Fundamentals

Study notation, simple rhythms, intervals, scales, and dictation of melodies. Analyze how music works based on the elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, form, etc.). Master reading pitch, meters, and improve musical hearing and dictation skills.

Develop music reading and hearing skills, with emphasis on diatonic melodic and harmonic dictation. Improve skills in musical perception and realization through focused practice in conceptualizing, audiating, singing, and transcribing pitch and rhythm.

Learn music reading skills, with emphasis on melodic development, rhythmic patterns, and harmonic dictation, study and practice various levels of music literature.

Develop music reading and hearing skills, with emphasis on increasingly chromatic melodic and harmonic dictation. Improve skills in musical perception and realization through focused practice in conceptualizing, audiating, singing, and transcribing pitch and rhythm. 

Study advanced music reading skills, emphasizing contemporary literature through melodic-rhythmic- harmonic dictation.

Learn harmonization, transposition, and structured improvisation at the keyboard. Apply the principles of music theory to performance.

Learn basic principles of diatonic harmony through melodic harmonizations, creative writing, and analysis. Develop various musical skills to analyze chordal structures, harmonic progressions, and compositional techniques. Explore the elementary concepts of tonal music as expressed in Western music notation. Learn the conventions of notation, widely used musical terminology, figured bass and lead sheet symbols, diatonic triads and seventh chords, cadences, and non-harmonic tones.

Learn advanced principles of diatonic harmony through melodic harmonizations, creative writing, and analysis. Advanced harmonic structures and progressions will be analyzed and applied to a variety of common practice styles. Explore the elementary concepts of tonal music as expressed in Western music notation. Learn the conventions of notation, widely used musical terminology, figured bass and lead sheet symbols, diatonic triads and seventh chords, cadences, non-harmonic tones, applied chords, and modulations to and from closely related keys.

Study chromatic harmony and melody through harmonization, creative writing, and analysis, along with an introduction to twentieth-century techniques. Explore chromatic harmony in tonal music as expressed in Western music notation. Deepen musical understanding through harmonization, creative writing, and analysis.

Study advanced chromatic harmony and melodic development through harmonization, compositions, and analysis, Examine Twentieth-century techniques and how they apply to repetoire in solo, chamber, and ensemble works.

Learn the study of voice leading via the species approach. Emphasis on a thorough understanding of composing independent melodic lines to create musical works. Contrapuntal techniques can be used to create Art and contemporary music. Learn several historical models of linear composition and apply those principles to creative work. Examine and compose increasingly complex multi-voice compositions culminating in inventions and fugues.

Study under direct supervision on a topic chosen in conjunction with an appropriate faculty supervisor.Conduct in-depth study of a topic chosen in conjunction with a faculty supervisor. Meet weekly to receive instruction and guidance, leading to the completion of a substantial research or performance project.

Study under direct supervision on a topic chosen in conjunction with an appropriate faculty supervisor. Conduct in-depth study of a topic chosen in conjunction with a faculty supervisor. Meet weekly to receive instruction and guidance, leading to the completion of a substantial research or performance project.

Explore instrumentation and scoring for large and small ensembles, examine traditonal techniques to compose music for chamber groups, film scoring, video games, etc. Learn how to write for instruments of the Western classical orchestra, both solo and in various combinations. Compose new music and/or arrange existing works for chamber ensembles and full orchestra.

Develop fluency in analyzing music using approaches based in, but largely separate from, the techniques studied in previous semesters of music theory. Distinguish between several schools of compositional practice and demonstrate expertise in applying the appropriate theoretical tools to each.

Study advanced harmonic vocabulary, develop advanced four-part writing techniques, Examine other music concepts such as figured bass, melodic development, and score analysis. Development of these music concepts will be applied to compositional activities. Develop fluency in analyzing music using approaches based in, but largely separate from, the techniques studied in previous semesters of music theory. Distinguish between several schools of compositional practice and demonstrate expertise in applying the appropriate theoretical tools to each.

Learn advanced compositional techniques generally applied in small musical forms (binary, ternary, etc.) for instrumental development, examine various forms for melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic development. Compose music for small ensembles under individual weekly guidance from a faculty mentor.

Study compositional techniques associated with small musical forms (binary, ternary, etc.), examine various forms for melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic development thorugh instrumental works. Compose music for small ensembles under individual weekly guidance from a faculty mentor.

Explore your composing skills through creating short works while studying great composers pieces. Develop musical ideas through melodic and harmonic development, phrase structures, textural and expression concepts. Compose music for a range of ensembles and media under individual weekly guidance from a faculty mentor.

Study the evolution of contemporary art music in the twentieth century. Examine compositional techniques applied to various works from major composers. Gain an understanding of modern compositional writing for art music and various musical styles. Explore compositional ideas for tonal and atonal music. Compose music for a range of ensembles and media under individual weekly guidance from a faculty mentor.

Study an indepth topic chosen in conjunction with a faculty supervisor. Understand how to complete substantial research or performance project directed by a member of the faculty in weekly meetings.