CCM offers degrees in music history and musicology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as DMA cognate studies in the areas of musicology and ethnomusicology. Please use the links below to learn more about individual programs.
What is Music History?
The degree of bachelor of music (BM) with a major in music history combines the intensive musical preparation of a conservatory curriculum with upper-level studies of music historical periods, genres, composers, cultural topics and world musics, as well as in corollary fields in other arts and humanities.
Successful students will demonstrate intellectual curiosity, strong academic skills and abilities (especially in expository writing), musical aptitude, music analytical ability and interest in learning foreign languages. Students in the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) BM in music history program must achieve a grade of B or better for all required music courses.
Career Possibilities
Most careers related to music history require graduate degrees in music history or library science. The BM in music history program provides excellent preparation for graduate study in most fields of music. Opportunities include music history educator, music librarian in a university, public, private library, or other institutional setting, archivist or preservationist for a museum or institute, music promotions, arts management and music journalism.
Curriculum
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PIAN1040 |
Functional Piano Skills I
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
| THRY1011 |
Theory 1
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| THRY1015 |
Musicianship 1
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| ENGL1001 | English Composition | 3 |
| Applied Study secondary level XXXX1020 | 1 | |
|
Foreign Language 1
most introductory foreign language courses are 5 credit hours. BoKS: DC |
5 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PIAN1050 |
Functional Piano Skills 2nd Semester
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
| THRY1012 |
Theory 2
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| THRY1016 |
Musicianship 2
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| MUHS1001 |
The Musician in Society
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
| Applied Study secondary level XXXX1020 | 1 | |
|
Foreign Language 2
most introductory foreign language courses are 5 credit hours. BoKS: DC |
5 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 | |
|
Contemporary Topics
Students will select one course from the following areas to fill the University General Education Requirements. Social and Ethical Issues or Technology and Innovation BoKS: SETI |
3 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PIAN3020 |
Functional Piano Skills III
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
| THRY2011 |
Theory 3
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| THRY2015 |
Musicianship 3
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| ENGL2089 | Intermediate Composition | 3 |
| MUHS2011 |
Music History I: Middle Ages and Renaissance
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
| Applied Study secondary level XXXX2020 | 1 | |
|
Natural or Social Science
Students will select either a natural science or a social science to fill University General Education requirements. BoKS: NSSS |
3 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PIAN3030 |
Functional Piano Skills IV
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
| THRY2012 |
Theory 4
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| THRY2016 |
Musicianship 4
Minimum Grade: C- |
2 |
| MUHS2012 |
Music History II: Baroque and Classical
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
|
Academic Elective
12 credits of academically oriented electives are required for graduation. (Recommend History, Literature, Cultural Anthropology, Visual and Theater Arts, Acoustics, Comparative Religion) |
3 | |
| Applied Study secondary level XXXX2020 | 1 | |
|
Academic Elective
12 credits of academically oriented electives are required for graduation. (Recommend History, Literature, Cultural Anthropology, Visual and Theater Arts, Acoustics, Comparative Religion) |
3 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MUHS3013 |
Music History III: Romantic to the Present
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
|
Academic Elective
12 credits of academically oriented electives are required for graduation. (Recommend History, Literature, Cultural Anthropology, Visual and Theater Arts, Acoustics, Comparative Religion) |
3 | |
|
Applied Study Secondary
level XXXX3020 |
1 | |
|
Select Theory or Composition Elective
any THRY or COMP discipline course except Composition Practicum. |
3 | |
|
World Music or Ethnomusicology
choose MUHS5068 or MUHS5167 |
3 | |
|
Lab or Performance practice
