About the Program

Program Details

Master of Music in Performance students, many pursuing performance careers as well as developing private teaching studios, choose APU's School of Music because it offers:

• Small classes
• Access to professors
• Interaction with a variety of performance groups
• Opportunity for performance scholarships

The Master of Music in Performance prepares those who have completed a baccalaureate degree with a performance emphasis to continue the development of their performance skill through advanced study. The music performance degree program achieves this through:

• Areas of specialization, including instrumental, keyboard collaborative arts, piano and organ, and vocal.
• Opportunities to merge classical and contemporary musical training in a Christian academic setting.
• Private lessons with our esteemed artist faculty.
• Performance opportunities in our renowned choral and instrumental ensembles, as well as jazz ensembles and opera. Learn more about APU Ensembles.
• A balanced core of courses in musicology, research methods, conducting and other classes relevant to the field of Music Performance
• Focused preparation for doctoral programs.
• Culminating recital (required to complete the program).

Program Goals

The Master of Music in Performance Program:

• Seeks to prepare students for professional positions in their performance area.
• Recognizes the need to train students to become performance-scholars so that they are equipped to conduct research relevant to their performance specialties.
• Provides a broad integrative sequence of courses so students may understand their performance specialty in the context of research, history, analysis, pedagogy, and performance.
• Facilitates performance opportunities in our renowned choral and instrumental ensembles, as well as jazz ensembles and opera. Learn more about APU Ensembles.
• Gives students the unique opportunity of merging classical and contemporary musical training in a Christian academic setting.
• Encourages interaction with world-class performers through master classes and residencies.
• Prepares individuals who wish to pursue doctoral programs.
• Equips the student to plan, prepare, and perform a graduate recital.

Philosophy

Undeniably, performance represents the culmination of the music student’s comprehensive experience. Audiences detect more than technical prowess; they sense the intangibles that influence performance. Knowing this, the expert musicians composing the School of Music’s faculty specialize in developing well-rounded performers who demonstrate skill coupled with spiritual maturity and professionalism.

By integrating the tenets of Christianity throughout each course, practice session, and performance, the Master of Music in Performance instills both ethics and compassion in every performer. As students master the artistry of music, they simultaneously gain confidence born of a solid academic background permeated by faith. Graduates from this program enter their field as musicians of character.