Music Theory Course Descriptions

An introduction to the structural components of music from a variety of musical cultures and traditions. Students will explore a range of musical practices to discover how musical elements such as rhythm, timbre, pitch, and harmony participate in the creation, notation, performance, and experience of music. N.B.: course does not apply toward the B.Mus degree program.

An expanded version of MUTH 201, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to tonal harmony, counterpoint, and associated formal procedures in conjunction with a thorough grounding in music fundamentals. Placement determined by the Music Theory Placement Exam. Corequisites: MUTH 161 and 171 PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 161, 171

An expanded version of MUTH 202, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to tonal harmony, counterpoint, and associated formal procedures in conjunction with a thorough grounding in music fundamentals. Corequisites: MUTH 162, 172. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 151 Corequisites: MUTH 162, 172

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 151. Melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of basic formal procedures. Placement determined by the Music Theory Placement Exam. Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree. Corequisites: MUTH 151, 171. PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 151, 171 Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 152. Melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of basic formal procedures. Credit does not count toward the B.Mus. degree. Corequisites: MUTH 152, 172. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 161 Corequisites: MUTH 152, 172 Credit does not count toward the B.Mus degree

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 151. Solo and ensemble singing using solfège; treble and bass clefs only. One- and two-part rhythmic exercises. Improvisation. Placement determined by corequisite course placement. Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree. Corequisites: MUTH 151, 161. PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 151, 161 Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 152. Solo and ensemble singing using solfège; treble and bass clefs only. One- and two-part rhythmic exercises. Improvisation. Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree. Corequisites: MUTH 152, 162. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 171 Corequisites: MUTH 152, 162 Credit does not count toward the B. Mus. degree

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

An experience-based project in music developed in consultation with a designated supervisor and a conservatory faculty member, comprising a work component and an academic component. The academic component of the internship, carried out under the supervision of the faculty member, may include readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty member, and a written report or other culminating project appropriate to the discipline. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

A comprehensive introduction to the structural principles and compositional techniques of tonal music. Emphasis on diatonic harmony and elementary counterpoint through written exercises, model composition, and analysis. Introduction to associated formal procedures. Section assignment determined by the Music Theory Placement Exam. Corequisites: MUTH 211 and 221. PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 211, 221

A comprehensive introduction to the structural principles and compositional techniques of tonal music. Emphasis on diatonic harmony and elementary counterpoint through written exercises, model composition, and analysis. Introduction to associated formal procedures. Corequisites: MUTH 212 and 222. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 201 Corequisites: MUTH 212, 222

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 201. Melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of basic formal procedures. Section assignment determined by the Music Theory Placement Exam. Corequisites: MUTH 201, 221. PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 201, 221

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 202. Melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of basic formal procedures. Corequisites: MUTH 202, 222. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 211 Corequisites: MUTH 202, 222

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 201. Solo and ensemble singing using solfège; treble and bass clefs only. One- and two-part rhythmic exercises. Improvisation. Placement determined by corequisite course placement. Corequisites: MUTH 201, 211. PREREQUISITES: Placement Corequisites: MUTH 201, 211

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 202. Solo and ensemble singing using solfège; treble and bass clefs only. One- and two-part rhythmic exercises. Improvisation. Taken in sequence. Corequisites: MUTH 202, 212. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 221 Corequisites: MUTH 202, 212

A comprehensive introduction to jazz scales, modes, chords, harmonic progressions, nomenclature, and notation. Emphasis on linking essential jazz theoretic functions to performance practice, composition, and arranging.

Continued study of the harmonic techniques and structural principles of tonal music, with emphasis on chromatic harmony and contrapuntal elaboration through written exercises, model composition, and analysis. Introduction to binary, ternary, rondo, and variation forms. Corequisites: MUTH 261, 271. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 152 or MUTH 202 Corequisites: MUTH 261, 271

Continued study of the harmonic techniques and structural principles of tonal music, with emphasis on chromatic harmony and contrapuntal elaboration through written exercises, model composition, and analysis. More complex binary, ternary, and rondo forms. Sonata form and fugue. Corequisites: MUTH 262, 272. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 251 Corequisites: MUTH 262, 272

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 251. Continued work in melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of small-scale forms of tonal music. Corequisites: MUTH 251, 271. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 162 or MUTH 212 Corerequisites: MUTH 251, 271

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 252. Continued work in melodic, harmonic, and contrapuntal dictation, error detection, and aural perception of large-scale forms of tonal music. Corequisites: MUTH 252, 272. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 261 Corerequisites: MUTH 252, 272

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 251. Continued solo and ensemble singing (modes, alto and tenor clefs added), rhythmic exercises, and improvisation. Corequisites: MUTH 251, 261. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 172 or MUTH 222 Corequisites: MUTH 251, 261

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 252. Continued solo and ensemble singing (modes, alto and tenor clefs added), rhythmic exercises, and improvisation. Corequisites: MUTH 252, 262. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 271 Corerequisites: MUTH 252, 262

An introduction to the structural principles and formal procedures of music from the early 20th century to the present. Corequisites: MUTH 311, 321. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 252 Corequisites: MUTH 311, 321

Ear training commensurate with MUTH 301. Corequisites: MUTH 301, 321. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 262 Corequisites: MUTH 301, 321

Sight singing commensurate with MUTH 301. Corequisites: MUTH 301, 311. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 272 Corequisites: MUTH 301, 311

An elective course in sight singing for students who have completed the core sequence. Repertoire includes various styles of part music from the Renaissance to the present day. Improvisation. May be repeated for credit. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 321

Intermediate studies in music theory and analysis, focusing on a particular theoretical model, analytical approach, or corpus of works. Topics vary from year to year. Course may be repeated when the topic is different.

A tutorial is a primarily student-driven course of study undertaken by an individual student or small group of students in collaboration with one or more faculty members. The primary goal of a tutorial is expansion, refinement, and synthesis of knowledge and abilities through in-depth exploration of a specific topic. Tutorials supplement regular course offerings, especially in the junior and senior years, by extending the curriculum in depth or breadth according to the intersecting interests of students and faculty members. A tutorial may be undertaken to satisfy personal academic interest, to prepare for advanced or graduate study, or to lay the groundwork for an independent study, senior experience, or honors project. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

An experience-based project in music developed in consultation with a designated supervisor and a conservatory faculty member, comprising a work component and an academic component. The academic component of the internship, carried out under the supervision of the faculty member, may include readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty member, and a written report or other culminating project appropriate to the discipline. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Students considering an honors project should register for independent study for one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

A survey of the techniques of 18th-century counterpoint. Imitative and non-imitative counterpoint in two and three voices, leading to the composition of dance suite movements, canons, and three-voice fugues. Complementary work in analysis. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 301 or consent of instructor

A continuation of MUTH 401. Imitative counterpoint in three and four voices, leading to the composition of a four-voice fugue. Complementary work in analysis. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 401

Study of a range of advanced analytical approaches to selected works composed between ca. 1900 and the present. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 301

An introduction to the theory and analytical techniques of Heinrich Schenker (1868-1935), one of the most influential twentieth-century theorists of tonal music. The course explores Schenkerian concepts of prolongation, composing-out, structural levels, and linear progression as applied to significant works of tonal music from Bach to Brahms, providing as well a thorough grounding in Schenker’s elegant techniques of graphic analysis. PREREQUISITES: MUTH 301 or consent of instructor

Advanced studies in music analysis, such as Schenkerian analysis, late 19th-century chromaticism, and analysis and performance. Topics vary from year to year. Course may be repeated with consent of instructor.

A tutorial is a primarily student-driven course of study undertaken by an individual student or small group of students in collaboration with one or more faculty members. The primary goal of a tutorial is expansion, refinement, and synthesis of knowledge and abilities through in-depth exploration of a specific topic. Tutorials supplement regular course offerings, especially in the junior and senior years, by extending the curriculum in depth or breadth according to the intersecting interests of students and faculty members. A tutorial may be undertaken to satisfy personal academic interest, to prepare for advanced or graduate study, or to lay the groundwork for an independent study, senior experience, or honors project. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

An experience-based project in music developed in consultation with a designated supervisor and a conservatory faculty member, comprising a work component and an academic component. The academic component of the internship, carried out under the supervision of the faculty member, may include readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty member, and a written report or other culminating project appropriate to the discipline. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Students considering an honors project should register for independent study for one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

A tutorial is a primarily student-driven course of study undertaken by an individual student or small group of students in collaboration with one or more faculty members. The primary goal of a tutorial is expansion, refinement, and synthesis of knowledge and abilities through in-depth exploration of a specific topic. Tutorials supplement regular course offerings, especially in the junior and senior years, by extending the curriculum in depth or breadth according to the intersecting interests of students and faculty members. A tutorial may be undertaken to satisfy personal academic interest, to prepare for advanced or graduate study, or to lay the groundwork for an independent study, senior experience, or honors project. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

An experience-based project in music developed in consultation with a designated supervisor and a conservatory faculty member, comprising a work component and an academic component. The academic component of the internship, carried out under the supervision of the faculty member, may include readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty member, and a written report or other culminating project appropriate to the discipline. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Students considering an honors project should register for independent study for one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.