Catalogue

• Mission and vision
• Historical background
• Accreditations, Licenses and Affiliations
• Governance
• Facilities, Location and Cultural Life
• Faculty
• Sets in Residence
• Concerts and Institutional Activities
• Institutional Sets

• University Study Programs
• Non-Degree Study Programs
• Teacher Certification Program
• Continuing Education Program
• Community Studies Program
• Professional certification in the music business

• CRAFAR
• Musical Research Institute of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

The Musical Research Institute of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (IMPCA) is dedicated to promoting musical research in Puerto Rico, in order to create broader community awareness about the importance of music in Puerto Rican society.

• Musiké Electronic Magazine

Musiké is a magazine of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music dedicated to the publication of academic articles on any aspect of music and reviews of recently published books, CDs and audiovisual materials (videos, DVDs) related to music, with the aim purpose of providing a forum for the discussion of musical issues both nationally and internationally.

• Visit MUSIKE

• Technology integration

• Student Life

• Student Admissions

• International students

• Financial Aid

• Academic regulations

• Course description

• Study costs

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Students will complete their degree programs by passing courses in the order outlined in the following curriculum maps:

Baccalaureate Study Plans:

• Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with a concentration in Singing
• Bachelor of Music in Performance with a concentration in Composition
• Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with a concentration in Guitar
• Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with a concentration in Piano
• Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with a concentration in Orchestral Instruments
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Concentration in General Music
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Concentration in Choral Music
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Concentration in Instrumental Music
• Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Caribbean Music Performance (Instrumental)
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Caribbean Music Performance (Singing)
• Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre

Joint Requirements at the Undergraduate Level:
Institutional ensembles are the main focus of the Conservatory's musical life. Student participation, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, is required in all study programs.

– Bachelor of Music in Performance (Harp, strings, wind instruments and percussion):
Students will be placed in major ensembles through an audition at the beginning of each year. They must participate in one of the major instrumental ensembles (orchestra or band) for eight semesters. Enrollment in only one major ensemble per semester will be permitted. Students may assist in another major ensemble as long as such assistance does not disrupt their academic program. Assistance in a major ensemble does not count toward credit and cannot be transferred.

Students will take four semesters of chamber music beginning in their third year of instrumental studies. Wind and percussion students may substitute two semesters of chamber music for one of the following minor ensembles, depending on their major: Flute Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Latin American Music Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble.

– Singing, Composition, Guitar and Piano:
Students will take four semesters of choir as a major ensemble requirement. Placements will be made by audition. Students will take four semesters of chamber music beginning in their third year of instrumental music, except for composition and voice students. Voice students are required to take two semesters of the Opera Workshop course (OPER 4001-4002).

Guitar students may enroll in the Guitar Ensemble as an elective music course, but not as a substitute for chamber music.

Piano students may fulfill the major ensemble requirement by serving as pianist for major ensembles when those ensembles program works that require the piano as an orchestral instrument. To serve as pianist for any of the major ensembles, the student must have the approval of the Piano Department.

– Remedial/Preparatory Level:
Remedial/preparatory instrumental students are not required to be enrolled in institutional ensembles (major and minor). They may participate in one of the ensembles if necessary and with the authorization of the department head and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Participation in a major ensemble does not count toward credit and cannot be validated.

– Jazz and Caribbean Music:
Students will take 16 ensemble credits, 14 of which will be in departmental ensembles (major and minor) and two credits that can be used in ensembles from other programs. If they do not enroll in ensembles from other departments, they must enroll in ensembles from their own department to complete the requirement. Students may enroll in one major and one minor ensemble per academic semester or in two minor ensembles per academic semester. In any case, they may not enroll in more than two ensembles per semester.

– Music Education and Music Therapy:
Students will take four semesters of major ensemble and two semesters of minor ensemble or chamber music. Voice, guitar, and piano students will take Choir as their major ensemble, and harp and string students will take Orchestra as their major ensemble. Wind and percussion students may choose between Band and Orchestra, although the institution may relocate them between these ensembles if necessary. Students may attend as collaborators in another major ensemble as long as such collaboration does not interrupt their academic program. Collaboration in a major ensemble does not count toward credit and cannot be transferred.

*Under special circumstances, due to the need for instrumentation or due to merit, first- and second-year students may enroll in chamber music provided they have a written recommendation from their instrument teacher and authorization from the Dean of Academic Affairs.

