The Department of Music offers programs of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Music and the Master of Arts (AM) in Music, with emphasis in either musicology or music theory. Each graduate program combines a course of advanced studies in one area of music studies with supporting studies in related fields of music. The number of graduate students admitted each year is small so that each student is assured individual attention. There are traditionally close rapports and mutually supportive interactions among graduate students in all areas of study.
The AM and PhD programs in musicology offer concentrations in historical musicology and ethnomusicology. Department faculty interests cover all eras of European art music, American popular musics, film and theatre music, jazz, and African and African diasporic musics. Methodological approaches cover a range of critical perspectives, placing music within its cultural and historical contexts and developing the student's ability to think and write about music and music-making. Intensive study in music theory is a required component of the programs, and diverse opportunities for performance are offered.
The AM and PhD programs in music theory focus on the creative analysis and critical examination of assumptions about music and musical discourse. The graduate program prepares students to undertake research in musical analysis and in the language and methodology of music theory. Preparation includes guiding each student in developing their own modes of thought and expression. Faculty interests include improvisation and intermedia, texture and form, music cognition and computational modeling, composition, Schenker, and the interplay of text and music in German art song.
Chair
Endowed Professor
Todd Decker
Paul Tietjens Professor of Music
PhD, University of Michigan
Professor
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
Professor of the Practice
Senior Lecturer
Lecturers
Professors Emeriti
Hugh Macdonald
PhD, Cambridge University
Craig Monson
PhD, University of California, Berkeley
Dolores Pesce
Avis Blewett Professor Emerita of Music in A&S
PhD, University of Maryland
Master of Arts in Music (Musicology)
The Master of Arts in musicology requires 36 units of graduate study, including 12 units of music history and bibliography, 6 units of music theory, 18 units of electives, keyboard proficiency, reading knowledge of one foreign language, and a thesis.
PhD in Music (Musicology)
The PhD degree in musicology requires a total of 72 units of graduate study: 33 units of music history and bibliography, 12 units of music theory, 6 units outside music, and 21 units of electives and dissertation research. Also required are keyboard proficiency, reading knowledge of two foreign languages (German, Spanish, French, or Latin), six to eight semesters of mentored teaching, written and oral qualifying examinations (which occur after the completion of 60 units), the dissertation, and the final oral defense of the dissertation. Students who have completed a master's degree at another institution may receive up to 24 units of transfer credit toward the PhD.
Master of Arts in Music (Music Theory)
The Master of Arts in music theory requires 36 units of graduate study, including 15 units of music theory, 9 units of music history and bibliography, 12 units of electives, keyboard proficiency, reading knowledge of one foreign language, and a thesis.
PhD in Music (Music Theory)
The PhD degree in music theory requires a total of 72 units of graduate study: 30 units of music theory, 15 units of music history and bibliography, 6 units of composition, 6 units outside music, 6 units of qualifying projects, and 9 units of electives or dissertation research. Also required are keyboard proficiency, reading knowledge of two foreign languages (German and either French or Italian; a computer language may be substituted for the second language, according to the student's needs), six to eight semesters of mentored teaching, three qualifying projects, the dissertation, and the final oral defense of the dissertation. Students who have completed a master's degree at another institution may receive up to 24 units of transfer credit toward the PhD.