Music
Music
The Graduate Program of the Department of Music offers advanced training in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, and composition, leading to the degree of PhD in music. There is no admission to an AM program separate from these PhD programs. In unusual cases, students who cannot successfully complete the General Examination may be given the option of completing the requirements for a terminal AM degree.
The Graduate Program of the Department of Music also offers an AM Degree in Music with a specialty in Performance Practice. This two-year program is designed for a small number of specialized students who are preparing or engaged in careers as performers and teachers. The program description and requirements follow the description of the PhD program.
The faculty of the department includes about 20 members. There are 55 to 60 graduate students in residence; six to ten new graduate students enter each year. The Music Building contains a concert hall (the John Knowles Paine Hall), classrooms, faculty and graduate offices, a superb research library (the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library), a microfilm library of primary source materials (the Isham Memorial Library), an archive of world music recordings, listening facilities, an electronic music studio (HUSEAC), an ethnomusicology lab, an early instrument room, chamber music rehearsal rooms, and individual practice rooms. Other facilities throughout Harvard University include the vast resources of Widener Library, the Houghton Library (which contains rare music prints and manuscripts, and autographs of major composers), Lamont Media, and the libraries and practice rooms of the undergraduate houses, and Dudley House, the center of graduate student activities. In addition, a wealth of musical opportunities is readily available to students at Harvard and at the many neighboring universities (e.g., Boston University, Brandeis University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and civic and professional institutions (e.g., Boston Public Library, Museum of Fine Arts with the Mason Collection of Musical Instruments, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra).
Since teaching is an integral part of graduate training, most graduate students are teaching fellows during part of the time they are at Harvard. Teaching fellows are also eligible to apply for a resident or nonresident tutorship in one of the 13 undergraduate houses. In addition to financial benefits, teaching fellowships and tutorships provide excellent professional experience.
In recent years virtually every graduate student has received one or more of the fellowships and grants awarded by the University and the music department. Awards given by the department each year include several prizes in composition, the John Knowles Paine Traveling Fellowships, the Oscar S. Schafer Fellowship, the Richard F. French Fellowship, the Ferdinand Gordon & Elizabeth Hunter Morrill Fellowship, and the Nino and Lea Pirrotta Research Grant.
All applicants are required to take the GRE General Examination and must submit, along with their applications, samples of their previous work in musicology (for the musicology PhD), ethnomusicology (ethnomusicology PhD), or theory (theory PhD). Applicants to the composition program must submit three to four compositions, both scores and recordings where possible. Printed scores and CDs are accepted; links to samples and downloads are not. All supplemental materials should be sent to the Admissions Office of the GSAS. Samples of work should be sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if they are to be returned to the student. Applications for admission and for financial aid must be received at the Admissions Office of the Graduate School by January 2, 2013 for candidates who seek entrance in the following fall term. For applications for admissions and financial aid write: Admissions Office, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Holyoke Center 350, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. The application must be submitted online at the website.
The Program in Musicology
At Harvard, musicology is broadly defined as the disciplined study of music and includes the historical, comparative, and systematic aspects of the field. The program incorporates two tracks: historical musicology, with an emphasis on the history, theory, and literature of Western music in its contexts, from antiquity to the present; and ethnomusicology, which concentrates on the ethnographic study of any musical tradition in relationship to its cultural setting. Most graduate courses in historical musicology and ethnomusicology are research seminars; many treat specific topics, periods, and regions, while others deal with current problems and methods. On the completion of preparatory training and the passing of the General Examinations, PhD dissertations may be written in either field.
The Program in Theory
The PhD in music theory is characterized both by a deep involvement in the inner workings of music and by an engagement with the wider philosophical, cultural and psychological questions surrounding music. Our PhDs typically apply for the theory program with a “minor” in either composition or musicology. The program reflects this interdisciplinary interest of our students, and seeks to explore the links of music theory to other areas of critical engagement, while providing our theorists with the specialized skills they require.
The teaching in the program emphasizes analytical techniques--all students take courses on Schenkerian theory and on a range of tonal and post-tonal analytical practices, as well as an introductory course to explore current issues in the field. At the same time, the program also encourages students to build a framework in which to place these techniques and to reflect on the underpinnings of music theory. Regular courses on questions in psychology, temporality, history of music theory, and aesthetics round off our course offerings and often take music theory into interdisciplinary territory. Graduate courses on challenging repertoires--e.g. modal theory, non-Western music, or very recent composition--frequently round off our offerings.
The dissertation projects our theory graduates work on reflect this unique combination of interests. Recent and current PhD topics include Feminist approaches to performance analysis, Microtonality and tone imaginations, Multi-modal analysis of boy-band videos, Athanasius Kircher’s Musurgia universalis (1650), and Neuro-scientific imaging of perceptual parameters.
