Master of Music in Music Theory
This concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in music theory. Graduates of this program are qualified to pursue careers as teachers of music theory-related subjects on the college level and to pursue doctoral study in music theory.
Entrance Requirements
Students applying for graduate study in music theory should:
- Submit copies of two papers that demonstrate your writing skills. These papers can be any type of paper, preferably on a musical topic, and preferably related to music theory.
- interview with members of the theory faculty.
No performance audition is required.
If you are applying for a graduate assistantship, you must pass the Ear Training Diagnostic Exam. This exam is given on the computer and must be taken at UT. The test usually takes at least 2 hours; some students have needed considerably more time. The test consists of melodic and harmonic dictation examples. The exam can be taken on the audition/interview day or another day before March 15.
In order to be considered for a theory/composition GTA position, you must set up an interview.
- Interview: We will ask you some questions about your background, your interest in teaching aural skills, your experience as well as your interest in our program and your area of research/composition.
- Discuss a mock teaching demonstration: We will discuss your already submitted (deadline December 15) approximately 10-minute teaching demonstration video on melodic dictation for a beginning aural skills class. You can choose a melodic dictation example. Do not feel that you have to finish the whole example. If you can get a friend or two to sit in as mock students in the video this might help but it is not required. We encourage you to include some singing in the teaching. Use any technology and techniques you like; we appreciate any creative teaching ideas with technology.
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Theory Courses: 15 hours | ||
| Analysis: 6 hours: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Pedagogy: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written skills | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural Skills | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Technology: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Scoring for Film and Media | MUTC 520 | 3 |
| Virtual Audio Modeling | MUTC 530 | 3 |
| Computer Music Transcription* | MUTC 540 | 3 |
| Computer Projects | MUTC 550 | 3 |
| Independent Study in Music Technology | MUTC 593 | 3 |
| Theory Electives: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written skills | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural Skills | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Music Theory Practicum | MUTH 590 | 1 |
| Special Topics in Music Theory | MUTH 551 | 3 |
| Thesis* | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| Non-Theory Music Electives** | 3 | |
| Total | 33 |
*Can be taken for graduate credit only if not already taken at the bachelors level and if the student does not already has a proficiency in a notation program.
**A maximum of 2 ensemble hours may be counted as music electives.
Counterpoint will be recommended to those students who have not taken a counterpoint class at the undergraduate level.
Note: A course cannot be taken for a requirement and for an elective. Requirements and electives must be two different courses.
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- The completion of two scholarly papers (suggested: 5-8k words) on research topics related to music theory. Each paper must be completed as part of credits achieved through the two, 3-credit thesis (MUSC 500) courses. The two papers need not be entirely new research topics; they may stem from course papers or independent study projects.
- The successful presentation of one of these scholarly papers.
Remember, consult the University Graduate School’s website for deadline dates and other important information.