Music Theory Department, Eastman School of Music

About the Department

The theory department offers a wide variety of courses designed to meet the interests and needs of students from the freshman year through the doctoral level, specializing in all areas of music. At the undergraduate level, a comprehensive program in theory and musicianship is required of all students. In addition, several specialized and advanced courses, designed either for composition and theory majors or as electives for students in other areas, are also offered. At the graduate level, there are courses for nontheory majors, as well as more specialized ones for students pursuing advanced studies and research in music theory.

At the graduate level, the School offers the Master in Music Theory Pedagogy, and the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in theory. The curricula for these degrees are designed to develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to teach at the collegiate level and to provide the background and stimulus to be a productive scholar. Students in the doctoral program complete a core curriculum followed by courses related to their dissertation. In addition to completing required course work, graduate students in the theory department normally teach within the undergraduate core curriculum as part of their graduate award. For information on the requirements and awards in the MA PhD degree, see the MA PhD handbook.

Graduate students may choose to work on the production of Intégral, a journal devoted to the publication of research on a broad range of musical topics, but with special emphasis on articles that relate theoretical and analytical study to compositional practice and performance.

Each year, the theory department and the Eastman Theory Association present lectures and symposia involving faculty, students, and distinguished guests. Guest lecturers have included Kofi Agawu, Charles Burkhart, Edward T. Cone, Allen Forte, Edward Laufer, David Lewin, Andrew Mead, Leonard B. Meyer, John Rothgeb, Joseph N. Straus, and Jonathan Kramer.

The Master in Music Theory Pedagogy . . . The MA Th.Ped handbook

The undergraduate core curriculum is a five-semester sequence. This sequence is divided into two separate, but coordinated, series of courses--one to develop musicianship and another to develop analytical and written skills. Musicianship classes meet twice a week. Corresponding theory classes meet three times each week (freshman year first semester classes reverse these proportions). An additional, weekly half-hour class in keyboard harmony is required; keyboard assignments are related to the work covered in the theory course. Keyboard classes are limited to three students, musicianship classes to 15 students. Theory classes normally do not exceed 20 students.

Placement in theory classes depends upon the ability, background, and individual needs of each student, as determined by written examinations and interviews during orientation.

The Bachelor of Music degree in theory offers considerable flexibility in its curriculum. Four semester courses (one of which must include counterpoint) beyond the core curriculum are required. Students may select courses within the department, including acoustics, computer applications, intermediate or advanced keyboard skills, and independent studies as well as composition, orchestration, and arranging courses offered in other departments.