Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Music at the Mead Witter School of Music offers two pathways: Historical Musicology and Music Theory. The program cultivates scholars who make significant contributions to music research and academia, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research. Students are assessed through coursework, preliminary examinations, and a dissertation, and are taught by a distinguished faculty in a collaborative learning environment. Graduates pursue careers in academia, research, and the music industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Mead Witter School of Music offers a Ph.D. in music, a research degree in historical musicology and music theory. The Ph.D. program aims to cultivate scholars who can make significant contributions to music research and academia. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages students to pursue cutting-edge research in their chosen field of study.
Outline:
The Ph.D. program offers two pathways: Historical Musicology and Music Theory.
Historical Musicology Pathway:
Required Courses:
- MUSIC 821: Historical Music Theories 1
- MUSIC 822: Historical Music Theories 2
- MUSIC 823: Schenkerian Analysis
- MUSIC 824: Post-tonal Analysis
- MUSIC 911: Seminar in Musicology (to be taken every semester offered)
- MUSIC 921: Current Issues in Musical Thought 1
- MUSIC 923: Seminar in Notation (offered every two years)
- MUSIC 925: Topics in Music Analysis 1
- MUSIC 926: Topics in Music Analysis 2
- MUSIC 927: Seminar in Composition
- MUSIC/FOLKLORE 515: Proseminar in Ethnomusicology or MUSIC/FOLKLORE 516: Ethnographic Methods for Music and Sound or MUSIC/FOLKLORE 915: Seminar in Ethnomusicology
Music Theory Pathway:
Seminars and Independent Work:
- MUSIC 821: Historical Music Theories 1
- MUSIC 822: Historical Music Theories 2
- MUSIC 823: Schenkerian Analysis
- MUSIC 824: Post-tonal Analysis
- MUSIC 911: Seminar in Musicology (up to 6 credits)
- MUSIC 921: Current Issues in Musical Thought 1
- MUSIC 923: Seminar in Notation (musicology)
- MUSIC 925: Topics in Music Analysis 1
- MUSIC 926: Topics in Music Analysis 2
- MUSIC 927: Seminar in Composition
Assessment:
The program utilizes multiple assessment methods to evaluate student progress and learning outcomes. These include:
- Coursework assessments: Students are assessed on their performance in coursework through assignments, projects, and exams.
- Preliminary examinations: Students are required to pass preliminary examinations to demonstrate their proficiency in their field of study and readiness for dissertation research.
- Dissertation: The dissertation is a major research project that makes a significant contribution to the field of music. Students must successfully defend their dissertation to complete the program.
Teaching:
The program is taught by a distinguished faculty of educators, performing musicians, and active scholars. Faculty members are readily accessible to students for advice and support. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-on-one instruction. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can engage in meaningful discussions and exchange ideas with their peers and faculty mentors.
Careers:
Graduates of the Ph.D. program in music have a wide range of career opportunities in academia, research institutions, and the music industry. Common career paths include:
- College or university professor
- Researcher
- Music curator
- Music critic
- Music librarian
- Music therapist
- Music educator