Program Description:
The School of Music musicology and ethnomusicology faculty prides itself on close faculty-student interaction. The program aims to prepare students to pursue doctoral study in musicology or ethnomusicology and other academic fields. Emphasis is placed on the transition from undergraduate student to graduate student. Students are encouraged to engage in music study with greater independence and critical thought. Because the master’s program is relatively small, students are able to work very closely with their advisor throughout the process of choosing, researching, and writing their master’s thesis. They have the opportunity to present a paper based on their thesis or a course paper at a regional chapter meeting of the American Musicological Society (AMS) or the Society of Ethnomusicology (SEM). Recent thesis topics include Astor Piazzolla’s Nuevo Tango and Francesco Cavalli’s opera La Doriclea.
Learning Objectives:
- Students demonstrate critical and independent thought about music through writing and oral presentations.
- Students develop research strategies and advanced writing abilities related to musical studies.
Graduate Study in Musicology:
Graduate students in musicology take a minimum of four topics courses in musicology/ethnomusicology in addition to Introduction to Research and Analytical Techniques. Most students also take at least one independent study designed to explore a possible thesis topic. Students work on their master’s thesis throughout their second year of study, which culminates with an oral defense in front of a committee made up of two musicology and/or ethnomusicology professors, including the thesis advisor, and a theory professor. The program allows time for a variety of electives, including music ensembles. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses in other departments that might inform their thesis research.
The Master of music degree in Musicology requires the equivalent of 2 years of a foreign language of the student’s choice. This requirement can be completed prior to entering the program or during the program.
Careers: Master of Music in Musicology graduates continue their studies at some of the best doctoral programs in the country.
Support
The department offers a 1/2 graduate Assistantship in Musicology, which entails ten hours of work per week. The recipient of this assistantship assists the musicology faculty in the grading and instruction of the undergraduate music history courses.
Faculty
In addition to being dedicated teachers, our faculty members are actively involved in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music education at national and international levels. They have expertise in music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods; the music of Obrecht and Robert Schumann; French Baroque dance music; musical theater; American popular music; and classical music of northern India and Native American music. The faculty teach a broad spectrum of courses ranging from period surveys, to women in music, to 20th-century opera. In 2005, the faculty hosted the Annual Meeting of the American Musicological Society Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Society for Ethnomusicology Southwest Chapter. Over fifty scholars and students from the region attended. Professor Richard Crawford, who was the keynote speaker, presented a paper entitled “Gershwin's Political Operettas (1927-1933).”
| Dr. Julie Hedges Brown | (928)523-6218 | Julie.Brown@nau.edu |
| Chad Hamill | (928)523-3849 | Dr. Chad.Hamill@nau.edu |
| Dr. James Leve | (928)523-0045 | James.Leve@nau.edu |
| Dr. Blase Scarnati | (928)523-6537 | Blase.Scarnati@nau.edu |
| Dr. Todd Sullivan | (928)523-3731 | Todd.Sullivan@nau.edu |
Additional entrance requirements:
Prospective candidates in musicology must submit to the musicology faculty at least one recent writing sample dealing with a musical topic to the musicology faculty. This sample should demonstrate a strong command of the topic and writing skills. On-campus interviews are encouraged but not required.
For additional information on the program, contact Dr. James Leve, Coordinator of Musicology.
Program of Study Requirements
To see a the specific courses required for the MMus degree in musicology, please click on the following link:
MM_Musicology Program of Study 09-10.docx