Program: Music History MA - University at Buffalo

Mar 30, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Students in historical musicology will encounter a wide variety of course options offered by a diverse, energetic faculty. Specialties cover major periods of Western music history, including medieval and Renaissance music, as well as the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Areas of interest also encompass: film music, Russian and Soviet music, the Second Viennese School, criticism, philosophy, aesthetics, and popular music studies. One of UB’s greatest resources is the music library, conveniently located on-site, in the music building.

Curriculum

Music Analysis (8 credits)

Select 2 from the following:

MUS 613SEM - Analyzing Popular Music Credits: 4
MUS 621SEM - Topics in Tonal Theory and Analysis Credits: 4
MUS 629SEM - Analyzing Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music Credits: 4

Seminars in Music History (12 credits)

Select 3 from the following:

MUS 515SEM - Music and Queer Studies Credits: 4
MUS 517SEM - Music, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 4
MUS 525SEM - Popular Music Studies Credits: 4
MUS 527SEM - Music and Modernity Credits: 4
MUS 528SEM - Media, Memory, and Notation Credits: 4
MUS 529LEC - Studies in US Music Credits: 4
MUS 625LEC - Notation Credits: 4
MUS 626LEC - Notation Credits: 4

Performance Electives (4 credits)

Ensemble (2 credits)
MUS 521LEC - University Chorus Credits: 2
MUS 532TUT - UB Wind Ensemble Credits: 2
MUS 538LAB - UB Symphony Orchestra Credits: 2
MUS 540LAB - Chamber Music Credits: 2
MUS 543LAB - Percussion Ensemble Credits: 2
MUS 547LAB - Contemporary Ensemble Credits: 2
MUS 551LAB - University Choir Credits: 2
MUS 557LAB - Jazz Ensemble Combo Credits: 2
Major Instrument or Voice (2 credits)
MUS 559TUT - Piano Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 561TUT - Harp Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 563TUT - Organ Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 565TUT - Harpsichord Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 568TUT - Guitar Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 569TUT - Voice Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 571TUT - Violin Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 573TUT - Viola Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 575TUT - Cello Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 577TUT - Double Bass Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 579TUT - Saxophone Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 581TUT - Flute Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 583TUT - Oboe Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 585TUT - Clarinet Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 587TUT - Bassoon Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 589TUT - French Horn Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 591TUT - Trumpet Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 593TUT - Trombone Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 595TUT - Tuba Credits: 2 - 4
MUS 597TUT - Percussion Credits: 2 - 4

Culminating Experience: Exam AND Portfolio (2 credits)

Complete once for portfolio and once for comprehensive exam, capstone for 1 credit each:

MUS 600TUT - Tutorial Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 38

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

38 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.

Music History MA