Program Overview
Introduction to the Bienen School of Music
The Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University offers a comprehensive range of programs in music, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, music education, music theory, and musicology.
Academics
The school provides a variety of academic programs, including:
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
- Master of Music
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Doctor of Philosophy
Areas of Study
The Bienen School of Music offers the following areas of study:
- Brass
- Composition & Music Technology
- Conducting & Ensembles
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Theory & Cognition
- Musicology
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings, Harp & Guitar
- Voice & Opera
- Woodwinds
Dual Degrees / Double Majors
The school offers dual degrees and double majors in:
- Music & Liberal Arts
- Music & Communication
- Music & Education and Social Policy
- Music & Engineering
- Music & Journalism
Minors & Certificates
The Bienen School of Music offers minors in:
- Arts Administration
- General Music
- Music Cognition
- Music Composition
- Music Criticism
- Music Education
- Music Technology
- Music Theory
- Musicology The school also offers certificates in:
- Music Teaching and Learning
Performing Ensembles
The school has a range of performing ensembles, including:
- Baroque Music Ensemble
- Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble
- Chamber Music
- Chamber Orchestra
- Concert Band
- Contemporary Music Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Orchestra
- Jazz Small Ensembles
- Northwestern Camerata
- Philharmonia
- Symphonic Band
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Symphony Orchestra
- University Chorale
- University Singers
PhD in Music: Musicology
The PhD in Music: Musicology is a comprehensive program that includes coursework, research, and teaching.
Advising
PhD students should regularly consult with the Musicology Program Coordinator to determine the best course of study, based on the student’s interests and previous coursework.
Program of Study
A typical program of study includes:
- Musicology Core (3 units)
- MUSICOL 523 Ethnographic Field Methods
- MUSICOL 535 Music Historiography
- MUSICOL 560 Notation and Editing
- Cognate Area (3 units)
- Students enroll in three courses in a non-music field relevant to their main interest
- Musicological Studies (6 units)
- Additional courses in musicology, 300 to 500 level
- Electives (6 units)
- Courses in other Music Studies areas, Musicology, or other Humanities and Social Sciences
Foreign Language Requirement
Students are required to pass one foreign language exam. Students may select the foreign language in consultation with the faculty.
Teaching
Second-year students are often assigned as teaching assistants for the undergraduate core sequence in Music History and/or World Music Cultures as part of their professional preparation.
Qualifying Examination
The Musicology PhD qualifying examination is a multi-year, multi-part process that begins at the end of the student’s first year.
First Year
- May: All students in the cohort are given a single list of 40 works that will constitute the basis of their repertoire exam, to be taken in September of the second year.
Second Year
- September: All students in the cohort take the Repertoire Exam.
- December: Repertoire Exam retake.
Third Year
- September: Students submit their three Essays on a date specified by the exam committee.
- October: Students present a Teaching Demonstration on a topic chosen by the Committee.
Doctoral Committees
There are two separate faculty exam committees each fall quarter for the Qualifying Exams.
Dissertation Prospectus
Students must complete their prospectus as soon as possible after passing the qualifying examinations, but no later than the end of their fourth year.
Dissertation and Oral Defense
The student will complete the dissertation under the direction of a committee comprised of three or four current faculty of Northwestern University, at least two of whom must be members of the Musicology program.