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Graduate Degrees - Organ

Master of Arts, Organ

Click for M.A. degree Course Checklist for the Organ area

A. Specific Admission Requirements:

1. Application for admission to the degree will be processed when an approved audition has been completed. Completing the application by March 15 will enhance the possibility of financial assistance.
2. The MA audition is to be performed on campus if possible.It should be approximately 30-45 minutes in duration and consist of works of contrasting styles, including a major work of J.S.Bach. A portion of the audition recital should be performed by memory if possible.

B. Master of Arts Recital

The recital program should reflect a broad background of organ literature. A major portion of the recital is to be performed by memory. The recital may be performed after a satisfactory pre-hearing before the organ faculty no later than one month prior to the scheduled recital date. The recital committee shall consist of three faculty members (the organ faculty and two additional School of Music faculty member.

C. Final Examination

The final examination committee shall include the organ faculty, one faculty member from either the theory or music history area, and one more School of Music faculty member.

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Master of Fine Arts, Organ

Click for M.F.A. degree course checklist for the Organ area.

The M.F.A. is for students of superior ability in instrumental or vocal performance. It requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of postbaccalaureate study, including two full-length recitals or programs. The M.F.A. requires a Thesis (25:401) consisting of a research paper of moderate length; the M.F.A. Thesis may relate to some or all of the repertoire included on the recitals.

Students may earn a Master of Arts degree while working toward the Master of Fine Arts degree, but must take two separate final examinations.  

A. Specific Admission Requirements:

1. Application for admission to the degree will be processed when an approved audition has been completed.Completing the application by March 15 will enhance the possibility of financial assistance.
2. The MFA audition is to be performed on campus if possible.It should be approximately 30-45 minutes in duration and consist of works of contrasting styles, including a major work of J.S.Bach.

B. Recital Requirements

2 recitals (2 s.h./each), 4 hrs.

The recital program should reflect a broad background of organ literature. A major portion of the recital is to be performed by memory. The recital may be performed after a satisfactory pre-hearing before the organ faculty no later than one month prior to the scheduled recital date. The recital committee shall consist of three faculty members (the organ faculty and one additional School of Music faculty member).

C. Final Examination

The final examination committee shall include the organ faculty and one faculty member from either the theory, musicology, or choral area.

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Doctor of Musical Arts, Organ

Click for D.M.A. degree course checklist for the organ area.

A. Specific Admission Requirements:

1. Application for admission to the degree will be processed when an approved audition has been completed. Completing the application by March 15 will enhance the possibility of financial assistance.
2. The DMA audition recital is to be performed on campus if possible. It should be approximately 45 minutes in duration and consist of works of contrasting styles, including a major work of J.S.Bach. A portion of the audition recital should be performed by memory, if possible.
3. Candidates should submit an example of writing style as reflected in a major term paper or research project.

B. Language Requirement

Two languages are required, usually French and German.

C. Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination committee shall consist of five School of Music faculty members. The committee shall include the organ faculty and four additional School of Music faculty with representative faculty from the Theory and Musicology areas.

D. Doctoral Essay/Thesis 4-8 s.h.

The essay/thesis committee shall consist of five faculty members. The committee shall include the organ faculty, three members of the School of Music faculty (representation of theory and/or history), and one non-music faculty member.

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Graduate Certificate in Sacred Music

Click for Certificate in Sacred Music Course Checklist.

The University of Iowa School of Music began offering the Graduate Certificate in Sacred Music in 1991. The certificate is more extensive than a minor, though somewhat less so than a major, with a broad focus on areas on study related to sacred music. It may be earned while working toward a graduate degree. The certificate may also be completed apart from the pursuit of a graduate degree, the prerequisite being admission to the University Graduate College and permission of the faculty advisor for the certificate.

The University of Iowa has a long tradition of excellence in its Religious Studies and Music as well as other related areas, and this certificate draws upon these strengths. This study may enhance an individual’s professional credentials and provide personal growth and satisfaction.

A certificate program recognizes studies in specialized areas within the Graduate College of the University. Upon completion of the required semester hours within the various areas listed, and upon successful completion of the review and approval process of this Graduate Certificate, the designation Graduate Certificate in Sacred Music will be affixed to the candidate’s University of Iowa transcript.

Admission

1. Contact the Graduate Admissions Office for admission application forms to the University Graduate College. Graduate admission is required for any enrollment that receives graduate credit.
   NOTE: Admission to a graduate degree program is not necessary to participate in the certificate program, although the certificate may be earned while working toward a degree.
   Graduate Admissions Office
   115 Calvin Hall
   The University of Iowa
   Iowa City, IA 52242
   (319) 335-1525
2. Contact the School of Music stating interest in the Graduate Certificate in Sacred Music. Include the following information in your letter: experience and training in church music, current
   involvement and future aspirations in the field, approximate skill level in appropriate areas such as piano, organ, voice, conducting, or composition. List previous studies, in any, in theology, religious history, liturgies, or sacred writings.
   School of Music-Organ Area
   The University of Iowa
   Iowa City, IA 52242
   (319) 335-1630 or 1-800-553-4692

Once the certificate supervisor and the School of Music Associate Director for Graduate Studies have reviewed your application, you will be sent a notification of acceptance.

The Certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the required number of semester hours in applicable courses, and a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

A minimum of 25 s.h. of graduate coursework is required for the completion of the Certificate

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Rahn and Frawley Organ Scholarships, Fellowships, and Assistantships

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS, GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND ASSISTANTSHIPS WITH IN-STATE TUITION STATUS ARE AVAILABLE. All undergraduate and graduate organ majors are eligible. Actual amount of award will be determined after performance audition before University of Iowa organ faculty. Performance ability and academic excellence are the major considerations.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND ASSISTANTSHIPS MAY BE RENEWED WITH THE recommendation of the organ faculty, and based on maintenance of performance and academic standards.

All applicants must be registered or have applied for admission to The University of Iowa to be considered.

Audition requirements for undergraduates with previous organ study include the preparation of approximately 20 minutes of representative organ literature of contrasting styles. Applicants with no previous organ training will be expected to demonstrate keyboard ability in piano performance.

Graduate audition requirements involve a performance of representative organ literature of contrasting styles of approximately 30-45 minutes in length. At least a portion of the audition material should be performed by memory.

(Tape recording in lieu of a personal audition may be submitted only with approval of the organ faculty.)

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Last updated 18-oct-07