Department of Music
M.A. in Music
Dr. Tom Hiebert, Department Chair
Dr. Teresa Beaman, Graduate Program Coordinator
Objectives
Graduate study in music leading to the master of arts degree provides opportunities for personal and career enhancement. Scholarly and creative activities allow students to increase their professional and musical competencies and provide a foundation for continued self-directed study. The M.A. in Music prepares students for increased leadership as music teachers and administrators in the public schools, and qualifies them for teaching in community colleges or for admission to a doctoral degree program.
The master of arts degree program is offered in two options: performance and music education. The performance option emphasizes either advanced vocal or instrumental solo literature, or choral and instrumental conducting. The music education option emphasizes advanced concepts, philosophy, and pedagogical techniques useful in teaching instrumental or vocal music and in conducting research related to music teaching and learning. Students in the music education option also study topics related to music administration and organization in an educational setting.
The Department of Music assists students in designing a degree program that is tailored to their specific career goals. The overall aim is to develop each individual's unique musical abilities to maximize their personal and professional opportunities.
Program Strengths
The graduate program in music at Fresno State was identified as among the top programs in the California State University system by a recent outside review panel. Graduates of the Fresno State graduate program, when compared to graduates of similar programs at UCLA, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and Yale, demonstrated comparable levels of musical excellence and professional achievement.
The Master of Arts in Music degree program at California State University, Fresno is exclusive to this region and affords professional musicians, public school teachers, and community college faculty the opportunity to further develop their professional expertise. The emphasis on meeting the individual needs of degree candidates creates an environment for significant cultural and educational development in Central California.
The recent $10 million renovation and expansion of the music building through the addition of a large new wing demonstrates the commitment to continued excellence for which the Department of Music is well-known. The music building houses two performance halls with seating for 200 and 320, respectively. Each of the performance halls has a large stage, excellent lighting, and superior acoustics. The larger performance hall also houses a new tracker (mechanical action) organ. In addition, the Music building has two computer labs with the latest in MIDI and CAI music hardware and software, a number of well-furnished classroom and practice facilities, and a self-contained music recording and editing studio.
Students
Although students in the M.A. program come primarily from Central California, students from around the world also choose to study at Fresno State because of the program's continuing reputation for excellence. Students who are engaged in full-time graduate study are generally preparing for later doctoral studies at other universities. Students who are pursuing their M.A. on a part-time basis tend to be elementary and secondary teachers or professional musicians from the area who desire to enhance their professional careers through additional study.
Graduates from Fresno State have compiled an impressive record of accomplishment. During the past ten years, our graduates have become doctoral candidates at such prestigious universities as the New England Conservatory, UCLA, the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and the renowned Curtis Institute. Other graduates have received prizes and grants for study both on our campus and internationally from eminent organizations and foundations such as the Rotary Club, Ronald McNair Program, and the Leon S. Peters Foundation. Many of our graduates have distinguished themselves as instrumental and choral directors, collegiate faculty, professional performers, and as school music teachers and administrators.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Scholarship and teaching assistantships are available to graduate students who qualify. Two band assistantships, which allow graduate students to work directly with the Bulldog Marching Band and other university bands, provide M.A. students the opportunity of working with major college ensembles. Graduate students also receive financial support in the Department of Music as student assistants, music librarians, computer lab monitors, and accompanists.
University scholarships and grants available to graduate students include the California Graduate Equity Fellowship, the Outstanding Thesis Award, the Leon S. Peters Foundation Scholarship, the Rodman Presidential Fellowship, and the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. Other private and government grants and scholarship funds are also available to students who qualify.