Graduate Catalog

2011 – 2012

Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2943
Fax: 610-436-2763
gradstudy@wcupa.edu


Revised March 2011

Music


Swope Music Building and the Performing Arts Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2222
610-436-2739
Dr. Blair, Dean
Dr. Burton, Graduate Coordinator

Return to Music.

Music Theory/Composition

Dr. Maggio, Chairperson

Professors [top]

Robert Maggio, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Larry A. Nelson, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Mark T. Rimple, D.M.A., Temple University |

Associate Professor

Alexander Rozin, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Assistant Professors

Adam Silverman, D.M.A., Yale University
Van Stiefel, Ph.D., Princeton Universitya

Admission Requirements [top]

In addition to the general requirements for admission to degree programs in music, theory/composition applicants must (1) schedule an interview with a faculty committee appointed by the chairperson of the Department of Music Theory/Composition; and (2) demonstrate sufficient pianistic ability, sight singing, and aural perception to meet the demands of the program. In addition, composition applicants must submit original works showing technical facility in composition.

Master of Music[top]

    Concentration in Theory and Composition

    Curriculum (30 semester hours)

    1. Required music theory course (3 semester hours)
      MTC 542
    2. Areas of concentration (12 semester hours)
      MTC 512, 517, 544, 579 (may substitute one course from concentration electives listed below)
    3. Concentration electives (6 semester hours)
      Two courses from the following: MTC 513, 514, 516, 541, 545, 546, 552
    4. Music history (3 semester hours)
      One MHL course at the 600 level
    5. Free electives (3 semester hours)
    6. Research component (3 semester hours)
      MMU 699

    Course Descriptions [top]

    Music Theory/Composition
    Symbol: MTC, unless otherwise indicated

    512-14 Advanced Composition I, II, and III (3) Free composition in larger forms for ensembles, solo voice and chorus, chamber groups, and orchestra. PREREQ: MTC 213 (Theory of Music IV) or equivalent.

    517 Electronic Music (3) Materials and techniques of electronic music and their use in composition. Laboratory experience in the composition of electronic music. PREREQ: Permission of the instructor.

    MWJ 536-39 Jazz Studies Workshop (1-3) A workshop for the study and performance of jazz. Arranging and ensemble performance opportunities. A separate brochure describes summer workshops.

    541 Advanced Orchestration (3) Original composition or arrangement for orchestra. PREREQ: A knowledge of the instruments of the orchestra and experience in their use.

    542 Advanced Musical Analysis (3) This course presents an overview of major trends in music analysis including formal, motivic, Roman numeral, set theory, Schenkerian, reductive techniques, theories of music perception, and theories of rhythm and meter. Music examined includes that of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, as well as early music, atonality, jazz, Broadway, and popular music. Primary goals of the course are to develop students’ abilities to read music analyses critically and to develop and improve scholarly prose.

    544 Advanced Counterpoint I (3) Contrapuntal techniques of the 16th century.

    545 Advanced Counterpoint II (3) Continuation of MTC 544. Includes the canon, invertible counterpoint, and fugue. PREREQ: MTC 544 or permission of the instructor.

    546 Techniques of Early 20th-Century Music (3) A study of compositional techniques in representative vocal and instrumental works of the first two decades of this century.

    550 Acoustics of Music (3) The study of sound: its production, transmission, and reception. Musical instruments, the acoustics of rooms, and the physical basis of scales.

    561 Jazz Harmony and Arranging (3)

    562 Advanced Jazz Harmony and Arranging (3) A study of improvisation and arranging, literature, and other aspects of an important phase of popular styles.

    564 Performance Practices in Contemporary Music (3) This course will provide the following opportunities: (1) the participants will study technical problems of understanding new notation (e.g., graphic scores, proportional scores, multiphonics, microtones, metric modulation, asymmetrical rhythm groupings, prose scores, etc.), and will develop a reasonable facility in performing scores that include these techniques; (2) an ensemble, for which composition students may compose; and (3) the establishment of an ensemble, which may publicly perform new music.

    579 Seminar in Music Theory (1-3) Special topics seminar designed to meet specific needs of music majors in the area of theory research.

    591 Advanced Chromatic Harmony (3)

    592 Advanced Ear Training (2)

    679 Special Subjects Seminar (1-3) Significant topics presented by faculty members or visiting lecturers. Designed to meet specific needs of the seminar group.

    681-83 Independent Study in Music (1-3) Individual research under the guidance of a faculty member. PREREQ: Permission of instructor.

    691-92 Research Seminar in Music (1-2) A research proposal with supporting procedures is developed. Guidance in individual research topics with tutorial assistance in form and style of research writing.

    698 Research Report (1)