Music Degrees and Programs

A two-year post-baccalaureate degree in musical performance, the Master of Music (M.M.) program includes intensive study of a primary discipline (e.g., keyboard, conducting, concert voice), augmented by theoretical and historical studies. See the specific program for ISM expectations.

The Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.)  degree is conferred on candidates who successfully complete two years of study (at least 16 credit hours per term). Applicants must hold a Master of Music degree in the field in which they are planning to apply. The program provides intensive training in the student’s major field—performance, conducting, or composition—supported by studies in theoretical and historical subjects. Students who hold an M.M. degree from the School of Music are expected to complete the program in one year. Those who hold a D.M.A. degree or are currently enrolled in a D.M.A. program are not eligible to apply for the Master of Musical Arts program. In addition to private lessons and chamber music, students take part in relevant ensembles such as Yale Schola Cantorum. M.M.A. candidates will perform a recital in each year of study.

The Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree at Yale is a distinctive program comprising a two-year residential component on campus followed by a three-year dissertation period during which candidates develop and demonstrate professional and artistic excellence. The degree provides intensive training in the student’s major field—performance, conducting, or composition—augmented by studies in theoretical and historical subjects. Yale University confers the Doctor of Musical Arts degree on those candidates who have successfully completed four terms of residential requirements, demonstrated expertise in the major field through artistic excellence and distinguished achievements in the dissertation period, and concluded the program requirements by passing the final D.M.A. recital and oral examination.

The Choral Conducting program prepares students for careers as professional conductors in many contexts, particularly educational, civic, and church settings, and for continued work in doctoral programs. Students are expected to expand their musicianship skills and develop the broad knowledge of repertoire required of conductors.

Program Requirements

The program for choral conductors includes individual lessons with the choral conducting faculty and lessons during regularly supervised sessions with the repertory and recital choruses. Attendance at a weekly seminar is required each term, as is participation as a singer in designated choruses. First-year students conduct Repertory Chorus in two shared performances. Second-year students present a degree recital with the Recital Chorus. Choral conducting students are required to study voice as a secondary instrument for two terms and are encouraged to pursue other secondary instrumental studies. For more information about curriculum and degree requirements of the Yale School of Music, see the School of Music bulletin. Students who are enrolled in the School of Music and the Institute of Sacred Music may have additional requirements as specified by the Institute. All students are expected to avail themselves of the offerings of the University, particularly courses in the Department of Music. Of particular interest to choral conductors are the music and theology courses listed in the Divinity School and/or Department of Music under the Program in Religion and the Arts.

Choral conductors are advised to observe rehearsals of each of the various vocal and instrumental ensembles. Further conducting experience is gained by serving as assistant conductor for one of the faculty-led choruses, and by directing the Battell Chapel and Marquand Chapel choirs. Visiting guest conductors have included Marin Alsop, Simon Carrington, Matthew Halls, David Hill, Craig Hella Johnson, Sir Gilbert Levine, Sir Neville Marriner, Nicholas McGegan, Erwin Ortner, Stefan Parkman, Grete Pedersen, Krzysztof Penderecki, Helmuth Rilling, Jaap Schröder, Robert Shaw, Dale Warland, and Sir David Willcocks.

For more precise information about the courses and requirements in this track, email the ISM’s admissions office.

The departmental seminar is devoted to a comprehensive survey of organ literature from the seventeenth century to the present. For one week each year the department invites a visiting artist/teacher to be in residence. In recent years the visiting artists have included Marie-Claire Alain, Martin Baker, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, David Craighead, Vincent Dubois, Hans-Ola Ericsson, Michael Gaillit, Jon Gillock, Naji Hakim, Martin Haselböck, Susan Landale, Jon Laukvik, Rachel Laurin, Ludger Lohmann, Karel Paukert, Peter Planyavsky, Simon Preston, Daniel Roth, Thomas Trotter, Dame Gillian Weir, Michel Bouvard, Renée Anne Louprette, Thomas Murray, and Erik Wm. Suter. 

Students have the opportunity for practice and performance on the extensive collection of fine instruments at the University: the H. Frank Bozyan Memorial Organ in Dwight Memorial Chapel (Rudolph von Beckerath, three manuals, 1971); the organ in Battell Chapel (Walter Holtkamp, Sr., three manuals, 1951); the organ in Marquand Chapel (E. M. Skinner, three manuals, 1932); and the Newberry Memorial Organ in Woolsey Hall (E. M. Skinner, four manuals, 1928), one of the most famous romantic organs in the world. The 2007–2008 academic year saw the inauguration of the Krigbaum Organ (Taylor & Boody, three manuals, meantone temperament, 2007) in Marquand Chapel. The Institute also possesses a Taylor & Boody continuo organ (2004). Two-manual practice instruments by Flentrop, Holtkamp, Casavant, and others are located in Woolsey Hall and at the Institute of Sacred Music, which also houses five Steinway grand pianos, a C.B. Fisk positive, a Dowd harpsichord, a two-manual Richard Kingston harpsichord, and a two-manual organ by Martin Pasi.

