This department offers a unique series of courses in music theory designed for both the performing musician and the composer.
In addition to traditional classroom studies in counterpoint, harmony, form, rhythm, ear-training, dictation and sight-singing, the School’s theory program features:
Elective courses on topics relevant to performers and composers:
- Theory Pedagogy
- Ear Training Pedagogy
- Counterpoint
- Advanced Ear Training
- 20th Century Music Theory
- Beethoven String Quartets
- Harmonic Science
- Orchestration
- Stravinsky
- Bach Cantatas and Concertos
The theory department also provides special classes and services to meet a variety of needs:
- Remedial classes for students who need to reinforce their basic skills in music
- A separate track in aural skills studies for voice majors
- Qualifying examinations for students prepared to move to higher levels of study
- A tutoring program for students requiring assistance in their course work
- Graduate assistantships for DMA candidates skilled in theory, providing the opportunity to be involved in teaching, tutoring, and research within the theory department
Specific courses and degree sequence plans can be found in the Course Catalog.
Department Chair
Reiko Fueting
About our Faculty
Our theory faculty members past and present have been involved in lecture presentations and seminars at institutions and conferences throughout the world, including:
- The University of Aix-en-Provence
- Rutgers University
- The University of Helsinki
- Université de Provence
- University of Bologna
- Seoul National University
- University of Syracuse
- The Camargo Foundation
- The New England Conference of Theorists
- The University of Leipzig.
Specific courses and degree sequence plans can be found in the Course Catalog.
Other Academics
Other Academics Home
Chamber Music
Humanities
Keyboard Skills
Music History
Theory & Skills
MSM’s Outreach Program
Center for Music Entrepreneurship Coursework
Music Education & Performance Dual Degree
Special Academics
Pinchas Zuckerman Performance Program
Robert Mann Institute
Barnard MSM Cross-Registration Program
Foreign Exchange & Study Abroad
Ensembles
Competitions