The Music Theory program prepares its majors to be well-rounded practical musicians who are able to apply skills and knowledge to performance, composition, teaching, research or therapy. Emphasis in the undergraduate program is toward the mastery of the tonal system–both aurally and visually–through acquiring a compositional facility in various styles, and the ability to analyze tonal music.

To this end, students learn the underlying principles, basic materials, and essential skills of the musical art; sharpen their listening and performance abilities through the study of harmony, keyboard, counterpoint, ear training, orchestration, analysis; and develop and improve their ability to ask and answer questions about music.

The graduate program is organized into a series of small seminars with an emphasis on the application of music theory in the academic environment, and in learning current analytical techniques. Students entering the master’s program should have a reading knowledge of a foreign language, and a well-rounded background in music history and theory, and should be able to write clearly and correctly in English. A master’s written project is the culmination of this program.

Students who have earned the MM in music theory are currently teaching in colleges and universities, employed in related fields, or have successfully pursued doctoral degrees.