[Smt-talk] Core music theory courses for undergraduates

[David Froom]

From another non-conservatory:

At St. Mary's College of Maryland, we require four semesters of Theory (meets four hours, earns three credits) and four semesters of Ear Training (meets two hours, earns 1 credit). They are separate classes (3 days/week theory, 2 days/week ear training), together adding up to six hours of meeting time for four credits.

The first three semesters theory are 

review of fundamentals and introduction to diatonic harmony; 
diatonic harmony into the beginnings of chromaticism; 
19th century harmony. 

These classes include discussion of form, but necessarily not in a lot of depth.

The fourth semester alternates. One year it is a class in 20th century theory. The next year it is a class in Form. Most of the serious students take one for the requirement, one as an elective. Among our electives (offered as possible) there is also a counterpoint class -- though it is a scramble in that class to cover, in one semester, both 16th and 18th century.

We've tried, over the years, a variety of scenarios, including one teacher for theory and ear training, starting with species counterpoint, bigger emphasis on form in the three semesters with 20th century for all in the fourth, or even having the third semester be ⅔ chromatic harmony, ⅓ counterpoint. For now, what I wrote above is what we've settled on. Changes to this have had to do with the combined pedagogical viewpoint of those of us teaching it (as people have come and gone). There are two of us for theory, plus an adjunct for ear training, and all of us have other things we need to teach. We also face pressure to figure out a way to keep class sizes up, which, in a small liberal arts college setting, becomes increasingly difficult as one gets to the classes for juniors and seniors. Thus, the every-other year plan for some of the classes.

David Froom
Professor of Music
St. Mary's College of Maryland

> On Wed, May 21, 2014 at 8:44 AM, Anna Gawboy <gawboy.2 at osu.edu> wrote:
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> My institution has recently begun to contemplate a revision of the entire undergraduate curriculum. I'm curious how much time other schools devote to core theory (i.e., those courses required of all undergraduate music majors) and the basic format for their delivery.
> 
> Are theory and aural skills integrated or taught in separate classes? Are keyboard skills included or taught separately? 
> 
> How many semesters/quarters of theory are required?
> 
> How many credit hours are assigned to each class, and how much time does each class meet per week? 
> 
> Many thanks in advance,
> Anna Gawboy
> 
> -- 
> 
> Dr. Anna Gawboy Assistant professor of music theory
> Ohio State University School of Music
> 304A Hughes Hall | 1899 College Road Columbus, OH 43210-1234
> 614-292-2044 Office
> gawboy.2 at osu.edu osu.edu
> 
> 
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> -- 
> Michael Klein
> Chair, Department of Music Studies
> Professor of Music Studies
> Temple University
> Boyer College of Music and Dance
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> michael.klein at temple.edu
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> Intertextuality in Western Art Music: http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/product_info.php?products_id=21727
> 
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