Music Theory - Degrees Offered
The BM with a major in theory is designed primarily for undergraduates interested in combining theoretical studies of musical structure with most of the requirements of the BM in applied music or composition, or (more rarely) the BA in another academic area. At the graduate level there are two degree tracks in music theory: a combined Master of Arts/ Doctor of Philosophy program that emphasizes music-theoretical research, and a Master of Arts in the pedagogy of music theory. The MA/PhD prepares graduates for university careers in teaching and research. The theory pedagogy degree focuses on skills-oriented preparation for collegiate teaching and may be pursued concurrently with a performance degree.
The Eastman theory program maintains a strong tradition of practical musicianship. It has continued to operate within an environment of professional performance and composition study ever since graduate study in theory began here in the 1930s. Thus, all undergraduate theory majors at Eastman must take applied lessons and participate in student ensembles, and graduate theory majors are encouraged to incorporate studio lessons on their instrument/voice or in composition into their studies.
Within the last several years the entire MA/PhD program has been revised, beginning now with a series of introductory courses covering the broad range of research in music theory; these lead to more narrowly focused pro-seminars, thence to seminars and independent studies. The student gradually becomes adept at independent research, the goal of the PhD. Since the department strongly encourages individual research initiatives, especially those that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, students form provisional dissertation committees that share their research interests early in their study. The committees continue to work closely with the students to help define and refine their research direction throughout graduate study.
Technological support for theoretical research is provided by the Multimedia and Research Computing Lab, which gives students the chance to learn and develop software for in-house and Internet use. It is used in connection with courses on developing web pages, learning multimedia programs, programming in C, C++, Java, and other languages, using MIDI, doing research in acoustics, and effecting individual research. The lab is equipped with its own servers. Vital support for theory scholarship also is provided by the Sibley Music Library, which houses an extraordinary collection of historical treatises on music theory, manuscript letters, and first editions, and maintains active subscriptions to more than 650 periodicals. (See page 34 for more information on Sibley Library.)
The Eastman theory faculty pursues a broad range of research interests, including Schenkerian theory, studies in the theory and analysis of 20th-century and contemporary music, history of music theory, musical perception and cognition, computing and music, and jazz and other popular and ethnic music. An annual lecture series serves to expand research horizons still further. Guest lecturers have included Charles Burkhart, Edward T. Cone, Allen Forte, David Huron, Jonathan Kramer, Carol Krumhansl, David Lewin, Leonard B. Meyer, Carl Schachter, and Joseph Straus. Student-organized theory symposia provide opportunities for students to present papers and share research in progress. Graduate students also edit and publish, with the assistance of an editorial board of prominent music theorists, a juried music theory journal entitled Intégral.
Graduate students regularly pursue cross-disciplinary research by taking coursework at the College (especially in linguistics, brain and cognitive science, and mathematics). One hundred percent of Eastman’s graduate theorists actively seeking employment have been successful in obtaining teaching positions.
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