The thesis requirement may be fulfilled in a number of ways. The following are the most common options:

• a historical study of some subject related to the major field
• an analytical study of a work or group of works from the repertoire of the student’s instrument
• a critical edition of some previously unavailable work(s)
• an annotated translation of an important article, treatise, or book as yet unavailable in English

The thesis is a flexible requirement. Underlying these projects (in whatever form) must be evidence of basic research skills and good writing technique. Beyond that, we suggest work on a subject that will be of sufficient practical interest to the music world to offer the opportunity for publication.