<p>RU is a very strong academic institution. The music department (within Mason-Gross) has a strong graduate presence and particularly instrumental teachers. The choral person is excellent. The chairman is a music history person, as was his predecessor. There have been some fine, well-known composers on the faculty. Your specialized interest is of issue for a dissertation…nowhere is American music the “major”, but rather music history/musicology. You would need to find out if there is a faculty member amongst the music historians who could support and help you in that area. Good luck. Lorelei</p>