University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Department of Musicology

 Type of Program and Degrees Offered

Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology with Ethnomusicological Emphasis

Ethnomusicology is part of the Department of Musicology in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Our primary degree is the Ph.D. in Musicology with Ethnomusicological Emphasis (the equivalent of a doctoral degree in ethnomusicology). The Musicology Department is also highly involved with the undergraduate major and minor in musicology in the college of Literature, Arts, and Sciences, and these students may specialize in ethnomusicology. Undergraduate School of Music, Theatre & Dance students may major in musicology with an emphasis on ethnomusicology as well.

Program Statement

The musicology program was established in 1948. During the 1960s, William P. Malm joined the faculty and introduced the study of ethnomusicology to the graduate program. Dr. Malm purchased the Javanese gamelan instruments in 1966. In 1974, the musicology department merged with the School of Music, Theatre & Dance's department of music history. That berger brought Judith Becker into the expanded department. During the 1990's, Joseph S.C. Lam, Lester P. Monts, and Amy Stillman joined the department, complemented in the 2000s with the addition of Christi-Anne Castro and Meilu Ho. Gabriela Cruz, on the historical musicology side, also specializes in music of the Portugese-speaking world, including Brazil. The graduate program has produced many alumni who are distinguished in the field of ethnomusicology. 

Special Resources

Ethnomusicology students play an importnat part of the University of Michigan Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, both as perfromers and as teaching assistants. They also may join any of the campus groups, including the World Percussion Ensemble. They can take advantage of many campus resources, including the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, the Program in American Culture, the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, and the American Music Institute. Ethnomusicology students also frequently become student fellows of the Center for World Performance Studies and earn graduate certificates from regional centers located at the International Institute. 

Full-Time Faculty in Ethnomusicology

Christi-Anne Castro. (Ph.D. UCLA), Associate Professor (Musicology), Director (Center for Southeast Asian Studies); Philippines, Asian American music, cultural politics, nationalism, medical ethnomusicology.

Joseph Lam. (Ph.D. Harvard University), Professor (Musicology), Director (Confucius Center); China, Japan, masculinity, ritual, Asian American concert music, historical ethnomusicology.

Lester Monts. (Ph.D. University of Minnesota), Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music (Musicology), Director (Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments); Liberia, Guinea Coast Region, Africa, ritual, linguistics. 

Affiliated Faculty

Kwasi Ampene. (Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh) Associate Professor (Department of Afroamerican and African Studies and School of Music, Theatre & Dance); Ghana, Africa, court music

Kelly Askew. (Ph.D. Yale University), Professor (Anthropology and Department of Afroamerican and African Studies), Director (African Studies Center); Tanzania, Kenya, Africa, property rights, nationalism, media

Amy Stillman. (Ph.D. Harvard University), Professor (American Cultures); Hawai'i, hula, diaspora studies, historiography of performance, popular culture. 

Susan Pratt Walton. (Ph.D. University of Michigan), Lecturer (Residential College), Director (Javanese Gamelan Ensemble); Indonesia, gender, Javanese solo female singing.

Financial Support

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Musicology are provided with funding packages. Information may be found at the following page: http://smtd.umich.edu/departments/musicology/phd-financial-support.htm. Although all doctoral studentsare funded, there are language study, conference travel, and research fellowships available as well.

Further Information

Christi-Anne Castro, Chair of Graduate Admissions, University of Michigan. Phone: 734-615-4216; Email: ccastro@umich.edu

Program Website

Department of Musicology: http://smtd.umich.edu/departments/musicology/news.php

Ethnomusicology Student Group

Contact James McNally: jemcnal@umich.edu

Related Websites

Ethnomusicology at the University of Michigan: http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/musicology/EthnomusicologyandUMich.htm

The content for University of Michigan, Ann Arbor was last updated September 20, 2017.