The concentration in Music exposes students to a wide variety of musical styles, sounds, and musical traditions in order to develop their critical understanding of music in diverse cultural and historical contexts. The concentration also provides a solid foundation in theory, analysis, composition, and criticism, as well as the opportunity to develop acute listening skills. The trained ear grounds the unique contribution of musical study to the humanities. Although the Department of Music is not in itself a school of music with a performance department, all of our courses support the intellectual development of musicians, and many of our courses incorporate or focus on performance.
Students are encouraged to participate (with credit) in faculty-led ensembles in orchestra, chorus, jazz, and dance. We offer a wide range of introductory and advanced courses in music theory, composition, historical musicology, and ethnomusicology, some of which also involve musical performance. These courses reflect the specialties of our academic faculty: diaspora studies and migration, opera, jazz, music and politics, early music, musical theater, music and media, improvisation, hip hop, history of the book, film, Islam, American and European modernism, music and cognition, music and ecology, music and language, new music of the 21st-century, and cross-cultural composition; regular cross-cultural offerings include the musical traditions of Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.
Undergraduate Advising
All students are required to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Alex Rehding, in order to develop an overall plan for fulfillment of music program requirements. This applies to students choosing a concentration, currently in the music concentration, exploring a change of concentration, or considering a secondary in music. All music concentrators should commit to regular advising sessions to ensure that they are on track with courses and concentration trajectory.
DUS advising sessions can be scheduled either in person or via Zoom, using the link below. Session availability is updated regularly. If you have any questions, please email Alex Rehding at arehding@fas.harvard.edu.
For students wanting to know more about courses, concentrations, and programs of study with the music department undergraduate information sessions are available with Peter Charig, Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Information sessions can be scheduled using the link below for both in-person or Zoom. Session availability is updated regularly.
If you have any questions, please email Peter Charig at pcharig@fas.harvard.edu.
Fellowships and Composition Prizes
The Department of Music offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate funding through a variety of prizes and fellowships. If you have any questions, please email Eva Kim, Senior Administrative Coordinator. The deadline for applications for all prizes and fellowships is Friday, March 22, 2024.
John Knowles Paine Fellowships
The John Knowles Paine Fellowships were established in 1912 by Mrs. Paine in memory of her husband. These fellowships are available to music concentrators in their senior year, and are awarded for travel and study during the summer following graduation.
If you are interested in applying, please submit an application form (below,) a brief letter detailing your plans of travel or study, and a proposed budget to Eva Kim by email at evakim@fas.harvard.edu. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 22, 2024.
Davison Fellowships
The Davison Fellowship for Travel in Music, a gift from Alice D. Humez in memory of her husband Archibald “Doc” Davison, provides financial support for students engaged in short projects relating to music that require travel away from Harvard University. Projects should take place over the summer or following academic year. Undergraduate students in good standing are eligible to apply.
While the terms of the fellowship are broadly defined, preference will be given to proposals that have an academic component. Economical and resourceful proposals will be favored, and undergraduates engaged in research are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in applying, please submit an application form (below,) a short project description (1-2 pages,) a budget, and a confidential letter of recommendation (sent directly from an advisor or instructor familiar with your work.) Please submit these materials to Eva Kim by email at evakim@fas.harvard.edu. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 22, 2024.
Composition Prizes
John Green Fellowship
The Fund was established by friends and family of the late John Green ’28 in support of excellence in musical composition. No submission or application necessary. The award is made annually to an undergraduate or graduate student composer, alternating yearly. This year’s fellowship will be awarded to an undergraduate student composer.
University Composition Prizes
Scores for consideration should be submitted electronically by link or pdf to Eva Kim at evakim@fas.harvard.edu. If your piece is selected, the composition faculty will determine which prize is most appropriate. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 22, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Eva Kim.
The Blodgett Composition Competition
This is a string quartet competition for a piece to be performed by the Parker String Quartet.
The Bohemians (New York Musicians Club)
“The Bohemians” (New York Musicians Club) has been established in the Department of Music a prize in original musical composition. The competition is open to undergraduates or the members of any graduate school of the University. The interest of the bequest will be awarded for an original composition for one or two instruments.
Francis Boott Prize
From the income of the bequest of Francis Boott, of the Class of 1831, a prize has been established for the writer of the best composition in concerted vocal music. The competition is open to undergraduates or to members of any graduate school of the University. The prize is offered for the best composition for chorus of not less than three nor more than eight parts, either a cappella or with accompaniment for piano, organ, or small instrumental ensemble, requiring not more than ten minutes for performance. The choice of text, which may be either sacred or secular, Latin or English, original or selected, is left to the contestant.
George Arthur Knight Prize
In 1909 the University received from William H. Knight, of the Class of 1903, a fund for the establishment of a prize in memory of his brother, George Arthur Knight, late of the Class of 1907. On this foundation the George Arthur Knight Prize is offered for the best composition in instrumental music, with preference to be given to compositions for string quartets or trios, though works with piano accompaniment may compete. The competition is open to undergraduates and degree candidates in any graduate school in the University.
Hugh F. MacColl Bequest
Bequest of Hugh F. MacColl, 1907, this prize was established in 1954. The income from the fund is “to be applied from time to time . . . to the awarding of prizes” in a competition for students in Harvard College “for original musical compositions.
College Project and Travel Funding
Undergraduates seeking funding for projects and travel may find these additional resources helpful:
• Harvard College funding sources database
• Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
• Artist Development Fellowships