Music History and Literature 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

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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.

Music History and Literature MM
Music History and Literature MM

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.

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

  • Chamber music festival in France featured four PSOA alumni who are also siblings 

    A harmonious blend of culture, heritage, and music painted the Loire Valley during the second annual Musiques et Vignes en Confluence, a chamber music festival in central France. Bernard Zinck (Associate Professor of Violin and Area Head of Strings and String Pedagogy) created the Musiques et Vignes en Confluence in …
  • UWM Student Kathryn Henry Singing In Met Opera Audition Finals

    Kathryn Henry confessed she felt "so many butterflies" when she walked on the Metropolitan Opera stage Sunday morning in New York. But that was just a quick look-see for Henry and other semifinalists in the national Met Auditions competition. When she returned later that day to sing, the University of …

Careers in Music

  • Accompanist
  • Acoustic Engineer
  • Arranger
  • Artist Management
  • Arts Administration
  • Audio Software Designer & Programmer
  • Audio/Visual Technician
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Chamber Musician
  • Choral Music Educator
  • Clinician
  • Consultant
  • Collaborative Pianist
  • Community Arts Organizer
  • Composer
  • Concert Production/Promotion
  • Conductor
  • Cruise Ship Entertainer
  • Curator
  • Development Director
  • Diction Coach
  • Early Music Performer
  • Editor
  • Education Director
  • Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
  • Engraver
  • Ensemble Administration
  • Entertainer
  • Ethnomusicologist
  • Event Manager
  • Film Composer/Conductor
  • Foley Artist
  • Folk Music Performer
  • Foundation Administration
  • Instrumental Music Educator
  • Instrumental Performer
  • Instrument Repair/Restoration
  • Jazz Performer
  • Licensing Administrator
  • Luthier
  • Managing Director
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Mastering Engineer
  • Media Developer
  • Military Bands/Orchestras
  • Music Cognition (Science & Medicine)
  • Music Critic
  • Music Education Teacher
  • Music Historian
  • Music Librarian
  • Music Journalist/Blogger
  • 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
  • Program Notes Author
  • Promotion Manager
  • Publisher
  • Radio Manager/Broadcasting
  • Recitalist
  • Recording Artist
  • Record Label Administration
  • Singer/Vocalist
  • Songwriter/Lyricist
  • Sound Designer/Engineer
  • Sound Technician
  • Suzuki Instructor
  • Studio Musician
  • Talent Agent/Director
  • Television/Theatrical Composer
  • Theatre Stage Manager
  • University Administration
  • University Faculty
  • Video Game Scoring
  • Vocal Coach
  • Voice Therapist
  • Voiceover Artist
  • Wardrobe Specialist
  • Wigmaker

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.


Gillian Rodger HEADSHOT
  • Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
  • Chair, Department of Music
Tim Sterner Miller Headshot
  • Teaching Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
  • Area Head, Music History & Literature
  • Director, Early Music Ensemble
Important Dates
Music

Entrance Audition
For Music BA, BFA and Masters programs in Spring and Fall 2025.

December 6, 2024
February 7, 2025
February 17, 2025
March 7, 2025
April 4, 2025
Accreditation

The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and has been since 1964.

Contact
Music
Undergraduate Programs
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763