MUSICOLOGY & ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
Our musicology and ethnomusicology division comprises two distinct but closely integrated programs, both leading to the M.A. or Ph.D. Our students reap the benefits of working with faculty in both areas and from coursework and performance in ensembles that allow them to explore music globally and across time. As part of a major research university, our students also have access to a wide range of library materials and affiliate scholars.
The Programs
Our faculty are experts in historical sources, performance practice, critical and cultural theory and analytical methods related to art and popular and traditional musics. They collaborate closely to provide students with the opportunity to design a course of study that combines elements of both musicology and ethnomusicology. In seminars, students learn to cross between both disciplines. Through a lively lecture and colloquium series, they will also have the opportunity to hear from their peers, faculty and guest speakers. We also regularly host graduate workshops on professional development and are particularly proud of our program’s robust attention to pedagogy. Indeed, most of our students assist with courses for both music majors and general education students. All of our students have the opportunity to perform with our three world music ensembles specializing in music from Bali, Japan and Korea.
Located near Washington, D.C., our students have easy access to the remarkable resources, collections and archives of the Library of Congress and Smithsonian, along with arts organizations and government agencies — including the Kennedy Center and National Endowment for the Humanities — that often provide professional pathways for music-academics.
Musicology
Our musicology students take courses that examine Western music, both art and popular, within a historical and critical framework that includes approaches drawn from source studies, performance studies and journalism. In many cases, musicology students have undertaken projects that borrow from the research methods, frameworks and tools of ethnomusicology.
Ethnomusicology
Students in our ethnomusicology program can expect courses on fieldwork, transcription, the anthropology of music, thematic issues and the music of particular regions, with methods influenced by disciplines including cultural anthropology and cultural studies. Ethnomusicology students have frequently drawn upon historical methods and archival sources in their work.
Funding
Most students admitted to the program are supported with teaching assistantships (two years for M.A., four years for Ph.D.), which include tuition waivers and stipends. Summer research grants are also available and our graduate students have an excellent track record for obtaining fellowships for dissertation research and writing.
Performance Opportunities
All of our students have the opportunity to perform with our three world music ensembles specializing in music from Bali, Japan and Korea.
Our Faculty
Jason Geary
Director, School of Music, College of Arts and Humanities, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
2110B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Barbara Haggh-Huglo
Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110F The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Olga Haldey
Associate Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110D The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Richard King
Associate Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110G The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Siv Lie
Assistant Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Kyoko Okamoto
Lecturer, Musicology & Ethnomusicology, UMD Japanese Koto Ensemble
2110 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Fernando Rios
Associate Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110E The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
William Robin
Assistant Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
3110C The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
I Suadin
Lecturer, Musicology & Ethnomusicology, UMD Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble
Sebastian Wang
Lecturer, Musicology & Ethnomusicology, UMD Korean Percussion Ensemble
3110H The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Patrick Warfield
Associate Director for Graduate Studies & Strategic Initiatives, School of Music, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
2110C The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
J. Witzleben
Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology, School of Music
3110H The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Curriculum
M.A. (Musicology)
| Course | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Musicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Seminars | 2 courses | 6 |
| Electives | 4 courses | 12 |
| Thesis Research - May be replaced with two additional seminars | 2 semesters | 6 |
M.A. (Ethnomusicology)
| Course | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Introduction to Musicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Seminars | 2 courses | 6 |
| Area Studies in Ethnomusicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Electives | 4 courses | 12 |
| World Music Ensembles | 2 semesters | 2 |
| Thesis Research - May be replaced with two additional seminars | 2 courses | 6 |
Ph.D. (Musicology)
| Course | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Musicology | 1 course | 3 |
| Ethnomusicology Seminar | 1 course | 3 |
| Seminars | 7 courses | 21 |
| Dissertation Research | 2 courses | 12 |
Ph.D. (Ethnomusicology)
| Course | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Seminars | 3 courses | 9 |
| Electives | 5 courses | 15 |
| Dissertation Research | 2 courses | 12 |