07.03.08 PhD - Major in Composition
Note: students who entered this degree program prior to fall 2006 have the option of completing either the degree requirements which were in effect were in effect when they entered the program, or the following curriculum approved by the Graduate Research Committee May 2006.
The requirements for the PhD in the field of composition include the successful completion of the following courses or their equivalents:
| Requirement | Credit |
| Composition
CMP 401, 402, 501, 502 (Advanced Composition I-IV) | 12 |
| CMP 421-422 (Advanced Computer Music Techniques I-II) | 6 |
| Doctoral Seminars
|
12 |
| Music Theory
|
6-8 |
| CMP 595 (PhD Dissertation Project) See: (Dissertation & Final Examination) | 8-12 |
| Electives1 | 10-16 |
| Remedial courses - If required by placement exams. These courses do not count toward total credits for the degree. See (Remedial Courses - DMA) and (Placement Examinations and Remediation) for further information. | - |
| Total Credits | 60 |
1A total of at least 20 credit hours must be taken in areas other than composition and applied study. Most often these will be music history and theory courses, but other options are also possible.
Foreign Language Requirements for the PhD in Composition
Composition majors have a general requirement of one foreign language, to be selected in consultation with the advisor. Composition students also must either demonstrate proficiency in a second foreign language or must submit to the composition faculty a documented research project with application in the area of computer language or electronic music. The project shall be developed under the guidance of the director of the Eastman Computer Music Center.
PhD students in composition take foreign language examinations that are administered by the Graduate Office. Two passages, one on a general topic and one on a musical topic, must be translated, both within a 4-hour period of time. Collegiate faculty members who teach foreign languages at Eastman grade these examinations.
PhD students in composition may take the language examination twice before being required to enroll in a language course. Students requiring remediation will be placed in appropriate courses by their program advisors in consultation with the foreign language examiners. If students pass the second semester of a sophomore-level language course with a B+ or higher, their language requirement is fulfilled. Credit earned in these courses is not applicable to graduate degree requirements.
Dissertation
The dissertation in the field of composition is to be written under the guidance of an assigned advisor, and includes two components:
- An extended work for orchestra, chorus, or large chamber ensemble
- A research paper dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music.
Both the composition department faculty and the Graduate Research Committee must approve the subject for the research paper. The student must provide two copies of composition scores for placement in the library. See Dissertation & Final Examination
Policy Handbook Table of Contents
Course Descriptions Index
Registrar Home