Overview

Music at Cornell University is an essential part of life at Cornell. Graduate students are welcome to participate in the many performing ensembles sponsored by the Music Department, which include choirs, orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, a Javanese gamelan, percussion ensembles, and many types of chamber music. In addition to students pursuing the D.M.A. in performance practice, many candidates in musicology and composition also perform, and some make performance a formal part of their programs by declaring a minor in this area.

Students at Music at Cornell University will:

Make an original and substantial contribution to the field (publishable scholarship)

Demonstrate deep knowledge in one area of specialization

Have a broad knowledge of theory and research across four topic areas in the field

Employ advanced research skills

Demonstrate proficiency in languages

Communicate research findings effectively in written and spoken presentations

Demonstrate effective skills in undergraduate teaching

Programme Structure

Courses include:

music and sound studies

Current Topics in Musicology and Theory

Composing Music for Films

History and Pedagogy of Musicology

Post-Tonal Theory

Seminar in Composition

Schenkerian Analysis

Scoring and Audio Design for Video Games

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Ithaca, United States

Disciplines

Music View 170 other PhDs in Music in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

TOEFL Exam or IELTS Academic Exam for non-native English speakers

Three recommendations

Term papers and/or musical compositions

Performance practice applicants contact field by Dec. 1 for audition

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year
Out-of-State

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

20800 USD / year

≈ 20800 USD / year

Living costs

Ithaca

United States

1128 - 2460 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Music.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Students at Music at Cornell University will:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Ithaca

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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