Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of California offers students a comprehensive and rigorous education in the art and science of music. This program is designed to cultivate not only technical proficiency and theoretical knowledge but also creative expression and critical listening skills. Students will engage with a diverse curriculum that covers a wide range of musical genres, styles, and historical periods, fostering a deep understanding of both Western and non-Western musical traditions. The program emphasizes the development of performance abilities, composition techniques, music theory, and music history, ensuring graduates are well-rounded musicians equipped for various professional paths.

In addition to core coursework, students have opportunities to participate in ensembles, master classes, and workshops led by distinguished faculty members, providing practical hands-on experience and professional development. The program encourages exploration and interdisciplinary connections, allowing students to integrate technology, cultural studies, and the arts into their musical education. Research projects and senior theses enable students to develop their scholarly voice and contribute original ideas to the field.

Career prospects for graduates include performances, teaching, composition, music production, ethnomusicology, and roles within the music industry and arts organizations. The university’s vibrant cultural environment, numerous performance venues, and industry partnerships create an ideal setting for aspiring musicians to thrive. By providing a comprehensive foundation in music theory, history, performance, and innovative practices, the UC Music program prepares students to excel in a rapidly evolving musical landscape and to become leaders and innovators in their chosen careers.

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree are required to complete the following courses:

• Music 200, Introduction to Research Methods

• Music 201, History of Music Theory from the Greeks through Rameau

• Music 202, Tonal and Post-tonal Analysis

• Three courses from the Music 203 Performance Practice series (Music 206D, Music Perception and Cognition, or a Music 254 course may each substitute for one 203 course)

• Three courses from the Music 253 series

• Three courses from the Music 254 series

• Music 252, Current Issues Colloquium (during each quarter of residence)

• Music 299, Thesis Research

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree are required to complete following courses:

• Three courses from the Music 253 series

• Three courses from the Music 254 series

• Music 252, Current Issues Colloquium (during each quarter of residence)

• Music 299, Thesis Research

All students in the Ph.D. program, whether or not they are entering the program with a master’s degree, should plan to take at least two, and preferably three of the following courses in addition to the regular requirements: Music 201, Music 202, Music 203H, or Anthropology 208A. The decision about which of these courses to take should be made in consultation with the student’s adviser and the chair of the graduate committee.

Graduate students must take all courses for a letter grade with the exception of independent study courses (Music 261, 265, 295, 297, 298, and 299) and the colloquium course (Music 252), which may be taken with the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade option.

Prior to the start of classes in fall quarter, each incoming Ph.D. student is required to complete a three-hour diagnostic examination that is intended to identify areas in which supplementary course work may be needed.

Ph.D. students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree are required to submit a research paper by the beginning of the fourth quarter in residence, which will be revised that quarter under the supervision of the student’s faculty adviser, and will be evaluated at the end of the quarter by the adviser and an additional faculty member. Students whose paper is assessed as unsatisfactory will not be allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Students may devise a program of study that includes additional music courses, and courses from other disciplines suited to their special areas of concentration, in addition to the required courses.

Students who entered the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree may apply for the M.A. degree after completion of a minimum of five quarters in residence, evidence of the completion of the equivalent of one year of a foreign language at UCSC, the fourth-quarter research paper, and the following courses: Music 200, 201, 202, one course from the Music 203 series, Music 252 each quarter in residence, one course each from the Music 253 and 254 seminar series, and Music 297.

Pre-qualifying Reviews

At the end of the first year of study, all students accepted into the Ph.D. program will submit a brief report on work completed during that year. This report will inform a consideration by the music faculty of the student’s status in the graduate program. Faculty will offer comments and suggestions to be communicated to the student either directly or through the student’s adviser. If progress is minimal, faculty reserves the right to terminate a student’s enrollment in the program.

Qualifying Examinations

Advancement to candidacy is contingent upon passing both written and oral examinations. The written qualifying examination will test knowledge absorbed through the two years of coursework as well as material in the student’s field of concentration. The oral examination will focus on the previously completed written examinations well as the student’s developed expertise in her/his chosen specialization. Students must be registered in the quarter in which they take their qualifying examination.

The examinations will normally be administered at the end of year 3 for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, and at the end of year 2 for students entering with a master’s degree.

Advancement to candidacy will be granted after successful completion of the written and oral examinations, acceptance of the dissertation reading committee form, satisfactory completion of coursework and the foreign-language requirement, and the payment of the necessary fees.

Dissertation

To satisfy requirements for the degree, a student must complete a dissertation and present a related formal lecture or lecture-recital. The student will develop a dissertation prospectus, which will be due six months after advancement to candidacy. Guidelines for the format and content of the prospectus can be found on the Music Department web site. The dissertation must embody substantial and original scholarly work based on a clearly distinguishable contemporary or historical music-cultural tradition, in any music-culture(s) of the world in which the UCSC program offers expertise. The public lecture or performance must demonstrate the student’s grasp of the pertinent music-cultural performance tradition or music-cultural and/or music-historical concepts.

Final Examination

The final examination will be an oral defense of the dissertation open to the university faculty.

Successful completion of this examination will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation reading committee.

Requirements

• Transcripts. You may upload a scanned copy of your unofficial transcripts to your online application, or send official copies to the Graduate Application Processing address
• Statement of Purpose. Recommended length is a concise 2-4 pages, single-spaced.
• The Personal History Statement is required of all applicants.This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.
• A résumé is required for some applications and optional for others.
• All recommendation letters are required to be submitted electronically through the online application.  You must register a minimum of three recommenders, and as many as five, via the Recommendations page of the online application.
• The application fee for the 2016-17 academic year is $105 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants. This fee can be paid by credit card or e-check (the e-check option is only available if you have a U.S. bank account). 
• Official GRE scores must be sent from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to UC Santa Cruz, School Code 4860 (no department code necessary).  Official scores must be received prior to the application deadline.
• If you are a non-native English speaker you will be required to take an English language competency exam.  UC Santa Cruz accepts the TOEFL or IELTS test.  Official scores must also be sent from the testing service to UC Santa Cruz, School Code 4860

Scholarships

• Regents Fellowships. A limited number of these fellowships are awarded to first-year graduate students in master's and doctoral programs. These awards provide a stipend and/or payment of university fees except non-resident tuition.
• Global Education

The University of California offers a comprehensive music program designed to cultivate students' artistic and academic interests in the field of music. The program provides a rigorous curriculum that combines rigorous coursework, practical performance experience, and opportunities for research and scholarly work. Students in the program can explore a wide range of musical styles and genres, from classical and jazz to contemporary music, ensuring a well-rounded education in both historical and modern contexts.

The undergraduate degree typically includes core courses in music theory, music history, and ear training, along with applied lessons on an instrument or voice. Students also have access to ensembles, choirs, and bands, which serve as vital platforms for performance and collaboration. The curriculum emphasizes both individual artistic development and an understanding of music's cultural and societal significance.

For students interested in research, the program offers seminars and independent study opportunities in areas such as ethnomusicology, composition, and music technology. Faculty members are distinguished professionals with extensive experience in their respective fields, providing mentorship and guidance to foster students’ academic and artistic growth. The program also encourages participation in concerts, festivals, and collaborations with other university departments, enriching students’ educational experience and preparing them for diverse careers.

Career paths for graduates include performance, teaching, music production, composition, musicology, and arts administration. The university's location in a vibrant cultural hub provides additional opportunities for internships and networking in the arts industry. Overall, the UC music program aims to produce versatile, skilled musicians who are knowledgeable about the history and theory of music, capable of critical thinking, and committed to artistic excellence.