Master of Music in Sacred Music
The graduate sacred music program provides advanced training for church musicians from a wide variety of educational, professional, and denominational backgrounds. It is expected that applicants for this program will bring a thorough grounding of musical knowledge and significant experience in full- or part-time music ministry. The curriculum includes general as well as specialized courses in sacred music studies, theology, history, musicology, and applied skills.
| Master of Music in Sacred Music (39 semester hours) | |
| Major Area |
21 Credits |
| History | 6 |
|
SM712 The History of Sacred Music I |
3 |
| SM713 The History of Sacred Music II | 3 |
| Theology and Practice | 6 |
| SM722 Theology, Liturgy and Worship | 3 |
| SM511 Sacred Music Lab (2 terms) | 0-0 |
| SM631 Worship Planning for the 21st Century | 3 |
| Applied Study: Choral | 9 |
| CR517 Master Singers (2 terms) | 1-1 |
| CR621 Choral Conducting I | 3 |
| CR622 Choral Conducting II | 3 |
| SM525 Sacred Music Ensemble | 1 |
| Each student must have an area of Applied Study: | 7 credits |
| Option A: Applied Emphasis1 | 7 |
|
Keyboard, Vocal, or Composition primary (3 terms) |
2-2-2 |
| SM630 Conducting Coaching2 | 1 |
| Option B: Choral Studies | 7 |
| CR642 Conducting Primary (2 terms) | 1-1 |
| SM524 Group Vocal Techniques | 3 |
| SM630 Conducting Coaching2 | 2 |
|
| |
| Core | 11 Credits |
|
MH731 Introduction to Musicology |
3 |
| CR509 Symphonic Choir (2 terms) | 1-1 |
| Theory or Music History elective (1 course) | 3 |
| Core elective (1 course)3 | 3 |
Important Notes:
- Students selecting Option A must present a half-recital in the applied area. Departmental approval is required for all recitals. For composition primary students, the recital consists of original works composed while the student was enrolled as a graduate student at Westminster Choir College. For composition primary students, TH625: Composition Class may be required if it is felt that class work in composition is needed prior to private study. Composition primary students must complete TH626: Analysis as the core theory/music history elective.
- Students may not register concurrently for SM525 and SM630. SM630: Conducting Coaching culminates in a public conducting performance.
- The core elective must be a graduate-level course outside the student's major area, area of emphasis, and/or area of applied study.
- Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French or German equivalent to two years of college study.
Please see the Academic Catalogs for more information, including course descriptions.
Please see General Graduate Degree Requirements for more degree information.
Disclaimer: This information is taken from a recent published version of a Rider University academic catalog or manual, though not necessarily the most recent. Please be aware that, while the University makes reasonable efforts to keep website material current and correct, this information is subject to the University's academic policy committees, relevant accreditation organizations, and (in some instances) state and federal laws and regulations. For this and other reasons it may be subject to change at any time without notice and without being immediately reflected on the Web site.
