Department of Music
Visit Web Site
Cambridge Street
Cambridge,Massachusetts 02138
617.495.2791
college@fas.harvard.edu
DEGREES OFFERED
|
Bachelor of Arts in Music Doctor of Philosophy in Music
|
The study of music not only deepens the student’s appreciation and understanding of art, culture, and history; it hones the analytic, writing, creative, and critical thinking skills as much as or more than any liberal arts subject. Music incorporates theory, much as math does, and composition, much as any study of the arts. But the study of music also includes cultural history, politics, science (sound studies), and philosophy. Many of our students are performers. We believe that understanding the cultural and historical background of the music we perform will result in a better performance.
The Music Department covers a wide range of styles and genres: the whole gamut of Western music history is represented from medieval chant to contemporary composition, as are large areas of musical traditions from other parts of the world, with a specific emphasis on South Asian and African cultures, jazz, and American music. Popular music has been represented in recent years by classes from California in the 60s to Global pop to the study of activism through music and songwriting. The requirements for a music concentration are very flexible.
Our faculty numbers 26 members, and we serve approximately 30-50 undergraduate concentrators (as well as 60-70 PhD students). Students reap the advantages of a smaller concentration: individual attention, friendliness, the opportunity to get to know faculty, fellow students, graduate students in music, and to become familiar with the department’s many resources.
Notable Alumni Include:
Caroline Murphy, Forrest O'Connor, Aram Demirjian, Kathleen Stetson, Ben Eisler, Kathryn Andersen, Kurt Crowley, Emily Richmond Pollock, Lara Hirner, David Dodman, Berenika Zakrzewski Schmitz.
Faculty Info:
Ingrid Monson, Carolyn Abbate, Jessica Bodner, Claire Chase, Daniel Chong, Andrew Clark, Suzannah Clark, Federico Cortese, Chaya Czernowin, Ken Hamao, Christopher Hasty, Vijay Iyer, Yvette Janine Jackson, Joseph R. Jakubowski, Kee-Hyun Kim, Landon Morrison, Carol J. Oja, Alexander Rehding, Kay Kaufman Shelemay, Braxton Shelley, Anne C. Shreffler, Esperanza Spalding, Yosvany Terry, Hans Tutschku, Michael Uy, Kate van Orden, Richard K. Wolf.
Related Articles
Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
by Valerie-Jean Miller
- May 28, 2024
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you?
Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival.
Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
BRASILIENSIS RAINFOREST to Play Goethe-Institut Boston in June
by Blair Ingenthron
- May 26, 2024
The Goethe-Institut Boston has invivted artist and performer Anita Ekman, together with musician Patrick Angello, for a presentation and concert that unites Contemporary Art and the Challenge of Reframing the Imagery of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in the Brazilian Amazon (COP-30).
Violinist Elizabeth Chang Releases New Album 'Sonatas & Myths' With Pianist Steven Beck
by Josh Sharpe
- May 17, 2024
Sonatas and Myths, the new album from violinist Elizabeth Chang, is out now from Bridge Records. Recorded with her longtime collaborator pianist Steven Beck, Sonatas and Myths features a collection of three seminal works from the early 20th century – Karol Szymanowski’s Mythes: Trois Poèmes, Op. 30 from 1915; Ernst von Dohnányi’s Violin Sonata in C# Minor, Op. 21 from 1912; and Béla Bartók’s Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano from 1921. Listen to the album!