CCM’s Division of Composition, Musicology, and Theory (CMT) offers student composers, musicologists, and theorists opportunities to create original works, understand the social and historical contexts of music, and develop analytical procedures. The division places great emphasis on merging the theoretical with the practical in biennial graduate student conferences, an in-house and student-run journal (Music Research Forum), residencies by leading composers, and the Thinking About Music lecture series featuring distinguished speakers. It serves as a resource for all music students, enriching the creative and intellectual life of CCM and of the broader university community.
Coursework for the graduate degrees in musicology (MM, PhD) and music theory (MM, PhD) is wide-ranging and rigorous, offering students a unique opportunity to pursue an academic discipline in a performance-oriented school. The BM, MM, and DMA degrees in composition include one-on-one composition lessons and ample opportunities to work with CCM ensembles and community organizations for hearings and performances. CCM is also home to the Center for Computer Music, which offers opportunities for research and composition using technology, and the Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition, a competition for young composers from around the world.
CCM values excellence in teaching, innovation in curriculum, and the ability to connect with students seeking to explore a range of opportunities and careers in a rapidly changing marketplace. CCM faculty are committed to recruiting, mentorship, career preparation, and student support. CCM encourages an inquisitive, collaborative spirit and expertise in a broad range of repertoire. The department is seeking to enhance its current offerings with candidates whose research expertise will help prepare undergraduate and graduate students for future success. This could include but is not limited to areas such as community engagement, music entrepreneurship, music leadership, music technology, pedagogy, global music theory, popular music, jazz, video game music, film, chamber music, or non-Western/non-classical repertoire.