Courses
Tonal Harmony and Composition 1
Functional tonal harmony analyzed and composed in various musical textures. Emphasis on voice leading, melodic writing, and figured bass.
Tonal Harmony and Composition 2
Continuation of CM-211. Advanced tonal harmony and intermediate compositional procedures.
Techniques of Tonal Writing
Specific techniques of traditional tonal composition.
The Russian Art of Modulation
During this course the students will explore and master the technique of modulation to the keys both closely related and distant.
Instrumentation and Score Preparation
The technical aspects involved in creating finished, professional scores.
Traditional Materials and Structure of Music 1
Diatonic harmonic analysis in various musical textures. Melody writing. Harmonization of melodies in various musical textures.
Traditional Materials and Structure of Music 2
Continuation of CM-251. Advanced traditional harmony and intermediate compositional procedures. Seventh chords, altered chords, modulation.
Contemporary Techniques in Composition 1
Specific techniques of traditional 20th-century composition. Technical devices such as quartal harmony, serial writing, polytonality, and contrapuntal techniques.
Contemporary Techniques in Composition 2
The continuation of CM-311 with concentration on the employment of serial approaches to composition. Various composition assignments and a final project are required.
New Music Composition and Performance Workshop
The workshop provides opportunities for student composers to hear performances of their own work, and for student performers to gain public performing experience of original student works and works
Scoring for Strings
Discussion of string instruments, their special effects, and proper notation. Principles of string orchestration and voicing techniques.
Jazz Fusion Composition and Arranging for Small Ensemble
Through the study of major artists and recordings, the student will identify the compositional and instrumental practices of the jazz fusion idiom and apply those to writing assignments and project
Indian Music Styles and Techniques for Jazz and Contemporary Composition
The class will expose students to and survey the two main Indian classical music systems: Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) along with Konnikol (South Indian rhythmic solfege).
Choral Composition
Traditional scoring techniques for full chorus with and without instrumental accompaniment. A choral composition in a traditional style is required as a final project.
Principles and Techniques of Writing for the Voice
Examination of representative solo vocal works from the 19th and 20th centuries (including works requiring nontraditional vocal techniques), with emphasis on dramatic organization, relationship of
Introduction to Electroacoustic Music for Composers
Introduction to Electroacoustic Music for Composers is a survey course in electronic and computer music composition.
World Music Resources in Composition
Approaches to composition using ideas and aesthetic principles from a variety of non-Western musical traditions.
Jazz Composition 1
A systematic approach to the art of composing in the jazz idiom. Exploration of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic principles. Standard jazz song form. Analysis of jazz standards.
Jazz Composition 2
Composition of non-song-form jazz pieces based on motivic development. Discussion of form and content as it applies to episodic composition in jazz.
Jazz Composition 3
Composition of multisection extended jazz compositions. Discussion of form and orchestration as it applies to extended composition in jazz.