McIntire Department of Music
112 Old Cabell Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400176
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4176
(434) 924-3052 Fax: (434) 924-6033
www.virginia.edu/music
Prospective students should be aware that the deadline for
application to the graduate program in Music is December 15.
Graduate Programs in Music
The department offers graduate programs leading to the Ph.D.
in music, with concentration either in Composition or in Critical and Comparative
Studies of Music.
The concentration in Composition will develop composers’
creative and intellectual potential through intensive work in acoustic and digital
media; analytical and critical study of diverse musics; and active engagement
in the development of new musical technologies. Performances of both acoustic
and digital works will be an important part of the program, as will the resources
of the Virginia Center for Computer Music.
The concentration in Critical and Comparative studies will
prepare students for a wide range of careers based on the scholarly study of
music, including college and university teaching. Through seminars, independent
study and close work with faculty advisors, students learn to craft the intellectual
approach appropriate to their research interests by drawing from the skills
of musicology, ethnomusicology, criticism, theory and analysis, aesthetics,
and performance studies.
Degree 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). Students entering with an M.A. degree may petition
the department’s graduate committee to transfer up to 24 graduate credits.
Students in both concentrations are required to pass both a
written qualifying examination and an oral examination on their dissertation
proposal before admission to candidacy. Completed dissertations will be defended
in an oral examination open to the public.
All entering students will be required to take a non-credit
introduction to music research as part of their orientation experience.
The Concentration in Composition
- Course Requirements Composition students will register for private
composition instruction for 6 semesters. Students are strongly encouraged
to work with different faculty after year in order to draw upon varied faculty
approaches. All Composition students will take at least one segment of the
three semesters of MUSI 747 and will also work closely with faculty to design
the most appropriate course of study. Normally, Composition students will
take at least two courses in digital media (such as MUSI 735, 740, 743,
745). Composition students are also encouraged to take seminars offered
by the Critical and Comparative Studies faculty, as well as courses outside
of the department in other areas of interest, such as cognitive science,
computer science, or philosophy. Because MUSI 711 will be a pre- or co-requisite
for Critical and Comparative Studies seminars, Composition students are
urged to take this course during their first semester.
Generally, no more than two courses at the 500 level may be counted
toward the Ph.D.
- Language Requirement Composition students are required to demonstrate
mastery of at least one foreign language or computer language before admission
to candidacy.
- Year One Project In their first year of study, Composition students
will create a significant work to be performed during the spring semester.
Successful completion of this project will be required for continuation
in the program. After the performance, the Composition faculty will meet
to discuss the composition, and to advise on the nature of the student’s
second year project and the areas that might be covered on the qualifying
examination
- Year Two Projects In their second year of study, Composition students
will write an article-length paper demonstrating analytical and critical
abilities. Ordinarily this paper will be drafted by the end of the third
semester of study, and submitted in revised form by March 15 of the fourth
semester. Additionally, second year Composition students will create another
work that will be performed in the spring semester.
At least one of the project compositions completed by the end of
the second year should have an electronic component.
By the end of the second year of study, students should choose the
principal faculty advisor for their dissertation project, and the other
members of their committee. This committee will administer and grade the
qualifying exam, and approve the dissertation proposal.
- Qualifying Examinations Composition students will normally take
a qualifying examination during the fifth semester. Intended to demonstrate
the student’s analytical and critical abilities, the examination will
consist of written exercises and an oral exam. One exercise will focus on
an area of the student’s interest, to be determined at the conclusion
of the second year project, while the second will reflect the student’s
broader familiarity with the field. The oral exam will include discussion
of written work as well as current compositional projects.
- Dissertation Project The dissertation project in Composition will
consist of two parts: (1) creation of an extended composition for acoustic,
electro-acoustic or electronic media; and (2) an article-length essay suitable
for publication. In some cases a longer dissertation essay may be appropriate.
During the sixth semester, Composition students will develop a proposal
that describes both the composition and the essay that together will constitute
the dissertation project. Students will present the dissertation proposal
to their committee for approval.
The completed dissertation will be defended in a public examination
before a committee of at least four faculty, at least one of whom will
be from another department.
The Concentration in Critical and Comparative Studies
- Course Requirements Students of Critical and Comparative Studies
in Music will ordinarily take 3 seminars each semester for three years.
MUSI 811 should be taken in a student’s first semester, as pre- or
co-requisite for 700- and 800-level seminars. Additionally, students of
Critical and Comparative Studies may take up to 9 credits of course work
outside the music department. The choice of such interdisciplinary study
should be made in close consultation with faculty advisors.
