Earn your MA in Brass

The MA degree in performance (brass) requires a minimum of 35 postbaccalaureate semester hours, of which at least 24 must be earned at the University of Iowa.

Requirements and program planning

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  • Introduction to Graduate Study in Music (MUS:5300), 2 semester hours

      Review of Undergraduate Theory (MUS:5200): Required of all graduate students who do not pass the advisory examination in music theory. It must be taken before completing 6 semester hours from the following list of theory courses. This course does not count toward graduate degree requirements.

      Students exempt from MUS:5200 through the advisory examination in music theory must complete 6 semester hours from the following:

      • Counterpoint Before 1600 (MUS:4200), 3 semester hours
      • Counterpoint After 1600 (MUS:4201), 3 semester hours
      • Jazz Theory (MUS:4730), 3 semester hours
      • Tonal Analysis (MUS:5235), 3 semester hours
      • Non-Tonal Analysis (MUS:5236), 3 semester hours
      • Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:5237), 3 semester hours
      • Special Topics in Theory and Analysis (MUS:5240), 3 semester hours
      • History of Ideas in Music (MUS:6210), 3 semester hours
      • Theoretical Approaches to Music (MUS:6211), 3 semester hours
      • Theory Pedagogy (MUS:6215), 3 semester hours
      • Advanced Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6250), 3 semester hours
      • Advanced Non-Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6251), 3 semester hours
      • Advanced Theory and Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:6252), 3 semester hours

      Select from the music history courses in the following list. Only one 4000-level course (taken at the University of Iowa or equivalent transferred in from another institution) may count toward the 6 semester hours required:

      • Music and Gender (MUS:4320), 3 semester hours
      • Medieval and Renaissance Music (MUS:4325), 3 semester hours
      • Baroque Music (MUS:4330), 3 semester hours
      • 18th-Century Music (MUS:4335), 3 semester hours
      • 19th-Century Music (MUS:4340), 3 semester hours
      • 20th-Century Music (MUS:4345), 3 semester hours
      • Advanced Jazz History (MUS:4350), 3 semester hours
      • American Music (MUS:4355), 3 semester hours
      • Jazz Matters (MUS:4360), 3 semester hours
      • Studies in Film and Music (MUS:4610), 3 semester hours
      • Teaching Music, History, and Culture (MUS:6305), 3 semester hours
      • Topics in Musicology (MUS:6310), 3 semester hours
      • Historical Approaches to Music (MUS:6312), 3 semester hours
      • Topics in Ethnomusicology (MUS:6314), 3 semester hours
      • Foundations of Ethnomusicology (MUS:6315), 3 semester hours
      • Renaissance Music Notations (MUS:6326), 3 semester hours
      • Music Editing (MUS:6375), 3 semester hours

      Major Ensemble (four semesters required), 1 semester hour each

      • Applied lessons in major area, 4 semesters at 2 semester hours each
        • Note: Normally, applied lessons are taken each semester until the recital requirement is completed; requests for exceptions must be approved by the brass area.
      • Wind Chamber Music (MUS:3485), 2 semesters at 1 semester hour each
        • Note: This course is recommended each semester that you are in residence.
      • Advanced Brass Pedagogy and Literature I (MUS:5111), 2 semester hours
      • Advanced Brass Pedagogy and Literature II (MUS:5112), 2 semester hours
      • Advanced Brass Ensemble Literature (MUS:5115), 2 semester hours
      • MA Recital (MUS:6900), 1 to 2 semester hours

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      Add a minor

      Any student admitted to a graduate degree program in the School of Music may add a theory pedagogy minor by completing the required courses.

      Brass faculty

      Jonathan Allen

      Jonathan Allen

      Title/Position
      Trombone
      Assistant Professor of Instruction
      Brass Area Head
      Katy Ambrose

      Katy Ambrose

      Title/Position
      Horn
      Assistant Professor
      Michael Gause

      Michael Gause

      Title/Position
      Trumpet
      Assistant Professor
      Portrait of John Manning

      John Manning

      Title/Position
      Tuba/Euphonium
      Associate Professor
      Associate Director, Instructional Support & Enrollment Management

      Practice and perform

      Need to book a music room, request an accompanist, check out audition information, rent a locker, or use a recording studio? Visit the Music Callboard for all scheduling and policy information.