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Graduate Study at K-State
The Department of Music at Kansas State University proudly offers a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Wind Conducting. This dynamic program provides graduate students with individualized instruction through private lessons with conducting faculty and enrollment in the Advanced Rehearsal Techniques course.
Students gain extensive hands-on experience by conducting a variety of K-State Bands concert ensembles. Graduate Assistants (GAs) in the band program receive exceptional support and opportunities, including:
- Full Tuition Waiver
- Annual Stipend of Approximately $12,000, with additional summer earning potential
- Significant Podium Time with major ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and University Band
- Experience with Athletic Bands, including the K-State Marching Band, Volleyball Band, and Basketball Cat Bands—potentially including show design and instruction
- Outreach Opportunities to collaborate with public school music programs across Kansas
Summer Study
In addition to the 2-year Master's degree, we are pleased to offer a summer Master's program designed for the working Educator.
Summer Graduate Program Information
More information...
36 credit hours
Studies in Major Area (15 hours)
Course Number Course Title Credits MUSIC 719 Marching Band Techniques 2 MUSIC 728 Advanced Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques 2 MUSIC 805 Theories of Music Education 3 MUSIC 859 Advanced Instrumental Conducting 4 (2x2 cr.) MUSIC 898 Graduate Report 2 Choose one of the following: MUSIC 722 Arranging for Bands 2 MUSIC 730 Organization and Administraion of School Music Programs 2 MUSIC 806 Psychology of Music 3 Research Skills (5 Hours)
Course Number Course Title Credits MUSIC 801 Introduction to Graduate Studies 2 MUSIC 808 Research in Music Education 3 Music History (6 hours)
Course Number Course Title Credits MUSIC 707 History of Wind Bands 3 MUSIC 807 History and Philosophy of Music Education 3 Music Theory (6 hours)
Course Number Course Title Credits MUSIC 700 Literature Analysis 3 MUSIC 837 Seminar in 20th-Century Music 3 Electives (4 hours)
Name Graduation Where are they now? Heather Baker Present PhD Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University Sharyn Worcester Present PhD Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University
Eric Strasshofer Present PhD Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University
Kyle Grimes Present MM at Kansas State University
Travis Slaughter Present MM at Kansas State University
Joseph Horne Present MM at Kansas State University
Javi Garza Present MM at Kansas State University
Houston Fleischmann 2025 DMA in Percussion at LSU Ben Rajewski 2025 DMA in Conducting at Arkansas Rich Ebersole 2025 DMA in Conducting at Arizona State University Tyler Lee 2025 MM with Teaching Certificate, Kansas State University Cally Bitterlin 2023 PhD Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University Olivia Bazanos 2023 MS Orchestra & HS Assistant Band - Derby USD 260
MM, Kansas State University
BME, Slippery Rock University
Jack Johnson 2023 MM in Percussion Performance Preston Thomas 2023 MM at Kansas State University Travis Turner 2021 Post-Graduate Music Education Degree & MM at Kansas State University Eric Thompson 2021 MM at Kansas State University Allegra Fisher 2021 PhD Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University Brett Butler 2021 Percussion Performance Wes Lewis 2018 MM, Band Director at Turner High School Dan Haddad 2017 PhD, MM, Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia Southern University Rachel Villareale 2016 MM, Band Director at Derby USD 260 Jack Donovan 2016 MM, Working on DMA at University of Minnesota Alex Cook 2016 MM, Instrumental Music Teacher at Coronado Middle School Chris Johnson 2015 MM, K-State, BME, Kansas State University Emily Jones 2015 MM, K-State, BME, Doane College Adam Ladd 2014 MM, K-State, BME, The Ohio State University Alex Wimmer 2014 Ph.D, MM, Assistant Director of Bands at KSU, BME, University of Nebraska Omaha Ben Yancey 2014 MM, Percussion Performance, Adjunct Professor of Percussion in the Iowa City area BME, University of Central Florida Andrew Feyes 2013 Ph.D, MM, Interim Director of Bands, University of Nebraska Omaha Patrick