Application Process

The field of electro-acoustic music requires knowledge and skills in music, computer science, engineering or physics, as well as some signficant  expertise in one or more of these disciplines. In addition to music, graduate students in our program may bring to bear experience in other, widely diverse fields (such as visual art, philosophy, mathematics, etc.). Candidates for admission to the Master of Arts program often satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

• Music: A bachelors degree in music or equivalent experience and demonstrated accomplishment in musical composition and/or performance.
• Computer Science: A bachelors degree in computer science or equivalent experience. This might include knowledge of applied mathematics, artificial intelligence, or related areas of science and engineering.
• Engineering Sciences or Physics: A bachelors degree in engineering sciences or physics, or equivalent experience. This could include a knowledge of acoustics, digital electronics and microprocessors, techniques of modeling and analyzing systems, or general hardware design.
• Music Cognition: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field.
  
• Proven excellence or demonstrated potential in some other field, in preparation for advanced work in electro-acoustic music.
  

Master's students are generally awarded a full tuition scholarship, as well as an annual stipend, which typically allows students to devote full-time to their studies. The acceptance of financial support  entails a commitment to a variety of activities and responsibilities vis a vis the graduate program and the studio: including studio management and development, research, informal teaching, and full participation in the artistic and intellectual life of the program. Occasionally,  graduate students may serve informally as research or teaching assistants in the Departments of Music, Psychology, Computer Science, or the Thayer School of Engineering.

Please note that the application deadline is FEBRUARY 1 and that the Graduate Record Examination is required. Since our goal is a small, high-quality program, we typically only admit three new students each year.

For more info about the graduate program or an application packet, please contact Rebecca Fawcett.