The Graduate Artist Certificate
The graduate Artist Certificate program is a full-time graduate performance program designed to prepare the most talented and outstanding performers for careers as professional performing musicians.
Students accepted into the program must demonstrate the ability to perform advanced repertoire with technical and artistic mastery and have the potential for success at major competitions or auditions for major performing entities, or want to begin a professional career. Students in this program will take courses that build the repertoire, artistry, and performance skills necessary for a professional performer.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants to this program must hold a minimum of the bachelor’s degree in music or equivalency, and follow the procedures and regulations for applying to the Graduate School of the University and the Graduate Division of the College of Music. (See How to Apply – Graduate.) Required credentials for admission to the College of Music include an application, university application fee, official transcripts of all post-secondary studies, two letters of recommendation, and a repertoire list. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the “International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Passing marks are 550, 80, and 6.5 for paper-based, internet-based (iBT) TOEFL, and IELTS respectively. Applicants who have received a degree from an accredited US institution in the past two years are exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement.
Once accepted, all students are required to take the diagnostic examinations in musicology and music theory before registering for courses. The examinations are given at the beginning of each semester.
Program of Study
To receive the Artist Certificate, the student must successfully complete an Artist Certificate curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. The curriculum is centered on intensive activities related to performance, including private lessons, large and small ensembles, recitals, and courses in area literature, performance practices, and repertoire. Courses chosen for music electives should be lecture courses. All required recitals are to be performed in public with a committee of the College of Music faculty in attendance.
Enrollment for a minimum of two semesters is required, with a maximum of two years allowed for completion of the program. The College of Music may require additional hours. All course requirements must be completed at the University of Tennessee. At least three (3) credit hours for the certificate must be earned outside of the requirements of the degree(s) and other certificates.
To receive the certificate, students must submit a Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form endorsed by the College of Music’s Director of Graduate Studies.
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in Brass Performance
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| MUSC 503 (Solo Class) | 0 (each semester enrolled) |
| Music Ensemble (1) Any MUEN Chamber Music | 4 (2) (2) |
| Brass Pedagogy and Literature | 3 |
| Music Electives | 4 |
| Graduate Recitals (2) | 4 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
1) Ensemble Participation is required during each semester of residence.
2) Classes chosen to fulfill the music electives requirements may include a maximum of 2 hours of MUEN courses.
3) Brass Pedagogy and Literature will be fulfilled through MUSC 521 – Special Topics
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in Keyboard Performance or Collaborative Piano
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| Music Ensemble (1) | 4 |
| Area Literature | 6 |
| Music Electives (2) | 3 |
| Graduate Recitals | 2 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
1) Ensemble Participation is required during each semester of residence.
2) Classes chosen to fulfill the music electives requirements may include a maximum of 3 hours of MUEN or MUPF courses.
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in Percussion Performance
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| Music EnsembleAny MUEN (2)Chamber Music (2) | 4 |
| Area Literature | 3 |
| Music Electives (2) | 4 |
| Graduate Recital (2) | 4 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
1) Ensemble participation is required during each semester of residence.
2) Classes chosen to fulfill the music electives requirements may include a maximum of 2 credit hours of MUEN courses.
3) Percussion Pedagogy and Literature will be fulfilled through MUSC 521 (Special Topics)
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in String Performance
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| Orchestra (1) | 4 |
| Chamber Music Ensemble | 2 |
| Area Literature | 3 |
| Music Electives (2) | 4 |
| Graduate Recital | 2 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
1) Participation is required during each semester of residence.
2) Classes chosen to fulfill the music electives requirements may include a maximum of 3 hours of MUEN or MUPF courses.
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in Voice
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| Music Ensemble (1) | 2 |
| Area Literature | 7 |
| Music Electives (2) | 3 |
| Graduate Recitals | 2 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
1) Ensemble Participation is required during each semester of residence.
2) Classes chosen to fulfill the music electives requirements may include a maximum of 3 hours of MUEN or MUPF courses.
Artist Certificate in Music – Concentration in Woodwind Performance
| COURSES | CREDITS |
| Private Instruction | 8 |
| MUSC 503 (Solo Class) | 0 |
| Music EnsembleAny MUEN (2)Chamber Music (2) | 4 |
| Area Literature | 3 |
| Music Electives (2) | 4 |
| Graduate Recitals (2) | 4 |
| TOTAL | 23 |