A post-graduate degree in musicology is required for those who wish to pursue a career as a musicologist. This necessitates the creation of a master’s thesis and/or graduate dissertation research topic. It is possible to start a career as a musicologist with educational credentials, performing work that ranges from expert witnessing in intellectual property cases to developing a music program at a college or university. Depending on your degree and personal experience, you can pursue a variety of musicology careers.
An undergraduate degree in music is the first step toward a career as a musicologist. Musicology, music history, music theory, and related degrees are available at some schools. This degree lays the groundwork for future graduate studies. Undergraduate students should consider taking musical instrument lessons, as well as internship and research opportunities that they can use in graduate school.
A variety of universities offer graduate programs in musicology. A student interested in becoming a musicologist should visit several programs to learn more about their offerings and the types of projects supported by the graduate faculty. This can assist students in determining where they want to attend school. A multidisciplinary program is required for someone interested in ethnomusicology and the study of traditional instruments, for example. Students interested in studying the history of hip hop, on the other hand, should look for a school that has experts in the field.
Test scores, a portfolio of work, letters of recommendation, and a strong personal essay are typically required for students applying to graduate schools to become musicologists. Candidates who appear to be interesting will be contacted for an interview. They come to meet the faculty and students, have an interview, and talk about their research topics. It’s critical to demonstrate how your research is unique and will contribute to the field, as well as your readiness for graduate-level coursework, which can be challenging.
A master’s degree can open many doors for someone aspiring to be a musicologist, but a doctorate degree may be preferable. The higher qualification may be useful in job applications and other situations where professional credentials are required. It is also possible to pursue post-doctoral work in order to expand on your research and gain more publishing credits while working with experts in the field. When graduates apply for open positions on college faculties and in other settings, such as music libraries and record companies, more training and experience can be beneficial.