Sullivan 2013 MM, Assistant Director of Bands, Rock Bridge High School, Columbia, Missouri Greg Coffey 2012 Recording Artist and recording engineer, Nashville, TN Sarah Bernard-Stevens 2012 Instructor, Kansas Wesleyan University Ryan Laney 2012 Director of Bands, Broomfield High School, Broomfield, CO Lyle Sobba 2011 MM, Director of Bands, Garden City High School Teresa Purcell 2011 MM, Director of Bands, Southeast of Saline High School Dane Danielsen 2010 MM, Director of Bands; Goddard High School; BME from Friends University Anna Eaverson 2010 MM, Assistant Director of Bands; Seaman High School; BME from K-State Emory Dease 2010 MM, Percussion Instructor, Seaman High School; BA from Central College (IA) Meghan Hardy 2009 MM, Assistant Director of Bands at Lawrence Free State Ashley Maughlin 2009 MM, Director of Bands at Chapman High School Sharyn Worcester 2008 Academic Advisor to the School of Music, Theater, and Dance, Kansas State University (KS); MM (K-State) Darren Brooks 2008 Director of Bands, Salina South High School (KS); MM (K-State) David Whitman 2008 MM (K-State), DMA (Southern Mississippi) Percussion Faculty, San Diego State University Gavin Smith 2007 MM, Assistant Director of Bands, Vanderbilt University Andrew Feyes 2007 MM, Assistant Band Director at Bryan City Schools, Bryan, Ohio Phil Edelman 2006 MM, Assistant Band Director at Goddard High School Brad Williamson 2006 MM, PhD The Ohio State University, Assistant Director of Bands , University of Wyoming Aric Hageman 2006 MM, Band Director at East High School, Cheyenne, Wyoming Jessica Snider 2005 MM, Band Director at Marais Des Cygnes Valley Schools Scott Levendofsky 2005 MM, Director of Bands at Fort Riley Middle School David Montgomery 2004 MM, Associate Director of Instrumental Music Education at Baylor University Jessica Mullen 2004 MM, Director of Bands at Gallup High School in Gallup, New Mexico Jeff Hogan 2004 MM, Director of Bands at Madison County High School in Alabama Will Teufel 2003 MM, Band Director for Nickerson Schools Eric Stambaugh 2003 MM, Director of Bands at Buhler High School Erin Beave 2002 MM, Director of Band at Hastings High School in Hastings, Nebraska Maranda Wilson 2002 MM, Director of Bands at Wichita East Schools Dina Ross 2001 MM, Band Director at Wilbur Middle School in Wichita Brad Hudson 2001 MM, Director of Bands for Leeton Schools in Leeton, Missouri Dennis Brooks 2000 MM, Director of Bands at Council Grove Schools Craig Treinen 2000 MM, Director of Jazz Studies at Washburn University, Topeka Lori Howe 1999 MM, resides in Minnesota Mike Miller 1999 MM, Director of Bands at Iola Schools Jacque Leonard 1998 MM, Private flute instructor in Centerton, Arkansas Kim Thomas 1998 MM, Director of Bands at Manhattan Catholic Schools Dan Beich 1997 MM, Director of Bands at Moses Lake High School in Moses Lake, Washington Marie Lajoie 1997 MM, Resides in Maine Chris Richmond 1996 MM, Director of Bands at Wamego High School Nelson Penserga 1995 MM, Director of Bands at Liberty Middle School in Clifton, Virgina Maureen VanVechten 1995 MM, Director of Bands at Morrisville-Eaton Schools in New York "My experience as a graduate assistant for KSU bands was a wonderful and challenging experience. The grad program at KSU gave me the wonderful opportunity to get a more "hands on approach" to my graduate experience. I was able to conduct all the ensembles, write drill, compose, teach, and more importantly learn from a top notch band faculty. I truly attribute all my teaching and high school successes from everything I learned at KSU. I would strongly encourage any undergrad to roll up their sleeves and take the KSU band experience."
- Eric Stambaugh, Buhler High School, Buhler, Kansas"My expereinces as a graduate assistant in the K-State Bands were a big difference maker in my career. The opportunities I had to teach and be involved in running a big time band program gave me the experience I needed to be prepared to teach at the University level. Compared to other schools, K-State provides opportunities far above for real teaching and meaningful contribution. In addition, the course work was rigorous but pertinent to my professional goals. Dr. Tracz takes great care of his graduate students, both professionaly and personally. I can't imagine how things would have turned out had I decided not attend K-State."
