Music Theory - Master of Music

All of the following courses (13 credits):
Research Methods and Materials in Music
Keyboard Skills and Practical Musicianship
Proseminar in Music Theory
One of the following courses (3 credits):
Advanced Modal Counterpoint
Advanced Tonal Counterpoint
Students who take both MUS 870 and 871 may count one of the courses towards requirement 3. below.
One of the following courses (2 credits):
Early 20th Century Techniques
Late 20th- and 21st- Century Techniques
Successful completion of the Early 20th Century Techniques portion of the Graduate Orientation Examination in Music Theory will fulfill this requirement. In that case, the 2 credits will be replaced by electives. Students who take both MUS 873 and 978 may count one of the courses toward requirement 4. below.
Two of the following courses (5 or 6 credits):
Analysis of Musical Scores
Pedagogy of Theory II
Advanced Keyboard Skills
Performance and Analysis
Schenkerian Analysis II
Late 20th and 21st Century Techniques
Complete either two semesters of MUS 973 Readings in Music Theory totaling 4 credits, or one semester of MUS 973 plus MUS 971 Pedagogy of Theory II totaling 5 credits. If MUS 971 is counted toward this requirement, it cannot be counted toward requirement 4. above.
Complete an additional 3 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above. MUS 830 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Participate in music activities during two semesters of enrollment in the program. The activities must be approved in advance by the student’s academic advisor and selected from band, chamber ensemble, chorus, jazz band, new-music ensemble, or orchestra.
Pass a Keyboard Skills Examination. Materials are prepared from a booklet given to the student at the outset of studies in the program, and will involve the playing of various harmonic progressions and sequences, realizing figured basses, composing accompaniments to simple melodies, transposing, and improvising. The examination will be graded by a committee comprised of two members of the music theory faculty selected by the area chairperson.
Complete a Teaching Demonstration. The demonstration must take place after the student has completed MUS 970 Pedagogy of Theory I. A 1 to 2 page proposal outlining the instructional objectives, proposed topic(s) and approach(es), and schedule for completion will be submitted to the advisor for approval at the start of the semester in which the demonstration will take place. The demonstration will occupy a class period of an undergraduate course in music theory to be determined by the area chairperson. It will be graded by a three-person committee selected by the area chairperson and comprised of the advisor, another member of the music theory faculty, and one faculty member from outside the area. The grade will be pass/fail, based upon a majority vote of the three committee members. Candidates who fail the Teaching Demonstration will be allowed to present a second one no earlier than the following semester. Candidates who fail twice will not be allowed to complete the degree.
Complete and publicly present a capstone essay, to be advised and approved by a member of the music theory faculty. The essay may be on either a research-related or a pedagogical topic, and must be similar in scope to a term paper. Students may choose a paper completed as part of either MUS 973 Readings in Music Theory or MUS 971 Pedagogy of Theory II and revise and expand it in completion of the requirement.
Procedures for the Capstone Requirements of the Master of Music in Music Theory Degree
The capstone essay must be completed no earlier than the student’s enrollment in the course on which the essay is based: either MUS 973 Readings in Music Theory or MUS 971 Pedagogy of Theory II. The student must work under the guidance of a member of the music theory faculty, who approves the final version of the paper as well as the student’s public presentation of it. The public presentation will be in the format of a conference presentation, with a lecture of approximately 30 minutes followed by an opportunity for questions from those in attendance.
Keyboard Skills Examination:
The Keyboard Skills Examination may be taken at any point while or after the student takes MUS 876 Keyboard Skills and Practical Musicianship. A committee of two faculty examiners, including the instructor of MUS 876 and one other member of the music theory faculty hears the examination. The examination materials are available upon request from the MUS 876 instructor. Upon successful completion, both faculty members sign the Capstone Requirements Form. The student who is not successful may retake the examination no earlier than the start of the following semester. Students are urged not to wait until their last semester in residence.
Teaching Demonstration:
The Teaching Demonstration may be undertaken once the student has completed MUS 970 Pedagogy of Theory I. The student who plans to take MUS 971 Pedagogy of Theory II is urged to wait until after completion of that course as well. The student must teach an entire 50-minute lecture of an undergraduate music theory course different from the one the student is currently teaching as a graduate assistant. The music theory area chairperson determines which course and assembles a committee of three faculty members, of which at least two must be on the music theory faculty. The student works with the course instructor, in consultation with the other committee members, to determine a date, topics, and learning objectives. All three committee members sign the Capstone Requirement Form upon the student’s successful completion of the Teaching Demonstration. The student who is not successful may reattempt the Teaching Demonstration no earlier than the start of the following semester. Students are urged not to wait until their last semester in residence.