Offered in: Chicago

The Music Conservatory was founded in 1867 as the Chicago Musical College, a conservatory whose primary focus was the intensive and rigorous training of young musicians preparing for professional careers. In 1954, Chicago Musical College became part of Roosevelt University, expanding its educational offerings through the resources of a comprehensive university.

In 1997, Chicago Musical College joined with the university’s theatre program to form the College of the Performing Arts. In 2000, the conservatory was renamed the Music Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Roosevelt University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The Music Conservatory is led by a Department Chair and organized into program areas, each administered by a Program Director. The Master of Music degree is offered with majors in performance (piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, orchestral studies, voice, classical guitar, multiple woodwinds, and collaborative piano). Students may augment the major course of study by pursuing a concentration in Arts Administration or Musicology/Music Theory. The College also offers post-baccalaureate diplomas in instrumental performance, orchestral studies, and opera.

For information on undergraduate programs, consult the university’s undergraduate catalog.

The Music Conservatory presents more than 150 concerts and recitals each year, all free and open to the public. A calendar of events is available through the CCPA webpage. where visitors may also sign up to receive monthly updates about Music Conservatory events.

Admission

Applicants for the Master of Music degree must hold a Bachelor of Music degree or the equivalent. Qualified students holding a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music may be admitted if they fulfill departmental entrance requirements. Students' programs may be extended by the need to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses in their field of study.

Applicants for the Performance Diploma or the Professional Diploma must hold at minimum the Bachelor of Music degree or the equivalent.

Students who wish to major in performance must present an entrance audition. Prospective students should contact the CCPA Office of Enrollment and Student Services and consult the CCPA website to obtain the specific audition requirements for each major program.

Before registering for the initial semester, students seeking the Master of Music degree must complete diagnostic examinations in music theory, music history, and analysis. Study and review materials for the diagnostic examinations are available online during the summer prior to matriculation. Other specialized assessments will be conducted according to the student's major (e.g., language skills, orchestration, sight-reading).

International students will be assessed for English proficiency upon arrival at the University.

Degree Requirements

All candidates for the Master of Music degree must meet the following requirements:

• Residency and enrollment of two academic years;
• Satisfactory completion of program course requirements;
• Presentation of a recital or thesis composition in fulfillment of program requirements;
• Completion of the Graduate Dossier with contributions throughout the students time in coursework.

Grades and Academic Requirements

Grades of A, A-, B+, B, and B- are the only grades that satisfy requirements for the master’s degree or diploma in a student’s major course sequence. Students who receive less than a B- in any component of applied major study (lessons, jury, or recital) must repeat the entire course.

Up to two grades of C+ or C in courses outside the major, for a maximum of six credit hours, may be applied toward program requirements. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) across all courses applied toward the degree or diploma. A student who fails to maintain a 3.0 GPA in any semester will be placed on academic probation.

No more than two grades below B- may be applied toward a master’s degree. Grades of D+, D, D-, or F may not be counted toward any graduate degree program. In addition, graduate courses that are part of a degree program may not be eligible for Pass/Fail grading.

Up to nine credit hours of graduate coursework may be accepted in transfer with prior approval of the Associate Dean of the College, provided the credit was earned at an accredited college or university and was not applied toward another master’s degree. All graduate credits applied toward the master’s degree or diploma must have been earned within six calendar years.

Each candidate plans a course of study in consultation with their assigned Academic Advisor.

Academic policies

Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance at classes, rehearsals, and lessons reflects the professional standards expected of musicians. The Music Conservatory’s attendance policies are intended to cultivate a sense of responsibility for all school-related commitments and obligations.

Many courses include an attendance requirement, which will be stated in the syllabus. However, attendance is expected in the Music Conservatory even when it is not a graded component of the course. Students should notify their instructors if they cannot attend class (for example, because of illness) and should make up missed assignments promptly.

Perfect attendance in applied music study (private lessons) is expected. If a student must cancel a lesson for unavoidable reasons, the instructor should be notified at least 24 hours in advance when possible. Failure to notify the instructor by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the lesson releases the instructor from any obligation to make up the lesson. Lessons that fall on university holidays will be rescheduled by mutual agreement between the student and instructor.

Any student who misses three lessons without proper notification will receive an immediate failing grade for the semester. Students who miss three or more lessons with notification will not be permitted to present the jury examination at the end of the semester or receive a final grade. Students who do not appear for the required jury examination will receive a failing grade in the course.

Because participation in a performing ensemble entails responsibility to the Program Director, fellow students, and the Music Conservatory, school functions take precedence over outside activities. See Ensembles below for additional information. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances.

Ensembles

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in ensembles to which they are assigned by the instructor of record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor.

Students assigned to ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

A comprehensive annual ensemble calendar is distributed to students by the Music Conservatory Performance Activities Office (PAO) prior to the start of the fall semester.

Occasional excused absences from ensemble services may be granted with instructor approval through the completion of a Syllabus Exception Form (SEF). Advance notice -  at least two weeks - and appropriate documentation are required. SEFs are administered by the PAO in consultation with the ensemble instructor.

Performance Classes and Performance Attendance

Regular performance opportunities in program-area performance classes, masterclasses with guest artists, juries, and degree recitals allow students to gain experience and confidence in public performance. Performance classes also expose students to a wide range of repertoire, develop critical listening skills, address topics related to physical and mental well-being, and explore effective practice strategies. Attendance is required of all Music Conservatory students each semester as a prerequisite for graduation.