Working with their adviser, organ majors elect three courses from the ISM, Yale Divinity School, or Department of Religious Studies course guides. With the approval of the adviser and ISM director, required School of Music Hearing and History courses may take the place of one or more of these electives. Students may petition the ISM director for exceptions to these expectations.

Students majoring in voice at Yale are enrolled in one of two separate and distinct tracks: the Opera track (sponsored by the School of Music), and the track in Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Ensemble (sponsored jointly by the Institute of Sacred Music and School of Music, with James Taylor as program coordinator). 

The Yale community and the New Haven area offer ample opportunities for solo experience with various Yale choral and orchestral ensembles, as well as through church positions and professional orchestras. Close proximity to New York and Boston makes attendance at performances and auditions in those cities convenient. Additionally, students have the opportunity to teach voice to undergraduates in Yale College and to non-majors in the Yale School of Music.

Information about the Opera track can be found in the bulletin of the Yale School of Music.

Voice: Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Ensemble

This vocal track, leading to the M.M., M.M.A., or D.M.A. is designed for the singer whose interests lie principally in the fields of early music, oratorio, art song, contemporary music, and vocal chamber ensembles.

The ISM voice track is designed to enhance and nurture the artistry of young singers by developing in them a secure technique, consummate musicianship, and stylistic versatility through instruction in performance practice and comprehensive performance experience. There is a strong emphasis on oratorio, particularly the works of Bach and Handel, as well as art song repertoire.

Program Requirements

Private voice lessons are supplemented by intensive coaching in art song and oratorio literature and by concentrated study of ensemble techniques in the chamber ensemble Yale Schola Cantorum. Schola’s touring and recording schedules provide invaluable professional experiences, and students’ participation in Schola offers the opportunity of working with such renowned conductors as Simon Carrington, Matthew Halls, Paul Hillier, Stephen Layton, Sir Neville Marriner, Nicholas McGegan, Stefan Parkman, Helmuth Rilling, Masaaki Suzuki, Jeffery Thomas, and Sir David Willcocks. Schola’s performances feature the ISM voice majors in the various solo roles.

Weekly seminars and voice classes provide in-depth instruction in performance practice; early music and art song repertoire; diction (French, German, Italian, and Latin); and Gregorian Chant. Voice majors are required to sing a recital during each year of study. Additionally, singers have the opportunity to participate in master classes by internationally renowned artists, who in recent years have included Anna Caterina Antonacci, Robin Blaze, Christian Gerhaher, Emma Kirkby, Marni Nixon, Hilary Summers, Roderick Williams, Andreas Scholl, Donald Sulzen, and Furio Zanasi. 

All students of the Institute of Sacred Music are required to attend the ISM Colloquium each week of every term. Working with their adviser, voice students in the Institute of Sacred Music elect two courses from the ISM, Yale Divinity School, or Department of Religious Studies. They must complete two academic courses taught by Institute faculty by the time of graduation. With the approval of the adviser and ISM director, required School of Music Hearing and History courses may take the place of one or more of these electives. Students may petition the ISM director for exceptions to these expectations. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of the offerings of the University, particularly courses in the Department of Music. 

For more precise information about the courses and requirements in this track, email the ISM’s admissions office.

Training tomorrow’s professional church musician is one of the core elements of the Institute’s mission. Church Music Studies is an optional certificate program designed for organ, choral, and or vocal majors enrolled in the Master of Music program in the Institute of Sacred Music and School of Music. By electing courses from a broad set of categories, enrolling in a proseminar in church music, and participating in selected worship opportunities, the student will gain an understanding of the history, theology, and practice of the variety of Christian liturgical traditions. Music students will work side-by-side with Divinity students as they together develop the skills and vocabulary necessary for vital and effective ministry.

Students interested in pursuing the Certificate in Church Music Studies should consult with the program adviser as soon as possible after matriculation. Second-year voice or choral conducting students or M.M. students who wish to elect the fifth semester must state their intention to do so by December 8.

Fifth Semester for Church Music Certificate Course

Normally, organ majors pursuing the Master of Music degree can complete the church music curriculum within the two year degree program. Choral conducting and Voice majors in the M.M. program typically require a fifth semester of full-time study. These students enroll as non-degree students for the fifth semester at the Yale Divinity School and receive a full-tuition scholarship. However, they are not eligible for Federal Direct or Graduate Plus loans. They are eligible for alternative loans (i.e. Access). Non-degree students are not eligible for deferral of loans. International students may need to apply for an extension of their student visas.

Church Music Studies Curriculum

An organ, choral, or vocal major follows the normal programs for the Master of Music degree as required by the School of Music. The electives in the program are guided by the requirements for Church Music Studies. Students will develop their individual program of study in collaboration with the Church Music adviser. 

Church Music Internships

The Institute partners with a number of major churches and cathedrals around the country to offer internships in church music for music graduates of the ISM who have completed the Church Music Studies curriculum. Students may apply for these internships in their second year and spend one to two terms immediately following graduation from Yale learning firsthand the skills needed of professional church musicians. Working with their mentor on-site, they focus their attention on service playing, conducting, administration, planning, and staff relations. Interns report back to the Institute their weekly progress. Interested students should email the ISM’s admissions office for details.