Department of Music

The following list reflects the 2007/2008 faculty.

Co-Chair  Victor Coelho

Co-Chair André de Quadros

Faculty

Martin Amlin Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BM, Southern Methodist University; MM, DMA, Performer’s Certificate, Eastman School of Music

Theodore Antoniou Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. Graduate, National Conservatory of Music and Hellenic Conservatory of Music (Greece)

Victor Coelho Co-Chair, Department of Music, College of Arts & Sciences; Professor of Music and Chair of Musicology, College of Fine Arts; Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. BA, University of California, Berkeley; PhD, University of California, Los Angeles

Richard Cornell Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BMus, Longy School/Emerson College; MMus, New England Conservatory; PhD, Eastman School/University of Rochester

André de Quadros Co-Chair, Department of Music, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; Professor of Music, Director of the School of Music, College of Fine Arts. BA, University of Bombay (India); Dip Humanities, MEd, La Trobe University (Australia); Grad Dip Music, Victorian College of the Arts (Australia); Grad Cert of Higher Education, Monash University (Australia)

Samuel Headrick Assistant Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BM, MM, University of North Texas; PhD, University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music

Brita Heimarck Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BA, Brown University; MA, University of California, Los Angeles; PhD, Cornell University

David Kopp Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BA, Harvard University; MM, SUNY Stony Brook; PhD, Brandeis University

Thomas Peattie Assistant Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BMus, MA, University of Calgary; PhD, Harvard University

Joshua Rifkin Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts; Fellow of the University Professors Program. BS, The Juilliard School; MFA, Princeton University; PhD honoris causa, Universität Dortmund

Andrew Shenton Assistant Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. Houghton Scholar of Sacred Music, School of Theology. BM, London University; MM, Yale University; MA, PhD, Harvard University

Joel L. Sheveloff Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BA, City University of New York, Queens College; MFA, PhD, Brandeis University

Roye Wates Professor of Music, College of Arts & Sciences. BA, Birmingham—Southern College; PhD, Yale University

Jeremy Yudkin Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts. BA, MA, Cambridge University (England); PhD, Stanford University

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The Graduate Program

The Department of Music offers graduate courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, music education, and music theory, as well as comprehensive training in music composition. The musicology faculty is strong in medieval, Renaissance, seventeeth-century, eighteenth-century, romantic, music of Bali and India, popular music, and early twentieth-century musical studies; in the history of music theory and criticism; and in research methodology. This is complemented by a distinguished faculty in music education, composition and theory. Lectures by visiting scholars and composers enrich the regular course offerings. The Boston University library and other major research libraries offer resources to support the highest levels of scholarship and research.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Department of Music maintains close contact with the School of Music in the College of Fine Arts. In fact, all of the faculty members of the Department of Music are also faculty members of the School of Music. Many of the courses and seminars are taken by graduate music students of both Schools. This allows students pursuing graduate studies in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, music education, and composition to maintain close contact with the practice of music. The faculty strongly believes that the history and theory of music are complementary components of a single discipline and encourages students to gain expertise in both areas.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Department of Music offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) in Music with specializations in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, or music education; and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in musicology or double concentration in musicology and music theory. The degrees Master of Music (MusM), and Doctor of Musical Arts (MusAD) are offered through the College of Fine Arts. For further information, consult the College of Fine Arts Bulletin or write: College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: cfamusic@bu.edu.

Admission In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Department of Music requires the following.

Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Music Theory Majors A research paper on a musical topic. Applicants for the PhD degree submit a copy of their master’s thesis if they have completed one. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are required.

Composition Majors Examples of musical compositions. If these are to be returned, the applicant must enclose an addressed envelope with sufficient postage to cover mailing.

Double Concentration in Musicology and Music Theory Research paper(s) on topic(s) relating to music history and music theory. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are required. Music Education majors must submit a research paper.

Proficiency Examinations All entering graduate students are required to take proficiency examinations immediately upon beginning their studies at Boston University. Proficiency examinations are given in the following areas: music theory including basic harmony, ear training, form and analysis, orchestration, and counterpoint.

