Musicology

The Glasgow MMus offers a rich, stimulating introduction to Musicology in all its current diversity. Solidly grounded in traditional historical and analytical methods, the program opens out to embrace the most vibrant recent developments in the field – including cultural musicology, as applied to all imaginable genres and styles; practice-based research, rooted in active music-making by our staff and students; cutting-edge digital research methods; and interdisciplinary criticism of all kinds, including the study of contemporary audiovisual media.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• Our core team of musicologists publishes world-leading research across a full millennium of Western art music, as well as on jazz, film music, and other popular styles. Distinguished colleagues in Composition, Sonic Arts, The Music Industries, and Ethnomusicology also contribute to our courses.

• We encourage interdisciplinary work, notably within the School of Culture and Creative Arts (Music, Film and TV Studies, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Centre for Cultural Policy Research), but also across the College and University.

• For more information see our Music staff, with their industry links and research specialisms and the full SCCA research staff.

• As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow offers a wealth of inspiring activity – from legendary pop venues (King Tut’s, Barrowlands) and renowned classical ensembles (Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) to experimental festivals (Tectonics, Sonica) and pub folk sessions. ‘Music in the University’ hosts many events right on campus: organ recitals and Chapel Choir concerts in the neo-Gothic Memorial Chapel; performances by distinguished visitors or our own staff and students.

• You will have access to a vast array of manuscript, printed and online resources through the Library and Special Collections. Our facilities include a concert hall, three computer music studios, an audio lab and several practice rooms. We have a fine collection of instruments, both historical (keyboards, strings, winds) and contemporary (percussion).

• Listen to our podcast: Stories from Glasgow – Zarzuela and Early Phonograph Recordings with Dr Eva Moreda Rodriguez

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

You will take:

• Three core courses

• Three optional courses

You’ll also write a dissertation on a musical topic of your choosing.

Core Courses
Research Skills and Digital Musicology (Semester 1)
Introduction to Musicology (Semester 1)
Current Issues in Musicology (Semester 2)

Optional Courses
You’ll take three courses in addition to the three above. These could include:
Thinking Through Sound and Media

You can also take options from the Honours courses in Music, and from other subjects in the SCCA or (with instructor’s approval) the entire College of Arts & Humanities. Recommended options include our two ‘school-wide’ courses, with contributions from all SCCA Subject Areas:
Festivals (Film and Television Studies)
Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts (History of Art)

Please note that course availability depends on student numbers, programme rotations, and periods of staff leave. Not all courses will be available every year.

Dissertation
You’ll develop an independent piece of academic writing (12-15,000 words) in musicology under the supervision of a member of staff.