Degree Requirements
The McIntire Department of Music offers graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Music, with specializations in Critical and Comparative Studies or Composition and Computer Technologies.
Graduate Application Deadline: January 2nd, 2010
Critical and Comparative Studies
Overview
This program encourages students to develop interdisciplinary perspectives on music and musical culture. Seminars and independent projects examine diverse musical traditions along with the research techniques of musicology, ethnomusicology, theory and analysis, and popular music studies. Working closely with faculty mentors, students approach their own research interests with a combination of the most appropriate methods from these and related fields such as performance studies, feminist and queer studies, aesthetics, religious studies, and critical theory. Students currently in the program are writing on a range of modern and historical, "popular" and "classical," American, European, and non-Western topics, and have been well represented in national and international conferences.
Requirements
The Ph.D. requires 54 credits of course work, up to 18 credits of dissertation research, and successful completion of a dissertation project. Students who successfully complete two years (36 credits) of course work and the projects appropriate to their concentration will be granted an M.A. at the end of their second year. Those entering with an M.A. degree may petition the department's graduate committee to transfer up to 24 graduate credits.
This program encourages students to develop interdisciplinary perspectives on music and musical culture. Seminars and independent projects examine diverse musical traditions along with the research techniques of musicology, ethnomusicology, theory and analysis, and popular music studies. Working closely with faculty mentors, students approach their own research interests with a combination of the most appropriate methods from these and related fields such as performance studies, feminist and queer studies, aesthetics, religious studies, and critical theory. Students in the program write on a range of modern and historical, "popular" and "classical," American, European, and non-Western topics.
During the first two years, students ordinarily take three seminars per semester, including MUSI 811 (Introduction to Critical and Comparative Studies). During the third year, students may take an additional seminar each semester while preparing for their qualifying examinations. All students must take a non-credit course in research skills during first-year orientation, as well as demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language and mastery in a second foreign language.
In a departmental colloquium at the beginning of the second year, students present a paper based on a seminar project. Successful completion of this first-year project is required for continuation in the program. By the end of the third year, students must pass a written qualifying examination showing their capacity for research and teaching. The examination covers three fields chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and examination committee. Following passage of the qualifying examination and all other degree requirements, students begin work on the dissertation, which consists of a book-length study demonstrating original research and critical insight. The completed projects are defended in a public examination before a committee of four faculty, at least one of whom will be from another department.
Composition and Computer Technologies
Overview
This program emphasizes the study and integration of acoustic and computer-based music composition, with ample opportunities in multimedia. Students work with individual faculty and participate in seminars that develop analytical, critical, theoretical and technological approaches. Computer-based and multimedia projects are supported by the Virginia Center for Computer Music (VCCM), which houses a wide variety of commercial and in-house software and hardware. Annual residencies by professional ensembles provide professional performance opportunities, and annual composer concerts provide forums for new work. Students also pursue research projects such as the development of software for interactive dance and internet-based art, and have been well represented in national and international conferences.
Requirements
The Ph.D. requires 54 credits of course work, up to 18 credits of dissertation research, and successful completion of a dissertation project. Students who successfully complete two years (36 credits) of course work and the projects appropriate to their concentration will be granted an M.A. at the end of their second year. Those entering with an M.A. degree may petition the department's graduate committee to transfer up to 24 graduate credits.
The program in Composition and Computer Techonologies emphasizes the study and integration of acoustic and computer-based music composition, with ample opportunities in multimedia. Students work with individual faculty and participate in seminars that develop analytical, critical, theoretical and technological approaches. Computer-based and multimedia projects are supported by the Virginia Center for Computer Music (VCCM), which houses a wide variety of commercial and in-house software and hardware. Annual residencies by professional ensembles provide professional performance opportunities, and annual composer concerts provide forums for new work. Students also pursue research projects such as the development of software for interactive dance and internet-based art.
Students ordinarily register for private composition instruction for 6 semesters, changing instructor each year in order to draw upon varied approaches. During the first two years, students normally take two seminars per semester in addition to composition lessons, including at least one semester of MUSI 747 (Materials of Contemporary Music), and two semesters of digital media (such as MUSI 740, 743, 750). Other seminars may be chosen from music or other areas of interest, such as cognitive science, computer science, or philosophy. All students must take a non-credit course in research skills during first-year orientation, and demonstrate proficiency in one foreign or computer language.
During each of the first two years, students create a substantial piece to be performed in the spring semester. During the second year they also produce a critical or analytical research paper based on a seminar project. Successful completion of these first- and second-year projects is required for continuation in the program. By the end of the third year, students must pass a written qualifying examination showing their capacity for research and teaching. The examination covers three fields chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and examination committee. Following passage of the qualifying examination and all other degree requirements, students begin work on the dissertation, which consists of an extended composition for acoustic, electroacoustic or digital media as well as an essay appropriate for publication as an article. The completed projects are defended in a public examination before a committee of four faculty, at least one of whom will be from another department.