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, History, and Composition
(Department name effective July 1, 2012)
Dr. Maggio, Chairperson
Professors [top]
Scott L. Balthazar, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Robert Maggio, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Julian Onderdonk, Ph.D., New York University
Mark T. Rimple, D.M.A., Temple University
Associate Professors
Alexander Rozin, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Adam Silverman, D.M.A., Yale University
Van Stiefel, Ph.D., Princeton University
Assistant Professor
Thomas Winters, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Master of Music [top]
Concentration in History and Literature
Additional Admission Requirements [top]
In addition to the general requirements for admission to degree programs in music, music history and literature applicants must submit a writing sample and must take the School of Music Graduate Admission Test prior to beginning course work in music history.
Curriculum (30 semester hours)
- Required music theory course (3 semester hours)
MTC 542
- Area of concentration (15 semester hours)
Five courses in music history at the 600 level (other than MHL 698 or MMU 699) with three from the following: MHL 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 679, and 680
- Free electives (6 semester hours)
May be taken in music history or other areas
- Research component (6 semester hours)
MHL 698, MMU 699
- Demonstration of competency in one non-English language
- Exit oral examination (including thesis defense)
[top]
Concentration in Theory and Composition
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, History, and 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.
Curriculum (30 semester hours)
- Required music theory course (3 semester hours)
MTC 542 - Areas of concentration (12 semester hours)
MTC 512, 517, 544, 579 (may substitute one course from concentration electives listed below) - Concentration electives (6 semester hours)
Two courses from the following: MTC 513, 514, 541, 542, 545 - Music history (3 semester hours)
One MHL course at the 600 level - Free electives (3 semester hours)
- Research component (3 semester hours)
MMU 699
Course Descriptions [top]
Music History and Literature
Symbol: MHL, unless otherwise indicated
501 Style, Form, and Genre in Music History (3) An introduction to the study of music at the graduate level designed as a survey of Western art music with emphasis on fundamental considerations of form, style, and genre.
510 Collegium Musicum (1) A chamber ensemble specializing in the use of authentic instruments and performance techniques in the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. Open by audition.
610 Topics in Medieval Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in medieval music. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this period. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
611 Topics in Renaissance Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in 15th and 16th century music. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and music development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
612 Topics in Baroque Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the baroque period. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
613 Topics in Music from 1750–1810 (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the classic period. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
614 Topics in Music from 1810–1880 (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in the early 19th century. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
615 Topics in Music from 1880–Present (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music from the late romantic period to the present. Specific topics deal with various aspects of music and musical development during this historical epoch. The specific topics and their number will vary with each offering of the course. Taught as a seminar with emphasis placed on student participation and research.
620 World Music (3) An introduction to the study of tribal, folk, popular, and oriental music and ethnomusicological methodology.
622 History of Jazz (3) A survey of the history of jazz, including representative performers a nd their music.
654 History of Opera (3) The composers and their major contributions to the various schools of opera.
655 History of Orchestral Music (3) How the symphony orchestra developed from the Baroque period to the present in its function, literature, instrumentation, and performance practices.
658 Performance Practices (3) A consideration of the special problems encountered in the stylistic realization and performance of music from the Medieval through the Romantic eras. Particular attention will be focused on original sources, period instruments, and performance problems.
659 Topics in American Music (3) Exploration of selected topics in the history of music in America from 1620 to the present..
679 Topics in Music History I (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 History (1-3) Individual research under the guidance of a faculty member.
698 Directed Research in Musicology (3) This course is designed to assist the graduate music history major to focus research pursuits toward formulation of a potentially successful thesis topic.
MMU 699 Thesis (3) Thesis in music history, theory, or composition.
Music Theory and 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.
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 18th century. Chorale prelude and invention.
545 Advanced Counterpoint II (3) Continuation of MTC 544. Includes the canon, invertible counterpoint, and fugue. PREREQ: MTC 544 or permission of 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.
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.
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)
