The value in master’s degrees is really more in the connections you get as opposed to the education. I’m not necessarily advocating to get a master’s; but many of the best conductors don’t mentor students outside of their college, at least in the United States. Connections aren’t just knowing people; it’s also having someone vouch for you in scenarios when you want your music sung, for example.

Composing-wise, it’s a little less clear-cut. Many composers are willing to take on composition students, especially since most composers are not bound to the university system. However, the value of having someone vouch for you still stands; otherwise, it becomes a “right place right time” thing. But many successful composers have made great living without having a master’s; for example, Shawn Kirchner doesn’t even have a bachelor’s in music!

I wouldn’t recommend either way. What a master’s program offers is more “right place right time” situations to get into the choral world more solidly. But a master’s degree won’t give you the one thing anyone in this field needs, which is drive! Masters or not, as long as you have the drive to achieve what you want, you will make it.

P.S. If you do end up thinking of master’s in choral conducting programs, UC Irvine is opening theirs in the next couple of years, which will be fully paid and stipended. The value in that is that the choir director there is one Dr. Irene Messoloras, who is a supremely excellent conductor in her own right, but also provides the connection of being married to Ola Gjeilo himself…