Graduate Studies in Music

Degree Programs

Crane offers four graduate degree programs in music including two Master of Music degrees in Music Education (a thesis option and a non-thesis option), Performance, and Composition.*  Click on the link below for detailed degree information.  

Music Education (non-thesis option)
Music Education (thesis option)
Music Performance
Music Composition 

*Please note: as of January 1, 2006, Crane no longer offers Master of Music degree programs in Music Theory or History and Literature.

Requirements for Admission to the Master of Music Degree Programs

An earned baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university 

  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be granted provisional admission by approval of the Crane Graduate Admissions Committee.
  • Submission of a Graduate Application which is available by clicking the link or contacting the SUNY Potsdam Graduate Office at (315) 267-2165. 
  • Submission of a typed letter of intent written by the applicant and expressing the applicant’s professional goals as relevant to the program for which application is made
  • Submission of a non-refundable $50.00 US application processing fee 
  • Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, even if a degree was not earned 
  • Submission of two letters of recommendation
  • Successful completion of the Graduate Theory and History Exams (exam may be taken only once)
    • applicants with an undergraduate music theory, music history, and aural skills GPA of 3.0 or above are exempt  
    • undergraduate music theory, music history, and aural skills GPAs are calculated by the Crane Graduate Office as soon as a graduate application is received and the applicant is notified by letter of their status
    • the Graduate Theory and History Exams will be offered each year on the Graduate Audition Date in February and on the March On-Campus Audition Day (see “Crane Admissions” on the Crane homepage for more information)
  • Canadian and other international students must also provide a certification of finances; and for non-native English speaking candidates proof of TOFEL scores of 550 (paper) or 213 (computerized)

Additional Admissions Requirements by Degree Program

Music Education 

    • An essay or college-level paper that demonstrates the student’s ability to organize ideas, research a topic, and write in an academic style.  The essay must be typewritten, well documented and include a bibliography
    •   A live or taped audition on the applicant’s principal instrument or a video of the candidate teaching a class or conducting a rehearsal  

Composition 

    •   A portfolio of representative compositions  

Performance 

    • A live audition for at least three faculty in the applicant’s performance area or the submission of a high-quality tape, CD or video recording (vocalists should contact the Crane Graduate Office at (315) 267-3418 for additional information).
    •  Please contact the Crane Graduate Office at (315) 267-3418 to schedule an audition if performing a live audition.  

 

Assistantships

The Crane School of Music awards graduate assistantships each spring for the following academic year (fall and spring only).  Applicants interested in applying for a music assistantship must complete and submit the  Application for Graduate Assistantships in Music no later than March 15.

Piano Accompanying Assistantship

Awarded to full-time graduate students with piano accompanying ability. Upon approval from the piano faculty, selection is made by the Dean of The Crane School of Music based upon the recommendation of The Crane School of Music Graduate Program Committee.

Curriculum and Sound Lab Methods and Materials Coordinator

Awarded to full-time Music Education graduate students. Selection is made by the Dean of The Crane School of Music based upon recommendation of The Crane School of Music Graduate Program Committee.

Scholarships

The Crane School of Music awards graduate scholarships each spring for the following academic year (fall and spring only).  Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 15.

Helen Snell Cheel Scholarship

Awarded to full-time graduate students in The Crane School of Music who have proven musical ability and financial need. Selection is made by the Potsdam College Foundation and the Dean of The Crane School of Music based upon the recommendation of The Crane School of Music Graduate Program Committee.

Warren Earl Hultberg Scholarship Fund

Awarded to students in the graduate music program in The Crane School of Music. Selection is made based upon the recommendation of the Dean of The Crane School of Music.

Other Links

Graduate Music Theory/History Entrance Exams Description
Guidelines for Thesis Preparation for the M.M. Music Ed., 30 Hour with Thesis
Thesis Preparation Checklist
Thesis Paper and CD Guidelines 

 

Contact and Application Information

For more information and/or an application for admission, please contact: 

Crane Graduate Office
The Crane School of Music
SUNY Potsdam
44 Pierrepont Avenue
Potsdam, NY 13676
(315) 267-2775 

 

  E-mail: gradmusic@potsdam.edu