Music Theory (MUTH)

MUTH M100 Elements of Music Theory 3 crs.

This course covers pitch and rhythmic notation, intervals, rhythmic and melodic music reading, and dictation. Open to non-music students.

MUTH M102 Theory I 4 crs.

This course covers theory rudiments and species counterpoint, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of diatonic materials in the major mode.

Prerequisite: MUTH M100 or appropriate placement

MUTH M103 Theory II 4 crs.

This course covers harmonic and contrapuntal processes in the context of Bach chorale style, including modulation, secondary dominant chords, and part-writing, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of diatonic materials in the major and minor modes.

Prerequisite: MUTH M102

MUTH M200 Student Composer's Forum 1 cr.

This course covers selected topics in music composition in a seminar format, with writing problems in a particular genre or technique emphasized each semester.

MUTH M202 Theory III 4 crs.

This course covers the harmonic syntax of the 19th century and small forms, including binary and ternary forms, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of conventional chromatic techniques such as secondary dominants, Neapolitan sixth chords, and augmented sixth chords.

Prerequisite: MUTH M103

MUTH M203 Theory IV 4 crs.

This course covers fugue, larger forms, including sonata form and rondo form, and 20th-century compositional techniques, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of non-diatonic materials and exotic chromaticism.

Prerequisite: MUTH M202

MUTH M210 Composition I 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers simple homophonic compositions in small forms such as binary form and ternary form.

Prerequisites: MUTH M102, M103

MUTH M211 Composition II 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers simple polyphonic devices such as canon, and short compositions with texts.

Prerequisite: MUTH M210

MUTH M302 Counterpoint I 2 crs.

This course covers writing and analysis of sacred, polyphonic vocal music in the style of the late Renaissance.

Prerequisite: MUTH M202

MUTH M303 Counterpoint II 2 crs.

This course covers writing and analysis of instrumental and vocal music in the style of the late Baroque.

Prerequisite: MUTH M202

MUTH M304 Jazz Composition 2 crs.

This course is the study of jazz composition and arranging with the emphasis on writing for small groups.

Prerequisites: MUJZ M107, M108, or permission of instructor

MUTH M305 Electronic Music 3 crs.

This course explores techniques of original composition using electronic media with emphasis on digital synthesis. Students will complete a large scale original composition project by the end of the semester.

MUTH M306 Orchestration I 2 crs.

This course is a study of the capabilities and limitations of orchestral string, wind, and percussion instruments.

Prerequisite: MUTH M103

MUTH M307 Orchestration II 2 crs.

This course is the study of the history of orchestration procedures from the early Classical era to the present. The relationship of orchestration to formal processes will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: MUTH M306

MUTH M308 Commercial Arranging 2 crs.

This course will explore the basic concepts of arranging popular music for commercial use. Topics include arranging for rhythm section, small combos, solo instruments, and voice.

MUTH M309 Modern Arranging 2 crs.

Modern Arranging is designed to introduce students to the techniques and practices of large ensemble (big band) jazz arranging. Ranges, transpositions, and the properties of the more commonly used instruments, theory, voicing principles, reharmonization, orchestration, and the organization of an arrangement are studied. A final project is a short arrangement for big band, which will be performed and recorded by Jazz Band I.

Prerequisite: MUJZ M107

MUTH M310 Composition III 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers problems of larger forms such as variation form or rondo form, and writing for a variety of instrumental combinations.

Prerequisite: MUTH M211

MUTH M311 Composition IV 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers problems of larger forms such as sonata form, and writing for a variety of instrumental combinations.

Prerequisite: MUTH M310

MUTH M402 Form and Analysis I 2 crs.

This course is a formal and harmonic analysis of fugue and musical works from the classical through post-romantic periods.

Prerequisite: MUTH M203

MUTH M403 Form and Analysis II 2 crs.

This course covers analysis of 20th-century music and Schenkerian analysis of tonal music.

Prerequisite: MUTH M203

MUTH M410 Composition V 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction is focused on preparation of a senior recital of original compositions in a variety of media.

Prerequisite: MUTH M311

MUTH M411 Composition VI 2 crs.

Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction is focused on preparation of a senior recital of original compositions in a variety of media.

Prerequisite: MUTH M410

MUTH M420 Topics in Music Theory 3 crs.

A seminar-style study of a single analytical technique, such as Schenkerian analysis or pitch-class set theory, or analytical survey of a particular body of literature, such as the Classical string quartet or 20th-century sacred music for chorus and orchestra.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

MUTH M430 Song Writing 2 crs.

This course addresses the art, the structure, and the method of songwriting, including lyric writing, construction of melody, and form. It includes all genres and styles.

Prerequisite: MUGN M105 or MUTH M102

 

MUTH M435 Film Scoring 3 crs.

This course provides students with an overview of film and TV scoring, focusing on both composition and music supervision. The following topics will be addressed: a film’s “music team” (director, producer, music supervisor, film editor, composer) and the respective roles of each will be discussed; the general functions of music in film and TV; budgeting for music; “temp scores; music licensing (master and sync), spotting a film; general vocabulary of the industry; the “tools” used by composers. Students will work with each other in creative teams to “score” scenes from projects.

Prerequisites:  Music Industry Musicianship M105 or MUTH M102

This course has a lab fee associated with it for the purpose of supporting supplies specifically needed for the functioning of this particular course. Please check LORA for the amount of the lab fee.

MUTH M499 Independent Study Credits Vary