The Master of Music, Performance Option provides students with a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The curriculum is designed to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, and cultural awareness in both performance and pedagogy. Regardless of degree concentration, the graduate student will maintain regular study on their applied instrument or voice and additional directed areas based on individual goals and needs. Graduate students may choose to specialize in one or more areas as they work toward degree recital requirements.
The intent of the option is to prepare students with outstanding performance potential to be competitive in performance and teaching careers and to advocate for the arts in their communities. They may help meet the needs for skilled performers of solo and small and large ensemble music, and they will be able to teach in a university and help meet the considerable community demand for excellent private studio teachers.
Performance areas include woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, harp, guitar, voice, piano, and organ. Please visit the "Areas" section of the Music website for information about each studio.
Unique performance opportunities include the Graduate String Quartet/Trio program and professional organizations in Fort Collins’ thriving arts community.
Music Audition
In addition to applying to CSU through Graduate Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Music faculty is required for entrance into the M.M., Performance Option. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.
Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Ensemble Audition Information (some ensembles do not require an audition).
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Perform music from a variety of historical/ style periods, and exhibit advanced skills for musical self-expression in juried performances. These skills include: techniques, musicianship, tone, diction/articulation, style, interpretation, and artistry.
- Apply advanced common elements and organizational patterns of music, including a wide variety of musical forms, processes, and structures.
- Identify music history and repertory and representative composers and works from each on a defined evaluation instrument.
- Analyze music through tonal and post-tonal techniques.
Music Program Fee
A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MU 517 | Tonal Analytic Techniques 1 | 3 |
| or MU 518 | Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques | |
| MU 630 | Methods of Music Research | 3 |
| MU 671 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| MU 695F | Independent Study: Music Literature (Music Literature) 2,3,4 | 2 |
| or MU 696F | Group Study: Music Literature | |
| Music History: select a minimum of 3 credits from the following: 1,3 | 3 | |
| Music Through the Middle Ages | ||
| Music of the Renaissance | ||
| Music of the Baroque | ||
| Music of the Classical Era | ||
| Music of the Romantic Era | ||
| Music of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Seminar: Music History 2 | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: 2,3,5 | 12 | |
| Applied Music Instruction: Euphonium | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: French Horn | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Trombone | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Trumpet | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Tuba | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Harpsichord | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Organ | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Piano | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Percussion | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Guitar | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Harp | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: String Bass | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Viola | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Violin | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Violoncello | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Voice | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Bassoon | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Clarinet | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Flute | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Oboe | ||
| Applied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto) | ||
| Ensembles: Choose from: 2,3 | 4 | |
| University Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Colorado State University Chamber Choir | ||
| Opera Theater | ||
| Symphonic Wind Ensemble | ||
| Graduate Chamber Music | ||
| Group Study: Performance | ||
| Non-performance Music Elective: Any MU 51X, any MU 53X, or MU 592A, or MU 592E 1,3 | 3 | |
| Elective: Any 400-level or higher course in any subject area 3 | 1 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 32 | |
A minimum of 32 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Entrance diagnostic exam score may require students to take MU 412 and/or MU 439 before enrolling in 500-level music theory and/or history courses.
- 2
Course(s) may be repeated for credit.
- 3
Select course(s) with approval of advisor and graduate committee.
- 4
Music literature course(s) will be in the student’s major instrument or voice. Course requirements include a paper, copies of which will be distributed to the graduate committee as a sample of the student’s scholarship.
- 5
Majors in vocal performance are required to be proficient in Italian, German, and French singing diction as well as the use of International Phonetic Alphabet upon entering the program, or to take the appropriate coursework to make up for deficiency as soon as possible (i.e. MU 265A, MU 265B, LFRE 100, LGER 100, LITA 100). Students take a diction proficiency exam at the start of their studies to determine whether or not they need to take these courses.
- 6
60-minute recital typically takes place in semester 4 and serves as the final project for this Plan B program. Students, in consultation with their advisor, may include an earlier supplemental recital in their program of study.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |