Master of Music in Performance Degree

  • Total Credit Hours: 36
  • Degree Format: Traditional

About this field

Music is the art of combining vocal or instrumental sound to evoke emotion, produce beauty of form, or create harmony, melody or rhythm. Humans have been making music since the beginning of time, and music is present in some form in every culture and society around the world. The music department at Valdosta State University prepares students to have lifelong careers as musicians, music educators or professionals who work in the field of music.

The Valdosta State Difference

The music department at Valdosta State has three programs of study for students interested it the discipline: music, music education and music performance. The department’s faculty members are active performers, conductors, scholars, clinicians and adjudicators throughout the region. The department offers a full range of instrumental and vocal performing ensembles, including the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Blazin’ Brigade Marching Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble and Trombone Choir. Ensemble participation is a vital part of the training of the professional musician, and students are required to perform in an assigned principal ensemble each semester.

What You'll Learn

Students in the Master of Music in Performance degree program in music performance select a track in piano, organ, voice, orchestral instruments, guitar or jazz. Throughout the course of their studies, students learn to apply appropriate theoretical skills, understand and use fundamental music pedagogy, display analytical and historical knowledge in the field, and become comfortable performing professional-level solo and ensemble literature. Upon graduation, students are prepared for a variety of music, music performance and music-related careers and may also choose further personal study in their specialty area or to attend graduate school.

Careers

  • Accompanist
  • Acoustical Engineer
  • Arts Educator
  • Band Director
  • Band Leader
  • Chamber Musician
  • Choir Director
  • Church Music Director
  • Composer
  • Conductor
  • Disc Jockey
  • Instrument Designer
  • Lyricist
  • Music Critic
  • Music Director for Film/TV
  • Music Editor
  • Music Industry Lawyer
  • Music Instructor
  • Music Journalist
  • Music Librarian
  • Music Promoter
  • Music Publisher
  • Music Software Programmer
  • Music Store Manager
  • Music Store Owner
  • Music Therapist
  • Performer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Recording Mixer
  • Recording Technician
  • Secondary School Music Teacher
  • Sound Engineer
  • Sound Technician
  • Studio Musician
  • Voice Coach