Our theory faculty is enhanced on a regular basis by exciting visiting faculty, which complement our existing research and teaching strengths in interesting new ways. Recent visitors have included Allan Keiler (Brandeis), Fred Lerdahl (Columbia), Allen Forte (Yale), Ellie Hisama (Columbia)--as well as Brian Ferneyhough (Stanford), Helmut Lachenmann (Stuttgart) and Harrison Birtwistle (London).
The Program in Composition
Harvard’s program in composition is designed to give students the time and opportunity to develop as composers by offering general musical guidance as well as specific individual criticism of their works. The program is centered around students’ achieving clarity of expression through developing their command of compositional technique. In addition, acquaintance with the literature of the past Graduate Study in Music and present through analysis and performance is considered indispensable. Most courses are seminars and deal with specific topics or student works. On the completion of preparatory training and the passing of the General Examinations, PhD dissertations comprising a substantial portfolio between five to seven pieces of varied scoring and length may be submitted.
Normally, students do not transfer from one program to another. Under exceptional circumstances, a change from one department graduate program to another may be possible. Students applying for a change must be in good standing in their original program. They must submit a formal request to the director of graduate studies no later than the first week of May of the first year of study, including a list of courses indicating how they propose to fulfill the requirements of the new program. The admissions committee of the new program will make the decision in consultation with the graduate advisors; the decision will be presented to the department faculty. The students have to fulfill all the requirements of the new program (number and area of courses, languages, general exams).
PhD Program and Degree Requirements
Courses — A total of 16 half-courses is required to receive the PhD. Fourteen courses are usually taken during the first two years. Historical musicology students must take two half-courses in ethnomusicology and two half-courses in either theory or composition. No more than one seminar in Medieval theory will count toward the theory requirement; no more than one analysis course can be counted towards the theory requirement. Ethnomusicology students are required to take at least two half-courses each in historical musicology and in offerings outside the department. Ethnomusicology students must also take at least two half-courses in music theory or composition. It is recommended that at least one theory seminar be in cross-cultural music theory. The choice of courses will be determined in consultation with the ethnomusicology advisor. Theory and composition students do not have a set curriculum and should plan their course of study with their advisor.
Students may be allowed academic credit (normally no more than two half-courses) for work done in other graduate schools in the United States or abroad, subject to the evaluation by the department and acceptance by the Graduate School. Petitions may be submitted after the completion of one full year of graduate work in the department.
In general, for all students, 100-level courses should be taken as supplemental to the graduate program, and should not be the major portion of the student’s coursework. In order to receive graduate credit, permission to take any half-courses at the 100 level must be granted by the graduate advisor before taking the course.
Graduate students who have one or more incompletes will not be considered for department summer grants.
Analysis/Tonal Writing
Competence and fluency in traditional harmony, counterpoint, strict composition, and analysis (including analysis of 20th-century music) are prerequisites for taking the General Examination. Entering students will be given a placement test to assess skills. Music B will address these musicianship skills but does not count as one of the required 16 courses Work must be undertaken in the first year of study.
Languages
Written language examinations are given at specified times throughout the year. Reading knowledge of the following languages must be proved before taking the General Examination:
Historical musicology students must pass German and French or Italian. Alternative language choices should be discussed with the musicology advisor.
Ethnomusicology students must pass a European research language and a second language to be determined in consultation with the ethnomusicology advisor.
Theory students must pass German plus one other language (French, Italian, Latin).
Composition students must pass German, Italian or French unless an alternative language is approved in writing by the graduate advisor.
Historical musicology students and ethnomusicology students must pass a third language appropriate to the field of specialization after completing the General Examinations and within one year of the approval of a dissertation proposal.
Requirements for languages not tested regularly within the department may be satisfied through special examination, or through presentation of other documentation at the discretion of the graduate advisor.
Advising
Advising in the department during the pre-generals period is primarily handled by the appropriate graduate advisors and faculty members in the various programs, with the director of graduate studies available for further advice. After successful completion of the general examination, students consult with individual faculty members on their proposed fields of concentration, and when a dissertation proposal has been completed it is presented to the faculty in that field of study. When the dissertation proposal has been approved by the faculty in the program, it is brought to the entire department for final approval, and a dissertation committee is set up for each student. The dissertation committee consists of an advisor and two readers. Any questions or concerns about advising in the department can be brought to the attention of the director of graduate studies or the chair.
Review
The progress of all graduate students is reviewed at the end of each year. In addition to adequate course work, there are special requirements for first- and second-year students. Every student must submit at least one paper written for a graduate course as part of the first-year review. In musicology, every first- and second-year student must write at least one seminar paper per term.
