Music (Masters- Online)
- Fall July 1
- Spring November 15
Degree Description:
The School of Music offers the degree of Master of Arts in Music, which may be earned with Global Campus through study in areas of music education, composition, music history and literature, conducting, and performance studies.
Three emphases are available:
- Music education: Provides advanced studies for experienced or prospective teachers.
- Composition: Prepares students to enter professions in music such as composition and arranging.
- Jazz emphasis: Focuses on one or more aspects of jazz, including performance, composition, arranging, pedagogy, or history, in preparation for careers in jazz.
- Note: A performance emphasis is not available for Global Campus students.
The degree may also be completed without an emphasis.
The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, designed according to the goals of the student.
Admission Requirements:
A minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL is required for all International Students for whom English is not their primary language.
The School of Music requires an audition, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. In addition, please submit: for the composition emphasis, a composition portfolio with recordings and a brief recording of the applicant performing; for the music education emphasis, your written philosophy of teaching. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for details. Once admitted to WSU, each student takes assessments in music theory, history, and keyboard skills prior to the first day of classes.
Student Opportunities:
Graduate students have opportunities to study, perform, and record with world acclaimed faculty artists; prepare for major competitions and internships; and apply knowledge and expand learning in their classrooms. WSU graduate students have won numerous awards in major competitions for performance and composition and have been accepted and earned significant scholarships in doctoral programs nationally and internationally. Recent graduates have been featured in Jazziz magazine and been successful publishing compositions.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates are prepared for professional careers in music including work as performers, composers, arrangers, recording artists, and educators.
Career Placements:
Graduate students in music have achieved teaching positions at major universities, community colleges and public schools throughout the United States, including the Director of Jazz Studies at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA; teaching position at the Joy of Music Academy in Boston; and teacher position at the American School in Rome, Italy. Other students have continued their postgraduate work at other prestigious schools of music and performed at major music festivals.
Faculty Members:
Agulay, Aaron, D.M.A.
Research Interests
Vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, and diction
Arksey, Meredith, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Violin and viola performance, Suzuki training, Baroque violin.
Bennefield, Troy, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Symphonic Band and Marching Band
Blasco, Scott, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Composition, electronic music, music theory
Boden, Ruth Adair, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Low strings pedagogy, contemporary music, non-traditional performance.
Chettri, Navin, MM, University of Idaho
Research Interests
Jazz Percussion, World Music
Dickey, Chris, D.M.
Serves as: co-chair or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Tuba, euphonium, and LGBTQ+ studies
Edwards, Brent, MA, Washington State University
Research Interests
Rudimental Percussion, Composition
Luethi, Dean, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Choral conducting, message fatigue in solo/choral works with text, Ralph Vaughan Williams, choral symphony, vocal technique, early requiem mass, and Vivaldi choral works
McCarthy, Keri, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Oboe, music history, and commissioning and performing new works by American and Southeast Asian composers
Menchetti, Fabio, D.M.A.
Research Interests
Piano Performance, Keyboard Pedagogy
Parkhurst, Melissa, Ph.D.
Research Interests
First Nations music in the Pacific Northwest, how music promotes personal and community resilience, and the role of music in cultural revitalization.
Pham, Danh T, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Orchestra and wind ensemble conducting
Roh, Yoon Wha, D.M.
Research Interests
Applied Piano, Piano Literature, Chamber music, Arts Administration
Scott, Shannon, D.M.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Clarinet, avant-garde performance techniques, chamber music for flute and clarinet, newly composed solo and chamber music for clarinet
Snider, Frederick David, M.A.
Serves as: co-chair or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Jazz Bass, Combos, Jazz History, Rock History.
Tegart, Sophia, D.M.A.
Research Interests
Flute, women/gender in music, madness in music, musical ekphrasis, and nature and music
Turnbull, David Ray, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Trumpet performance, conducting, composing/arranging.
Wieck, Julie, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Classical vocal literature, opera and musical theatre, voice pedagogy and diction, Ukrainian and Russian art song.
Wilson, Christopher, D.M.
Research Interests
Classical Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Pedagogy
Wilson, Jacqueline, D.M.A.
Research Interests
Bassoon, bassoon pedagogy, and music featuring underrepresented perspectives and lived experiences
Yasinitsky, Gregory W, D.M.A.
Serves as: chair, co-chair, or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Composition and arranging of jazz and classical music, national and international performances as a saxophonist and guest conductor, CD recordings.
Young, Horace Alexander, MA, Washington State University
Research Interests
Jazz and Classical Saxophone, Recording Artist