Courses

Fall 2026 Course List

Performing Ensembles

Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Courses

Music Theory Course Placement

Department of Music courses in music theory will no longer require students to complete a placement exam. Instead, students are instructed to self-place into the course(s) that match their abilities and experience levels at the time of course registration. 

Before registering for courses, students should review the prerequisite requirements for each class and follow the instructions provided via the link below.

Music Theory Course Placement

Music 91: Supervised Reading and Research

Music 91 Supervised Reading and Research is an opportunity for advanced students to pursue an area of musical interest in great depth. Open to Music concentrators only, students are required to submit a detailed proposal to the DUS describing their anticipated project in detail, including an estimated timeline for benchmarks and pathway to completion. Music 91 may be taken for concentration credit as an elective with the approval of the DUS. Supervised Reading and Research will be approved by the DUS based on appropriateness of the proposed work, faculty availability, and with the understanding that all work must be fully self-directed by the student. Students may not take Music 91 more than once. 

Before submitting the proposal below, students should schedule an advising session with the DUS to discuss their project in detail. Music 91 may not be used as an outlet for private lessons or instruction. Students must complete and submit the MUS 91 Proposal Form prior to course registration.

Music 91: Supervised Reading and Research - Proposal Form 

Artists in the Classroom

In addition to courses specifically in performance, performance of music is intrinsic to the study of all musics. Guest artists and lecturers frequently visit our classes to talk informally with students about a range of topics from the operas of Peter Sellars to how jazz relates to social movements to how Broadway artists think and work.

The Blodgett Artist-in-Residence Program of the Department of Music

The Blodgett Artist-in-Residence program is made possible through a gift from Mr. and Mrs. John W. Blodgett, Jr. The program provides for a distinguished string quartet to be in residence at the Harvard University Department of Music offering workshops, coachings, and serving as faculty for the Chamber Music course. The quartet is also available to read undergraduate and graduate student compositions, and to perform a composition by the winner of the annual Blodgett Composition Competition. The quartet gives four free public performances each year in Paine Hall, and others in the Harvard houses and other campus venues. The current Blodgett Artists-in-Residence are the Parker Quartet.

Additionally, the music department invites Blodgett Distinguished Artists to campus to lecture and perform in a variety of musical disciplines. Past artists have been Koo Nimo (Ghanaian music), The Clerks Group (medieval song), Sir Harrison Birtwistle (composer), TASHI (new music), Neba Solo (Malian balafon), Bahman Panahi (Persian music), jazz pioneer Geri Allen, and Wadada Leo Smith.

Master Classes and Coachings

The Parker Quartet are in residence at Harvard’s Music Department, and give weekly master classes to students enrolled in Music 189: Chamber Music Performance.

We also bring performing artists of all disciplines to campus to work with students; recent examples include singer Angelique Kidjo, conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner, choral conductor George Benjamin, Broadway artists Marsha Norman and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and pianist Jeremy Denk. Additionally, we arrange informal meetings between undergraduates and Music Department special guests such as Herbie Hancock and Laurie Anderson.

OFA Visiting Artist Programs

The Office for the Arts (OFA) is a rich resource for undergraduate performers as well. OFA operates a visiting artist program that provides opportunities for students to interact with professionals in all disciplines through master classes, workshops, informal discussions and other forums. The OFA also provides opportunities for students to work alongside professionals in producing visiting artist events, and runs several funding programs for student arts projects.