Master of Music

The Master of Music (MM or MMus) is, as an academic title, the first graduate degree in music awarded by universities and conservatories. The MM combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually performance in singing or instrument playing, composition, or conducting) with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The degree, which takes one or two years of full-time study to complete, prepares students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers, according to their area of specialization. The MM is often required as the minimum teaching credential for university, college, and conservatory instrumental or vocal teaching positions. The MM is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in music teaching/pedagogy and/or music literature), composition, conducting, and music education. The music education degree may also be awarded as a more specifically titled Master of Music Education (MME or MMEd). The master's in music theory, musicology (commonly called "music history"), and ethnomusicology is typically the Master of Arts (MA). Nevertheless, some universities in the UK (e.g. Sheffield University) utilize the MM as a special research degree, in which the student undertakes original research and prepares a written thesis or similar document. Programs focusing on preparing musicians for careers in sacred music for churches and houses of worship may alternatively be called Master of Sacred Music (MSM). One of the major differences between a typical MA degree and the MM is that whereas MA degree students often undertake original research and prepare and submit a thesis or similar research document, MM students focus on practical, applied areas, as set out in their MM area of specialization, which are typically instrumental or vocal performance, composition of new music, or conducting. The latter may focus on orchestral conducting, choral conducting, or a combination of both.