General Examinations
The General Examination consists of two parts: written and oral. The orals are taken within one or two weeks of passing the writtens. The exams are to be taken between May and December of the student’s second year. Both the written and the oral parts can be repeated, but no more than once. The format, which is significantly different for each program, is as follows:
Historical Musicology
For historical musicologists, the general test will have three main parts — written, analysis and oral. The written exam consists of essays and short answer questions related to six of eight topics chosen by the student. The two prepared topics not selected for the written exam will be presented in the oral exam. The open-book analysis exam will be given in the summer, around mid-July. This will be a take-home exam, distributed on a Friday, and returned on Monday, mid-afternoon. It consists of two pieces of music (chosen from a) before 1700, b) 18th or 19th century, or c) 20th century). Students will choose one topic on which they will make a ten-minute presentation in the oral examination. Students will choose a second topic on which they will prepare a syllabus for a 13-week graduate seminar on the subject. This syllabus will be presented in written form, and may be the subject of discussion in the oral examination.
Ethnomusicology
The written test for ethnomusicologists is divided into three sections: one on ethnomusicology theory and method, a second from two areas of world music, a third on interdisciplinary problems. The analysis test includes two examples, one from the student’s major area (i.e., North Indian music, Swedish music, etc.) and a second from the Western art music tradition. The oral examination in ethnomusicology focuses on the special field or area chosen by the student, but may include questions about general ethnomusicology not necessarily related to topics covered in seminars. The remainder of the examination focuses on questions posed in the written examination.
Theory
The examination consists of four different parts: 1. A preliminary oral examination on repertoire and analysis (“single sheets”), lasting 30 minutes, with 1 hour preparation time, usually taken at the beginning of the summer. 2. Four written exams of 3 hours each: (a) systematic theories, (b) history of music theory, (c + d) two examinations in special fields relevant to dissertation research. 3. Analytical essays on two musical works from different periods (take-home paper over 4 days). 4. A two-hour oral examination will allow discussion on the written work and may broaden to engage a variety of related issues in music theory.
Composition
For composers, a written analysis is to be completed in three days at the end of the spring term of the second year of graduate study. It consists of a piece or set of pieces that should be analyzed by the student in the allotted time period. Students are also required to write an original composition of 7-10 minutes length with an imposed instrumentation, to be submitted by mid-August. The oral examination is based on an in-depth discussion of three major works that are assigned in the late spring of the second year of graduate study, plus an analytical presentation of the student’s original composition.
Teaching
Beginning in the third year, graduate students in good standing are eligible for teaching fellowships. Most teaching fellows devote 2/5 TIME to teaching. Following successful completion at the general exam, students are required to take M250ht (Teaching Practicum). This course does not count toward the 16 required courses.
Additional third-year requirements
The third year is primarily devoted to developing a dissertation proposal and the beginning of work on the dissertation. All students will complete their required courses; in most cases, that will mean two half-courses, Musicology students will begin their third language (to be completed within one year of the approval of a dissertation proposal).
Dissertation
Within the academic year in which the General Examination is passed the PhD candidate is expected to develop a proposal for a dissertation, which should be a major original contribution to the field. The proposal must be submitted for approval to the department, which is responsible for assigning the student a committee consisting of a dissertation advisor and two other faculty members. Normally, the complete dissertation must be submitted within five years after passing the General Examination, and satisfactory progress must be demonstrated every year in order for the student remain in good standing. If the dissertation is submitted thereafter the department is not obligated to accept it. The formal requirements for the dissertation are set forth in The Form of the PhD Dissertation, provided by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The department requires one bound copy submitted to the department for the Music Library, in addition to the two copies required for the Registrar: one bound and one digital (for submission to ProQuest).
Doctoral Colloquium/Conference
All departmental doctoral candidates (including composers) who are about to submit or have submitted their dissertation are required to make a final presentation of their work. A dissertation workshop (Doctoral Conference) is required of all dissertation-writing students in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and theory.
Final Steps in the Dissertation Process
The procedure for completing the dissertation is as follows:
1. The full text must be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee for suggestions, corrections, changes, etc. Candidates are encouraged to discuss drafts of individual chapters with all members of the dissertation committee.
2. The candidate should check with the Director of Administration to be sure that all degree requirements have been met.
3. The application for the degree must be submitted to the Registrar by the date published in The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook for the November, March, or May degree.
4. After the committee has approved the dissertation in its final form, an unbound copy must be submitted to the department at least 45 days before the Registrar’s deadline. During this 45-day period the members of the department are free to examine the completed dissertation.
