Musicology

The Musicology program at Case Western Reserve University offers rigorous academic study and advanced training to prepare professionals for leadership roles in music research and scholarly work. Each student works with a faculty advisor to develop a customized program of study corresponding to their research interests as well as professional goals. We offer a PhD in Musicology as well as a wide range of musicology courses that form a central part of the undergraduate and graduate curricula at both CWRU and the Cleveland Institute of Music, our partner institution within the Joint Music Program.

Guillermo Salas Suarez (DMA 2019), Prof. Francesca Brittan, Madelaine Matej MacQueen (PhD 2019)

Awards and Recognition 

CWRU graduate students have won all the major national and international awards for graduate students in musicology and the humanities, as well as the major university-wide awards for graduate students.

Graduate Student Awards and Achievements

Musicology Alumni and their Current Endeavors

Areas of Specialty

We provide in-depth coverage of fields from the Middle Ages to the present, including particular specialties in Medieval and Renaissance Music, Music and Gender, French Music 1550-1900, and American Popular Music, all within a broad interdisciplinary context. Courses in medieval, Renaissance, and 17th- to 19th-century music are coordinated with the CWRU program in Historical Performance Practice, giving students the opportunity to enhance their academic studies with the experience of a vibrant, living historical repertoire. The Center for Popular Music Studies provides opportunities for attending and participating in conferences, lectures, and hands-on archival research in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.

Graduate Fellowships and Teaching Opportunities

Each graduate student is supported through a fellowship carrying a generous stipend and tuition waiver. Graduate assistantships include teaching assistantships, research assistantships, work with departmental publicity and marketing, and internships with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, including its Library and Archives. Students well-advanced in the degree program also have the opportunity to become independent Instructors of Record for undergraduate courses, acquiring invaluable experience in the classroom. The Department of Music and the Center for Popular Music Studies also sponsor an annual summer research fellowship program at the Library of Congress.

Visit the Library of Congress Fellowship Program page for more information.

Library of Congress Washington, DC

Music Colloquium Series

Our weekly Friday afternoon colloquia showcase current research by distinguished visiting scholars as well as our own faculty and graduate students in musicology, historical performance practice, and music education. Receptions following each talk offer the opportunity to socialize and promote a deep-seated sense of community, camaraderie, and mutual support.

View/down load the Music Colloquium Series schedule.

Ensembles and Performance Opportunities

Musicology students pursuing academic coursework may participate in our various music ensembles. View the Participation Information page to learn more about ensemble offerings, audition details, registration requirements, and helpful resources for students participating in musical activities.