Steve Laitz

Introduction

Associate Professor Steve Laitz currently chairs the Theory Department and Eastman's new Bachelor of Musical Arts major.

He also serves as an Affiliate Faculty Member in Eastman's Chamber Music Department.

Since l998, he has taught on the piano faculty at the Chautauqua Institution, where he lectures on analysis and performance issues and teaches piano.

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PUBLICATIONS

"Paths to Musicianship," in Musicianship in the 21st Century: Issues, Trends and Possibilities, ed. Sam Leong, Australian Music Centre) 2003

The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to Theory, Analysis and Listening Oxford University Press (2003). A comprehensive, two-year program that employs a linearly-oriented and literature-based approach to voice-leading, analysis, dictation and keyboard skills.

"Analysis and Performance: Dream or Reality?" (in progress)

"Common-Practice Improvisation in the Skills Curriculum" (book-length manuscript; in progress). Its historical organization advances from melody to various types of diminutions (ala species counterpoint) to figured bass and various types of chromaticism. Forms and genres, ranging from the phrase and period to chaconne, binary, variations, blues, and tango, are augmented by additional improvisatory projects including Eingang and cadenza.

"The Submediant Complex: Its Musical and Poetic Roles in Schubert's Songs," Theory and Practice; volume 21 (l996), 123-165.

Review Article of Deborah Stein and Robert Spillman Poetry into Song; Performance and Analysis of Lieder, Intégral, volume 9 (1995), 117-141.

PRESENTATIONS

Laitz has presented conference papers at the national meeting of the Society of Music Theory, Conference of New England Music Theorists, and the Australian Musicological Society, Music TeacherÕs National Association. In the past five years Laitz presented lectures and workshops on topics ranging from performance and analysis to building musical skills throughout the U.S. (e.g., Michigan State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, California State University system, New England Conservatory, State University of New York [SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Binghampton], Hunter College of the City University of New York, University of Tennessee, and Oberlin College) and internationally (University of Hawaii and University of Western Australia).

PAPERS IN PROGRESS

"Analysis and Performance: Dream or Reality?" (in progress)

"Common-Practice Improvisation in the Skills Curriculum" (book-length manuscript; in progress). Its historical organization advances from melody to various types of diminutions (ala species counterpoint) to figured bass and various types of chromaticism. Forms and genres, ranging from the phrase and period to chaconne, binary, variations, blues, and tango, are augmented by additional improvisatory projects including Eingang and cadenza.

Academic Honors

Affiliate Faculty Member, Chamber Music Department, Eastman School of Music

Bridging Fellowship (to the Eastman Chamber Music Department), spring, 2002, University of Rochester

Graduation Marshall, Commencement, University of Rochester, 1995-2002

Honorary Faculty Member, Phi Mu Alpha, 1995

Commencement Speaker, Eastman School of Music, 1992

Eisenhart Award for Distinguished Teaching, Eastman School of Music, 1992

Graduate Student Teaching Award, Eastman School of Music, 1984

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

Eastman School of Music (l989-present)

Graduate courses:

• Seminar in Analysis and Performance
• Analytical Techniques I and II
• Advanced Tonal Analysis
• Pedagogy of Music Theory
• Text-Music Relationships in the German Lied
• Review Courses in part writing, analysis and ear training

Undergraduate courses:

• The String Quartets of Bela Bartok: Analysis and Performance
• Aural Skills (Directed and designed) (l998-2002):
• First Year Theory
• Second Year Theory
• Accelerated Second Year Theory
• Reaching Out Without Selling Out; Arts Leadership Curriculum\
• Keyboard Skills (directed and designed)

Hale School of Music and the University of Western Australia, Artist in Residence, 2001

Chautauqua Institution (Summers: 1998-present)

• Master classes on the interaction of performance and analysis, style interpretation, special topics on the music of Chopin, concerto, and improvisation
• Private piano instruction

Visiting Professor, New England Conservatory, 1997-1998

• Independent studies
• Form and process in tonal music

Chaffey College, Alta Loma, CA; 1979-80

• music history
• class piano
• class voice
• music appreciation

Staff Instructor, Patton State Mental Hospital, San Bernardino, CA; 1977-79

Choral Director, Ontario-Montclair School District, California; l974-76

Staff Accompanist/Vocal Coach, Chaffey College, Alta Loma, California; 1973-74

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Music Theory (with Music History Minor); Eastman School of Music of The University of Rochester, 1992. Dissertation: "Pitch-Class Motive in the Songs of Franz Schubert: The Submediant Complex." Dissertation advisor: Robert Wason.

M.A., Music Theory, Composition and Piano; University of California, Riverside, 1979. Performance thesis "Technical and Interpretive Problems in Selected Works of Scarlatti, Haydn, Grieg, and Messiaen."

B.A., Music (with High Honors); University of California, Riverside; 1977

THEORY DEPARTMENT

Chair, Department of Music Theory, 2002-present

Chair, Bachelor of Musical Arts Major

SOCIETAL MEMBERSHIPS

Society of Music Theory

Music Theory Society of New York State

DEPARTMENTAL AFFILIATIONS

Department of Chamber Music, Eastman School of Music

HONOR SOCIETIES

Phi Mu Alpha, Eastman School of Music