Graduate StudyScore

PhD Requirements - Composition

The program in composition is structured to develop students’ creative and technical abilities in writing music. Students take individual lessons with members of the composition faculty, typically studying with more than one faculty member during their course of residence. Students also may pursue training in a variety of related topics, including score-reading and conducting, orchestration, musical analysis, contemporary styles, historical periods, and world music traditions. Computer and electronic music draws upon the resources of the Department’s computer music studio. A weekly composition seminar promotes broad perspectives and addresses career issues. Ph.D. students in composition select a minor field in which to pursue intensive coursework, culminating in an article-length Ph.D. paper. Minor fields may be chosen from among four areas: ethnomusicology, musicology, theory/analysis, and computer music.

On this page:
Requirements.
Minor Field.
Satisfactory Progress Requirements.
M.A. Degree.

Requirements

Most students will adhere to requirements listed in Paragraph A below. Paragraph B substitutes for A for students entering with an M.A. (or equivalent degree) from another institution.

A. Courses: First and Second Year. A total of fifteen courses of 300- or 400-level instruction. These courses will include the following:

B. Courses: Students entering with an M.A. in Music. A total of nine courses of 300- or 400-level instruction. These will include the following:

C. Courses: Through the end of Scholastic Residence.

D. Languages. A reading knowledge of one foreign language, normally chosen from German, French, and Italian. Other languages may be substituted upon approval of petition. The student's language of origin (parent tongue) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. See Language Examinations.

E. Musicianship. The successful completion of six Musicianship Examinations.

F. A three-part Comprehensive Examination consisting of

G. Admission to candidacy. Following the completion of all of the above requirements, the student will be recommended by the Department of Music to the Dean of Students for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

H. Ph.D. Paper. The student must present a Ph.D. paper, normally 30-50 pages in length, before a committee of three faculty members, and receive the committee's approval of it. At least one committee member must be a member of the Composition faculty. The completed paper will normally emerge from course-work done in pursuit of the minor field. The defense must be before a committee of at least three faculty, including one member of the composition faculty. The paper must be submitted to the committee no later than two weeks before the defense. Usually the Ph.D. paper will be completed during the first year of Advanced Residence.

I. Dissertation. The student must compose a substantial work with score (and a full set of parts where relevant), accompanied by a program note and a set of instructions for the performers (where relevant). If the composition exists solely in an electronic format (as a CD or Videotape, or both), it must be submitted together with a description of the hardware and software used and a time line, describing graphically or verbally the relationship between raw musical material (acoustic or electronic), electronic processing, and final acoustic event. The composition should be completed within three years after admission to candidacy. Extensions, however, may be granted under special circumstances. The dissertation in composition must be approved by two members of the composition faculty.

J. Defense. A final oral examination in defense of the Dissertation. At least nine months (three quarters) must normally elapse between admission to candidacy and the final examination. All other requirements must be completed before the defense is scheduled.

N.B. Students may not apply for the Ph.D. degree until all degree requirements have been met.

Composition Curriculum: Minor Field

The minor field consists of four courses ordinarily taken during the second part of Scholastic Residence, which will normally prepare the student to write the Ph.D. Paper. With the exception of seminars, courses taken during the first two years of Scholastic Residence can be applied to the minor field, provided that they are not also used to fulfill requirements for that segment of the program.

The department approves four minor fields for composers: Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Theory and Analysis, and Research in Computer Music.

The minor in ETHNOMUSICOLOGY consists of

The minor in MUSICOLOGY consists of

The minor in THEORY AND ANALYSIS consists of

The minor in RESEARCH IN COMPUTER MUSIC consists of

Satisfactory Progress Requirements (Composition)

The following requirements are a minimal lower limit; students are encouraged to exceed these requirements at whatever rate suits them.

During year 1 students should complete 9 courses and at least 1 musicianship examination.

By the end of year 2 students should have completed 12 courses, the language examination, and 2 musicianship examinations.

Students with an M.A. degree in Music should complete the following requirements by the end of year 1: 9 courses and 2 musicianship examinations.

By the end of year 3 all students should have completed 4 musicianship examinations, the language examination, and have taken all three sections of the Comprehensive Examinations, passing no fewer than two.

By the end of year 4 students should have successfully completed any remaining course requirements, musicianship examinations, and comprehensive examinations.

M.A. Degree in Composition

Students may apply to receive the Master of Arts upon completion of the following requirements: