Music Theory PhD Statistics?

EarlGr8
Tue, 27 Nov 2012 02:34:05 +0000

I think any program that is a PhD in Theory AND Composition (schools like Brandeis and NYU GSAS come to mind), tend to focus more on composition, and resultantly are NOT typically competitive for tenure-track jobs in Theory. I would absolutely not hesitate a moment to DIScourage someone from getting a PhD in Theory/Composition if theory is in fact what they want to do.

I forgot about Eastman so am happy others have brought it up. You don’t tend to typically think of a conservatory when considering PhD programs, but yes, Eastman’s theory program has been productive.

Also, it might be fruitful to examine the recent hires at more mainstream research universities too, rather than a school that is pretty much undergraduate-only like Oberlin. At liberal arts colleges, search committees are likely more inclined to look at an applicant’s teaching or pedagogical makeup, whereas at a mainstream research university for more mainstream tenure-track jobs, the applicants’ publication/conference record and scholarship activity trumps anything else by far.