Degree Programs in Music

Discover Your Musical Potential: Our program builds upon students’ diverse pre-college musical experiences—whether performance, digital music production, or simple interest in music—by deepening their understanding of music’s multifaceted role in society. It encourages an exploration of new musical styles, practices, and scholarly methods, expanding their understanding of music across global, cultural, political, historical, and economic dimensions. The curriculum integrates critical analysis with practical application, fostering artistic growth and scholarly rigor.

Build Your Musical Future: Our alumni have successfully transitioned to various roles within and beyond the music industry. These include positions such as music managers, who oversee artist development and production; sound engineers, who specialize in audio recording and live sound production; and policy advisors, who shape cultural policy at the intersection of music and governance. Additionally, some have pursued careers in performance, such as recording artists, public relations, managing communications for music festivals and entertainment firms, and music therapy, contributing to clinical and community settings. Many graduates have gone on to competitive graduate programs and law schools. These real-world outcomes reflect our program’s versatile and comprehensive curriculum and active collaborations with other academic departments on campus.

Personalize Your Music Studies: The American Musical Cultures major is flexible by design, accommodating students’ existing interests while encouraging the exploration of new musical interests. Our curriculum allows students to forge personalized academic paths under the guidance of our faculty, who advise them from foundational courses to advanced electives and independent major projects. This approach ensures that each student gains comprehensive skills and knowledge, engages deeply with the community, and culminates their study in a meaningful capstone project that reflects their unique interests and discoveries.

Shape the Future of Music: Our program strongly emphasizes media and digital technologies in an era where digital technology shapes every aspect of music, from production to distribution and engagement. This focus equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and influence the evolving landscape of music. Through courses that integrate cutting-edge technology and media analysis, students learn to harness these tools to expand their creative and scholarly projects. This innovative approach enhances their artistic expression and research capabilities and prepares them for emerging fields and challenges in the music industry and beyond. By embracing these technologies, the program ensures that students are well-prepared to meet the future of music with adaptability and foresight.

Experience Music in the Nation’s Capital: Georgetown’s location offers unique advantages, connecting students with the rich musical and government world of Washington, DC. From the venerable punk rock label Dischord Records to the classical stages of the Kennedy Center to the distinctively interactive go-go scene, our program immerses students in a diverse musical heritage. In addition, we engage policy and national cultural institutions. We further enrich this experience by connecting students with esteemed music institutions such as Smithsonian Folkways, the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts, embassies, and numerous policy-related organizations actively lobbying for the sustainability of the arts. These connections not only enhance classroom learning but also provide valuable internship opportunities.

Study with the Leading Voices in Music: Our music faculty are celebrated for their scholarly contributions and artistic achievements. They have been published extensively by premier academic presses and leading academic journals. Their scholarly work covers various music disciplines, contributing significantly to the global understanding of music’s role in cultural expression and historical context. Additionally, they are recognized performers and composers whose artistry has been showcased by prominent symphonies, venues, and record labels worldwide. Beyond their academic and performance accolades, our faculty members are frequently featured in prestigious media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and NPR, highlighting their influence and thought-leadership in music. This high level of professional recognition enriches the learning experience for our students, providing them with active mentorship deeply rooted in current music scholarship and practice.

Expand Your Career Possibilities: The major culminates in capstone projects overseen by full-time faculty, which allow students to conduct significant research or create substantial artistic projects. These capstones, along with our coursework, prepare students for potential careers they might not have previously considered, such as in music law, where they deal with copyright and other legal issues affecting music and musicians. On the way to the capstone, students become multifaceted artists and scholars.