Arts and humanities

Musicology degree

Musicology is a science devoted to everything to do with music. Its scope is vast, since musicology is as interested in musical practices as it is in works, composers, performers, the physical dimension of sound, and the contexts in which music is created and received.
It is divided into different disciplines These include theory, music history, analysis (the detailed study of works), aesthetics, ethnomusicology, acoustics (the physical study of sound) and organology (the study of instruments), as well as borrowing from other disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, art history, physics and psychology.
The job of the musicologist, who thinks about music and the musical experience, is thus distinct from that of the composer or performer, who brings it into being or brings it back to life. But musicology also facilitates the work of musicians, leading to a broader and more accurate understanding of musical phenomena and works, and enabling the rediscovery of little-known scores: musical practice and musicology are mutually enriching. This is why musicology has become an integral part of musician training.

The Bachelor's degree in musicology atuniversité Grenoble Alpes offers a comprehensive curriculum combining historical studies (history of music and history of art), technical and scientific studies, and music practice sessions. This curriculum is enriched by a focus on popular music and the oral tradition.
The aim of the musicology degree is to give students the opportunity to simultaneously acquire a good general musical culture and solid technical training. Indeed, musicology takes on its full dimension only if it is constantly irrigated by regular, high-quality musical practice.

Please note: a minimum level is required to enter the 1st year of the Musicology degree program: several years of musical practice (all instruments and styles of music welcome), basic knowledge of solfeggio (ease of reading in treble and bass clef, simple dictations), ability to decipher a simple piece using the voice.

Playing an instrument taught at conservatories and music schools is strongly recommended. For non-pianists, basic keyboard skills are essential from the outset of studies, and should be pursued in preparation for the accompaniment tests in L2 and L3.

Grenoble's Musicology Department offers a number of different courses and orientations throughout the 3 years of the Bachelor's degree:

• In 1st year, most of the teaching is in Music and Musicology. Two core courses in art history are also integrated into the timetable. This arrangement enables students who so wish to reorient themselves in the second semester of the first year towards a bachelor's degree in art history and archaeology. 
• a Physics and Musicology pathway, offering the possibility of obtaining both a musicology degree and a physics degree in three years (Double Licence - see presentation below).

For students who choose to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree, 2 specializations are offered from the 2nd year (L2):

• specializing in music and musicology 
• Interpretation and musical practice, in collaboration with the Conservatoires de Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy and Bourgoin-Jallieu. PLEASE NOTE: to be able to choose the Interpretation and Musical Practice specialization, you must be enrolled in the IIIrd instrumental cycle, or in the last year of the IInd vocal cycle, at one of these conservatories.
• In 3rd year, in addition to these 2 specialties, there is also a Teaching Professions course, which includes an internship in a school.

The Physics/Musicology double degree

This double degree takes 3 years to prepare, and is divided into 6 semesters.

Students follow a set of courses in both areas:

• Science: teaching focuses on physics, mathematics and mechanics
• In musicology : courses cover the history of music (from the Middle Ages to contemporary music), analysis of works, musical training, writing (musical composition), keyboard accompaniment and choir.