Main Image for Master of Arts in Chinese Music and Culture中国音乐与文化艺术硕士学位

Master of Arts in Chinese Music and Culture
中国音乐与文化艺术硕士学位

Curriculum

Degree Curriculum 

  • Concentrations of Study
    Music studies can be in one of several concentrations:
    • instrumental or vocal performance 
    • composition
    • musicology/ethnomusicology
    Musicians of any instrument or discipline with an interest in the music of China are encouraged to apply.

    NOTE: Adequate proficiency in both English and Chinese is required.
  • General Requirements
    In consultation with two faculty advisers, a music advisor appointed by the US-China Music Institute and an academic advisor from Asian Studies, students will pursue an individualized study plan with a three-part focus:
    • Chinese music studies culminating in a public performance of a lecture-recital.
    • Chinese language studies from Classical to modern Chinese, focusing on music philosophy. 
    • Academic research with a final thesis project approximately 15,000 words in length on a Chinese music related subject.
  • Credit Requirements
    Students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 48 credits of graduate-level coursework for the M.A. degree during a rigorous two-year course of study, comprised of: 
    • 16 credits of music-related courses offered by the US-China Music Institute and Bard Conservatory. Depending on the student's concentration these may  include studio lessons, ensemble or chamber music, musicology/ethnomusicology tutorials, or composition tutorials, plus a required four-credit lecture-recital course during the first year.
    • 12 credits of required courses on Chinese language and literature offered by the Asian Studies Program, including two semesters of “Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy.”
    • 12 credits of directed research, including research methodology studies and the master’s thesis.
    • 8 credits of electives.

Dual Degree Opportunties

  • Bard Conservatory 5+1
    Highly qualified students enrolled in the Bard Conservatory 5-year undergraduate double-degree program will have the opportunity to complete their BA, BM, and MA degrees in a 5+1 sequence. With proper advance planning, students can begin coursework for the MA in Chinese Music and Culture during the fifth year and complete the MA after one additional year. This opportunity is only open to students with appropriate academic and performance skills sufficient to meet all the requirements for the MA. Please see the full guide to the 5+1 track at the link below. 

    Current Conservatory students should communicate interest in the 5+1 track to their adviser and the USCMI Director in their 4th year. To be admitted into the program, students should first fill out the 5+1 CMC Petition (available on the Conservatory WIKI pages or by request) and receive approval from their academic advisors and the CMC director. This form must be submitted to the Dean of Studies of the college for final approval by May 1 of the student's 4th year. 
     
  • Central Conservatory 2+2 track
    Through a close partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing, the US-China Music Institute will offer highly qualified musicians enrolled in CCOM’s 3-year graduate program the opportunity to study for 2 years at Bard while receiving credit for one year of their CCOM degree. This will allow students to receive both a Master of Music from CCOM and a Master of Arts in Chinese Music and Culture from Bard within 4 years.