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THE CONCENTRATION IN MUSIC |
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 Students prepare for a performance of a Bach chorale as part of Christoph Wolff's Bach core class. |
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General Information on the Concentration in Music
The concentration in Music emphasizes the acquisition of a solid foundation in the theory, analysis, history, and literature of music. It thereby provides an understanding of music in cultural and historical contexts as well as an introduction to composition, analysis, and criticism. The Department of Music also strongly encourages performance on the part of its students. The program is not directed primarily toward students planning careers in performance fields, but serves such students by deepening their intellectual involvement with the music they are to play. Many of the courses in the field are required, leaving few electives. Students begin musicological training with an intensive one-year survey (Music 97); this course gives students an extensive basic knowledge of the history and literature of Western music, as well as an introduction to basic principles of ethnomusicology. Further musicological work proceeds through proseminars, for small groups and taught for the most part by senior faculty, that explore in detail selected musicological issues and direct students toward significant independent projects. Training in theory and composition begins with two full-year courses dealing with the notation and structure of Western music. Students then choose among several options for further training in courses that focus on composition (counterpoint, in the style of Palestrina or of Bach) or analysis (of tonal music or of twentieth-century compositions) Students who enter with a significant background in theory can bypass the first year of the theory sequence and replace it with an elective. Students lacking a theory background are urged to take Music 51 in the freshman year, if at all possible, or in the sophomore year in any case. It is not possible to complete the concentration requirements if Music 51 is not completed before the junior year (although it is sometimes possible for joint concentrators). All concentrators are required to take Music History and Repertory (Music 97). Juniors intending a senior thesis are particularly invited to take at least one term of junior tutorial (Music 98) as an elective. This consists of individual work with a faculty member of the student's choice; it is especially useful in preparation for a senior thesis. Students not intending a senior thesis are also welcome to take junior tutorial as an elective, should they wish to and should they find a willing supervisor on the faculty. For those writing senior theses, a year of senior tutorial (Music 99) is required. Senior theses involve written documents, in connection either with studies of a scholarly nature, or with original compositions. Senior recitals are encouraged, but do not count as senior theses. There are no General Examinations for undergraduates, though there is a musicianship examination described in item four of Basic Requirements The department encourages joint concentrations combining two subjects such as Music and English, Music and History, Music and Psychology, or others. For joint concentrators each of the two departments involved reduces its requirements to some extent. Ordinarily, a senior thesis is required on a topic in which both fields are represented. For students who wish to pursue a program with more emphasis on performance, the department offers the Five-Year Program. Students approved by the department and the Administrative
Board for this program take the normal number of courses in their freshman year, but then work at the three-course rate for the four years following. This permits more intensive work in performance. These students are expected to give a senior recital. |
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| Honors Requirements: 16 half courses Required courses
Tutorial
Thesis
Examination
Other information
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Joint Concentration Requirements Joint Concentration Requirements: 8 half courses Required courses must include
Tutorial
Thesis
Examination
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Music as a Secondary Field The Department of Music offers one secondary field designed to be flexible enough to accommodate a broad range of interests in this field. Students are free to explore the field by selecting a variety of courses; or they may focus on any aspect of the larger field. REQUIREMENTS 5 half-courses
OTHER INFORMATION
ADVISING RESOURCES AND EXPECTATIONSStudents pursuing a secondary field are urged to seek out members of the Music Department faculty for advice on their specific course choices. For general information about the department, its faculty, and courses visit the department website, www.fas.harvard.edu/~musicdpt/. For more information on the secondary field and for advising, please speak to either the secondary field adviser, Mary Gerbi (617-495-2791; gerbi@fas.harvard.edu), or the Head Tutor, Christopher Hasty (617-495-2791). Independent Study: Private Music Lessons Independent Study is designed to provide credit for private music lessons given by instructors not on the Harvard faculty and is governed by the guidelines published in the Handbook for Students issued each year by Harvard College. The catalogue number for Independent Study is "9999." Only students concurrently engaged in at least one of the following activities are eligible for Private Music Lessons as Independent Study in Music: 1) Music Concentrators/Joint Concentrators