select one semester of Interpretation and Performance of Baroque Music or two semesters of either World Music or Early Music Labs. |
0 - 2 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MUHS4021 |
Research Methods
Minimum Grade: C- |
1 |
|
Music History Elective (MUHS or MLIT)
required 15 credits of upper level (above 3000) Music History (MUHS) for graduation. |
3 | |
|
Applied Study Secondary
level XXXX3020 |
1 | |
|
Music History Elective (MUHS or MLIT)
15 credits upper level (above 3000) Music History are required for graduation. |
3 | |
|
Select Theory or Composition Elective
Any THRY or COMP discipline course with the exception of Composition Practicum. |
3 | |
|
Lab or Performance practice
select one semester of Interpretation and Performance of Baroque Music or two semesters of either World Music or Early Music Labs. |
0 - 2 | |
|
Ensemble
is assigned by audition. Ensembles are offered for 0-2 credit hours. Students are advised to register for the full 2 credit hour when possible. |
0 - 2 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MUHS5080 |
Senior Capstone
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
|
Applied Study Secondary
level XXXX4020 |
1 | |
|
Music History Elective (MUHS or MLIT)
15 credits upper level (above 3000) Music History are required for graduation. |
3 | |
|
Music History Elective (MUHS or MLIT)
15 credits upper level (above 3000) Music History are required for graduation. |
3 | |
|
Non-Music Elective
These can be any college level course outside of music areas. |
3 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
|
Applied Study Secondary
level XXXX4020 |
1 | |
|
Select one Academic Elective
12 credits of academically oriented electives are required for graduation. (Recommend History, Literature, Cultural Anthropology, Visual and Theater Arts, Acoustics, Comparative Religion) |
3 | |
|
Counterpoint
Select either 16th or 18th century counterpoint (THRY5101 or 5105) |
3 | |
|
Music History Elective (MUHS or MLIT)
15 credits upper level (above 3000) Music History are required for graduation. |
3 | |
|
Select one Non-Music Elective
These can be any college level course outside of music areas. |
3 | |
|
Select one Non-Music Elective
These can be any college level course outside of music areas. |
3 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MUHS5171 |
Early Music Lab
Minimum Grade: C- |
0 - 1 |
| MUHS5181 |
World Music Lab: Zimbabwean Mbira
Minimum Grade: C- |
0 - 1 |
| MUHS5182 |
World Music Lab: Indian Tabla
Minimum Grade: C- |
0 - 1 |
| MUHS5183 |
World Music Lab: Himalayan Music
Minimum Grade: C- |
0 - 1 |
| MLIT5131 |
Interpretation and Performance of Baroque Music
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
| MLIT5132 |
Interpretation and Performance of Baroque Music II
Minimum Grade: C- |
3 |
| Course | Title/Desc | Credit |
|---|
UC Advantages and Special Opportunities
The study of music history at CCM presents a special opportunity to pursue an essentially academic discipline in a performance-oriented school. CCM offers MM and PhD degrees in music history and musicology, respectively, so the undergraduate music history major has an opportunity to mingle with graduate students at varying stages of professional development. Equally important, CCM gives students opportunities to study with internationally recognized musicologists along with providing exceptional ensemble experience.
In addition to outstanding artist-faculty and degree programs, CCM offers the advantage of being located in a city long known for its intense interest in the performing arts. Major musical events are held frequently. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performs in beautiful Music Hall as well as in its summer home, Riverbend Music Center. The Cincinnati May Festival is the oldest continuous choral festival of its kind in the nation, and the Cincinnati Opera brings major artists to the city. The Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum, Museum of Natural History, Contemporary Arts Center, Playhouse in the Park, and Cincinnati Ballet Company offer outstanding cultural opportunities.
Admission Requirements
For specific admissions information, International student requirements and application deadlines please visit the CCM Admissions website.
Graduation Requirements
Several months before graduation, each candidate for a degree must file a formal application for degree with the college office. If a student fails to properly complete this application process, the university will not be responsible for the student’s graduation. A minimum of one year in residence as a full-time student is required of all students wishing to apply for any degree awarded by CCM.
Accreditation
The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.CCM is fully accredited by, and is a charter member of, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
