Columbia University Department of Music

The Columbia University Department of Music, established in 1896, is one of the oldest and most prestigious music departments in the United States. Founded by the renowned composer Edward MacDowell (1860-1908), the department has played a pivotal role in shaping the place of music within a liberal arts education. MacDowell's vision for a dual role in musical education at Columbia, encompassing both general musical culture and technical training, continues to guide the department's programs. Initially, the department was divided into courses that focused on general musical culture, which today includes Music Humanities—a part of Columbia’s Core Curriculum since the 1940s—and technical courses in music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, and composition. MacDowell also emphasized the importance of musical performance by founding the Columbia University Orchestra, which is the oldest continuously operating orchestra in America. Throughout its first century, the Department of Music at Columbia has been led by influential educators such as Daniel Gregory Mason and Douglas Moore. The department was one of the first in the country to offer a Ph.D. program in historical musicology, started by Paul Henry Lang in the 1930s. In the 1950s, Willard Rhodes introduced ethnomusicology, and the department became a hub for electronic music research in the United States. It also established a workshop for premiering American operas and launched "Current Musicology," a prestigious musicology journal edited and published by graduate students. Entering its second century, the department has expanded its disciplinary depth and diversity. It boasts a high placement rate for PhD and DMA graduates, both within academia and in a wide range of other fields. In partnership with the School of the Arts, the department has added a new MFA program in Sound Arts. Its faculty and students continue to receive prestigious fellowships and awards from various organizations. The undergraduate program has seen substantial growth, with increasing numbers of students majoring or concentrating in music, including tracks in Jazz and Barnard Ethnomusicology. The Music Performance Program allows hundreds of students to receive academic credit for lessons and chamber ensembles, and the Columbia University Orchestra remains one of the top ensembles in the US. Additionally, Columbia has fostered musical opportunities through an exchange program with the Juilliard School. The department's academic areas include Composition, Ethnomusicology, Historical Musicology, and Music Theory. Its performance programs and research centers, such as the Center for Ethnomusicology, Center for Jazz Studies, and Computer Music Center, contribute to its rich educational offerings. The department also emphasizes inclusion and diversity, providing pedagogical resources for antiracist teaching. Celebrating its centennial, the department invites exploration of its history through the Columbia University Libraries' web exhibition titled "Music at Columbia: The First 100 Years." The Columbia University Department of Music continues to honor its tradition of excellence while evolving to meet the challenges of music scholarship, performance, and education in the 21st century.