Master of Music

Purpose

The combined composition/performance and dissertation components of the degree provide training in the techniques of independent research, analysis, and scholarly presentation appropriate to Music and specialised training in composition. The qualification will equip the learner with advanced knowledge in the academic and creative fields of music.

The Master of Music by dissertation only provides advanced training in the field of study, including techniques of research, data analysis, and scholarly presentation appropriate to the field.

Rationale

The qualification will prepare the learner for employment in arts- or media-related professions, or for further, independent research for the degree of PhD.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Non-Honours learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an Honours degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Music Honours, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9.

A learner may register for the degree by Dissertation and Performance; or Dissertation and Composition or Dissertation and Coursework or Dissertation, Coursework and Performance. The dissertation contributes 50% of the credits of the qualification.

For the Master of Music by research learners register for a single course - the full dissertation.

• Demonstrate mastery of theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
• Proficient in research methodology to proceed to Doctoral studies.
• Master critical thinking, problem-solving skills, collect and analyse of data, and effective written communication.
• Conduct independent research in a discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
• Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
• Analyse and critique communications of an academic and accessible nature.
• Apply practical and theoretical knowledge as a composer.
• Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
• Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
• Publish articles; present papers; contribute to conferences; attend and participate in research seminars.
• Be familiar with contemporary theoretical issues in musicological studies.
• Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in musicology.
• Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
• Prepare professional papers for peer review.
• Compose in a single substantial form or a variety of smaller ones.

• Write in either a single substantial form or a variety of small ones;
• Formulate research problem; independent research; literature review; appropriate design and execution of research;
• Use of proper methods of data collection and analysis; integration of findings; appreciation of the limits of the study;
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline;
• For the dissertation, only programme, the criteria applied are: Evidence of originality of thought; Research problem formulation; Independent research; Literature review; Appropriate design and execution of research;
• Use appropriate methods of data and analysis;
• Integrate the findings;
• Appreciate the limits of the study;
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline;
• Lead to possible publication.

Integrated Assessment

The integration of skills learnt in the MMusic by coursework and dissertation is assessed using

(a) the portfolio of compositions which must contain at least one work for full orchestra.

(b) Dissertation of 10,000 words.

Assessment in the full research Master of Music Degree is through a research dissertation.