- David Montgomery, Associate Professor of Music Education, Baylor University"The best thing about the graduate assistantship at K-State is the hands-on experience. Not only do you get a number of opportunities to conduct and rehearse groups, you get a wide variety of ensembles to work with: different levels of concert bands, small ensembles, jazz bands and the marching band. What better 'real-life' band director experience could you get?"
- Nelson Penserga, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia"This program is an excellent opportunity to earn your masters without leaving your job. The classes are "real-world," practical, and the faculty is first class."
- Chris VanGilder, Arkansas City High School, Arkansas City, Kansas"The classes are jam-packed with valuable and practical information. I personally found the classes exptremely beneficial. I would not hesitate to recommend the classes to others who are interested."
- SGT Jeffrey Miller, 1st Infantry Division Band, Ft. Riley, Kansas"The summer graduate program is fantastic for the educator who wishes to continue teaching while taking classes towards their masters degree. Each class has material that can immediately be taken back and put to use in your program. The summer program is truly designed for the working educator."
- Shawn Knopp, Director of Bands, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas"The summer masters program at K-State has been an extremely practical and useful format. Every class is geared towards helping public school music educators with information that is immediately applicable to our teaching situations."
- Luke Johnson, Avila University, Kansas City, Kansas"The K-State staff's clear motivation is to help me become a better band teacher and to help my band program improve."
- Kyle Hopkins, McPherson Community College, McPherson, Kansas"I have found this program to be extremely practical for the working school teacher. The information has been well-prepared and well-presented and the networking is great. Highly recommended!"
- Brian Cole, East Buchanan, Winthrop, Iowa"This is a perfect program for the music teacher who wants to continue teaching during the school year. I have not found any other institution in kansas that offers a program where you are able to complete a Masters in Music Education through the summer sessions only! The program is easily completed in a timely manner without taking up the entire summer, but teaches all of the essentials."
- Lindsay Ladman, Elementary & Middle School Orchestra Director in the Salina Public Schools"The summer masters of music program at Kansas State University provides the right combination of theory and practical application classes. These have been of great assistance to help me improve as a teacher and maximize my effectiveness in the classroom."
- Margaret Saarinen, Mesa Linda Middle School, Victorville, California"This program increased my knowledge and effectiveness as an instructor by 100 fold. My kids like my classes better, and they work harder. Everything is practical and is hands on with excellent instructors."
- Show Heersink, Monte Vista High School, Monte Vista, Colorado"My experience in the summer graduate program has been very educational and inspirational. I am excited to start the fall semester and begin implementing the skills and tools I have acquired in my own band room."
- Travis Johnson, Cheney Middle & High School."This program is very valuable because I can grow professionally without having to miss work or sacrifice time with my family. The professors in the program are very helpful and knowledgeable and are there to answer questions all year long. I look forward to coming to K-State all year, not only am I gaining knowledge, concepts, and techniques, this program also is great for networking with other band directors."
- Emily Cox, Haysville Public Schools, Kansas"Kudos to Dr. Tracz and K-State for designing a masters program that is affordable, accessible, and practical. What a great way to spend a few weeks in the summer, learning skills that I will be able to implement in my classroom immediately when I return in the fall."
- Ryan Nichols, Valley Falls, Kansas"The summer program at Kansas State University was a perfect fit for my situation. While I'm very serious about my career as a music educator, having a family made it difficult to find the time to commit to a full schedule of grad courses. This program was an answer to my prayers. In three short days for each course, I found that I learned and retained more in the intensified, hands on style of these courses than I did in the traditional classroom setting and, much to my surprise, we covered nearly just as much material in the three days as a traditional semester long course would have. I, also, found the faculty's combination of large school facilities, small school care, personal attention, and welcoming family atmosphere to be second to none. I foresee this program becoming standard in colleges across the nation at some point in the future. My hat's off to Dr. Tracz and K-State for their vision and forward thinking. I would highly recommend this program to anyone with a family wanting to pursue an advanced degree."
- Daniel Baldwin, Composer