kccur

Definitely worrying too much It's pretty common for people to take a year off to apply, to have been doing performance or composition before applying to academic tracks, and to have LORs from undergrad professors. The "non-traditional" applicant profile (i.e., anything other than applying right out of some sort of related-field undergrad or masters program) is maybe even more common than "traditional" profiles for ethno programs. That you already have both anthropology/ethnography research experience and performance experience will also be great. As for research interests, I think it's usually good to express a general idea of the subject areas you're interested in (probably particularly for ethno and field/archive research-heavy veins of musicology) but don't feel like you need to pretend that you know exactly what you want to do.
I'm no ethnomusicologist, but it basically sounds like you have the sort of background that programs are looking for.

Definitely sit in a class if possible (although sometimes you can end up one that may not be particularly representative of the program). Probably the most important thing imo is to talk to the grad students who are already there. Ask them about the culture of the program, how professors of interest are to work with, how they like being there, etc.

Your scores are probably fine. Every music professor that I've ever heard talk about GRE scores has said that their admissions committees pretty much don't even look at GRE scores. I'm sure there are places where they are a factor, and I've that there are places where the graduate school or university as a whole has minimum score requirements (although I've never actually of specific institutions that do this), but generally speaking I think the GRE score is probably a non-factor. I imagine that committees also know that GRE verbal scores don't accurately reflect anyone's actual understanding of language, much less understanding and ability for international students.
You might want to get in touch with the director of graduate studies or a professor of interest at places you're considering applying and ask them about how they weigh GRE scores. I think a lot of times, places will be pretty straight-forward with you about what they value.

I think you might be underestimating your academic growth from your theory masters program. It's not uncommon for people to have far greater success applying after their masters than they did out of undergrad. Additionally, if it's language skills you're worried about and are totally set on getting a second masters before re-applying to theory PhD programs, maybe you should consider a more closely related research field instead of guitar performance? I imagine getting a second masters in something like historical musicology, focusing particularly on the composers you're interested in from a theory standpoint, could be far more helpful in both developing your language skills as well as broadening your intellectual mindset. 

Right? It's like no place I've ever seen. So I guess Chicago is your #1 choice? In that case, extra congrats! 

Wooooo, congrats!
 
(And now I'm going to be extra anxious all day/everyday about when they'll start sending out Music History and Theory admits...)

Hi there,

To find and meet local musicians in Kansas City you have to get together at Open Mic/Jam nights, play your music and jam with other musicians. Play solo or join with whole bands. Find those you seek to fill the vacant spots in your band, find a band to join or find members to form new bands. It is free to become a member of the group!

Props! And in case you need another thing to be excited about, from my (very limited) experience, the Northwestern musicologist grad students are a fantastic bunch.

re: clarinetcola, props on the acceptances and interviews. I'm not super dialed in to the reputations of schools (so I'm pretty interested in what answers other people you have for your questions), but in general, I'm pretty sure Indiana is considered to be pretty superior to Michigan as far as theory schools go right now. I don't know what the deal is with Michigan since they're great at pretty much everything else, but I was told by some of my undergrad professors (as well as some students there in other departments) to not even bother applying to Michigan for theory. Not sure what the deal is, and it's very possible I've gotten bad info. 
 
I've heard it's a little hard to get individual attention at Indiana (at least, for master's students) and that they took a little bit of a hit after Robert Hatten left, but pretty sure it's still considered one of the elite schools. Probably top-5, definitely top-10. Again, I don't feel that I'm super well-informed so I'd like to hear what other people think, but that's what I've heard.
 
I didn't hear back from Yale until mid-March last year, but that was for a rejection, so who knows that that means for your case. Best of luck!

THEY DID IT AGAIN.

Got an email from Yale today! Yale sent me another "automated response" to the query I sent Yale in December. Telling me they weren't going to answer the question that hasn't been relevant for three months (and that they didn't answer the last time they sent me an "automated response.") No news on, you know, aaactually getting into grad school.

I swear one of their grad students has to just be intentionally screwing with me.

THEY DID IT AGAIN.

Got an email from Yale today! Yale sent me another "automated response" to the query I sent Yale in December. Telling me they weren't going to answer the question that hasn't been relevant for three months (and that they didn't answer the last time they sent me an "automated response.") No news on, you know, aaactually getting into grad school.

I swear one of their grad students has to just be intentionally screwing with me.

You're Canadian: it's almost scientifically impossible for Canadians to be offensive.

And seriously -- this is sort of a competitive business filled with a lot of talented people. If someone can't deal with the fact that other people are more successful, it's going to be real tough gig for them.

You're Canadian: it's almost scientifically impossible for Canadians to be offensive.

And seriously -- this is sort of a competitive business filled with a lot of talented people. If someone can't deal with the fact that other people are more successful, it's going to be real tough gig for them.

You're Canadian: it's almost scientifically impossible for Canadians to be offensive.

And seriously -- this is sort of a competitive business filled with a lot of talented people. If someone can't deal with the fact that other people are more successful, it's going to be real tough gig for them.

You're Canadian: it's almost scientifically impossible for Canadians to be offensive.

And seriously -- this is sort of a competitive business filled with a lot of talented people. If someone can't deal with the fact that other people are more successful, it's going to be real tough gig for them.

You're Canadian: it's almost scientifically impossible for Canadians to be offensive.

And seriously -- this is sort of a competitive business filled with a lot of talented people. If someone can't deal with the fact that other people are more successful, it's going to be real tough gig for them.

Fixed your post

Fixed your post

Honestly, if I were a comp applicant, I wouldn't be too bummed to get rejected from Princeton. Not naming names, but the only composer there I'm familiar with is a little pretentious. To put it mildly.

But wth Yale! I'm with you guys -- I fully expect to be rejected, but I want to get an interview before I get rejected. That's not asking too much, right?

Maybe today will be the day! (probably not!)



Here's a youtube video fitting for the mood of the day: