Master of Music: Music Theory

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • Students will demonstrate insight into musical works of moderate complexity through written analyses.
  • Students will convey familiarity and moderate fluency with standard music-theoretical and analytical concepts.
  • Students will utilize music-theoretical knowledge and insight to initiate substantial scholarly work in analysis, theory, and pedagogy (in music theory or a related field).

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate insight into musical works of moderate complexity through written analyses.
  2. Students will convey familiarity and moderate fluency with standard music-theoretical and analytical concepts.
  3. Students will utilize music-theoretical knowledge and insight to initiate substantial scholarly work in analysis, theory, and pedagogy (in music theory or a related field).

Required Courses

CONSVTY 5593Introduction To Research And Bibliography In Music3
or CONSVTY 5593N Introduction to Research and Bibliography in Music
Music History (Graduate Level)6
CONSVTY 5526AIntroduction to Schenkerian Theory and Analysis3
CONSVTY 5591GPedagogy of Music Theory3
CONSVTY 5523Analytical Procedures3
CONSVTY 5528Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory3
CONSVTY 5598Research Problems2
Electives9
CONSVTY 5518Current Issues and Trends in American Music Theory3
Total Credits35

Piano Proficiency Requirement

The Conservatory's undergraduate piano proficiency requirement must be met.

Applied Music Requirement

Successful completion of one of the following is required:

  • If the student qualifies for applied music at the 302 level, then no applied study is required.
  • If the student does not qualify through audition for applied music at the 302 level, then the student must enroll for applied study for three semesters or until the 301 jury is passed.

Foreign Language Requirement

For all masters students in Music Theory, a grade of B- (2.7) or better in a first-semester, sophomore-level foreign language course or C (2.0) work or better in each of two junior-level courses or in one senior-level literature or civilization course is viewed as an adequate demonstration of foreign language skills. Students are particularly encouraged to study French or German, but study of other languages may be approved by the Music Theory faculty. A language proficiency test, if provided by language instructors or departments, may be substituted for course requirements provided it documents language capabilities equivalent to the previously described courses. In such cases, a letter from the university language professor, describing the process and results, must be forwarded to the Conservatory Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.