GraduatesEarly Music Manuscript

PhD Requirements - History & Theory of Music Ph.D.

The program in music history and theory emphasizes a wide range of methodologies and musical repertories, preparing students for careers as leading music scholars. Studies in music history may include cultural history, textual criticism, stylistic studies, institutional history, hermeneutics, and critical theory. Students emphasizing music theory typically concentrate on theoretical systems, detailed analysis of works, musical cognition, and the history of theory. The boundaries between the two sub-disciplines of history and theory often blur—students take a wide range of courses, and their individual research programs typically reflect the interdisciplinary ethos of the Department.

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

Requirements

Most students will adhere to the requirements in Paragraph A below. Students pursuing a minor in composition should refer to Paragraph B. Students entering with an M.A. in Music (or equivalent degree) from another institution should refer to Paragraph C.

A. Courses: First and Second Year. A total of fifteen courses of 300- or 400-level instruction. These must be distributed as follows:

B. Courses: Students Pursuing a Minor Field in Composition. The program should be designed in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, but will normally include the following during years 1 and 2: four quarters of Composition, coupled with Composition Seminar (Music 340/341); three quarters of Music Analysis (310 through 318); one proseminar in Music History (Music 320 through 328); one course in ethnomusicology (Music 330 or 335); three seminars; and three further electives.

C. Courses: Students entering with an M.A. in Music. A total of nine courses of 300- or 400-level instruction. Programs of study will be worked out to meet individual needs and requirements, but would ordinarily include:

D. Courses: Through the end of Scholastic Residence.

E. Languages. Students preparing for a career oriented toward theory and analysis are required to pass two language examinations. Students preparing for a career oriented toward musicology are required to pass three language examinations. German is required for both groups of students. The one or two other language exams are normally chosen from among French, Italian, or Latin, or from other languages upon approval of petition. See Language Examinations for further details.

F. Musicianship. Students preparing for a career oriented toward musicology are required to pass four musicianship examinations. Students preparing for a career oriented toward theory and analysis are required to pass six musicianship examinations. The three basic musicianship examinations are required for both groups of students. The one or three other musicianship examinations are chosen from the advanced keyboard examinations, or from other skills upon approval of petition. See Musicianship Examinations for further details.

G. A five-part Comprehensive Examination in the History and Theory of Music. The five parts consist of the following:
(1) the identification of musical scores or excerpts drawn from European traditions of the 9th to the 20th centuries. Students pursuing a minor field in composition may substitute a Two-Hour oral examination on musical repertory, as described in the Composition Requirements.
(2) at least one set of essays on the history of European traditions, to be selected from the following three: medieval monophony to 1600; 1600 to 1800; 1800 to the present. Students pursuing a minor field in Composition may substitute another exam from items (3) and (4) below.
(3) at least one close analysis of a single work or movement, to be selected from the following two: Tonal Analysis; Atonal Analysis.
(4) and (5): two further sets of essays, to be drawn in any combination from

H. Defense of the Dissertation Proposal. The Defense of the Dissertation Proposal (required for the program in the History and Theory of Music) is a two-hour oral examination, based on a proposal which must be approved by the faculty committee for purposes of the defense and submitted in final form to the committee two weeks before the examination. The proposal should demonstrate, and the student will be examined on, the propriety and feasibility of the topic, as well as the student's broad knowledge of literature and repertory, both directly related to the topic and in areas surrounding the topic, as appropriate. A bibliography, incorporating both directly related writings in music and relevant works in other fields, should be included. The defense should not be scheduled until all parts of the Comprehensive Examination have been successfully completed. Following a successful defense, the proposal will be filed in the student's dossier in the Department of Music. Changes in the topic must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for faculty approval.

I. Admission to candidacy. Following the completion of all 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.

J. A Dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge. The dissertation must be approved by at least three members of the Department who can verify that it meets the necessary requirements. A copy of the dissertation manuscript and an abstract must be submitted to the Music Department no later than two weeks before the defense. The dissertation should normally be completed within three years after the special field examination. However, the student may petition the Department for yearly extensions.

K. A Defense. A final oral examination in defense of the completed dissertation. At least nine months (three quarters) must normally elapse between admission to candidacy and the final examination.

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

Satisfactory Progress Requirements (History & Theory)

The following requirements are a 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 all course requirements except for the seminars to be taken in years 3 and / or 4 and at least 1 language and 2 musicianship examinations.

By the end of year 3 students should have completed either 1 language and 4 musicianship examinations, or 2 languages and 3 musicianship examinations; and have taken all five sections of the Comprehensive Examinations and passed no fewer than three.

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

M.A. Degree in History & Theory

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