The Master of Music: Performance graduate programs at 鶹ýӳ’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music are designed for talented, motivated musicians seeking to elevate their artistry in one of the nation's most active collegiate performing arts environments. With exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, countless performance opportunities, and individualized mentorship, students receive comprehensive training that bridges technical mastery and creative expression.
Students may pursue study in the following programs: instrumental, multiple woodwinds, piano, vocal, and opera performance.
| Program of Study | Credit Hours: | 32 | ||||||
| Required Courses: (projected semester rotation subject to change) | 17 | |||||||
| MUS 5113 Theory in Perspective (fall) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5163 Analytical Techniques (fall) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5133 Nineteenth-Century Analysis (fall) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5153 The Performing Teacher-Scholar (fall) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5213 Twentieth Century Music, Style, and Structure (spring) | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5372-5472 Applied Music: Major Performance Medium | 8 | |||||||
| One of the following courses (except vocal performance and guitar performance): | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5623 Orchestral Literature Seminar (spring) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5723 Organ Literature Seminar (spring, odd) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5823 Keyboard Literature Seminar (spring, odd) or | 3 | |||||||
| MUS 5923 Wind Literature Seminar (spring) or | 3 | |||||||
| Vocal Performance: Two of the following courses are required: | 4 | |||||||
| MUS 5422 Vocal Literature Seminar 1: German Lieder (fall, odd) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5532 Vocal Literature Seminar 2: French Melodies (spring, even) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5632 Vocal Literature Seminar 3: Italian and Spanish Song (fall, even) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5732 Vocal Literature Seminar 4: Songs in English (spring, odd) | 2 | |||||||
| Guitar Performance: | 4 | |||||||
| MUS 5822 Guitar Literature I (fall) | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5922 Guitar Literature II (spring) | 2 | |||||||
| Other Requirements: | 11 - 12 | |||||||
| MUS 6071 Recital | 1 | |||||||
| MUS 6072 Graduate Comprehensive Review Project | 2 | |||||||
| MUS 5102 Musicological Methods (fall) | 2 | |||||||
| Electives | 6 - 7 | |||||||
The Master of Music in Instrumental Performance at 鶹ýӳ provides advanced musicians with intensive artistic training, personalized mentorship, and extensive performance opportunities designed to elevate their artistry to the professional level. Through applied study with distinguished artist-faculty, ensemble participation, and advanced coursework in performance, literature, pedagogy, and scholarship, students refine their technical mastery, interpretive depth, and artistic identity while preparing for the demands of today's musical profession.
Our students perform regularly in a collaborative and performance-driven environment that encourages artistic growth and professional development. Frequent opportunities for solo, chamber, orchestral, wind, jazz, contemporary, and collaboration with 鶹ýӳ's nationally recognized Oklahoma Opera & Music Theater Company, allow graduates to build a diverse portfolio of experience while developing the versatility required for careers in performance, teaching, and continued doctoral study.

鶹ýӳ's instrumental alumni have won positions in ensembles including: U.S. Marine Band “President’s Own”, U.S. Army Band's "Pershing's Own", Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Jerusalem Philharmonic, Dallas Winds, New York City Ballet Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Tulsa Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony, New World Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony, Ramat-Gan Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Brass Quintet
The Master of Music in Multiple Woodwind Performance is a distinctive program designed for highly versatile musicians seeking careers as professional woodwind doublers. Through intensive applied study on four (4) woodwind instruments, students develop the technical fluency, stylistic flexibility, and musical adaptability required in today's professional performance industry. Coursework combines advanced performance study, pedagogy, and scholarship with individualized instruction tailored to each student's professional goals
Students engage in personalized applied study, extensive ensemble work (especially 鶹ýӳ's nationally recognized Oklahoma Opera & Music Theater Company productions), exploring all genres from classical to jazz and contemporary, and pedagogical development. This unique program equips graduates with the skills necessary for success in pit orchestras, studio settings, and educational roles.

鶹ýӳ's MM Multiple Woodwind alumni have seen success in the field, with graduates performing on the touring productions of: Chicago, The Music Man, A Christmas Story, Little Women, Aadams Family, The Rockettes at Radio City, among others. In addition, our students have earned admission to competitive doctoral graduate music programs, teach at excellent high school and collegiate appointments, and freelance with orchestras and other ensembles around the country.
The Master of Music in Piano Performance is a rigorous and highly personalized degree for pianists committed to artistic excellence and professional growth. Through intensive individual instruction, advanced study of piano literature and pedagogy, collaborative performance experiences, and frequent public performance opportunities, students refine their technical command, interpretive insight, and artistic voice while preparing for the highest levels of musical achievement.

Our piano students engage regularly as soloists, collaborative pianists, chamber musicians, and accompanists. Close mentorship from accomplished faculty and meaningful performance opportunities across the School of Music foster the versatility and professional experience needed for careers in performance, teaching, collaborative piano, and continued doctoral study.
The Master of Music in Vocal Performance is designed for singers seeking advanced artistic development through intensive study, individualized mentorship, and substantial performance experience. Through applied voice study, vocal coaching, pedagogy, literature, diction, and performance opportunities, students deepen their technical proficiency, interpretive artistry, and understanding of the vocal repertoire while preparing for the evolving demands of professional performance and teaching careers.
鶹ýӳ's MM Vocal Performance students thrive in one of the region's most active collegiate performance environments. Opportunities as soloists, chamber musicians, recitalists, and performers with 鶹ýӳ's nationally recognized Oklahoma Opera & Music Theater Company provide invaluable stage experience and artistic growth. Graduates emerge as versatile musicians prepared for careers in performance, private teaching, collegiate study, and a wide range of professional vocal pursuits.

鶹ýӳ-trained vocalists have performed at some of the world's best festivals, venues and companies, including: The Metropolitan Opera Deutsche Oper Berlin, La Scala, Opera Bastille Paris, Opéra de Montréal Bavarian State, Opera Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Teatro Colón, Grosses Festspielhaus Semperoper Dresden Staatstheater Stuttgart, Welsh National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Seattle Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Fort Worth Opera
The Master of Music in Opera Performance prepares emerging artist-singers for the professional operatic stage through comprehensive training in vocal technique, acting, languages, musicianship, and stagecraft. Working closely with distinguished voice faculty, conductors, directors, and vocal coaches, students develop the artistic versatility and dramatic skills required to communicate compelling performances while refining their individual vocal artistry.
Students benefit from extensive performance opportunities through 鶹ýӳ's nationally recognized Oklahoma Opera & Music Theater Company, gaining practical experience in fully staged productions, scenes programs, masterclasses, and coachings. This immersive performance environment allows singers to develop professionally while building the repertoire, confidence, and stage experience necessary for careers in opera, music theater, young artist programs, and advanced academic study.

鶹ýӳ-trained vocalists have performed at some of the world's best festivals, venues and companies, including: The Metropolitan Opera Deutsche Oper Berlin, La Scala, Opera Bastille Paris, Opéra de Montréal Bavarian State, Opera Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Teatro Colón, Grosses Festspielhaus Semperoper Dresden Staatstheater Stuttgart, Welsh National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Seattle Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Fort Worth Opera
Music Auditions are held both on and off campus. For specific material to prepare for your audition, see the instrument or vocal pages below.
More on Music Auditions
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music is proud to offer Graduate Assistantships in the following areas:
Graduate Assistantships include a full tuition waiver and stipend.
鶹ýӳ's graduate assistantships require ongoing ensemble participation and are contracted for 10 hours, which provides our graduate students with the freedom to pursue practice time, gigging, competitions, and projects.
