The Lamont music theory department offers academics, performers and composers a robust catalog of specialties and concentrations. Small class sizes and advanced coursework reflect the Lamont School of Music reputation as a premier music school in the West. We offer a broad range of courses, including traditional topics such as counterpoint, post-tonal theory, music theory pedagogy, and linear analysis. Repertoire-based seminars range from the music of J.S. Bach to Brahms to the music of fin-de-siècle Paris. "Rhythm and Meter," "Analyzing Popular Music," and "Arranging for the Classical Musician" engage popular, commercial, and vernacular genres. Complementary offerings in musicology and ethnomusicology courses run the gamut from global early music to Mahler to Hindustani classical music, as well as popular and gospel music. Graduate students in the music theory program can also perform in ensembles or take private lessons.

Under the close supervision of a faculty member, students pursuing the Master of Arts in Music Theory write a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field on a topic of their choosing. By serving as Graduate Teaching Assistants for our undergraduate theory courses, our music theory students receive a scholarship and stipend and also immediately gain teaching experience.

Equipped with this deep body of knowledge and experience, music theory graduates go on to careers in music education, performance, composition, arrangement and arts direction or administration. Many MA music theory graduates also continue their studies at top-tier PhD programs.

Graduate students with an interest in music theory might also choose to do a Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy, which cultivates applied skills for careers in music education, performance, composition, arrangement and more. 

Application and Portfolio Requirements

  1. Completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree or the equivalent.
  2. Completed application, including transcript(s), three letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose for graduate study in this degree program. Please include a list of your theory teachers and the textbooks assigned for their theory courses in your statement.
  3.  An analytic essay or research paper that engages a music-theoretic issue. This paper should demonstrate critical and independent thinking in conjunction with the appropriate use of analytic tools, relevant musical examples, and primary and secondary sources as necessary.

To be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Theory, please submit the following additional materials:

  1. The syllabi from your undergraduate theory courses.
  2. Ask your recommenders to comment on your teaching abilities, or potential.
  3. Non-theory applicants must also complete item #3 above, an analytic essay or research paper that engages a music-theoretic issue. 

Note that we may ask candidates for GTA positions to take a keyboard and sight-reading test via Zoom.

Faculty

 
Kristin Taavola

Kristin Taavola

Associate Professor, Music Theory

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Mitchell Ohriner

Mitchell Ohriner

Associate Professor, Music Theory

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Jonathan Leathwood holding a guitar

Jonathan Leathwood

Teaching Professor, Guitar & Music Theory

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Chappell Kingsland leaning on piano

Chappell Kingsland

Adjunct Faculty, Composition

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  • theory classroom
  • theory class
  • Kirstin Taavola

    Kirstin Taavola.

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