PhD Music (Musicology)

University of Manchester

Our PhD Music (Musicology) programme will enable you to develop historical, analytical and/or ethnographic skills at an advanced level, with independence and originality of thought combined with technical skill. Your supervised research will normally relate to the research interests of a member of staff. These currently include (but are not limited to): Manuscript studies and editorial techniques; Early modern music theory, reception and historical performing practices; Music and material/multimedia culture in early modern and Enlightenment England; Beethoven and his contemporaries; Schubert and his contemporaries; Sibelius and Nordic music; Music in 19th century German thought and culture Music theory and cognition; Critical theory; Aesthetics; Analysis and reception of 19th century instrumental music; New music reception, historiography and methodology; Music of South Asia and the South Asian diaspora; Music of the Mediterranean, Balkans and Caucasus; Music in contemporary culture; Jazz; Music and politics, including the politics of world music; Music and gender studies; Music revivals; Theorising listening and listeners, including materialities of listening; Performance studies and pedagogy; Improvisation; Child composers. Our research across the department involves particular focus on eight core research areas , built around research questions, themes and approaches that are shared by a number of members of staff. Explored thematically during our Thursday research afternoons as well as in more specialised fora, the core research areas allow us to interrogate key issues in music research from multiple angles, fostering imaginative and multi-layered responses that are both intellectual and creative. They comprise: Creative and performing practices, Sound, space and interactive art, Politics, protest and power, Nationalism, mobility and identity, Historically and culturally informed analysis, Critical reception studies, Inter-cultural musicking Music and Ecosystems. PhD students in Musicology and Ethnomusicology produce an 80,000-word dissertation that presents independent and original research executed at a high standard. As a research student in the department, you will be assigned a research panel consisting of your supervisor, a co-supervisor and an independent reviewer who will meet with you on a regular basis to discuss your progress and offer expert advice on the development of your project. You may also have the opportunity to audit taught course-units that might support your studies, as well as having access to a programme of optional training workshops.