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Subject · 185 verified programs

Early Music and Historical Performance: degrees, diplomas and programs

Programs that train performers in the instruments, techniques and styles of medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and later historical repertoire.

Also called: Historical Performance, Historically Informed Performance, Period Instrument Performance, Baroque Performance, Alte Musik, Musica antica, Musique ancienne.

47 Other master’s award · 44 Other bachelor’s award · 42 MA · 24 BA / BA (Hons) · 15 MM / MMus · 6 BM / BMus · 6 DMA · 1 Certificate · 136 dedicated degree, 36 named major, 11 documented pathway, 2 official concentration

185 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About early music and historical performance study

Early music and historical performance is the study of playing and singing music of the past in ways informed by evidence from its own time. This may involve period instruments such as the lute, viol, harpsichord, natural trumpet or Baroque violin, or modern instruments played with research-based approaches to articulation, ornamentation and tuning. The aim is to make informed interpretive choices rather than to claim a single correct sound.

Training combines instrumental or vocal lessons with ensemble work and study of sources such as treatises, manuscripts and early printed editions. Students learn about pitch standards, temperament, improvisation and ornamentation, and often learn to read from original notation or figured bass. Many programs encourage small ensemble playing, since much of the repertoire was written for chamber groups or for continuo-led ensembles.

The field overlaps with musicology and with conventional performance, but its focus is on practice informed by research. The date range called early varies, and some programs extend historical performance into the Classical and Romantic periods. Scope and specialties differ, so program pages should be read closely.

What study typically involves

  • Lessons on a period instrument or in historical vocal style
  • Basso continuo and figured bass realization
  • Ornamentation, improvisation and rhetoric in historical repertoire
  • Early notation, manuscripts and source study
  • Tuning systems, temperaments and historical pitch
  • Ensemble and chamber music playing
  • Treatises and performance practice research
  • Instrument care, setup and sometimes basic maintenance

Award titles. Historical performance is commonly recognized through the BM or BMus at undergraduate level and the MM or MMus at master's level, sometimes with a named early music or historical performance title. Postgraduate diplomas and practice doctorates such as the DMA exist in some countries, and PhDs are research degrees, sometimes combined with a performance component. Names and structure vary by country, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program appears under Early Music only when it is a dedicated early music or historical performance degree, a named major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. A course in Baroque performance practice taken as an elective does not count. Instruments such as harpsichord and organ are listed separately.

Auditions and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program and instrument. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Auditions typically ask for repertoire on the applicant's instrument or voice, and the instrument may be modern or period depending on the program. Some courses accept strong modern-instrument players who are new to historical practice, while others expect prior period experience. Applicants are often asked to demonstrate sight-reading, continuo skills or knowledge of style.

Programs may also look for evidence of curiosity about sources, such as a short interview or written statement, and they may test theory and aural skills. Keyboard players may be asked to realize a figured bass, and singers may be asked for early repertoire in appropriate languages.

Requirements differ by institution and country. Instruments sometimes need to be supplied by the student, so confirm what is expected on the official admissions page. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding may come from institutional scholarships, instrument loans or awards, ensemble stipends, tuition waivers and external foundations, some of which support specialist historical performance. Some professional early music organizations and festivals also offer training opportunities.

Terms vary by institution and country, and some students receive partial support or none. Check with each program and funding body directly.

Costs beyond tuition. Period instruments, bows, strings, reeds and cases can be a significant possible cost, as can tuning and maintenance, facsimile editions, travel to specialist teachers and, where instruments are rented, loan or insurance fees.