The Department of Music offers programs that normally lead to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music, with tracks in Critical Music Studies and in Composition. The Department also offers programs that normally lead to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Performance. Master's Degrees in Music with tracks in Critical Music Studies, in Composition, and in Music Performance are also available.
Stony Brook’s graduate programs in Music have grown out of a unique partnership between the academy and the conservatory. The Music Department has a distinguished and well-balanced faculty in the scholarly study of music, composition, and performance. Graduate curricula are designed to facilitate interaction among musical disciplines that have traditionally been kept separate. A number of courses are team-taught by two or more faculty members, examining topics from several disciplinary viewpoints, and academic courses typically have a mix of students from all areas. Several examine music in a broader social context, drawing on such disciplines as ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and feminist theory. Interdisciplinary studies are central to the educational philosophy of the department, and the Department encourages the development of professional competence in more than one area of musical study. For students at the Doctoral level who propose to do serious work both in performance and in some other area, a variety of options are available, including some dual degrees.
Music of the 20th and 21st centuries is a particular emphasis of both the performance and academic programs, but other areas are also amply represented. Students can choose seminars from a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the history of music theory to American popular music. Performing organizations include Baroque Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Music, Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Chamber Players, Camerata Singers, Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, VOLTA West African Music Ensemble, and Opera Workshop.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
January 2025
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Music
Stony Brook University,
3304 Staller Center,
STONY BROOK,
New York,
11794, United States
A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
B. Official transcripts of all undergraduate records, and all graduate records, where applicable.
C. An audition in the major field of performance. Students residing at a distance from the University may gain provisional acceptance by sending a recorded audition. Audition dates, usually designated for February, are announced by the Department mid-fall. These dates, as well as specific requirements for auditions, are posted on the Departmental website.
D. Letters of recommendation from the former principal teacher and at least two other persons familiar with the student’s work. One letter should come from a person familiar with the student’s academic work.
E. While acceptance into the program is based primarily upon excellence in performance, the program contains a significant academic component. Applicants to the program are therefore required to submit two examples of their work in music history, music theory, or ethnomusicology, such as papers completed as part of coursework in those One paper is required for entry at the master’s level; two are required for entry at the doctoral level.
F. Acceptance by both the Department of Music and the Graduate School.
Entering students will be examined in ear training during the week before the beginning of classes, and will be placed in the appropriate courses. Entering students in Voice will also be examined in basic keyboard skills.
English Proficiency
IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no subsection recommended to be below 6; and TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 90 for doctoral applicants and 80 for master’s applicants.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Nearly 95 per cent of Stony Brook University’s recent graduates are either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
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