Master Of Music (Performance Studies)

The Master of Music (Performance Studies) program, specializing in the Western Art Music tradition, is tailored to meet the evolving demands of contemporary musicians. Centered on performance, it emphasizes both solo and collaborative practice through intensive Principal Study instruction. Alongside this, the program fosters advanced skills in critical inquiry and research by offering a secondary specialization in areas such as teaching, research, or community music, providing a well-rounded educational experience.

Candidates may be admitted into the programme by meeting the 4 requirements:

1. Academic Requirements
2. English Language Requirements
3. Music Audition Requirements
4. Professional Profile

Academic Requirements

Candidates must meet either of the following requirements:

1. Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 or its equivalent as accepted by the Senate of the institution; or
2. A Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, but with a CGPA lower than 2.50, may be accepted subject to a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience; or
3. Other qualifications recognized as equivalent by the Government of Malaysia;

Music Audition Requirements

For piano:

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles. All pieces must be performed from memory. Exceptions may be given for works from the 20th- and 21st-centuries. The programme should include:

• One work from Baroque period
• One first movement of a Classical sonata
• One major work from Romantic period, 20th-century, or 21st-century

For voice:

The entire programme should be at least 15 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles. All pieces must be performed from memory. The programme must meet the following two requirements:

• Language: One English language and at least two different languages of your choice (German, French, English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, etc.)
• Genre:
  • At least one art song (only ONE Chinese art song is allowed, if included)
  • Only one aria from any opera or oratorio in the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th-century periods.

For strings:

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles.

Violin

All pieces must be performed from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita. No repeats should be played unless ornamented. A dance movement and its double constitute one movement
• One fast movement from a 19th-, 20th-, or 21st-century concerto (including cadenza)
• A virtuosic piece, such as one by Sarasate, Paganini, Wieniawski, or Tartini

Viola

All works except item iii must be played from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata, partita, or cello suite (No. 4 to 6; BWV1010 to 1012). No repeats unless ornamented. A dance movement and its double constitute one movement
• A fast movement from a major concerto (including cadenza), such as one by Walton, Hindemith, or Bartók
• One contrasting work or sonata movement of your choice

Cello

All works must be played from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach cello suite (No. 3 to 6; BWV1009 to 1012). No repeat unless ornamented
• One movement of a major concerto (including cadenza), such as one by Dvorak, Schumann, or Haydn (D major)
• One caprice from Piatti’s 12 Caprices or one etude from Popper’s High School of Playing

For percussion:

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes. The programme should include both solo works and orchestral excerpts. Candidate must provide a copy of all the pieces and excerpts along with the audition video submission.

Solos:

• One short piece or a single movement of a two- or four-mallet solo marimba work. Memory is required
• One piece of a concert snare drum solo or etude (example: Delecluse, Pratt, Peters, Tompkins, etc.)
• One piece of timpani solo (example: Delecluse, Vic Firth, Carter, etc.)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Snare drum: Two contrasting excerpts
• Xylophone: Two contrasting excerpts
• Glockenspiel and/ or vibraphone: Two contrasting excerpts
• Timpani: Two contrasting excerpts

For composition:

Passing of a performance audition on a major instrument and submit a portfolio of at least 15 minutes with a minimum of two contrasting composition styles. The portfolio should include:

• Scores on a notation software program (any software), which will then be converted to PDF for submission
• MP3 of all scores (Live recordings are encouraged but MIDI realizations are acceptable)

Professional Profile

Professional documentation is required when submitting the application. These documents include:

• A list of repertoires studied and performed in the last five years
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Two recommendation letters from individuals that are familiar with:
  • your growth, talent, and accomplishment
  • your attitude and characteristic that indicate your ability and potential to succeed in the field.

All submitted documentation must be in English language. Translated documents must be notarized by the authorized governing body. Complete documentation must be submitted to the music office by early March, July, and November respectively.

English Language Requirements

For International Students

• Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests (B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced C2 Proficiency, Linguaskill Online): 154
• Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests (OET)(Conventional/Online): 200
• IELTS: Band 5.0
• TOEFL IBT: 40
• TOEFL ESSENTIALS (ONLINE): 7.5
• PTE Academic / Academic (online): 47
• MUET: Band 3.5

Core Courses

• Principal Study 1-4
• Music Research Methodology
• Performance Practice Seminar
• Musicology Seminar
• Music Analysis Seminar
• Research Project 1-2

Elective Courses

• Repertoire Studies 1-3
• Music Pedagogy Seminar
• Community Music
• Music and Law