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 an Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Ethnomusicology. Ethnomusicology is the academic discipline that formally studies world music traditions. A combination of music and anthropology, ethnomusicology—like musicology (music and history)—has had a long history in the academy.
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. Involving class work, performance, and independent research, the program equips students to enter today’s job market, as well as to continue graduate study in ethnomusicology.
The program is open to graduate students. Many of the requirements can be met under the category of “unspecified electives” that exist as part of the students’ major departmental curricula. Students can apply any time during their studies at the School but must apply no later than the beginning of their last year (two semesters) at the School. Students will be assigned an ESM professor who will monitor their progress through the Program.
All students interested in the program must submit an application form and a proposal for a plan of study. 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 (pass/fail).
What are the Requirements?
CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED ACHIEVEMENT IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY (17-20 CREDITS)
| Course | Credits |
| ETH 480/580: Approaches to Musical Ethnography | 3-4 credits |
| Two graduate-level anthropologically-oriented elective courses* | 6-8 credits |
| Four semesters of performance in a graduate-level world music ensemble https://www.esm.rochester.edu/musicology/ethnomusicology/ |
4 credits |
| ETH 502: Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 credits |
| Oral examination | |
*To be determined in consultation with the Program Director
How Can I Apply?
To apply, please submit this application form and a cover letter to Michael Alan Anderson. Additional instructions are included in the application form.
Questions?
Michael Alan Anderson
Professor of Musicology
Chair, Musicology Department
manderson@esm.rochester.edu