Musicology & Ethnomusicology

Back to Academic Programs

The musicology program at Lamont offers students specializing in either musicology or ethnomusicology the opportunity to explore historical, social and analytical perspectives on global music. Students take courses on a broad range of topics and, with the support of faculty mentorship, write a thesis that contributes to the field on a topic of their choosing. Students in the program also serve as graduate teaching assistants for our undergraduate survey courses. Along with providing a scholarship and stipend, graduate teaching assistant positions allow degree candidates to immediately gain teaching experience.

Dr. Aleysia Whitmore is chair of Lamont's musicology and ethnomusicology department. Learn more about the program in her interview below:

Application and Portfolio Requirements

Graduate (MA)

Completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree or the equivalent.
Applicants must complete the graduate application, including transcript(s), three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of academic and professional goals and objectives. Include your future goals and purpose for applying to the Musicology program.
Applicants must also submit an essay or research paper on a topic in musicology, ethnomusicology or music history. This paper should demonstrate critical and independent thinking in conjunction with the appropriate use of primary and secondary sources.
A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. This statement should include information concerning the applicant's life, education, experiences, interests and reason for applying to DU's MA program in Musicology.
Musicology Graduate Teaching Assistants lead discussion sections on a regular basis. Thus, please submit a 5-10 minute video of your teaching. In the ideal video, you will teach some musical/musicological concept to a group of two (2) or more people (three [3] or more preferred) in an interactive manner (i.e., not solely in a lecture format).

Non-Musicology Applicants Interested in a Musicology GTA

If you are applying to a master's program outside of musicology, and you would like to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) in musicology, you must complete items #3 and #5 in the Graduate (MA) section, as well as the following:

A personal statement of academic and professional goals and objectives. Include your future goals and purpose for applying to the graduate teaching assistantship in musicology.
A letter of recommendation specifically addressing your academic performance.

Please contact Professor Sarah Morelli at Sarah.Morelli@du.edu with questions and for more information.