Senior Thesis in Music
Overview
Every Reed College graduate has written a senior thesis. The thesis in Music is a two-semester project executed under the guidance of a Music faculty member who serves as the thesis adviser. In broad terms, Music majors write one of two types of theses: (1) theses that are typically multi-chapter research-based projects approaching music as an object of historical, ethnomusicological, or music-analytical inquiry; or (2) “creative theses” focused on the composition of original music, accompanied a substantive written component that critically situates the artistic work aesthetically, stylistically, technically, and/or historically. The creative thesis also requires a public presentation of the completed work, in part for the purpose of documentation that will be archived with the completed thesis.
Though the thesis adviser, as a resource, will undoubtedly help a student fine-tune their focus or maintain a manageable scope or ambition, the thesis is above all an opportunity for Music majors to pursue a topic focused squarely on their interests. Most typically, the approach taken is significantly shaped by material, methods, ideas, and techniques that students have been exposed to in their coursework. In this sense, the thesis marks a shift from conceptual and theoretical approaches encountered in class to the design and execution of a project grounded in research questions that, ideally, lie at an intersection of personal interest and what the student has learned as a Music major, in terms of content and method.
Process
The senior thesis process unofficially begins after students pass the junior qualifying exam. This is a good time to initiate conversation with the Music faculty about possible avenues for a thesis topic, or even simply the type of thesis the student wants to undertake. During the first of the two thesis semesters—which can begin either in the fall or in the spring—seniors register for thesis through SOLAR (MUS 470). They will also start honing in on a topic. In the early weeks of the semester, students are assigned a thesis adviser, submit a thesis proposal, and begin work on the thesis. By the end of the first semester, they should have produced an initial body of work, whether a draft of a first chapter or some portion of the creative project. This will be discussed at the end of the semester at a very low-stakes meeting with the thesis adviser and at least one other faculty member called a “mini-oral.” This is simply an opportunity for the student to get feedback on their progress from someone other than their adviser and anticipate the trajectory of the second semester.
In the second semester, the student will complete a draft of the entire thesis, leaving enough time for editing and revision that incorporates feedback from their thesis adviser. The finished thesis is submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Student will be schedule for a thesis oral with their four-member orals board, which includes the thesis adviser, at least one other faculty member in the Music Department, and a fourth reader from outside of the Division of the Arts. Often, a member of the orals board is a faculty member from the Division of the Arts. When passed, two copies of the bound thesis are deposited with the Registrar and added to the thesis tower in Hauser Library.
2024–2025 Fall-Spring Thesis Timeline
First Semester
| Prior to the semester: | Enroll in Theses (MUS 470). Thesis is a year-long course that counts for two units, one each semester, While seniors are thesising, they must take a minimum of three units each semester, including thesis. In other words, thesis plus two additional units. |
| September 13: |
Deadline for assigning thesis advisers. Once your adviser has been assigned, the two of you will set up a regular meeting day and time. Typically, this is weekly, though it will be determined through the arrangement made between the student and their adviser. |
| October 4: | Thesis proposal due. A student’s first major decision when embarking on a thesis is to determine a topic. The chosen topic is officially declared in the thesis proposal for which there is a standard template. The proposal includes a 750-word description of the thesis project and an annotated bibliography. Proposals should be sent to the Faculty Administrative Coordinator (Charlie Wilcox, cwilcox@reed.edu) for approval by the Division of the Arts.. It is possible—and indeed highly likely—that the thesis project will morph somewhat as the process unfolds. This is perfectly fine. The research and creative process will inform the scope and even the focus of the thesis. |
| December 9: | Draft of the complete first chapter or work sample due. |
| Reading week: |
Mini-oral: This check-in, typically a half-hour long, is primarily a conversation among the student, the thesis adviser, and at least one of other Music faculty member about progress, unexpected challenges, possible directions forward, the writing/work sample, and/or student questions. It is an opportunity to ensure that the student is on track and has a feasible game plan for the second semester. |
Second Semester
| April 4: |
Complete thesis draft due. |
| May 2 at 3 pm: | Completed thesis due at the Registrar’s Office. This draft will be distributed to the member of the orals board and discussed at the thesis oral. |
| Reading Week: | Thesis oral. The 90-minute thesis oral is attended by the student and their four-member orals board. The orals board must include a faculty member from outside of the Division of the Arts or a Reed staff member. It is recommended that students begin considering who their fourth reader might be and ask them to be on their orals board by Spring Break at the latest to increase the likelihood of getting of their first choice. |
| May 16 at noon: |
Deadline to deposit final bound thesis with the Registrar. |
Resources
The Music Department has limited funds available to support needs that may arise while researching or finalizing a thesis. These might include support for a final performances or expenses incurred while conducting research. Students requesting departmental funding for a necessary thesis-related expense should work out a budget and a rationale in consultation with their adviser and submit this request to the Music Department chair for consideration and approval by the Music faculty. Requests for support for Fall-Spring theses must be received by February 15, 2025.
Relevant Links
Thesis Year Requirements (Faculty Code)
Thesis and Your Senior Year (Information Technology)