Theory and Composition

THRY COM 1190 Fundamentals of Music: 3 semester hours

This course provides basic music vocabulary: scales, intervals, and chords, and systematic instruction in the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic aspects of music. This course will not apply toward requirements for a music major.

THRY COM 1300 Introduction to Music Theory: 1 semester hour

This course introduces the basic vocabulary of music notation and theory and rudimentary skills of ear training and sight singing. This course must be taken concurrently with THRY COM 1301, but may be waived on the basis of a successful score on the Theory Placement Exam.

THRY COM 1301 Theory of Music I: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of department. This course introduces the basic materials of music as well as species counterpoint and diatonic harmony. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 1300 is required unless waived on the basis of a successful score on the Theory Placement Exam. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 1302 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 1302 Aural Training I: 2 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Systematic instruction in ear training and sight singing of all material covered in THRY COM 1301. Includes diatonic melodic and rhythmic dictation, chord quality recognition, sight singing of diatonic melodies, and the reading of units and divisions of units in simple and compound meters. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 1301 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 1311 Theory of Music II: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 1300, THRY COM 1301, and THRY COM 1302 or consent of department. This course continues the study of diatonic harmony begun in THRY COM 1301. Harmonic function, phrase structure, harmonic sequences, secondary dominants, and simple modulation. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 1312 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 1312 Aural Training II: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 1301 and THRY COM 1302 or consent of instructor. The systematic instruction in ear training and sight singing begun in THRY COM 1302 is continued. This course provides instruction in the performance and aural recognition of all musical devices introduced in THRY COM 1311. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 1311 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 2301 Theory of Music III: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 1311 and THRY COM 1312 or consent of department. This course begins the study of chromatic harmony and form in music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 2302 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 2302 Aural Training III: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 1311 and THRY COM 1312 or consent of instructor. Systematic instruction in ear training and sight singing of THRY COM 1312 is continued. This course provides instruction in the performance and aural recognition of all musical devices introduced in THRY COM 2301. Concurrent registration in THRY COM 2301 is required for music majors and minors.

THRY COM 2311 Theory of Music IV: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2301 and THRY COM 2302 or consent of department. This course continues the study of chromatic harmony of late nineteenth-century music, as well as the analysis of larger musical forms. Additionally, this course focuses on developing the ability to communicate analytical observations effectively in both written and spoken formats. Concurrent enrollment in THRY COM 2312 is required for all music majors and minors.

THRY COM 2312 Aural Training IV: 2 semester hours

Prerequisite: THRY COM 2301 and THRY COM 2302 or consent of instructor. The systematic instruction in ear training and sight singing of THRY COM 2302 is continued. This course provides instruction in the performance and aural recognition of all musical devices introduced in THRY COM 2311. Concurrent enrollment in THRY COM 2311 is required for all music majors and minors.

THRY COM 2313 Jazz Theory: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2301 and THRY COM 2302. This course addresses the basics of jazz harmony. Students will be introduced to topics such as: jazz scales and modes; chords (7th through 13th) with all of their frequent jazz alterations; reharmonization; voice leading and dissonance treatment; melody, transcription, analysis, and the study of form.

THRY COM 2314 Jazz Aural Training: 1 semester hour

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2301 and THRY COM 2302. This course provides instruction in developing aural skills necessary for jazz musicians. Students will develop proficiency in both the translation of hearing into writing and the performance of reading into performing in the jazz idiom. Methods involved will include practice in singing, aural recognition, and transcription of recordings.

THRY COM 3110 Analysis of Music from 1900 to Present: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 and THRY COM 2312 or consent of department. This course primarily provides a study of compositional devices in atonal and serial music since 1900.

THRY COM 3120 Tonal Counterpoint: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 and THRY COM 2312; or consent of department. Study of tonal counterpoint with emphasis on the eighteenth century style. Composition in two and three parts.

THRY COM 3130 Advanced Analytical Techniques: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 and THRY COM 2312. Close analysis, seminar discussion, and focused theoretical/analytical study of selected compositions. Repertoire studied changes from year to year at discretion of instructor.

THRY COM 3140 Readings in Music Theory: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 and THRY COM 2312. An introduction to the primary areas of research in the field of music theory. This seminar-style course will include readings and discussion of a number of important writings in music theoretical areas including, but not limited to the following: tonal theory, post-tonal theory, mathematics and music, music cognition, and the history of music theory.

THRY COM 3310 Studio Composition: 1 semester hour

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 and THRY COM 2312, or consent of department. Individual lessons in music composition. Course may be repeated for credit.

THRY COM 3410 Orchestration: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 or consent of instructor. Study of the instruments of the brass, woodwind, percussion, and string families; scoring, transcription, and arranging for various instrumental ensembles.

THRY COM 3411 Jazz Arranging: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2313 and THRY COM 2314. This class provides instruction in scoring and arranging for jazz instruments in ensembles of various sizes. Study of arrangements in various styles will be used in application to the creation of original student arrangements.

THRY COM 3420 Choral Arranging: 2 semester hours

Prerequisites: THRY COM 2311 or consent of department. Study of vocal ranges, characteristics and capabilities at various ages and scoring for choral ensembles comprised of singers in these varying stages of vocal development.

THRY COM 4000 Directed Studies: Variable Topic: 1-5 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Directed independent study of selected topics in music. May be repeated, but no more than 5 hours may be applied toward a degree.

THRY COM 5110 Scoring and Arranging: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in music. Experience in scoring and arranging music for a variety of ensembles.