Overview
A growing awareness of the richness and beauty of non-western musics and the interrelatedness of all musical cultures has led the Eastman School to develop a Certificate of Achievement in World Music. World Music is the term used to describe all of the musical traditions found throughout the world today, including older, traditional musics, such as Indian or Persian classical musics, ritual and ceremonial musics, as well as newer popular forms.
Today, good musical citizenship requires knowledge of one’s own musical cultures, as well as those of the others with whom we share our world. This program enhances philosophical, political, and musical dimensions, while simultaneously developing practical, hands-on skills needed for today’s job market. This program will: equip students to meet the growing — indeed imperative — needs in music education to address musical, cultural, and social differences; and enrich students’ musical experiences by providing them with a well-grounded exposure to the world’s musics and to their interrelatedness.
The certificate program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. In most cases, no extra courses are needed—all credits required for this program can be met under the category of “unspecified electives” that exist as part of the students’ major departmental curricula. Students can apply during their studies at the School at any time, but must apply no later than the beginning of their last semester. Students will be assigned an ESM professor who will monitor their progress through the program.
All students interested in the certificate program must submit an application form and a proposal for a plan of study, outlining how they will complete the requirements. At the completion of the set of courses (for which the student must receive a grade of B+ or higher), the student will take an oral examination. A grade of B+ or higher is required on the examination to receive the certificate.
What are the Requirements?
WORLD MUSIC CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (8-10 CREDITS)
| Course | Credits |
| MUSC 121: World of Music | 3-4 credits |
| An anthropologically-oriented elective course* | 3-4 credits |
|
Two semesters of performance in one of Eastman’s world music ensembles |
2 credits |
| Oral examination | |
* To be determined in consultation with the Program Director
How Can I Apply?
Please submit this application form and cover letter to Anaar Desai-Stephens. Additional information about the program can be found in the application.
Questions?
Anaar Desai-Stephens
Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology
Program Director, Certificate of Achievement in World Music
adesai-stephens@esm.rochester.edu