The student who fails to achieve an acceptably high level on the proficiency examinations must fulfill prerequisite work in a manner to be determined and administered by the Department of Music faculty. Students may not register for advanced courses in areas of deficiency until the deficiencies have been resolved. Prerequisite coursework may not be credited toward degree requirements. Proficiency examinations are given only at the regularly scheduled dates, two times each year. Schedules are available at the College of Fine Arts.

MA in Music

The degree in Master of Arts in Music is for (1) students who are working toward entrance to a program for the PhD; (2) performers with academic interests and needs; (3) students preparing for various positions in the music industry, e.g., music publishing, music criticism, concert management, music broadcasting, and music recording; (4) students working in cognate areas of the humanities that require deeper insight into music; and (5) musicians who need a wider knowledge of music literature and historical principles to satisfy their personal interests and growth.

A minimum of 32 credits is required for the degree of Master of Arts.

Prerequisites Candidates in all fields of specialization normally possess an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent. Students accepted for the program may be required by the faculty to take prerequisite courses if their undergraduate degree was not taken with a concentration in the field of specialization chosen at the graduate level.

Fields of Specialization and Coursework Candidates choose one of the following fields of specialization: musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, or music education.

CFA MU 649 Music Research Techniques is required of composition majors.

Musicology There are no specific course requirements for the MA in Musicology, and students are encouraged to customize their program in consultation with their advisor according to the following distribution: (1) 24 credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory; (2) 4 credits in approved non-music electives; (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study.

Ethnomusicology (1) 16 credits in ethno-musicology and musicology seminars, comprising CFA MU 828, MU 829, MU 830, and MU 739; (2) 12 credits of music and non-music electives (these courses can come from areas such as Anthropology, Musicology, Music Education, Special Topics in Ethnomusicology, History, or specific Area Studies courses from the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University, or BU Consortium courses; (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study. Additional requirements: a) at least 2 semesters of  World Music Ensemble (MU 567), either as instructor or participant (worth 0 to 1 credit); b) knowledge of the undergraduate survey course Musical Cultures of the World (MU 340/350), either as a teaching assistant or by auditing the course.

Music  Theory 3 credits in CFA MU 749 Research and Bibliography; 6 credits in CFA MU 701 and CFA MU 702 Advanced Tonal Analysis and Advanced Analysis in Contemporary Music; 3 credits in either CFA MU 801 or CFA MU 802 Seminar in Theory; 3 credits in CFA MU 620 Schenkerian Analysis I; 3 credits in CFA MU 852 History of Music  Theory II; 3 credits in either CFA MU 851 History of Music Theory I or CFA MU 720 Schenkerian Analysis II; 3 credits in an advanced musicology course; 2 credits in a composition course chosen from CFA MU 605 Fugue, CFA MU 606 Modal Counterpoint, CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint, and CFA MU 706 Advanced Tonal Composition; 2 credits in CFA MU 912 Research and Directed Study in Theory/Composition; and 4 credits in approved electives.

Composition 18 credits to be chosen from CFA MU 575 Graduate Composition, CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint, and CFA MU 703, 704 Orchestration I, II; 6 credits in advanced music history; 8 credits from approved electives.

Music Education 12 credits in music education; 9 credits in music history and music theory; 11 credits in approved electives; and CFA MU 961, 962.

Language Requirement German and one other foreign language are required for musicology majors. One foreign language required for ethnomusicology and theory majors.

Terminal Project Musicology and ethnomusicology majors must write a thesis. The student will first submit to the chair of the department a +/- 10-page proposal consisting of: (1) a description of the subject to be addressed and the methods of research involved, (2) a chapter outline, and (3) a bibliography. After the proposal has been approved, the candidate enrolls in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study. The candidate submits two copies of the final draft to the chair of the department.

Composition majors must write an orchestral composition requiring a minimum of 15 minutes in performance or an instrumental, vocal, or chamber ensemble composition requiring a minimum of 20 minutes in performance time.

Music education majors may present a thesis or, with the approval of the faculty in the Department of Music, take comprehensive examinations.

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PhD in Musicology/Ethnomusicology

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Musicology or Ethnomusicology is designed for those who are preparing themselves (1) for research and writing; (2) for college or university teaching in musicology; or (3) to be executives of music firms requiring concentrated knowledge and experience of music and music research, including editing and publishing music of all periods and styles. The curriculum for this degree is structured in breadth as well as in depth and is therefore of equal value to conductors, music school administrators, and performers and pedagogues at the very highest levels of scholarship and performance.

