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Music History and LiteratureUndergraduate Studies and Graduate Degrees

Music History and Literature | School of Music

About The Program

The Department of Music History and Literature, along with Music Theory, forms the academic backbone for all music degrees at UNC. All music students benefit from our inclusive curriculum comprising historical musical repertoire, evolving musical styles, and performance practices. The Music History and Literature program offers graduate degress at both the master's and doctoral levels.

  • Degree Overview

    Graduate Studies

    The area of Music History and Literature offers the Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees, both of which emphasize research.

    The master's program is designed to be completed in two years, and in addition to coursework includes pedagogical mentoring and a research-based thesis. Students often use our program to prepare for Ph.D. programs in Musicology at research universities, and our graduates have gone on to fully funded graduate positions at such institutions as Washington University of St. Louis, Eastman School of Music/University of Rochester, Cincinnati College-Conservatory/University of Cincinnati, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

    The Doctor of Arts degree is a professional degree intended for future college and university faculty; it can take 3 or more years to complete and includes a written disseration. Our masters and doctoral graduates have held faculty positions throughout the United States.

    Meet the Faculty

  • Beyond the Classroom

    Musicology Research and Publications

    Our students frequently present their research at meetings of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Musicological Society, gaining valuable professional experience within the discipline. Their work has appeared in such national and international peer-reviewed publications as Early Music, Pendragon Review, The Journal of Musicological Research, The Choral Journal, Perspectives of New Music, The ITA Journal, and A-R Editions. Those holding the Graduate Assistantship work with Deborah Kauffman, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Musicological Research, learning the protocols and procedures of scholarly publishing through practical involvement with the process.

    American Musicological Society Rocky Mountain Chapter

    The Rocky Mountain Chapter brings together professors, students, and scholars from the Rocky Mountain region, which covers the American states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Our chapter collects no dues and has no application process. If you live in the region and are a member of the AMS, you are a member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter.

    Learn more about the American Musicological Society Rocky Mountain Chapter

  • Curriculum

    Master of Music in Music History and Literature Concentration

    The Master of Music in Music History and Literature Concentration requires 30 credit hours of coursework. It includes an introduction to music scholarship and research,  seminars in music history and music theory with faculty-mentors, and a culminating recital performance.

    Learn More about the Master of Music in Music History and Literature Concentration

    Doctor of Arts in Music History and Literature Concentration

    The Doctor of Arts in Music History and Literature Concentration requires 70 credit hours of coursework. Through creating a plan of study, students will be able to pursue academic interests in preparation for comprehensive exams, participate in a supervised practicum in college teaching, and complete dissertation research credits. 

    Learn more about the Doctor of Arts in Music History and Literature Concentration

  • Applications and Scholarships

    Applications

    In addition to completing the UNC Undergraduate  or Graduate Application, students will be asked to submit more information to finish the application process. To learn more about the application process visit the music history and literature page to find the application requirements.

    MUSIC HISTORY & LITERATURE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

    Scholarships

    The College of Performing and Visual Arts awards over $1.8 million in scholarships annually to undergraduate and graduate students in the arts. There are multiple scholarship types offered to students, including talent scholarships and foundation scholarships. To learn more, visit the PVA Scholarship page.

    PVA Scholarships

Questions? Get In Touch!

970-351-2993pva@unco.edu
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Application Dates
  • Fall semesterAugust 1*
  • Spring semesterJanuary 1*
  • Summer semesterMay 1*
*Note: Application dates may vary depending on student status. Learn more.

Meet our Faculty

Jonathan Bellman - School of Music
Jonathan Bellman,
Head, Academic Studies Area, Professor of Music

Janice Dickensheets - School of Music
Janice Dickensheets,
Professor of Music,
Music History

Paul Elwood - School of Music
Paul Elwood,
Associate Professor of Music, Music Composition

Deborah Kauffman - School of Music
Deborah Kauffman,
Professor of Music,
Music History & Literature

HeeSeung Lee - School of Music
HeeSeung Lee 
Assistant Professor of
Music History & Theory

Michael Oravitz - School of Music
Michael Oravitz,
Associate Professor of Music, Music History & Theory

Brian Casey - School of Music
Brian Casey,
Associate Professor of Music, Jazz Academics

Skinner Music Library | School of Music

Skinner Music Library | School of Music

Skinner Music Library | School of Music

Skinner Music Library | School of Music

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970-351-2993
501 20th St
Campus Box 30
Greeley, CO 80639

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Greeley, CO 80639

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