Program Requirements
The Minor in Music Theory is available to all students, with the exception of students in the Major Theory, subject to approval of the Schulich School of Music. This Minor will take the place of free electives in Music programs.
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
18 credits from the following:
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MUCO 462 Advanced Tonal Writing (3 credits)
Overview
Composition : Stylistic concepts and resources of European music including phrase structure, melodic shape, rhythm, linear continuity, economy of means, notation, and basic contrapuntal procedures. Extensive and detailed analysis of characteristic repertoire.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: MUCO 340D1/D2 or MUTH 350
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MUCO 575 Topics in Composition (3 credits)
Overview
Composition : Pitch systems, harmonic concepts and compositional techniques from the late 19th Century to the present.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Harman, Christopher (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUCO 340D1/D2
Topics will change from semester to semester.
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MUJZ 260 Jazz Arranging 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Jazz Studies : Introduction to concepts and techniques commonly used in jazz arranging. Notation, calligraphy and score preparation are discussed; including study of classical and contemporary scores by prominent jazz arrangers.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Deschamps, Benjamin; Donaldson, Taylor (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 161
Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR with permission of instructor.
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MUJZ 261 Jazz Arranging 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Jazz Studies : Consolidation of knowledge of basic concepts and techniques used in jazz arranging.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Deschamps, Benjamin; Donaldson, Taylor (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUJZ 260.
Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of instructor.
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MUMT 250 Music Perception and Cognition (3 credits)
Overview
Music Technology : Basic processes by which the brain transforms sound waves into musical events, dimensions, systems and structures and the processes by which musicians imagine new musical sounds and structures and plan movements that produce music on instruments.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: McAdams, Stephen (Winter)
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MUTH 202 Modal Counterpoint 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Polyphonic techniques of the Renaissance period studied through analysis of works by Palestrina and others and through written exercises in two to three voices.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Neidhofer, Christoph (Fall)
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MUTH 204 Tonal Counterpoint 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : The contrapuntal techniques of Baroque composers studied through detailed technical analysis of their works and through written exercises in strict style.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Biamonte, Nicole (Fall)
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MUTH 251 Theory and Analysis 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Expanded harmonic resources of the 19th century (e.g., advanced chromaticism including enharmonic reinterpretation and symmetrical division). Analysis of characteristic small and large forms. Writing and analytical skills with a goal toward perceiving how levels of musical structure interact.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Wild, Jonathan; Bakulina, Olga Ellen; Biamonte, Nicole; Roth, Jade (Winter)
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MUTH 302 Modal Counterpoint 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Continuation of Modal Counterpoint I. Study of more advanced techniques through further analysis and written exercises in three or more voices.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- MUTH 304 Tonal Counterpoint 2 (3 credits)
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MUTH 321 Topics in Tonal Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Topics in advanced analysis of tonal music.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Bakulina, Olga Ellen (Fall) Klorman, Edward (Winter)
3 hours
Prerequisite: MUTH 251
Topics will change from semester to semester.
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MUTH 322 Topics in Post-Tonal Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Topics in advanced analysis of post-tonal music.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Neidhofer, Christoph (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: MUTH 350
Topics will change from semester to semester.
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MUTH 350 Theory and Analysis 5 (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Exploration of 20th and 21st century organizations of pitch, rhythm, timbre etc. Written and analytical skills for the purpose of gaining insight into the compositional techniques and aesthetics of this repertoire.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Hasegawa, Robert; Duinker, Ben (Winter)
3 hours
Prerequisite: MUTH 251
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MUTH 426 Topics in Early Music Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Music from before 1700 is analyzed using recently developed techniques as well as materials gathered from treatises contemporaneous with the music. The implications of analysis for performance are considered.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Schubert, Peter N (Fall)
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MUTH 526 Methods in Tonal Theory and Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Theoretical topics and analytical applications in tonal music. Topics include some of the following: reduction, prolongation, voice-leading/linear models,motive/Grundgestalt, schema, partimento, and phrase rhythm/hypermeter.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Klorman, Edward (Fall)
Prerequisite: MUTH 251
Priority will be given to Major Theory and Minor Music Theory students.
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MUTH 528 Schenkerian Theory and Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Introduction to the principles and graphing techniques of Schenkerian theory, analysis of tonal works from 1700-1900, and study of prolongational techniques in relation to formal types.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 hours
Prerequisite: MUTH 251 or permission of instructor.
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MUTH 529 Proseminar in Music Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : An introduction to the discipline of music theory, including modern music theory and analysis.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 hours
Prerequisite: MUTH 251 (or equivalent).
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MUTH 538 Mathematical Models for Musical Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Theoretical topics and analytical applications selected from the following: serial theory, atonal set theory, contour theory, similarity metrics, transformational networks, elementary group theory and generalized interval systems, neo-Riemannian theory, atonal voice-leading and geometry, scale theory, models of tuning and temperament and information theory.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 hours
Prerequisites: MUTH 350 (or equivalent).
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MUTH 539 Topics in Advanced Writing Techniques (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Advanced writing skills, including intensive four-part harmonization, advanced harmonic vocabulary and syntax, post-tonal counterpoint.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Neidhofer, Christoph (Winter)
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MUTH 541 Topics in Popular Music Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Music Theory and Analysis : Different approaches to the analysis of popular music. Issues of transcription, notation, analytical pertinence, aesthetics, hermeneutics, and semiotics will be explored through transcription exercises, readings, and analysis of selected recordings.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Biamonte, Nicole (Winter)
