The Dewberry School of Music offers undergraduate, accelerated, and graduate degree programs as well as several certificates. Please refer to the University Catalog for complete information about these programs and their requirements.
“Mason was the perfect choice…and helped prepare me as an aspiring composer in a very difficult and competitive field—Hollywood.”
Bachelor of Music
Performance
Performance majors receive one on one instruction on their primary instrument or voice. Students have the opportunity to perform in many large and chamber ensembles, along with performing two separate recitals as their capstone. We offer emphases in the following areas:
- Brass
- Keyboard
- Percussion
- Strings (incl. Guitar and Harp)
- Vocal Studies & Opera
- Woodwinds
Music Education
The music education concentration at George Mason University is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as an approved teacher preparation program that imparts licensure. Coursework includes both music method courses along with courses within the College of Education. Music education students study with the same instructors as our performance majors, and complete a music education recital as part of their program. The capstone experience of the music education program is a semester long student teaching internship within the Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William Counties.
We offer emphases in the following areas:
- Brass
- Guitar
- Keyboard
- Percussion
- String
- Voice
- Woodwind
Music Technology
The Music Technology concentration provides students with a strong grasp of the technical and theoretical aspects of music recording and production. It acquaints them with the historical and social context of recorded music and electronic music in all of its aspects, from the avant-garde experiments to current styles of electronica. Students develop the skill and technique to produce substantial new creative works in electronic composition and music recording and production. Students will take part in internships within their field at venues such as the Grammy Award winning Bias Studios, located close to campus.
We offer emphases in the following areas:
- Electroacoustic Composition
- Engineering
- Recording
Music Composition
Composition students are encouraged to study with multiple faculty asthey can be exposed to various genres and styles. Students have the opportunity to premiere their compositions with both chamber groups such as our New Sound Collective and with our large ensembles. Capstone experiences include an individual recital of the student’s works.
Students must complete all concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases:
- Brass
- Guitar
- Keyboard
- Percussion
- String
- Voice
- Woodwind
Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal)
The Mason Jazz Studies Department combines performance, curriculum and service to support House Resolution 57 which states jazz is “hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure.”
Bachelor of Arts
Music
The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides students with substantial coursework in music fundamentals, theory, aural skills, music history, and solo and ensemble performance. As a liberal arts degree, the BA allows students to study a foreign language, take a minor, a second major, or even to pursue a double degree program. The BA is the perfect degree for students who want to study music at a high level and who have a strong academic interest in the sciences, humanities, or another professional field such as business. It develops problem solving and critical thinking skills and prepares students for a multitude of career paths inside and outside of music.
Music Technology
The Music Technology concentration provides students with a strong grasp of the technical and theoretical aspects of music recording and production within the context of a broad liberal arts education. It acquaints them with the historical and social context of recorded music and electronic music in all of its aspects, from the avant-garde experiments to current styles of electronica. Students develop the skill and technique to produce substantial new creative works in electronic composition and music recording and production.
Music Pedagogy
This degree combines the musical and academic rigor of the BA in Music with specialized instruction in pedagogy through an 18-credit-hour core of courses culminating in an internship. The concentration is designed for students who wish to develop mastery of studio music teaching. Students examine practical and theoretical aspects of pedagogy, teach students at multiple levels in supervised and unsupervised settings, and explore the psychological and physiological challenges of working with learners of all ages. Admission to the concentration is currently limited to students in strings and piano.
Minor
Music
This minor is open to non-music majors who wish to expand their study of music. Students will be provided with a foundation in performance, theory, keyboard, and aural skills. Opportunities to perform in both large and chamber ensembles, in addition to one-on-one lessons, are part of the program.
Ethnomusicology
The minor is designed for students who wish to widen their scope of knowledge about music, while deepening their understanding of the world's peoples. Students learn in the classroom, as well as experientially, in the form of applied studies and exercises in field work, how music-making functions within cultural contexts, conveying varied meanings in bodily action and musical sound worldwide. Students gain skills that will serve them in many fields of endeavor, from developing specific musical expertise to acquiring proficiency with technological and anthropological aspects of ethnographic inquiry.
Jazz Studies
This minor is open to music and non-music majors who wish to explore America's unique art form. It is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists, including students who perform on instruments not typically associated with jazz.
Pedagogy
This minor is designed for both music majors and highly qualified non-majors who wish to develop mastery of studio music teaching.Students examine practical and theoretical aspects of pedagogy, teach students at multiple levels in supervised and unsupervised settings, and explore the psychological and physiological challenges of working with learners of all ages. Admission to the minor is currently limited to students in strings and piano.
Music Technology
The Music Technology minor introduces students to the technical and theoretical aspects of music recording and production. It acquaints students with the historical and social context of recorded music and electronic music in all of its aspects, from the avant-garde experiments to current styles of electronica. This minor is open to majors from throughout the university who seek to expand their knowledge and skill in this area of study.
Music for Well-Being
The minor is designed to allow participation by students with minimal formal musical training. The coursework allows students to explore the connections between music and consciousness and between vibration, mindfulness, and well-being.
Master's of Music
Overview
The Music, MM degree is offered as an educational channel to meet the intellectual and career needs of qualified students. It is a comprehensive and advanced program of study with a choice of concentrations in performance, music education, composition, conducting, jazz studies, collaborative piano, and pedagogy. The Music, MM with a concentration in music education does not provide licensure to teach music in public or private schools.
