Music Theory

Study of fundamental diatonic topics, including scales, intervals and harmonic analysis, through written work, keyboard exercises, sight singing and dictation.

An investigation of common-practice tonality through written exercises, keyboard work, ear training and sight singing. This course includes a required lab component.

Study of advanced diatonic and basic chromatic topics, including tonicization, through written work, keyboard exercises, sight singing and dictation.

Study of chromatic materials, including modulation, mixture and Neapolitan and augmented sixth harmonies, through written work, keyboard exercises, sight singing and dictation.

This course has two components (1) Study of advanced chromatic techniques, including chromatic and enharmonic modulation, through written work, keyboard exercises, sight singing and dictation; and (2) study of post-tonal topics, including set theory and serial techniques.

Keyboard study emphasizing improvisation, transposition, score reading and modulation; harmonization of complex melodic lines.

Continuing emphasis on the development of aural and vocal skills in all clefs, with particular attention to contemporary music, and increased emphasis on performance at sight of a wide range of literature.

Exercises in the five species. Writing of short compositions and motets in two, three and four voices.

Analysis and writing of inventions in two parts and fugues in three and four parts.

Aural and visual analysis of structural and stylistic features of 16th- through 20th-Century music.

Principles of the teaching of theory at all levels, with examination and appraisal of teaching methods, textbooks, recent concepts, etc.

Overview of theoretical literature and training in analytical writing.

Includes developing a research paper and defending thesis to faculty.

Provides review in fundamentals of sightsinging in four clefs, and melodic and harmonic dictation including chromatic harmony and modulation. Course designed for graduate students; credit is not applicable toward degree requirements. Either the sightsinging OR the dictation portion must be satisfactorily completed within the first two semesters of study at CIM.

Keyboard study emphasizing improvisation, transposition, score reading and modulation; harmonization of complex melodic lines.

Continuing emphasis on the development of aural and vocal skills in all clefs, with particular attention to contemporary music, and increased emphasis on performance at sight of a wide range of literature.

The course explores analysis as a tool which helps to bring about informed performance, and serves to help prepare the student for the MM comprehensive examination in music theory. Works from Baroque, Classical, and 19th- and 20th-Century repertoire form the basis of study.

Analysis of selected musical compositions from various periods of the common practice era. Emphasis on traditional structures, stylistic features and the relationship of analysis and performance.

Introduction to the theories of Heinrich Schenker and their application to the analysis of tonal music. Intensive analytical work and selected readings.

Development of in-depth analytical procedures for conductors. Analysis of works, with emphasis on selected compositions currently in preparation by CIM Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, etc.

Development of in-depth analytical procedures for conductors. Analysis of works, with emphasis on selected compositions currently in preparation by CIM Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, etc.

Principles of the teaching of theory at all levels, with examination and appraisal of teaching methods, textbooks, recent concepts, etc.

Special topics; course may be repeated.

The music theory component is administered through CIM.

Administered through CIM.