Generally, no more than two courses at the 500 level may be counted
toward the Ph.D.
- Language Requirements By the end of the second year of study, students
of Critical and Comparative Studies will have demonstrated mastery of one
foreign language and proficiency in a second. (These levels of competency
are described elsewhere in the Graduate Record.) No student will be admitted
to candidacy until the language requirement is fulfilled.
- Year One Project By the end of the first year of study, students
of Critical and Comparative Studies will submit to the graduate committee
an abstract of one seminar paper they have completed during that year. Working
with faculty advice and comments, students will develop the seminar paper
into a 20-minute conference paper to be presented at a mini-conference sponsored
by the department in the first week of the following term.
- Year Two Requirements By the end of the second year of study, students
will have chosen the principal faculty advisor of their dissertation work,
and the other members of their committee. Working in close consultation
with these faculty advisors, students will have determined the general area
of their dissertation project, and will have identified the areas on which
their qualifying examination will focus.
The faculty committee students assemble in their second year will
administer and grade the qualifying exam, and the same committee will
examine orally and approve the dissertation prospectus.
- Qualifying Examination By the end of the sixth semester, students
of Critical and Comparative Studies will ordinarily have taken a written
general examination showing broad familiarity with several fields of musical
research. Intended to demonstrate the student’s capacity for research
and teaching in several fields, this examination will normally cover three
fields (such as one theoretical approach, one geographical area or historical
period, and one genre). At least one of these fields should be related to
the area of the student’s dissertation; one or two others may be developed
out of course work.
- Dissertation Project A dissertation in Critical and Comparative
Studies will consist of a book-length study demonstrating original research
and critical insight.
By the end of the seventh semester, students of Critical and Comparative
Studies will submit to a faculty committee a detailed prospectus (with
annotated bibliography) of the dissertation project. Students will present
and discuss their dissertation proposal orally before the committee. The
committee’s approval will be required for a student to be admitted
to candidacy for the degree.
The completed dissertation will be defended in a public examination before
a committee of at least four faculty, at least one of whom will be from
another department.
Course Descriptions
Note: Courses numbered 500-599 are for advanced undergraduate and graduate
students; courses numbered 700 and above are for graduate students only.
MUSI 533 - (3) (IR)
Modal Counterpoint
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Written and aural exercises based
on analyses of the contrapuntal style of Palestrina and his contemporaries.
MUSI 534 - (3) (IR)
Tonal Counterpoint
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Written and aural exercises based
on analyses of the contrapuntal style of J.S. Bach and his successors.
MUSI 535 - (3) (O)
Instrumentation
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 536 - (3) (O)
Orchestration
Prerequisite: MUSI 535.
Composing and arranging music for orchestral instruments
in various combinations.
MUSI 538 - (3) (IR)
Canon and Fugue
Prerequisite: MUSI 431 and instructor permission.
Composition and analysis
of canons and fugues focusing on works of J.S. Bach.
MUSI 541, 542 - (3) (Y)
Conducting I, II
Prerequisite: MUSI 332 or equivalent and instructor
permission.
Studies the theory and practice of conducting and rehearsal
technique.
MUSI 551-558 - (2) (SI)
Graduate Performance
Prerequisite: Graduate student in music with instructor
permission by audition.
MUSI 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569 - (1-2) (SI)
Performance Ensembles
Prerequisite: Graduate student in music with instructor
permission by audition.
MUSI 581, 582 - (3) (Y)
Composition
Prerequisite: MUSI 431 and instructor permission.
MUSI 593, 594 - (1-3) (SI)
Independent Study
Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Independent study
dealing with a specific topic. Requirements will not place primary emphasis
on research.
MUSI 700 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Pre-Modern Music to 1500
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 701 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Early Modern Music 1500 - 1750
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 702 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 703 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Nineteenth-Century Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 704 - (3) (IR)
Topics in Twentieth Century Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 705 - (3) (IR)
Vocal Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Studies topics, announced in advance,
and selected from opera, oratorio, choral music, or song.
MUSI 706 - (3) (IR)
Instrumental Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Studies topics, announced in advance,
selected from the orchestral, chamber music or solo repertories.
MUSI 707 - (3) (IR)
Composers
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Study, announced in advance, of
the life and works of a composer (or school of composers).
MUSI 708 - (3) (IR)
American Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 709, 710 - (3) (IR)|
Cultural and Historical Studies of Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Selected topics, announced in
advance, exploring the study of music within cultural and historical frameworks.
