Overview

Instruction is available on the following instruments:

Strings: lute, baroque guitar, viola da gamba

Keyboards: harpsichord, organ, fortepiano

Wind & brass: recorder, baroque oboe, natural horn

Key facts

Masters and Doctoral degrees are available for historical plucked instruments (lute, theorbo, baroque guitar) and harpsichord. A strong program in early music, which includes Collegium Musicum and Baroque Chamber Music ensembles—as well as support courses such as baroque performance practice, continuo realization, lute literature and pedagogy, harpsichord performance and literature, and numerous theory and musicology courses—gives lute and harpsichord performance majors strong preparation for careers in early music performance.

Secondary Instruction

In addition to major study the study of harpsichord and lute may be undertaken as a secondary discipline. Organists and pianists, as well as classical guitarists, have greatly benefited from such secondary study, significantly broadening both their musical horizons and career opportunities. The School’s fine variety of harpsichords permits an authentic approach to seventeenth- and eighteenth-century keyboard music and enhances the training of our students. Secondary instruction is also available on the School’s outstanding Viennese fortepiano; study on the pedal clavichord is incorporated in the curriculum for organ majors and is available to other keyboardists as well.

Early Music Ensembles

Students are encouraged to explore not only solo literature but also chamber music and continuo playing in Eastman’s early music ensembles.

Graduates

Graduates of the Early Music program of University of Rochester perform professionally with leading early music ensembles and musicians all over the world, including Tafelmusik, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, John Eliot Gardiner, Ton Koopman, Reinhard Goebel, Christopher Hogwood, Philippe Herreweghe, Frans Brüggen, and others.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music Bibliography

Music in the Renaissance

Music in the Baroque

Modal Counterpoint or 18th-Century Counterpoint

Lute Literature and Pedagogy (lute majors only)

Harpsichord Literature and Pedagogy through the 18th Century (harpsichord majors only)

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Rochester, United States

Disciplines

Music Musicology Liberal Arts View 1011 other Masters in Music in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application and Application Fee

Audition

Personal statement and résumé (uploaded online within the application)

Recommendations (3)

Transcripts (must represent all collegiate study)

Music Education Essay: required of Music Education applicants(different from personal statement)

Interview: required of Conducting, Composition, Contemporary Media/Film Composition, Music Education and Opera Stage Directing applicants

Pre-screening recording: required of Conducting and Jazz applicants

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

64500 USD / year

≈ 64500 USD / year
Out-of-State

64500 USD / year

≈ 64500 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

64500 USD / year

≈ 64500 USD / year

Living costs

Rochester

United States

925 - 1350 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Early Music.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key facts

Secondary Instruction

Early Music Ensembles

Graduates

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Rochester

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners