Historical Performance Practice, MA

Degree: Master of Arts (MA)
Field of Study: Historical Performance Practice

Program Overview

This program in early music (up to 1850) combines advanced study in performance, music history, and performance practices. Students should expect to spend two years in full-time study.

Learn more about the Historical Performance Practice Program.

Admission

Applicants with good academic records from fully accredited universities and colleges will be considered for admission to graduate study at Case Western Reserve University. Admission must be recommended by the department or professional school of the university in which the applicant proposes to study and must be approved by the dean of graduate studies. 

Admission to the program is granted to those who demonstrate a high level of early music performance skill and good scholarly potential. An audition is required. 

For more details on the graduate application and audition process, please refer to the Graduate Applications page.

Music Handbook and Advising

Current graduate and professional students in music should review departmental policies and procedures in the Graduate Music Handbook. The handbook provides additional information regarding graduate assistantships, general expectations and responsibilities, program outcomes, decision points, performances, scholarly activity, outside work, prizes/awards, deadlines, petitions, examinations, advancement to candidacy, and student record-keeping.

Additional resources and forms are available on the Current Graduate Students page.

Graduate Policies

For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

All programs are formulated to suit the needs of the individual student (based in part on a diagnostic examination taken upon entering the program) and require the consent of the Head of Historical Performance Practice. The MA requires a minimum of 21 credit units of coursework, together with 12 units of applied music, and a lecture recital (3 units).

Coursework and Applied Music

Coursework must include MUHI 610, MUHI 441, MUHI 443 or MUTH 416, and at least two seminars in MUHI 442. Each semester of study requires MUAP 698 (0 credit units), applied music (2 credit units), ensembles (0 credit units), and MUAP 500 (1 credit unit to reflect participation in multiple ensembles). Applied faculty will be chosen in consultation with the student.

​Ensembles and Outside Engagements

Two or more early music ensembles are required each semester (MUEN). Students are encouraged to take outside engagements that will contribute to their professional development, but any engagements that might have a significant impact on class attendance, TA/RA duties, or ensemble participation must be cleared by the HPP committee. See the Graduate Music Handbook for the policy to request an absence for an outside engagement.

Jury

A jury is required in the spring of the first year (MUAP 600). The program should be decided in consultation with the student's applied teacher and should consist of approximately 15 minutes of music. The jury will consist of the applied teacher with at least two other HPP faculty. If the performance is unsatisfactory, the student will have the opportunity to repeat the jury the following semester. If the second attempt is also unsatisfactory, the student will not be allowed to continue in the degree program.

Lecture-Recital and Document

One juried lecture-recital is required, typically taken in the spring of the second year. Students register for lecture-recital preparation, MUAP 691 (3 credit units), typically in the fall of the second year, and lecture-recital presentation, MUAP 692 (0 units), in the spring. The lecture-recital presentation consists of a 45-minute performance generally preceded by a 30-45 minute research-based lecture dealing with the musical, historical and performance practice issues relevant to the chosen repertoire. The entire lecture-recital should not exceed 90 minutes. See the Graduate Music Handbook for the policy to submit a proposal, prepare for the lecture-recital, and to complete the accompanying document.

Degree Overlap

Students in the MA in HPP program who wish to continue on to the DMA may audition after three semesters of study. If successful, coursework already completed will count toward the DMA requirements. A student who graduates with an MA in HPP, but who subsequently wishes to return to the program, may, if readmitted, continue on to the DMA by completing the remaining DMA requirements (typically the final two years of the degree).

Course Distribution

Sample Plan of Study