Program Overview

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PhD Admission Requirements

The PhD program at the Bienen School of Music has specific admission requirements that applicants must meet. These requirements include:

• A complete list of works written, giving dates and instrumentation, and a complete list of composition performances, including dates, venues, and performers.
• An analysis of a musical work composed no earlier than 1950.
• A second analytical or music history paper.
• A composition portfolio consisting of three to five representative compositions.

Additional Requirements

All PhD in Music applicants must also meet the following requirements:

• CV or musical résumé detailing academic and professional history.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, taken no more than five years before the intended quarter of entry.
• Certifying English Proficiency, either through TOEFL or IELTS scores, or by providing unofficial transcripts verifying an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.
• Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
• Letters of recommendation, with at least two required.

Application Process

All applicants to the PhD program must apply to The Graduate School at Northwestern University. The application may not accommodate large video/file uploads, and applicants may need to contact the Office of Music Admission and Financial Aid for assistance.

PhD in Music: Composition and Music Technology

The PhD in Music: Composition and Music Technology has specific requirements, including:

• A complete list of works written, giving dates and instrumentation, and a complete list of composition performances, including dates, venues, and performers.
• An analysis of a musical work composed no earlier than 1950.
• A second analytical or music history paper.
• A composition portfolio consisting of three to five representative compositions.

Program Coordinator

The Composition and Music Technology Program Coordinator is Jay Alan Yim.

Areas of Study

The Bienen School of Music offers various areas of study, including:

• Brass
• Composition & Music Technology
• Conducting & Ensembles
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Theory & Cognition
• Musicology
• Percussion
• Piano
• Strings, Harp & Guitar
• Voice & Opera
• Woodwinds

Faculty Areas of Study

The faculty at the Bienen School of Music have expertise in various areas, including:

• All Faculty
• Brass
• Composition & Music Technology
• Conducting & Ensembles
• Faculty Emeriti
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Theory & Cognition
• Musicology
• Nonmajor
• Percussion
• Piano
• Strings, Harp & Guitar
• Voice & Opera
• Woodwinds

Concerts & Events

The Bienen School of Music hosts various concerts and events, including:

• Concerts & Events Calendar
• Subscription Series
• Ticket Office & Information
• Live Stream
• Bienen Ensembles
• Recitals & Lectures
• Festivals & Series

Davee Media Library

The Davee Media Library offers various resources, including:

• All Videos
• Bands
• Choirs
• Jazz
• Lectures & Interviews
• Master Classes
• New Music
• Opera
• Orchestras
• Recitals & Chamber Music
• Visiting Artists

About the Bienen School

The Bienen School of Music has a rich history and offers various programs and resources, including:

• About the Bienen School
• Our Values
• History
• Leadership
• Facilities
• International Prizes
• Institute For New Music
• Fanfare

Resources

The Bienen School of Music offers various resources, including:

• Resources for Students
• Resources for Faculty
• Resources for Alumni
• Resources for Community
• Visit Us
• News
• Directory
• Contact
• Donate

Quick Links

The Bienen School of Music offers quick links to various resources, including:

• Admission
• Academics
• Faculty
• Concerts & Events
• Davee Media Library
• About

Footer Utility

The Bienen School of Music offers various utility links, including:

• Careers
• Disclaimer
• Emergency Information
• University Policies