A minimum of 32 credits is required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in musicology, 42 credits for the PhD with double concentration in musicology and theory.

Prerequisites Candidates in musicology or ethnomusicology must possess a master’s degree usually with a concentration in musicology or its equivalent. Deficiencies must be made up without credit. Candidates in the double concentration must possess a master’s degree with a major in musicology, music theory, or composition. Additional prerequisites may be required if deemed necessary by the faculty.

Fields of Specialization and Course Requirements Candidates choose one of the following fields of specialization: musicology, ethnomusicology, or the double concentration in music history and music theory.

Musicology As with the MA in Musicology, there are no specific course requirements for the PhD in Musicology, and students will customize their program in consultation with their advisor using the following distribution as a general guide: (1) 24 credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory; (2) 4 credits in approved non-music electives; (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study.

Musicology/Ethnomusicology Candidates elect 3 credits in courses in period music history not taken in the master’s program; 9 credits in period music seminars (CFA MU 821 – 826); 6 credits in either CFA MU 831/832 or CFA MU 851/852, depending on which were taken at the master’s level; 4 credits approved nonmusic electives; 4 credits in music theory; and 6 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study in Music (dissertation).

Ethnomusicology (1) 16 credits in ethno-musicology and musicology seminars, comprising MU 828, MU 829, MU 830, and MU 921; (2) 16 credits in related areas such as Anthropology, Musicology, Music Education, Special Topics in Ethnomusicology, History, or specific Area Studies courses from the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University, or BU Consortium courses (3) at least 2 semesters of  World Music Ensemble (MU 567), either as instructor or participant (worth 0 credit); b) knowledge of the undergraduate survey course Musical Cultures of the World (MU 340/350), either as a teaching assistant, or by auditing the course.

Double Concentration Candidates in Musicology and Music Theory elect 6 credits in period music history courses; 6 credits in period seminars (CFA MU 821–825); 6 credits in CFA MU 851, 852 History of Music Theory; 9 credits from: CFA MU 617 Pedagogy of Music Theory; CFA MU 701 Advanced Tonal Analysis; CFA MU 702 Advanced Analysis in Contemporary Music; CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint; CFA MU 706 Advanced Tonal Composition; CFA MU 801, 802 Seminars in Theory; 6 credits in either CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study in Musicology, or CFA MU 912 Research and Directed Study in Music Theory; 3 credits in approved music theory electives; 6 credits in approved music history or theory electives, determined on the basis of previous coursework.

Language Requirement The candidate must demonstrate a reading knowledge of German and one other foreign language.

Qualifying Examination The student may take the qualifying examinations for the doctorate on the completion of a minimum of 30 credits applicable toward the degree. The student must have the written approval of the advisor for each attempt at these examinations. As part of the evaluation of the written and/or oral examinations, the examiners may specify areas for further study above the minimum credit requirement for the degree, whether or not the examinations were passed. In the case of an unsuccessful attempt, the examiners may specify such further requirements before allowing the student to repeat the examinations. The six-hour minimal requirement of research and directed study may be undertaken only after the successful completion of the examinations.

The qualifying examination, written and oral, consists of four sections: (1) topics in the applicant’s primary area of research; (2) topics in a secondary area; (3) ethnomusicology (if not chosen already), aesthetics, performance practice, critical theory, etc.; (4) theory/analysis. The examination may not be taken more than three times. Application must be made to the director of the Department by the specified date on the College of Fine Arts calendar.

Residency Requirement Every doctoral candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year. See General Requirements for the PhD of this site.

Dissertation Prospectus See the See General Requirements for the PhD of this site.

Dissertation The candidate must write a dissertation that constitutes an original contribution to the field of musical knowledge.

Dissertation Defense On completion of the dissertation, the candidate must pass an oral defense on the subject matter and the background of the dissertation.

Courses

The schedule of courses to be offered by the School of Music during a given semester may be found in the “College of Fine Arts” section of the Class Schedule.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

19 December 2008
Boston University
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