Civic Music Milwaukee has announced its 2025 award recipients, and there are several honorees with ties to the Peck School of the Arts. Timothy Klabunde and Dr. Zachary Durlam will receive Citizen Awards, while Trinny Schumann and Cassie Wilson were recipients of the organization’s Education Awards. Citizen Awards Timothy Klabunde, …
Music History & Literature, MM MM
Your background in music combined with our dynamic graduate education sets the stage for a successful future in music history and literature. And because our faculty are experienced conductors and educators, you’ll work alongside people who are passionate about teaching and helping you grow in the music profession.
The Master of Music with a concentration in music history and literature is ideal for people like you who have undergraduate preparation in music theory coursework who wish to pursue advanced study in music. For some students, the degree is a terminal degree (for example, music teachers who wish to pursue graduate work in music history rather than in music education), while for others it serves as preparation for the study of musicology at the doctoral level.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study music history and literature at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you’ll join a supportive and collaborative community of musicians and educators. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including an extensive music library, performance halls and practice rooms. You’ll also have opportunities to attend concerts, master classes and workshops led by world-renowned musicians and educators. Plus, you’ll benefit from our work with the Coordinated Program in Music Librarianship where we help train new music librarians.
But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour with one of our graduate program coordinators.
Program Details
The Master of Music in Music History & Literature is a comprehensive program encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including musicology, research methodologies, analysis and interdisciplinary studies. Through a balanced blend of coursework and independent research, you’ll develop a deep understanding of musical traditions, explore the intricacies of historical contexts and refine your analytical skills. Unleash your potential as you delve into courses and specialized seminars, culminating in a research thesis that showcases your expertise.
View the Music, MM: Music History & Literature requirements.
Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission
Peck School of the Arts undergraduate and graduate programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.
Scholarships & Aid
UW-Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts offers a variety of cost-saving opportunities, including scholarships, grants, fellowships and residency-based tuition rates. Learn more about scholarship and aid opportunities available to you.
Graduate Assistantships
Students may be eligible to receive funding support and tuition remission through graduate assistantships. Approximately half of our students receive a teaching assistantship, which includes full tuition remission, stipend and benefits eligibility. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll have varying assistantship responsibilities depending on degree, instrument, and experience.
Composition
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Assist with chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Conducting
- Serve as an assistant conductor with university ensembles
- Assist with recruitment and outreach activities
- Provide ensemble and departmental support
Guitar
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Music History & Literature
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Piano
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Rehearsal and performance accompaniment for choral, chamber and instrumental ensembles
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Strings
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with orchestra and chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Voice
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with choral, opera and vocal ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with orchestra, wind band and chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Music Performances
With a season packed with music concerts, you’ll have many opportunities to put your hard work on display for live audiences in our performance venues. You can also support your fellow musicians by attending their performances and broaden your musical horizons through limited engagements from visiting artists and touring acts. Learn more about venues and performing arts events.
Student Recitals
Peck School of the Arts music students take the stage in solo and group student recitals throughout the school year. Students showcase musical technique and skill, while audience members enjoy exceptional performances by Milwaukee’s emerging musicians.
Internships & Opportunities
Located within the cultural capital of Wisconsin, students regularly perform professionally both as soloists and chamber musicians in the greater Milwaukee community while earning their degree. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Alumni Stories in Music
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PSOA professor and alums receive 2025 Civic Music MKE awards
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Guitar students and alumni win major festivals throughout North AmericaDuring the summer of 2024, PSOA guitar students took center stage at a variety of festivals throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Everywhere our students went, they found great success and brought accolades back to Milwaukee. Leonela Alejandro (BFA 2020, Music) took first prize at the Guitar Foundation of America, …
Careers in Music
- Accompanist
- Acoustic Engineer
- Arranger
- Artist Management
- Arts Administrator
- Audio Software Designer & Programmer
- Audio/Visual Technician
- Broadcast Engineer
- Chamber Musician
- Clinician
- Consultant
- Collaborative Pianist
- Community Arts Organizer
- Composer
- Concert Production/Promotion
- Conductor (Band, Choral, Orchestral)
- Curator
- Diction Coach
- Early Music Performer
- Editor
- Educator/Education Director
- Ensemble Administration
- Entertainer
- Ethnomusicologist
- Event Manager
- Film/Television/Theatre/Gaming Composer
- Foley Artist
- Folk Music Performer
- Instrumental Performer
- Instrument Building/Repairing/Restoration
- Jazz Performer
- Licensing Administrator
- Luthier
- Managing Director
- Mastering Engineer
- Media Developer
- Military Bands/Orchestras
- Music Cognition (Science & Medicine)
- Music Critic/Journalist/Blogger
- Music Historian
- Music Librarian
- Music Publicist
- Music Store Owner
- Music Supervisor
- Music Therapist
- Music Theorist
- Musical Theatre Artist
- Musicologist
- Multimedia Artist
- Opera Performer
- Opera Dramaturg
- Opera Management
- Opera Prompter
- Orchestral Musician
- Outreach & Educational Programming
- Peace Corps (Teaching Music Abroad)
- Piano Tuner/Technician
- Pit Musician
- Private Studio Teacher
- Producer
- Publisher
- Radio Manager/Broadcasting
- Recitalist
- Recording Artist
- Record Label Executive
- Singer/Vocalist
- Songwriter/Lyricist
- Sound Designer/Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Stage Manager
- Suzuki Instructor
- Studio Musician
- Talent Agent/Director
- Vocal Coach
- Voice Therapist
Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please follow the link below.
- Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
- Chair, Department of Music
- grodger@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8972
- Music Building 130B
- Teaching Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
- Area Head, Music History & Literature
- Director, Early Music Ensemble
- timsm@uwm.edu
- Music Building 239
