Because music is inextricably woven into the fabric of human activity, the cultural and philosophical contexts of which music has been a part are important considerations in the study of the variety of styles, genres, and media that students in our program have the opportunity to explore. To understand the history of music is to begin to understand more fully the depth of human experience in various times and places. To enable your research, the TCU School of Music’s Music/Media Library houses thousands of scores, books, CDs and music videos, along with creative space in which you can study, listen to music, and take your own journey through the world of music.
Music history and musicology permeate the music program at TCU and reach students from every other department in the University as well. For music majors, there is a three-semester History of Music sequence and a semester-long World Music course. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses cover the entire range of periods, genres and media. Students with an interest in early music have the opportunity to perform with the Collegium Musicum.
Non-majors can take a general Survey of Western Music course or alternatives such as From Rock to Bach, Survey of Jazz and Popular Music, or a class in world music.
The TCU School of Music offers the following degree programs in music history and musicology:
Scholarship support is available for talented graduate music majors. Assistantships that include full-tuition remission plus a stipend are also available.
Stuart G. Cheney, BM, MM, Ph.D. – Division Chair
Gina Bombola, BM, MM, MA, Ph.D.
Timothy D. Watkins, BM, MCM, MM, Ph.D
H. Joseph Butler, BM, MM, DMA
Heidi I. Irgens, BA, MA
José Pablo Quesada, BM, MM, DMA
Won Yong Lee, BM, MM, DMA
Chris Milyo, BM, MM
Michael Morrison, BM, MM
Cara Pollard, BS, MM, DMA
Musicology majors often continue their studies in prestigious doctoral programs around the U.S. and abroad, where they conduct deeper research specific to their areas of interest. Our graduates have gone on to doctoral programs at The Ohio State University, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Florida State University, University of North Texas, and others. Our alumni teach at all educational levels, and work as musical archivists, historians, authors, and university administrators.
Your faculty advisor will work with you to choose the right combination of courses and mentor you so you can reach your goals.
Afro-Asian Encounters
Clara Schumann and Her World
Current Approaches to Renaissance Music Study
Film Music and Identity
The French Baroque
Nationalism and Cultural Identity
Reading and Hearing Rock
Women in American Music After 1900
Graduate Seminars in Music Theory
