students in the field of Composition must produce an original work of extended scope. Both thesis and original work must be publicly defended.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content) and by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Program Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the MMus degree should be aware of the following program-specific transfer credit guidelines:
- No more than 2 courses (6 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the degree.
- Transfer credit will not be considered for any performance coursework or other core requirements.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Shepherd School of Music website at: https://music.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the MMus Degree
Other Musical Opportunities
Lectures and Performances
A visiting lecturer series, a professional concert series, and numerous distinguished visiting musicians contribute to the Shepherd School environment. The Houston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Da Camera, Context, and Chamber Music Houston, as well as the activities of other institutions of higher learning in the area, also provide exceptional opportunities for students to enjoy a wide spectrum of music.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Shepherd School of Music website at: https://music.rice.edu/.