– Musical Theater:
Musical Theatre students will take four semesters of choir as a major ensemble requirement. Placements will be provided by audition.

GRADUATE LEVEL

Graduate Diplomas:

– Graduate Diploma in Execution:
The Graduate Diploma in Performance aims to offer a specialized program of study that emphasizes the development of performers capable of performing as high-level, excellent professional musicians. The program aims to:

1. To train excellent performing musicians capable of appreciating, understanding, and performing the existing repertoire for their respective instruments at a superior level.
2. Expand the technical skills of playing the instrument to enable the student to face the challenges and difficulties of advanced repertoires written for the instrument.
3. Expand your knowledge of your instrument's repertoire.
4. Expand the student's technical, musical and artistic training.
5. Provide the student with solid skills in the art of individual performance and teamwork.

The program is designed to be completed in two consecutive academic semesters. All students in this program must be enrolled full-time. Part-time students are not permitted.

Graduate Diploma Study Plans:

• Graduate Diploma in Singing Performance
• Graduate Diploma in Guitar Performance
• Graduate Diploma in Piano Performance
• Graduate Diploma in Orchestral Instrument Performance
• Graduate Diploma in Jazz Performance and Caribbean Music

Elective Course Menu for the Graduate Diploma in Execution Program:

1. MUBS 5001: Professional Skills for Musicians
2. MUBS 5002: Basic Principles of Marketing in the Music Industry
3. MUBS 5004: Legal Aspects in the Music and Entertainment Industry
4. MUBS 5007: Copyright as a Commercial Tool in the Music Industry
5. MUBS 5008: Brand and Portfolio Development
6. MUBS 5009: Web Design for Musicians
7. MUBS 5010: Strategic Leadership in the Music Industry
8. TOPICxxxx: All thematic courses
9. IMPJAZZ – Introduction to improvisation
10. ICJA – Introduction to Jazz Composition Techniques
11. Intermediate Instrumental Conducting
12. PVOC5001-5002 – Vocal Pedagogy (for singing only)

Master's degrees:

– Master of Music in Music Education:
The Master of Music in Music Education program aims to:

1. To prepare competent professionals in the field of music education, who demonstrate leadership through the development of educational programs that benefit Puerto Rican society.
2. Improve music teaching practices in the country's public and private schools by developing a program of excellent pedagogical-musical research.
3. Provide the means for the development of leaders in the field of music education who contribute to the advancement of music programs that directly benefit a wide range of communities in Puerto Rico.
4. Develop a field of pedagogical-musical research that will address the curricular needs in the area of music in the country's public and private schools.
5. Offer a graduate program in music and cutting-edge pedagogical-musical research in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

The program consists of 32 credit hours and is designed to be completed in four consecutive academic semesters by a full-time student. The maximum time to complete all degree requirements is 12 academic semesters, or six years.

Any student who does not have two years of full-time professional experience as a classroom music teacher will be required to take a field study course (independent study) at one of the practice centers authorized by the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. Students will be authorized to use elective credits for this purpose.

Graduate Music Education Committee:
This committee will be composed of the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Academic Advisor of the Master of Music in Music Education Program, the Registrar, the Director of Admissions, and a member of the Graduate Program faculty. This committee will be responsible for all matters related to the Academic Regulations of the Master of Music in Music Education Program.

– Master of Music in Performance:
The Master's Program in Music Performance aims to:

1. Identify and develop the next generation of professional performers for Latin American orchestras and conservatories.
2. Provide advanced instruction of the highest quality in the area of performance, for a professional career as a performer.
3. Develop the knowledge and ability to play advanced instrumental and vocal repertoire.
4. Provide performance opportunities that integrate all musical skills, advanced techniques or others learned.
5. Promote an environment of creativity, academics and research.

The program is designed to be completed in four consecutive academic semesters by a full-time student. The maximum time to complete all degree requirements is 12 academic semesters, or six years.

Master's Degree Study Plans:

• Master of Music in Performance with a specialty in Singing
• Master of Music in Performance with a specialty in Guitar
• Master of Music in Performance with a specialty in Piano
• Master of Music in Performance with a specialty in Orchestral Instruments
• Master of Music with a specialty in Musical Education
• Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting
• Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Graduate Level Ensemble Requirements:

– Graduate Diploma in Instrumental Performance and Singing (Harp, Strings, Winds and Percussion):
Two semesters of major ensembles (orchestra or band) will be required. Students will be placed in the ensembles through an audition at the beginning of each year. They will also take two semesters of minor ensemble and two semesters of chamber music simultaneously. String students may substitute the two-semester minor ensemble requirement for two semesters of chamber music.

