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Department of Music
Degree Programs:
Full-Time: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.; M.A., D.M.A
Chair:
Aaron
Fox, Ph.D.
621 Dodge
Tel:
212.854.3825
The department offers programs
in Musicology (M.A. leading to M.Phil. and Ph.D.) and Composition (M.A. leading
to D.M.A.). The two are interrelated, having both faculty and certain courses
in common. The Musicology program incorporates the traditional disciplines of
scholarship, including music history, music theory and ethnomusicology, as well
as the newly developing fields of popular and urban music, jazz, and such
interdisciplinary fields as music cognition, music aesthetics, and the
philosophy of music. The Musicology program is supported by a first-class music
research library, located in Dodge Hall, as well as the extensive sound
archives of the Center for Ethnomusicology. The department is home to the
oldest and most prestigious journal edited by graduate students, Current Musicology.
The program in Composition
offers instruction to a small number of highly qualified candidates working in
a variety of contemporary styles and media. The Composition program is enhanced
by its association with the renowned Columbia
Computer Music
Center, which includes
state-of-the-art facilities for working in electroacoustic music (both analogue
and digital). Columbia Composers, a student-directed organization, offers
opportunities for public performances of compositions in various premier
concert facilities in New York City.
Other opportunities for students to hear their work are available through the
professional ensembles. The department does not offer degrees in musical performance,
but through its Music Performance Program makes lessons in orchestral
instruments, early instruments, organ, jazz instruments or piano available to
qualified graduate students.
The department’s programs are greatly enriched by
their location in New York City,
which has perhaps the most diverse and vital musical life of any city in the
world. Museums and libraries, as well as innumerable performing venues and
ensembles, allow for the study, both textual and aural, of music from virtually
all traditions and ages. Columbia’s
own Miller Theatre presents a full season of classical and contemporary music,
jazz and other events.
Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in
expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are
considered an important aspect of the training of graduate students. Thus,
graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.
Special Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose, a writing sample (see below) and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.
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DEGREE:
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PHD
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DMA
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Deadline for Fall Admission
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December 15
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December 15
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Deadline for Spring Admission
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no spring admission
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no spring admission
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Resume/CV
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yes
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yes
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Writing Sample
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2 Essays (15-20 pages)
for Music Theory and Historical Musicology
1 Essay (15-20 pages)
for Ethnomusicology
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1 Essay (15-20 pages) and 2 musical scores occupied by tapes or cds if available
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GRE General
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yes
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yes
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GRE Subject
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No
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No
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Miscellaneous
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*see below
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*see below
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*All applicants are expected to have a strong foundation in the history and theory of Western music and a reading knowledge of at least one European language (preferably French or German, or language relevant for field research in ethnomusicology). For most areas of specialization, keyboard and score-reading proficiency is required. For ethnomusicology, a background in the social sciences, preferably in cultural anthropology, is desirable; for composition, proficiency in advanced contrapuntal writing and mastery of tonal forms is desirable. All applicants for the Music degree must submit a writing sample.
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