Master's in Music Performance - Choral Conducting

Choral conductor leading the university choir

The Master of Music in Choral Conducting balances intensive, practical podium time with immersive, professional-level mentorship. Applicants should show undergraduate foundations in voice study, ensemble history, and language diction. The program prepares students for careers in the music profession, education, and further graduate studies.

About the School of Music

The School of Music at UNC Greensboro was ranked #1 in the U.S. by Best Value Schools in 2025.

The UNCG School of Music offers the only comprehensive degrees in music education and music performance in the State of North Carolina, from the undergraduate level through doctoral study.

The school is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

master of Music in Choral Conducting Program Distinctions

The Master of Music in Performance with a concentration in Conducting at UNCG offers two primary specialized tracks: Choral and Instrumental.

The Master’s in Choral Conducting program focuses heavily on vocal leadership. Requirements include advanced ensemble work (e.g., Chamber Singers, University Chorale), vocal pedagogy, and score study.

Because UNCG offers a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting, master’s students study in a highly rigorous, “artist-scholar” environment. They learn alongside doctoral peers, participate in advanced masterclasses, and benefit from a deeply structured, multi-tiered choral department.

The Choral Conducting graduate Student Experience

Choral Conducting students spend the majority of their time in the School of Music Building, which features dedicated choral rehearsal halls, specialized acoustic labs, and a music library. Major performances take place in the world-class 350-seat Recital Hall or the historic 1,600-seat UNCG Auditorium.

Master’s candidates actively work with the university’s core ensembles—including University Chamber Singers, University Chorale, and Coro di Belle Voci. Doing so, they gain consistent, hands-on rehearsal and performance experience.

Students receive highly customized, one-on-one lessons tailored to refining body mechanics, gesture expressiveness, and deep score analysis. 

After Graduating with your master’s in Choral Conducting

An MM in Choral Conducting from UNCG prepares you for a multifaceted career in church music, academia, performance, and arts administration. Some potential career paths include:

  • High School Choral Director
  • Community College/Adjunct Professor
  • Symphony Youth Chorus Conductor
  • Director of Music Choirmaster at churches or synagogues
  • Chancel Choir Conductor
  • Civic Chorus Conductor
  • Professional Chorister / Assistant Conductor
  • Choral Music Editor
  • Arts Administrator

How To Apply to The Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Students interested in the Master of Music in Choral Conducting complete UNCG’s undergraduate admission process and the School of Music application/audition process.

Frequently ASked Questions About the Masters in Choral Conducting

Applicants complete a two-stage audition process to gain admission into the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program at UNCG. First you will submit a prescreening video. If you pass the prescreen, faculty will invite you to a live audition on campus, which involves live-rehearsing a UNCG university choir.

Yes. A limited number of competitive assistantships are awarded annually, which typically bundle a financial stipend with partial or full in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers.  Graduate Assistant duties for choral conducting students might involve running rehearsals, leading sectionals, and acting as a teacher’s assistant for undergraduate conducting classes.

Students in the Master’s in Choral Conducting program receive regular, weekly podium time. Graduate assistants actively lead sectionals, run rehearsals, and conduct pieces in concert with the Chamber Singers, University Chorale, and other major campus choirs.

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Program Details

Degree Type: Master's

College/School: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Program Type: Majors & Concentrations

Class Type: In Person

Catalog Name: Performance, M.M. Conducting (Choral) Concentration

Contact Us

Nicholas Lewis, DMA
nelewis@uncg.edu
Graduate Student Services Specialist
336-334-5794