The following procedures must be followed: 1. Obtain Application for Independent Study forms (two copies) from your House Senior Tutor. Have them out and signed. 2. Include in the petition for Independent Study a statement as to why course credit for lessons is desired and what you hope to achieve in the lessons. 3. Fill out the Independent Study Form (from Assistant to the Chair in the Music Department) and obtain signature from Private Instructor. 4. Both forms (Application for Independent Study and Departmental Independent Study Form) must be completed and signed and in the Music Department Office for the Music Department Advisor's (see below for list of Advisors) signature four working days before your Senior Tutor's due date. You are responsible for picking up the signed forms from the Department and returning them to your Senior Tutor. Please be aware that individual Senior Tutors may have different deadlines. 5. At the end of the term both you and your Private Instructor must submit a brief report to the Music Department Advisor. Each of these reports should outline what pieces have been worked on and should include an evaluation of your progress. The deadline for the reports is the first day of Reading Period. The reports will be accepted by the Music Department and passed on to the appropriate Advisor. Both reports must be received or no credit will be given. You are responsible for making sure that the Private Instructor submits the report by the deadline. Music Department Advisors Keyboard: Robert Levin Special Note: Lessons must be paid for by the student; the Music Department does not fund private study on any instrument. |
Five Year Program (not the 5-year dual degree Harvard/NEC program) *Notes: This program is designed for music concentrators; thus admission to the five-year program is only granted to students willing to commit to this concentration choice as freshmen. Permission to follow the five-year program involves a first year of study at the normal rate, and four further years of working and paying at the three-course rate. This means that a student doing the five-year program will pay four years of tuition, but ten terms of fees, room and board. Students may combine this option with advanced standing to finish degree requirements in four years and remain at Harvard for a fifth year at the reduced rate. Procedure: 1. In the freshman year, student requests certification from Department. This takes the form of a brief letter to the Head Tutor, outlining the student’s performance background and plans for performance study in the five-year program. 2. The Music Department considers and acts on this request. 3. If the request is approved, the student takes the department’s certification to her/his Resident Dean, and makes a request for permission to remain at Harvard for ten terms, and to work for six terms at the three-course rate. 4. Resident Dean takes this request to the Administrative Board for permission. 5. Resident Dean notifies the student and the Head Tutor of Music of the Administrative Board’s decision. More information: Stephanie Kenen, Assistant Dean of Harvard College; Thomas Forrest Kelly, Head Tutor, Music All students are required to confer with the Head Tutor or the Assistant Head Tutor at the outset of their concentration or joint concentration, in order to develop an overall plan for fulfillment of requirements. All concentrators will continue to be advised by one of these two officials at the start of each term. The Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library offers an outstanding collection of books and scores, as well as listening equipment for its extensive recording collection. An electronic music studio is available. Instrumentalists have access to the practice rooms, all of which have pianos, and a limited number of instrument lockers are available for sign-out at the start of the fall semester. provided. The many musical organizations include the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, the Bach Society Orchestra, the Mozart Society Orchestra, the Harvard-Radcliffe Ensemble Society, the Harvard Glee Club, the Collegium Musicum, the Radcliffe Choral Society, the University Choir, the Group for New Music at Harvard, and the Organ Society. Students interested in composition may submit works for performance at concerts offered by the department and for the Harvard University Prizes. The Office for the Arts offers a special lesson subsidy program (by audition), as well as information on private teachers in the area. |
Visiting the Department If you decide to make an application, the Harvard College Office of Admissions and Financial Aid handles the admissions process in its entirety. All questions about the admissions process, as well as all application materials, should be sent to them: The best times to visit the department are when classes are in session. However, you can come by at any time to see the building and facilities. The Music Department is open 9-5 Monday through Friday except for holidays. Academic Calendar for 2008-2009
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