MUSI 711 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Research in Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 712 - (3) (SI)
Studies in Jazz Literature
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 719, 720 - (3) (IR)
Current Studies in Research and Criticism
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 723 - (3) (IR)
Issues in Ethnomusicology
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Intended as a first intensive
experience with ethnomusicology and performance studies, this seminar explores
musical ethnography, field research,
and a performance approach to both. Addresses issues involving race, class,
gender, and identity politics in light of particular topics and area studies.
MUSI 724 - (3) (IR)
Field Research and Ethnography of Performance
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Working with and critiquing ideas
about ethnography and performativity, students explore epistemological, ethical,
and aesthetic issues as they relate
to field research, and push the envelope of "creative non-fiction" in
the ethnographic realm through writing. A final essay as well as a final performance
presentation are required.
MUSI 725, 726 - (3) (IR)
Topics in Ethnomusicology
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Studies the field of ethnomusicology.
Specific issues and cultural areas addressed depend on the interests of students
and the instructor.
MUSI 732 - (3) (Y)
Musical Analysis
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Studies various approaches to
musical analysis; readings from the most important theoretical literature; and
the practical exercises in analysis
of music from all periods.
MUSI 740 - (3) (Y)
Computer Sound Generation and Spatial Processing
Prerequisite: Instructor permission. The course is intended
for graduate students in music.
Studies in sound processing, digital synthesis
and multichannel audio using RTCmix running under Linux. Students learn techniques
of computer
music through advanced composition, analysis of representative works, and programming.
MUSI 743 - (3) (Y)
Sound Studio
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Studies in computer music studio
techniques, sound synthesis using a variety of software packages based on the
Macintosh platform, and the
creation of original music using new technologies.
MUSI 745 - (3) (SI)
Computer Applications in Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Topics involving
the composition, performance, and programming of interactive computer music
systems.
MUSI 747 - (3) (Y)
Materials of Contemporary Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
The course is intended for graduate
students in music. Topics in contemporary music that will focus on different
areas in rotation. Each will
involve focused readings, analysis of selected works, and the creation of original
compositions that reflect the issues under discussion.
MUSI 771, 772 - (3) (SI)
Instrumental Conducting I, II
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Advanced studies in the theory
and practice of conducting, score analysis, and rehearsal techniques.
MUSI 774 - (3) (SI)
Music in Performance
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Provides a venue for students
to study how musical performances implicitly or explicitly enact and/or (re)negotiate
their historical, cultural,
and ideological circumstances. Students examine their premises about the very
nature of music as constituted by a given cultural context and evaluate the
socio-esthetic bases of their own musical judgments.
MUSI 775, 776 - (3) (S)
Choral Conducting I, II
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Advanced studies in the technique
and art of conducting, with weekly experience conducting repertoire with a small
choral ensemble.
MUSI 781 - (3) (Y)
Composition
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 783, 784 - (3) (SI)
Proseminar in Computer Music Composition
Prerequisite: MUSI 539, MUSI 540 and instructor permission.
MUSI 805, 806 - (3) (SI)
Advanced Studies in Music
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 871, 872 - (3) (SI)
Advanced Instrumental Conducting I, II
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
This course will offer individual
advanced training and coaching in instrumental conducting for experienced graduate
conductors.
MUSI 881, 882 - (3) (SI)
Advanced Composition
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
MUSI 883, 884 - (3) (SI)
Advanced Computer Music Composition
Prerequisite: MUSI 539, 540, and instructor permission.
MUSI 891, 892 - (3) (IR)
Supervised Research
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Reading and/or other work in particular
fields under supervision of an instructor. Normally taken by first-year graduate
students.
MUSI 893, 894 - (1-3) (SI)
Independent Study
Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Independent study
dealing with a specific topic. Requirements will place primary emphasis on independent
research.
MUSI 896 - (3) (S)
Thesis
MUSI 897 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research,
taken before a thesis director has been selected.
MUSI 898 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision
of a thesis director.
MUSI 901, 902 - (3) (IR)
Directed Readings
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Intensive readings on particular
topics, under the supervision of an instructor.
MUSI 991, 992 (3) (IR)
Supervised Research
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Reading and/or other work in particular
fields under supervision of an instructor. Normally taken by second year graduate
students.
MUSI 993, 994 - (3) (IR)
Independent Research
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Research carried out by graduate
student in consultation with an instructor.
MUSI 997 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Preliminary research directed
towards a dissertation in consultation with an instructor.
MUSI 999 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
For doctoral dissertation, taken
under the supervision of a dissertation director.
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Graduate School of Arts and Sciences