Music Theory
Musicology
Music theory at Indiana University emphasizes musicianship and scholarly study with particular emphasis on the history of musical thought, analysis of musical structure, and pedagogy.
Master of Music in Music Theory
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory (through University Graduate School)
Prerequisite
Bachelor’s degree with a major in music.
Admission
The applicant must submit at the time of application three letters of recommendation and a typed, formal paper of substantial length on an analytical or theoretical subject. The paper is expected to demonstrate the applicant’s musical insight and ability to express ideas clearly and correctly. An individual interview is also required; applicants are expected to be proficient in sight singing, aural skills, and keyboard harmony. The applicant’s scores on the GRE General Test must be received from Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, by the application deadline.
Major
21 credit hours. T550 Readings in Music Theory (3 cr.), T551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music (3 cr.), T555 Schenkerian Analysis (3 cr.), T556 Analysis of Music Since 1900 (3 cr.), T565 Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T591 Teaching of Music Theory (3 cr.), T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T599 Master’s Degree Comprehensive Review (0 cr.). A student may demonstrate proficiency in any one of these areas without substituting another graduate-level music theory course.
Music History and Literature Requirement
6 credit hours. See “Structure of Master's Curricula” under “General Requirements for Master’s Degrees” in this bulletin.
Outside Area
6 credit hours. See “Structure of Master’s Curricula” under “General Requirements for Master’s Degrees” in this bulletin.
Tool Subject
M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.) with a grade of B or higher or evidence of proficiency demonstrated by examination.
Ensemble
Each semester.
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Admission
Applicants for the Ph.D. in music theory must have received a master’s degree in music theory or musicology or the demonstrated equivalent. Students with outstanding credentials may apply directly from a bachelor’s degree. Students are required to demonstrate competency in all areas required of the M.M. music theory major at Indiana University, and may be exempted from certain courses on the recommendation of the department. Applicants must apply to both the Graduate Division of the Jacobs School of Music and the University Graduate School.
In addition to three letters of recommendation, applicants must submit two extensive, formal research papers or a master’s thesis in music theory or musicology. An individual interview is also required; applicants are expected to be proficient in sight singing, aural skills, and keyboard harmony. The applicant’s scores on the GRE General Test must be received from Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, by the application deadline.
Major
36-66 credit hours. Foundation Courses: T551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music (3 cr.), T555 Schenkerian Analysis (3 cr.), T556 Analysis of Music Since 1900 (3 cr.), T565 Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T591 Teaching of Music Theory (3 cr.). Foundation courses may be validated based on previous coursework.
Advanced courses: T623-T624 History of Music Theory I-II (3-3 cr.); T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3-3-3-3 cr.); T550 Readings in Music Theory* (3 cr.); 3 credits chosen from T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T561 Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T619 Projects and Problems in Music Theory (3 cr.) or another graduate course approved by the music theory department; T700 Dissertation in Music Theory (9-24 cr.).
* Students who have already fulfilled the requirement for T550 must substitute 3 credits of T658, T561, T619, or another approved graduate course.
Public Lecture
T659 Public Lecture (0 cr.). The public lecture must be completed before taking the oral qualifying examination.
Minor Fields
24 credit hours. Student must elect two minor fields, usually for 12 credit hours each. The first minor must be either music history and literature or musicology. The second minor may be inside or outside of the Jacobs School of Music. For the second minor, the student may also select guided electives not in the major field, approved by the student’s advisory committee and the director of graduate studies.
Tool Subjects
M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.) with a grade of B or higher and reading knowledge of two non-English languages as demonstrated by examination or by grades of B or higher in two semesters of reading courses at the graduate level in each; or reading knowledge of one language and demonstration of proficiency in one research skill, approved by the department and the director of graduate studies of the Jacobs School of Music.
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Master of Arts in Musicology (through University Graduate School)
Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology (through University Graduate School)
Prerequisite
Bachelor’s degree (B.M. or B.A.) with a major in music, or demonstrated equivalent.
Admission
Applications must include
a formal research paper on a historical or theoretical subject in music. The applicant’s scores on the GRE General Test must be received from Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey by the application deadline.
Major
18 credit hours. 9 credit hours selected from M525 Survey of Operatic Literature (3 cr.), M527 Symphonic Literature (3 cr.), M528 Chamber Music Literature (3 cr.), M650 Music in the United States (3 cr.), M651 Medieval Music (3 cr.), M652 Renaissance Music (3 cr.), M653 Baroque Music (3 cr.), M654 Classic Music (3 cr.), M655 Romantic Music (3 cr.), M656 Music Since 1900 (3 cr.), M502 Composers: Variable Topics (3 cr.) or M510 Topics in Music Literature (3 cr.); 6 credit hours selected from T551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music (3 cr.), T545 Introductory Analysis of Music Literature (3 cr.), T555 Schenkerian Analysis (3 cr.), or T556 Analysis of Music Since 1900 (3 cr.); 3 credit hours selected from graduate courses in music history and literature, musicology, music theory, or ethnomusicology.
Music History and Literature Requirement
6 credit hours. See “Structure of Master's Curricula“ under ”General Requirements for Master's Degrees” in this bulletin.
Outside Area
6 credit hours.
Tool Subjects
M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.); reading knowledge of German as demonstrated by musicology department examination.
Ensemble
Each semester.
Master of Arts examination
To be taken in the semester in which a student completes the course work for the degree.
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Prerequisite
Applicants for the Ph.D. in musicology must have received an M.A. or M.M. degree from an accredited institution or must demonstrate equivalent accomplishment. Previous course work may be offered in partial fulfillment of major or minor field requirements, subject to evaluation and acceptance. Ph.D. candidates are required to demonstrate competency in all areas required of the M.A. in musicology major at Indiana University.
Admission
Applicants for the Ph.D. in musicology must demonstrate strong preparation in music history. Students with outstanding credentials may apply directly from a bachelor’s degree; students holding an M.A. or M.M. in musicology may be exempted from certain courses on the recommendation of
the department. A formal research paper must be submitted with the application. The applicant’s scores on the GRE General Test must be received from Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey by the application deadline.
Progress toward Degree
Deficiencies in music history or music theory, as determined by the graduate entrance examinations, must be met by the end of the first year. One language examination must be passed by the end of the first year, and a second must be passed before the qualifying examination. The qualifying examination should ordinarily be taken in the fall of the fourth year. A dissertation proposal should ordinarily be submitted during the fourth year. Exceptions to this general schedule require the permission of the department.
Major
48 to 78 credit hours. M551 Introduction to Historical Musicology
(3 cr.); M602 Seminar in Musicology (3-3-3-3-3- 3-3-3 cr.); M603 Methods of Musical Scholarship (3-3 cr.); 12 credit hours of courses in musicology, music theory, ethnomusicology, or other musical subjects approved by the student’s doctoral advisory committee; M700 Dissertation in Musicology (3-33 cr.).
Minor
One minor, with sufficient credit hours to satisfy the course requirements for a Ph.D. minor, as determined by the department in which the minor is taken. All such minors must be recognized or accepted by the University Graduate School. A Ph.D. minor typically requires 12 credit hours of course work, and departments may also require a written and/or oral examination in the minor field.
Tool Subjects
M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.) and reading knowledge of two non-English languages as demonstrated by musicology department examination. The first must be German, French, Italian, Latin, Spanish, or Russian; the second should be relevant to the student’s research area.
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