Earn your MA in Woodwinds

The MA degree in woodwinds requires a minimum of 34 postbaccalaureate semester hours, of which at least 24 must be earned at the University of Iowa.

For more information,  please contact the area head Nicole Esposito.

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Specific Admission Requirements

Admission requirements
  1. An audition in person on the campus is preferred. If a live audition is not feasible, a high-quality cassette recording representative of current performing abilities may be submitted.
  2. The audition or taped performance should be at least thirty minutes in length and should include solos with accompaniment and other material (etudes, orchestral excerpts, etc.) to demonstrate the applicant's ability and musicianship. The audition repertoire should include contrasting styles.
  3. The applicant is urged to complete the application procedure at an early date.

Specific instruments may have different requirements for auditions. Please see the studio page for your specific instrument for any further details on audition requirements.

Requirements and program planning

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Requirements and program planning

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

Music theory requirements
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

Music history requirements

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

Ensemble participation

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

Woodwind area requirements

 16-17 semester hours: 

  • Applied lessons in the major area, four semesters required, two semester hours each
  • Applied lessons are taken each semester until the recital requirement is completed; requests for exceptions must be approved by the woodwind area
  • Wind Chamber Music (MUS:3485), two semesters required, 1 semester hour each

Or

  • Chamber Music Residency Program (MUS:3489), 1 semester hour each 
  • Advanced Woodwind Pedagogy and Literature I (MUS:5101), two semester hours 
  • Advanced Woodwind Pedagogy and Literature II (MUS:5102), three semester hours  
  • M.A. Recital (MUS:6900), 1-2 s.h.

Create your academic path

You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.

Current course list

The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.

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.

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Woodwinds faculty

Portrait of Benjamin Coelho

Benjamin Coelho

Bassoon
Professor
David Cyzak

David Cyzak

Oboe
Visiting Assistant Professor
Portrait of Nicole Esposito

Nicole Esposito

Flute
Professor
Woodwinds Area Head
Jorge Montilla Moreno

Jorge Montilla Moreno

Clarinet
Associate Professor
Kenneth Tse

Kenneth Tse

University of Iowa Distinguished Chair
Saxophone
Professor

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.

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