The graduate programs in Historical Performance can be pursued either as a five-year program in combination with an undergraduate degree in a modern instrument, or by persons who hold a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin or other institutions. Applicants are admitted based on an audition on their major instrument and a review of their academic record. Students audition for the five-year program during their junior year, and are expected to present a level comparable to any other applicant for the Master’s program. Once admitted, students in the two-year Master’s program must demonstrate baccalaureate competence in music history and music theory. Deficiencies must be remedied by taking appropriate undergraduate coursework, or in the case of music history, by either coursework or re-examination.
Placement Exams
Two-year Master of Music: Exams in music history and music theory must be taken during orientation.
Residence
Completion of the two-year Master of Music degree program will typically require full-time residence for four semesters beyond the Bachelor’s degree.
Program Completion
All requirements for the two-year Master of Music degree must be completed within three years from the date of admission. Students are encouraged to attend the summer Baroque Performance Institute and may use the credits earned there toward the degree.
Grading
No credit with a grade lower than B– may be counted toward the requirements of the Master’s Degree.
Course Requirements: 49 Total Hours
Principal Private Study Credits: 18 hours
Secondary Study Credits: 6 hours
Ensembles Credits: 4 hours
APST 340 (Continuo Accompanying) Credits: 2 hours
HPRF 502 (Intro to Historical Performance) 1Credits: 3 hours
MHST 301 (Intro to Music Research and Writing) Credits: 3 hours
Music History 300-level elective Credits: 3 hours
Music Theory 400-level elective Credits: 3 hours
HPRF 503 (Sem in Performance Practice) 2Credits: 3 hours
HPRF 512 (Spec Topics in Performance Practice) 2Credits: 3 hours
APST 602 (Lecture-recital) 3Credits: 1 hour
Non-Course Requirements
Private Study Committee Exam: Second Semester Master’s Recital: Fourth Semester Recital Hearing: Fourth Semester Second Recital4:Third Semester Second Recital Hearing: Third Semester Comprehensive Exams: Fourth Semester Language proficiency5: Second Semester Continuo realization and other skills 6 : Second Semester
Notes
1HPRF 502 is required during the first semester of study unless waived by exam/interview during orientation.
2HPRF 503 and 512 may be taken in either order; both may be offered in alternate years.
3Students must have demonstrated baccalaureate competence in music history and music theory before enrollment for the lecture recital; the lecture recital cannot take place in the same semester as the master’s recital.
4The second recital must be split between a secondary instrument and the principal instrument, on a single secondary instrument, or split between two secondary instruments.
5Examination of reading proficiency in French or German.
6Includes proficiency in tuning, maintenance, and continuo realization. APST 240 (Continuo Realization) may be taken to fulfill the continuo realization requirement.
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