Music Theory, Sight-Singing, and Composition

Any entering student may be granted exemption from any semester's work upon the successful completion of a departmental theory examination covering the material in that semester. Exempted credit is normally made up by taking additional music electives.

551-10100 Fundamentals of Music Theory  FA LA

Study of rhythm and meter, pitch, intervals, tonality, scales, key signatures and relationships, triads, notation, and terms and symbols. 1 credit. (F)

551-12100 Introduction to Musical Styles  FA LA

Students will develop the ability to understand music in many historical and cultural contexts, and will develop and advance their basic music literacy, including most especially a working knowledge of the elements of musical design. In addition, students will develop critical listening skills and an awareness of chronology and will learn a variety of music literature. 2 credits. (F)

551-12200 Music Theory I  FA LA

Study of primary triads, secondary triads and inversions, and non-chord tones. Four-voice harmonization and the realization of figured bass, demonstrating the principles of good voice-leading. Harmonic and structural analysis of selected works. Aural recognition of chord sonorities, harmonic progressions, cadences, textures, and form. Prerequisites: 551-10100 or successful results from the placement exam. 2 credits. (F-S)

551-12201  Music Theory I -- Honors  FA LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-12200. Prerequisites: Placement testing. 2 credits. (S)

551-13300 Sight-Singing I  FA LA

Basic musical skills are developed through singing prepared and unprepared material, melodic and rhythmic dictation, and vocal/keyboard exercises. Sight-singing is based on moveable "do" solfeggio syllables using exercises in the major mode only, in the treble, alto, and bass clefs. Rhythmic material is comprised of simple, compound, and changing meters, including first division of the beat, fundamental rhythm patterns, and complementary rhythm. 1.5 credits. (F-S)

551-13400 Sight-Singing II  FA LA

Skills learned in 551-13300 are developed further. Minor mode and tenor clef are introduced. Syncopation, anacrusic phrasing, second division of the beat, and changing meter are presented. Prerequisites: 551-13300. 1.5 credits. (F-S)

551-13700 Sight-Singing I -- Honors  FA LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-13300. Registration is based on placement testing. 1.5 credits. (F)

551-13800 Sight-Singing II -- Honors  FA LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-13400. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-13300. 1.5 credits. (S)

551-22100 Music Theory II  LA

Study of harmonic materials including diatonic seventh chords, secondary dominant and diminished seventh chords, modulations, and tonal regions. Melody harmonization, realization of figured and unfigured bass lines, and creative work. Harmonic and structural analysis of pieces in binary form. Aural recognition of sonority types, harmonic progressions, textures, and form. Prerequisites: 555-12200 or 551-12201. 2 credits. (F-S)

551-22101 Music Theory II -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-22100. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-12200 or 551-12201. 2 credits. (F)

551-22200 Music Theory III  LA

Study of advanced harmonic materials including the Neapolitan chord, augmented sixth chords, chromatic modulations, linear harmony, extended tertian chords, and planing. Melody harmonization, realization of figured and unfigured bass lines, and creative work. Harmonic and structural analysis of pieces in ternary form. Aural recognition of sonority types, harmonic progressions, textures, and form. Prerequisites: 551-22100 or 551-22101; 551-12100. 2 credits. (F-S)

551-22201 Music Theory III -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-22200. Prerequisites: 551-12100; excellent achievement in 551-22100 or 551-22101. 2 credits. (S)

551-23300 Advanced Sight-Singing III  LA

Advanced musical skills are developed through singing prepared and unprepared material and one- and two-part dictation. Vocal/keyboard exercises leading to the skill level necessary to perform a simple art song are assigned. Introduction of chromaticism through nonchord tones, secondary dominant chords, and modulation to near-related keys. Rhythmic materials include irregular division of the beat, advanced syncopation, and asymmetrical and changing meters. Prerequisites: 551-13400. 1 credit. (F-S)

551-23400 Advanced Sight-Singing IV  LA

Advanced musical skills are developed further through the study of modulations to distant-related keys, transient modulations, and modal melodies. Introduction to 20th-century music through Impressionist, post-tonal and atonal melodies, trichord patterns, and complex rhythmic and metric combinations. Prerequisites: 551-23300. 1 credit. (F-S)

551-23700 Advanced Sight-Singing III -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-23300. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-13400 or 551-13800. 1 credit. (F)

551-23800 Advanced Sight-Singing IV -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-23400. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-23300 or 551-23700. 1 credit. (S)

551-32100  Form and Analysis  LA

Examination of the traditional techniques of musical form and structure and their application to compositions primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. Prerequisites: 551-22200 or 551-22201. 2 credits. (F)

55-132101 Form and Analysis -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-32100. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-22200 or 551-22201. 2 credits. (F)

551-32200 Analysis of Music since 1900  LA

Study of harmonic, rhythmic, melodic, and formal techniques from about 1900 to the present. Introduction of various analytical systems. Prerequisites: 551-22200 or 551-22201. 2 credits. (S)

551-32201 Analysis of Music since 1900 -- Honors  LA

A more in-depth study of the material covered in 551-32200. Registration is based on excellent achievement in 551-22200 or 551-22201. 2 credits. (S)

551-34300 Advanced Aural Skills  LA

Advanced course in dictation and aural analysis with an emphasis placed on 20th-century music. Prerequisites: 551-23400 or 551-23800. 1 credit. (F-S)

551-36000 Figured Bass and Score Reading  LA

A practical course in the realization of figured bass and Roman numeral progressions at the keyboard. Open score reading of string quartet and other instrumental and vocal literature. Prerequisites: 551-22200 or 551-22201. 1 credit. (F)

551-42100 Topics in Music Theory and Analysis  LA

Changing topics in music theory and analysis. Prerequisites: 551-32200. 2 credits. (IRR)

551-43100 Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint  LA

Study of polyphonic techniques based on the stylistic principles of the 16th-century sacred literature. Composition of canons, motets, and movements from the mass. Prerequisites: 551-32100 or 551-32101. 2 credits. (F,Y)

551-43200 Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint  LA

Study of polyphonic techniques based on the stylistic principles of the 18th-century keyboard literature. Invention (two- and three-voice), chorale prelude, canon, and fugue are studied. Analysis and written projects. Prerequisites: 551-32100 or 551-32101. 2 credits. (F,IRR)

551-43500 Choral Arranging  LA

Arranging for elementary through high school choruses and special choirs. Analysis and study of choral part-writing, encompassing unison, simple two-, three-, and four-part, and multi-voice units. Prerequisites: 551-22200 or 551-22201. 2 credits. (F-S)

551-43700 Orchestration  LA

Study of orchestral and band instruments in terms of range, transposition, and individual characteristics. Scoring of works for both standardized and less common ensembles of various sizes. Performance of works in class whenever possible. Prerequisites: 551-32200 or 551-32201. 2 credits. (F-S)

551-14100-551-14200 through 551-44100-551-44200 Composition  NLA

Practical study of the techniques necessary for coherent expression in creative work. Students are assigned original compositions and are asked to solve various formal and stylistic problems, based on previous written work and the permission of the instructor. Private tutorial instruction and one class meeting per week. 3 credits. (F-S)

551-44300 Pedagogy of Music Theory  NLA

A survey of the pedagogical aspects of teaching music theory and solfeggio on the high school and college level. Focus on current techniques of approach, presentation, and implementation of suitable materials, including programmed courses of study for theory, harmony, and aural perception. Prerequisites: 551-32100 or 551-32101. 3 credits. (F-S)

551-46400 Introduction to Composition I  LA

Development of techniques of monodic writing with emphasis placed on styles from the 16th through 20th centuries. Detailed study of pitch and rhythmic procedures. Continuation with two-part writing, culminating in pieces in small forms. Prerequisites: A working knowledge of music notation and performance ability in some vocal or instrumental area and permission of the instructor. 2 credits. (F)

551-49800 Composition Recital  NLA

Performance of representative compositions. The program should include approximately 45 minutes of music. 2 credits. (F-S)

The following is a level-5 course (see p. 208)

551-57400 Stylistic Analysis of Tonal Music  LA

Detailed analysis of stylistic characteristics and important compositional techniques of composers of the classical and romantic eras, including works of composers such as C. P. E. Bach, Stamitz, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms, Dvořák, Mahler, Wolf, and Strauss. 2 credits. (S)