5. For musicology students, a public colloquium on the dissertation is required shortly before or after it has been approved.
6. Copies: one copy bound and one copy boxed and unbound for the Registrar; one copy bound for the Music Library. The library copy must be submitted to the department office before the dissertation acceptance certificate can be signed. The department administrator will obtain signatures from the committee. At this time, the university microfilms and RILM forms must be completed. The Registrar’s Office requires the dissertation certificate (one original, one copy), the university microfilms form, and its copies of the dissertation.
Satisfactory Progress
A student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences must be making satisfactory progress in order to be eligible for any type of financial aid. The following nine items provide a general definition of satisfactory progress that has been adopted for this purpose by the Music Department. It is hoped that this requirement will have a healthy effect on students’ academic progress, and that it will enable us to preserve resources for those most deserving of financial assistance.
1. During the first two years of graduate study any student who is permitted to register is considered to be making satisfactory progress.
2. A prospective third-year student must have achieved the minimum grade-point average required by this faculty (B).
3. A prospective third-year student must have passed general examinations.
4. A prospective fourth-year student must have obtained approval of a dissertation prospectus.
5. A prospective sixth-year, or more advanced, student must have produced at least one acceptable chapter of the dissertation or its equivalent for each year beginning with the fifth.
6. Requirements 2-5 shall be cumulative.
7. A student who fails to meet a requirement may, upon the department’s recommendation, be considered to be an “exception” —and remain eligible for financial assistance —for a grace period of up to one year. At the close of the grace period, in order to be considered to be making satisfactory progress, the student must have met both the requirement missed earlier and the requirement that would normally be imposed at that time.
8. No student may have more than one such year of grace during his or her study.
9. In addition, the requirements of this calendar may be deferred by a department during one year of departmental approved leave. A department may, if it wishes, defer requirements for a more extended period of approved leave in order to facilitate a student’s obtaining a professional degree.
AM Program and Degree Requirement
The A.M. Degree in Music with a specialty in Performance Practice is designed to provide intellectual and scholarly background to finished musicians who are preparing or engaged in careers as performers and teachers.
The emphasis is on preparing students to work with sources, editions, theoretical writings, organology and other matters of importance to performance styles as related to repertories. Additional areas such as differences in the meaning of terminology and notation from composer to composer or from era to era; ornamentation; liberties of tempo and declamation; and improvisation will be addressed.
The A.M. in Performance Practice is a twoyear program in which students take a selection of departmental courses focused on this specialty, and write an A.M. thesis. The student’s program must be approved by the department before study cards are submitted. The A.M. degree will be awarded on completion with passing grade (B- or above) of at least 8 and no more than 12 half-courses. The Registrar requires a minimum of 4 blocks per term.
Students interested in pursuing the A.M. degree should submit the GSAS Admissions form. Ordinarily, the department expects to enroll 1–2 A.M. students a year or every two years. No auditions are required. A cassette or CD representing the level and breadth of accomplishment should accompany the application form.
Languages — Students will be expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian. An examination must be passed before entering the 2nd year of graduate work (by the beginning of the third semester)
Analysis/Tonal Writing— Competence and fluency in traditional harmony, counterpoint, and strict composition, and analysis (including 20th –century analysis) are expected. Music Bhf must be passed before entering the 2nd year of graduate work.
Thesis — A thesis proposal (subject and scope to be decided in consultation with the Advisor) should be submitted for department approval by March of the 1st year of graduate work. A Masters Committee, comprised of 1 Advisor and 2 Readers is approved by the faculty following the acceptance of the proposal.
Theses should be approximately 50 pages in length and submitted to the department no later than May 15 for the June degree and September 1 for the November degree. Applications for degree are due to the Registrar’s Office in March (for June degree) and August (for November degree). Please note that thesis deadlines are updated each year. Student ID cards are valid until the last day before fall registration. Health insurance expires on July 30th.
Financial Aid — Financial Aid for this program is very limited. Travel and Research Funding: students may apply for Paine Traveling Fellowships and/or the Department Travel Fund. All fellowship funding is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. Other University funding may be available.
Residence — There is a minimum residence required of three terms. Two years will ordinarily be required to complete the degree. Students wishing to continue at Harvard for the PhD will apply in the normal manner, and their applications will be considered in the customary way. Students admitted to the PhD program will be granted credit for work done at Harvard or elsewhere according to departmental guidelines, which normally grant credit for two graduate courses taken before entering the PhD program.
NOTE: Some aspects of the graduate programs in music may be under review and in process of revision. Therefore, this text may not in every respect represent accurately the structure of the programs. For additional or updated information, applicants are advised to visit our website.