Composition & Theory
Theory Faculty
Music Theory
Music Theory forms an integral part of each music student’s education at the University of Colorado Boulder, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Required courses for all undergraduate music majors include Music Theory (Semesters 1-4), Aural Skills (Semesters 1-4), as well as upper division electives in tonal analysis, post-tonal analysis, counterpoint, jazz theory, composition, and music technology. Graduate students may pursue study in advanced topics in music theory and analysis.
The Master’s Degree in Music Theory focuses both on core aspects of the discipline of music theory (Schenkerian Analysis, Post-Tonal Analysis, Pedagogy of Music Theory), and on electives that allow the student to develop other areas of specialty. The thesis document(s) require the student to conduct original scholarly research that responds to extant scholarship. Members of the music theory faculty at the College of Music offer a broad array of research specializations that include analysis of the music of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries; tonal music; post-tonal music; jazz; theories of rhythm and meter; analysis and performance; and intersections of literary and music theory. The Masters degree is intended to prepare students to advance to doctoral study.
Each year the Music Theory Department hosts presentations and classes by distinguished scholars. In recent years, guests have included Charles Burkhart, Joel Lester, Kofi Agawu, Elizabeth West Marvin, Steve Laitz, Robert Hatten, Alexandra Pierce, and Eugene Narmour. Colloquium Series
Recent Music Theory Highlights:
- 2011 MM graduate in music theory, John Peterson, was offered top prestigious doctoral fellowships by Indiana University, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and Florida State University
- Just out (2011) from Oxford University Press: Keith Waters, Studio Recordings of the Miles Davis Quintet, 1965-68
- Music Theory faculty members continue to be active as performers:
- Paul Miller, solo engagements on violin and viola d’amore in Philadelphia, Denver, Washington, DC
- Keith Waters, jazz performance at the Smithsonian Institute
- Daphne Leong, the complete Chopin Études Op.25
Composition
Undergraduate composition majors begin their studies immediately with individual private lessons and weekly attendance at composition seminars. The program aims to build a solid technical and musical foundation while faculty guide each student in exploring his or her unique creative voice. Composition majors also take courses in music history and literature, analysis, counterpoint, and orchestration, as well as participate in ensemble performance. Our students also enroll in a broad range of music technology courses, including courses in film scoring and multi-media performance.
MM and DMA graduate degrees in composition are available. Graduate composers are often commissioned to create works for faculty and local artists and ensembles, and their compositions have won recognition at prestigious international competitions. In addition to private studies with the faculty, majors interact in the weekly graduate composition seminar. Familiarity with current technology is also an essential component of the degree plan. Students also have access to the rich artistic and intellectual resources of a major research university. Graduate assistantships and other financial support are available on a competitive basis.
Student compositions are regularly performed on the Pendulum new music concert series. Students also have opportunities to compose or arrange music for a variety of performing forces, from small chamber groups to faculty-conducted large ensembles. Each year, the College hosts an impressive variety of guest composers and performers. Recent guests have included George Crumb, Leslie Bassett, John Harbison, Joan Tower, Judith Bettina, skin & bones, Michael Dougherty, Roger Reynolds, and many others.
Department Chair:
Daphne Leong
Department Faculty:
Steven Bruns
Philip Chang
John Drumheller
Hsing-ay Hsu
Daniel Kellogg
Daphne Leong
Paul Miller
Carter Pann
Michael Theodore
Keith Waters
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