Musicology

Hamon Library
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Led by faculty who are well-respected scholar-teachers, the Department of Musicology offers courses in the historical, cultural, and philosophical study of music, with expertise spanning 18th-20th century Western art music, music in screen media, music in advertising, popular music, jazz, women in music, music and dance, and music and indigeneity. We offer classes for both majors and non-majors, ranging from introductory surveys of Western art music, world musics, popular music, and jazz to advanced, writing-intensive seminars in special topics for upper-level students (see the selected course list below). We aim not only to prepare professional musicians for careers in music, but also to instill in students in any academic program a curiosity for musics of many kinds and provide tools for understanding and analyzing these as historical, cultural, and social phenomena. While we have no undergraduate major, the B.A. in Music provides students with an interest in musicology an opportunity to focus their coursework on relevant topics.

Meet Our Faculty

Peter Kupfer Peter Kupfer

Peter Kupfer

Associate Professor of Musicology
Chair, Department of Musicology

Kristina Nielsen Kristina Nielsen

Kristina Nielsen

Assistant Professor of Musicology

Kim Corbet Kim Corbet

Kim Corbet

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Christopher Anderson Christopher Anderson

Christopher Anderson

Associate Professor of Sacred Music
Perkins School of Theology

Eric J. Schmidt Schmidt-Eric

Eric J. Schmidt

Lecturer of Musicology

Marcell Silva Steuernagel Marcell Steuernagel

Marcell Silva Steuernagel

Assistant Professor of Church Music
Director of the Master of Sacred Music degree program
Perkins School of Theology

 GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The M.M. in Musicology at SMU offers students interested in advanced musicology study a unique opportunity to work closely with and be advised and mentored by renowned faculty in a small, personalized program while at the same time being able to take advantage of the resources and opportunities of a full-scale music school and research university located in a . In particular, the M.M. in Musicology distinguishes itself from other similar programs by allowing students to pursue one of two specialization tracks: research and pedagogy. First, though, all students receive thorough background in the historical, cultural, and philosophical study of music through 20 credits of foundational coursework that includes research methods, foundations of musicology, and advanced topical/thematic musicology seminars. For the final 10 credits students choose to specialize in either (1) the research track, which includes the writing of a substantial thesis with the aim of preparing students to be competitive for top musicology Ph.D. programs; or (2) the pedagogy track (unique in the United States), which aims to train students in the techniques of transformative college-level musicology teaching. Included in this track are a pedagogy practicum in which students work closely with faculty to hone their teaching and course design skills in the undergraduate musicology classroom and a final pedagogy project. Class sizes are small and many are taken together with students from varying degree programs, thus ensuring exposure to a broad spectrum of perspectives. Click here for more on the coursework and degree plans. The M.M. in Musicology degree at SMU may be combined with an M.M. in Composition or Performance to broaden career opportunities.

Students applying to the program must submit examples of scholarly research and writing. Basic proficiency in a second language is strongly desired, as during their studies students must pass a translation exam in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Latin, or a language relevant to their specialization.

 

Scholarships and Financial Assistance 

Graduate financial assistance is available through merit scholarships, graduate assistantships, and work-study positions. The FAFSA is required for work-study and graduate assistantships.

Admissions

Alumni Spotlight

Currently enrolled in the M.M. program in Musicology at Northwestern University.

Emma Bolton '21

Pursuing a Ph.D. in Musicology at Columbia University.

Gabrielle Ferrari '17

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