Music
Swope Music Building and the Performing Arts Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2222
610-436-2739
Dr. Blair, Dean
Dr. Burton, Graduate Coordinator
Return to Music.
Music History and Literature
Dr. Balthazar, Chairperson
Professors [top]
Scott L. Balthazar, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Associate Professor
Julian Onderdonk, Ph.D., New York University
Assistant Professors
Maria Purciello, Ph.D., Princeton University
Thomas Winters, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements [top]
In addition to the general requirements for admission to degree programs in music, music history applicants must submit a writing sample and must take the School of Music Graduate Admission Test prior to beginning course work in music history.
Master of Music [top]
Concentration in History and Literature
Curriculum (30 semester hours)
- Required music theory course (3 semester hours)
MTC 542
- Area of concentration (15 semester hours)
Five courses in music history at the 600 level (other than MHL 698 or MHL 699) with three from the following: MHL 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 679, and 680
- Free electives (6 semester hours)
May be taken in music history or other areas
- Research component (6 semester hours)
MHL 698, MMU 699
- Demonstration of competency in one non-English language
- Exit oral examination (including thesis defense)
Course Descriptions [top]
Music History and Literature
Symbol: MHL, unless otherwise noted
501 Style, Form, and Genre in Music History (3) An introduction to the study of music at the graduate level designed as a survey of Western art music with emphasis on fundamental considerations of form, style, and genre.
510 Collegium Musicum (1) A chamber ensemble specializing in the use of authentic instruments and performance techniques in the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. Open by audition.
550 Seminar in Musicology (3) Bibliographical materials, introduction to musicological research, development of research techniques, and writing skills. Required of M.A. (music history) candidates.
610 Topics in Medieval Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in medieval music. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this period. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
611 Topics in Renaissance Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in 15th and 16th century music. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and music development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
612 Topics in Baroque Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the baroque period. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
613 Topics in Music from 1750–1810 (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the classic period. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
614 Topics in Music from 1810–1880 (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the early 19th century. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
615 Topics in Music from 1880–Present (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music from the late romantic period to the present. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
620 World Music (3) An introduction to the study of tribal, folk, popular, and oriental music and ethnomusicological methodology.
622 History of Jazz (3) A survey of the history of jazz, including representative performers a nd their music.
654 History of Opera (3) The composers and their major contributions to the various schools of opera.
655 History of Orchestral Music (3) How the symphony orchestra developed from the Baroque period to the present in its function, literature, instrumentation, and performance practices.
658 Performance Practices (3) A consideration of the special problems encountered in the stylistic realization and performance of music from the Medieval through the Romantic eras. Particular attention will be focused on original sources, period instruments, and performance problems.
659 Topics in American Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in America from 1620 to the present.
662 Mozart and His Works (3) A study of the life and music of Wolfgang A. Mozart with special reference to the period in which he lived. Taught in summers in Salzburg, Austria.
679 Topics in Music History I (1-3) Significant topics presented by faculty members or visiting lecturers. Designed to meet specific needs of the seminar group.
680 Topics in Music History II (1-3) Significant topics presented by faculty members or visiting lecturers. Designed to meet specific needs of the seminar group.
681-83 Independent Study in Music History (1-3) Individual research under the guidance of a faculty member.
698 Directed Research in Musicology (3) This course is designed to assist the graduate music history major to focus research pursuits toward formulation of a potentially successful thesis topic.
MMU 699 Thesis (3) Thesis in music history, theory, or composition.