Performance
The MM in Performance provides advanced training and performance opportunities for students planning a career in performance. Students work with an experienced artist teacher and perform music in a variety of styles drawn from various historical periods. Students work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music into their performance. Students have the opportunity to perform in many large and chamber ensembles, along with performing one recital.
Music Education (Online and Online Hybrid)
The MM in Music Education is designed to strengthen the pedagogical skills and broaden the musical knowledge of the music teacher. Students examine research in the psychological and philosophical aspects of music teaching and learning, and they develop practical applications of theory. To help them refine their daily classroom teaching, students study research methodology, which may also lay a foundation for action research and classroom applications, as well as doctoral-level study. Students may choose one of four tracks in this degree:
- Online Master's Degree: Non-Thesis Option
- Online Master's Degree: Thesis Option
- Online Hybrid Master's Degree: Kodaly Option
- Online Hybrid Master's Degree: Orff Option
Completion of this degree does not constitute completion of Licensure requirements for teaching public school music in Virginia.
Conducting
The Master of Music in Conducting is designed to produce students who are prepared for careers as conductors. Students concentrate on developing and refining manual and communication skills while achieving deeper understanding of the repertoire through intensive musical analysis. Students broaden their knowledge of music literature and have regular opportunities to conduct university ensembles before their own recitals. Students also learn and perform the administrative responsibilities of running a large ensemble. Students present one recital.
Collaborative Piano
Pedagogy
The MM in Pedagogy provides advanced training and teaching opportunities for students planning a career in pedagogy. Under the guidance of experienced artist teachers, students work with pupils from beginning to advanced levels on music in a variety of styles drawn from the various historical periods. Students enhance their own performance skills as they work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music and learning theory into their pedagogy. Students present one recital and one lecture recital.
Composition
The MM in Composition provides advanced training for students planning a career in composition by allowing them to work with multiple experienced professional composers and teachers. Students learn the artistic aspects of composition by creating their own works and studying the works of other successful composers. They produce works, hear them performed, and learn the practical side of being a composer by working with the performers. Students present one recital.
Jazz Studies (Instrumental and Vocal)
The MM in Jazz Studies provides advanced training and performance opportunities for students planning a career in Jazz performance. Students work with an experienced artist teacher and perform music in a variety of styles drawn from the various historical periods. Students work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music into their performance. Students present one recital.
Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Programs
Overview
The Dewberry School of Music offers several options for our undergraduate students to start working on their Master's degree while completing their Bachelor's degree.
See five reasons to Accelerate your degree.
If you have questions, please email our Academic Program Manager, Dr. Carrie Ann Delaney.
Music, BM (Performance)/Music, Accelerated MM (Performance)
Students in the Music, BM (Performance concentration) have the option of obtaining an accelerated Music, MM (Performance concentration).
See the catalog for more information and requirements.
If you have questions about this degree, please contact our Academic Program Manager, Dr. Carrie Ann Delaney.
Music, BM/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and completion of all coursework in the Summer five years later with the exception of Capstone, which is only offered in Fall and Spring. Students may need a longer timeframe to complete all requirements.
This accelerated option is offered through joint cooperation between the Dewberry School of Music and the Arts Management Program.
Music, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA
Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and completion of all coursework in the Summer five years later with the exception of Capstone, which is only offered in Fall and Spring. Students may need a longer timeframe to complete all requirements.
This accelerated option is offered through joint cooperation between the Dewberry School of Music and the Arts Management Program.
Doctoral
Overview
The DMA provides the highest level post-baccalaureate professional musical training to students in composition, conducting, and performance and promotes advanced artistic achievement within the context of a research university. While these concentrations share some of the required coursework, each is also distinct in course requirements. Professional musicians earn the DMA to enhance and extend their knowledge and practice within their area of specialization. The DMA inspires artistic and academic excellence as an intrinsic element of a specialized education within an atmosphere of creativity, discipline, life-long learning, well- being, and service across the university, commonwealth, nation, and world.
DMA in Conducting
Professional musicians earn the DMA in Conducting to enhance and extend their knowledge and practice within their area of specialization. In addition, all students in conducting receive training in theory or conducting pedagogy. Students present two recitals, a lecture recital, and complete a substantial dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in music.
DMA in Composition
Professional musicians earn the DMA in Composition to enhance and extend their knowledge and practice within their area of specialization. In addition, all students in composition receive training in theory pedagogy. Students present two recitals, a lecture recital, and complete a substantial dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in music.
DMA in Performance
Professional musicians earn the DMA in Performance (instrumental or vocal) to enhance and extend their knowledge and practice within their area of specialization. In addition, all students in performance receive training in pedagogy. Students present two recitals, a lecture recital, and complete a substantial dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in music.
PhD
PhD in Music Education
The Music Education, PhD is a research-intensive degree focusing on the gathering, processing, and interpretation of information. Students in the Music Education PhD program take seminars and topics courses in music education, as well as research courses through the College of Education and Human Development. Music Education, PhD graduates are expected to demonstrate the ability to communicate significant concepts of music education. Students complete a substantial dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in music.
Graduate Certificate Programs
Music Education Licensure for PK-12
This certificate may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis.
Music for Well-Being Certificate
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
See the catalog for more information and requirements.
Artist Graduate Certificate in Vocal, Instrumental, or Piano Performance
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Newly appointed (early 2022) director of orchestral studies, Dr. Soo Han, leads the George Mason Symphony Orchestra. As an active conductor, he has appeared with several orchestras throughout the country in addition to numerous college and university orchestra. He is a frequent conductor for All-State, regional, and honor orchestras appearing in over 30 states and has conducted internationally in Austria, China, Thailand, and Australia.