Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2007-2008 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Wind Conducting, M.A.


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Associate Professor Boonshaft, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5298, Peter.L.Boonshaft@hofstra.edu

The Master of Arts program in Wind Conducting leads to professional certification for teachers who possess initial certification to teach music in grades PreK-12. It provides advanced study in the curriculum, pedagogy, and content of wind conducting. This program supports and reflects the National Standards for Arts Education and the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts.

Admission Requirements


Applications for admission to a Master of Arts (M.A.) program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

  1. A completed application form to the M.A. program.
  2. New York state initial certification in adolescence education, valid for teaching music in grades PreK-12. (Applicants who have provisional certification rather than initial certification should see the appropriate graduate director for program alternatives.)
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
    1. Overall undergraduate course work;
    2. Course work in the content area in which certification will be sought.
    3. Applicants with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
  4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
  6. A conducting audition and interview with the program coordinator.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in a graduate program. Candidates may wish to apply even if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of the M.A. program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the M.A. degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 33


The major in wind conducting consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours of course work, including each of the following:

Introductory Courses - Semester Hours: 6


Choose From - Semester Hours: 3


Music Requirements - Semester Hours: 12


(With advisement)

Capstone Activity - Semester Hours: 3


Additional Laboratory/Performance Requirements


  • Students must arrange for the use of a laboratory ensemble for all three semesters of MUS 251-252. This may be fulfilled by using any elementary or secondary school ensemble.
  • Students must arrange for, administer, plan, rehearse, and conduct a public performance no earlier than the last semester of study. The ensemble used may be any elementary or secondary school ensemble.
  • All students must pass a comprehensive wind conducting jury prior to their public performance.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 while in the program. Grades of D or lower will not be counted toward the graduate degree but will be included in determining the grade point average.

Graduation Requirements



  1. Completion of the 33 s.h. course requirement in the M.A. program with no fewer than 24 s.h. in residence.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
  3. Satisfactory completion of a departmental-approved curriculum project.
  4. Satisfaction of Additional Laboratory/Performance Requirements (see above).
  5. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

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