– Song:
Two semesters of Opera Workshop (DOPR 5001-5002) are required. Students must audition for roles.

- Guitar:
Students will be required to take two semesters of chamber music and two semesters of guitar ensemble concurrently. To complete the four credits of additional courses in the program, students may take four credits of chamber music or other available elective courses.

– Jazz and Caribbean Music:
It will be a requirement to take four credits per semester of a major or minor for a total of eight credits required by the study program.

– Master of Music Performance (Harp, Strings, Winds and Percussion):
Four semesters of major ensembles (orchestra or band) will be required. Students will be placed in the ensembles through an audition at the beginning of each year. They will also take two semesters of chamber music.

– Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting:
It will be a requirement to take four semesters of major ensemble as an assistant director.

– Master of Music in Choral Conducting:
It will be a requirement to take four semesters of major ensemble as an assistant director.

Other Study Programs:

– Teacher Certification Program:
This program addresses the professional needs of graduates who wish to become certified to work as teachers in the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The curriculum includes courses in the areas of education, history, technology, and exceptional child education, in addition to teaching practice. This program consists of 39 credits and requires approximately five semesters to complete.

– Continuing Education Program:
The courses applicable to this program will be courses that did not exist at the time the student graduated from high school, technology courses, elective courses from different high schools, recently created courses, and those that may be created in the future as part of institutional curriculum review processes. Admission to these courses will depend on available capacity. All students in the Continuing Education Program must have gone through the proper admissions process for each of the courses they apply for, as stipulated in the Continuing Education Program section of the Student Admissions section of this catalog.

– Professional Certification in the Music Business:
The Professional Certification in the Music Business is aimed at musicians, artist managers, publishers, music industry professionals exploring to expand their knowledge, and individuals interested in the area of creative industries. The program will provide students with an understanding of the different careers in the music industry, its creation, production, manufacturing and sales processes. The certification will facilitate the analysis of aspects of marketing in the music industry, and will provide you with the necessary skills to develop a sustainable career in the area of promotion. In addition, it will provide an understanding of the legal aspects in the music and entertainment industry, for the negotiation and administration of the main contracts and laws applicable to a career. Students will understand issues related to copyright as a commercial tool in the music industry, its laws, intellectual property, registration and licensing of works, interpretation of cases and defense of copyright.

– Equivalence in Music Therapy:
The Music Therapy Equivalency Program at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music aims to foster the development of musical and clinical skills for the use of music as a therapeutic tool. Music therapy is a growing field in which therapists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental institutions, special education programs, nursing homes, and private practice. This program is designed for students who want to dedicate their professional lives to using music as a tool to achieve non-musical goals with different populations. It will prepare qualified music therapists by providing student musical coaching, clinical training, practical experiences in real-life settings, and a 1,200-hour internship, with an emphasis on applying evidence-based practice. Professionals with degrees in music or fields other than music therapy may apply to this program.

Curriculums for Other Study Programs:

• Continuing Education Offer (January – May 2025)
• Teacher Certification
• Professional certification in the music business
• Music Therapy Equivalency Program
• Kodály Certification Application

Areas of Emphasis:

The area of studies with an emphasis on instrumental or singing performance is a study offer for academic credit available to students of all specialties of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. The curriculum includes solid technical and musical training in the selected area of emphasis. The student will demonstrate the understanding, development and mastery of both the technique and the interpretation of their instrument or song, through an in-depth study of the works of different styles and composers, in their individual classes and as a member of an ensemble. The program lasts four (4) semesters and a total curriculum that includes between 18 to 22 credits. Throughout their training process, the student must participate in jury exams and participate in at least two (2) concerts in a period of four (4) semesters.

Active students will be able to add an area of emphasis in their third year of study after going through an audition and admissions selection process.

Available Emphasis Areas:

– I sing
– Classical guitar
– Orchestral instruments
– Jazz and Caribbean Music Instruments

Study Plans for Areas of Emphasis:

• Voice
• Orchestral Instruments
• Guitar
• Jazz and Caribbean Music