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.
General Requirements
Introduction to Research Methodology (4 credits in one semester)
This course provides students basic training in research methodology, critical theories, and conventions of academic writing. Students will read sample scholarly works from the disciplines of literature, history, arts, and anthropology. Students will also learn the history of Area Studies and Sinology in the West and the broader social and historical contexts in which academia is situated.

Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy (total 8 credits in two semesters)
Students will hone their Chinese language skills in reading and interpreting music-related Chinese texts from different historical periods. They will read and discuss canonical pieces from pre-modern to modern China on musical performance, musical theory, and music culture.

Lecture-recital (4 credits in one semester)
In the first year, students will work with their music advisor on a lecture-recital. The lecture-recital is a 60-minute public performance on a specific music topic. It includes a lecture portion and a performance/demonstration portion. The required lecture should be in a written form, with a bibliography, score examples, and other pertinent material. The topic and repertoire need to be approved by both music and academic advisors.

Thesis Study on Chinese Music (total 8 credits in two semesters)
In the second year, students will work closely with their academic faculty advisor from the Asian Studies program on a master’s thesis. The thesis, approximately 15,000 words in length (excluding references, citations, appendices, etc.), is the final project for the M.A. degree. It represents a substantial piece of original research and should be filed with Bard College as part of the graduation requirements. With the advisor's approval, the thesis requirement may be satisfied by expanding a research paper written for an advanced course, and should have a minimum of 10,000 words in the main body of the thesis. The M.A. thesis is due at noon on the last day of classes of the semester in which the student applies to graduate; see the Academic Calendar for specific dates.
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.
Credit Requirements
Sample Curriculum

The first semester, fall (12 credits)
- Introduction to Research Methodology (4 credits)
- Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy #1 (4 credits)
- Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits)
- Studio Lessons (2 credits)
The second semester, spring (12 credits)
- Lecture-recital (4 credits)
- Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy #2 (4 credits)
- Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits)
- Studio Lessons (2 credits)
The third semester, fall (12 credits)
- Independent Study on Chinese Music (4 credits)
- Elective(s) on language or Chinese culture (4 credits)
- Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits)
- Studio Lessons (2 credits)
The fourth semester, spring (12 credits)
- Independent Study on Chinese Music (4 credits)
- Elective(s) (4 credits)
- Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits)
- Studio Lessons (2 credits)

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.
Bard Conservatory 5+1

Dual-track 5+1 Credit Guidelines for a 5^th year Conservatory Student
1. Studio lessons, required in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, will confer 2 credits per semester in the MA program.
2. Chinese Ensemble, required in both degree programs, will confer 2 credits per semester in the MA program.
3. Introduction to Research Methodology in Music is required during the Fall semester of the 5^th year.
4. One semester of Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy should be taken during the 5^th year (section 1 or 2).
5. The Conservatory Senior Recital preparation course will confer credit for the Lecture/Recital component of the MA program. Prior approval of the MA program advisor is required.
6. The Conservatory’s Core Sequence Seminar in Chinese Music and Society required for Chinese instrument performance majors may confer elective credits towards the MA degree.
The 5+1 track is only open to students with appropriate academic and performance skills to be able to meet all the requirements for the MA. Students interested in this opportunity will apply to the MA program in their 4^thyear at the Bard Conservatory. If accepted, they will continue to be enrolled in the undergraduate college during their 5^th year but will take the necessary coursework above. Successful completion of all the requirements above will allow them to enroll as 2^nd year MA students in the 6^th year.

CMC 5+1 sample curriculum
(not including possible other courses required for completion of the 2^nd BA degree)

Fall Semester, Year 5/1
- CMC 552 - Introduction to Research Methodology in Music (4 credits, MA required)
- CNSV 118 - Chinese Music Ensemble (also counts as CMC 518) (2 credits, MA/BM required)
- CNSV 112 - Studio Lessons (also counts as CMC 512) (2 credits, MA/BM required)
- CNSV 333 – Core Sequence IV: Seminar on Chinese Music (also counts as CMC 541 Seminar on Chinese Music and Society) (4 credits, MA elective/BM required)
Spring semester, year 5/1
- CNSV 403 Senior Recital (also counts as Lecture Recital CMC 545) (4 credits, MA/BM required)
- CMC/CH 510 Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy #1 (4 credits, MA required)
- CNSV 118 - Chinese Music Ensemble (also counts as CMC 518) (2 credits, MA/BM required)
- CNSV 112 - Studio Lessons (also counts as CMC 512) (2 credits, MA/BM required)
Fall semester, year 2/6
- CMC 599 - Thesis Study on Chinese Music (4 credits, required)
- CMC/CH 511 - Readings in Chinese Music Philosophy #2 (4 credits, required)
- CMC 518 - Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits, required)
- CMC 512 - Studio Lessons (2 credits, required)
- 500-level course on Chinese music and/or culture (2-4 credits, required)
Spring semester, year 2/6
- CMC 599 - Thesis Study on Chinese Music (4 credits, required)
- CMC 518 - Chinese Music Ensemble/Chamber music (2 credits, MA/BM required)
- CMC 512 - Studio Lessons (2 credits, MA/BM required)
- 500-level course on Chinese music and/or culture (2-4 credits, required)
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.

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

Degree Curriculum

General Requirements

Credit Requirements

Dual Degree Opportunties

Bard Conservatory 5+1

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