Dartmouth College

What you'll study

Because Dartmouth does not offer a traditional Master’s in Music, there is no prescribed Dartmouth master’s curriculum in performance, composition or musicology. At Dartmouth the Department of Music delivers a comprehensive undergraduate (AB) programme and a wide range of ensemble, composition and research opportunities. Graduate-level musical study for students at Dartmouth typically takes the form of directed research within other graduate programmes (for example, humanities or interdisciplinary studies) or through external conservatoire-style training.

For applicants seeking the content typically covered in a Master’s in Music elsewhere, such programmes commonly include: advanced principal-instrument/voice lessons, aural skills and advanced harmony, analysis and historical studies (musicology), applied composition and arranging, conducting, chamber music and large ensemble work, pedagogy and teaching practica, and a capstone recital or research thesis. Coursework and practical training are balanced to prepare performers, composers and scholars for professional careers or doctoral study.

Entry requirements

Because Dartmouth does not run a master’s-level programme in music, there are no Dartmouth-specific graduate-entry requirements for a Master’s in Music. For reference, typical entry requirements for master’s programmes in music at other institutions include:

• A completed undergraduate degree in music (BA/AB/BMus) or equivalent, often with a specified minimum academic standing.
• Performance audition or composition portfolio demonstrating technical and artistic ability; recorded or live auditions are normally required.
• Academic writing sample or a research proposal for musicology or theory-focused degrees.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can speak to musical and academic potential.
• English language proficiency proof for non-native speakers where required.

Applicants who studied at Dartmouth at undergraduate level and who wish to pursue graduate music study should plan auditions and application materials at prospective graduate schools and may highlight Dartmouth experiences—private lessons, ensemble leadership, senior theses, or interdisciplinary projects—on their applications.

Career prospects

Graduates from master’s programmes in music typically move into a range of careers depending on their specialism. Common paths include:

• Professional performer (orchestral, chamber, soloist, opera, contemporary music ensembles)
• Composer, arranger or music producer for concert, media and commercial contexts
• Music teacher or private instructor at pre-college, secondary or tertiary levels
• Academic career in musicology, music theory or ethnomusicology, often continuing to doctoral study
• Arts management, programming and producing for ensembles, festivals and cultural organisations
• Music technology and sound-design roles in media, gaming and research institutions

Students who move from Dartmouth’s undergraduate programme into graduate study often leverage strong liberal-arts training—critical thinking, research skills and interdisciplinary breadth—alongside practical musicianship when pursuing these careers.

Why study at Dartmouth College

While Dartmouth does not offer a traditional Master’s in Music, there are several reasons musicians and music scholars value study at Dartmouth:

• Intimate, faculty-led teaching: The Department of Music at Dartmouth is compact, enabling close mentorship from faculty across performance, composition and music scholarship.
• Ensemble and performance opportunities: A vibrant array of ensembles (chamber groups, orchestras, choirs, jazz and contemporary ensembles) and performance venues provide regular practical experience.
• Interdisciplinary resources: Strong connections across the arts, humanities and engineering allow students to combine musical study with subjects such as cognitive science, computer science (music technology) and theatre.
• Research and museum collections: Access to campus resources such as the Hood Museum, library special collections and archival materials supports musicological and historical research projects.
• Career preparation and campus support: Dartmouth’s career services and alumni network help musicians develop freelance careers, arts entrepreneurship skills or transitions to specialised graduate programmes.

If you are intent on a Master’s in Music, consider applying to institutions that offer dedicated MM, MA (music), or MPerf degrees; if you are a Dartmouth student or alum considering graduate study, the Department of Music and college advising offices can help you prepare competitive applications (audition recordings, portfolios, research statements) and identify programmes that best fit your artistic and scholarly goals.