Graduate Music History & Music Theory Courses

MUSC 7050 – Research Methods
Dr. Colette Simonot-Maiello, instructor

The techniques of bibliography and research methods in music are studied through research projects in selected areas relevant to each student's major field of study. Skill is developed in the use of primary and secondary sources, expository writing and documentation.

MUSC 7200 – Proseminar in Music Theory
Dr. Rebecca Simpson-Litke, instructor

A survey of methodological approaches in music theory and analysis, related to tonal and post-tonal music.  Critical examination of significant texts and analysis of selected repertoire, highlighting connections between analysis and musical performance. 

MUSC 7120 – Seminar in Musicology: Topics in Music Criticism
Dr. James Maiello, instructor

This seminar-style course blends the study of music criticism as a discipline with practical application in the medium through intensive writing and editing. Topics will include the history and development of music criticism, writing for academic and general audiences, writing concert, recording, and book reviews, and the critical assessment of music editions and scores.  The course will address a variety of musical idioms, styles, and genres, including art music, jazz, and popular music.

MUSC 7100 – Proseminar in Musicology
Dr. James Maiello, instructor

Survey of historiography and methodological approaches in musicology through critical examination of significant texts. Topics will include the history of the discipline, significant intellectual developments in the field, and key concepts in historical musicology and ethnomusicology.

MUSC 7860 T31 - The Musical Culture of Belle Epoque France
Dr. Andrew Deruchie, instructor

This seminar will introduce participants to the music and the musical culture of “Belle-Époque” France (1871-1914). Issues upon which we will focus include: the constantly shifting perceptions among contemporaries of what constituted ‘modern’ music, the dramatic rise of orchestral and chamber music and concertizing organizations, the cultural work of the thriving musical press, French musicians’ varied reckonings with Wagner’s musical and intellectual legacy, the importance of key musical institutions, and debates between conflicting aesthetic ‘camps.’ We will explore the ways these facets of French musical culture intersected with ongoing debates about what defined the nation, the fraught political climate, conflicting models of social progress, and anxieties over the modern, urban condition.

MUSC 7860 T21 - Popular Music Analysis
Dr. Rebecca Simpson-Litke, instructor

This course provides a survey of current analytical approaches to popular music (broadly defined), including investigations into rhythm/meter, melody/harmony, texture/timbre, form, and lyrics. Issues of notation, aesthetics, social/cultural context, and performance practice will be addressed through listening and transcription exercises, analysis of recordings/videos, and reading assignments. Students will be encouraged to explore their favourite repertoire through written papers and verbal/musical presentations.

MUSC 7860 T09 -  Form in Tonal Music
Dr. David Byrne, instructor

In this course, we will explore in detail the creation of form in western tonal music, from the smallest motives and themes to large-scale structures such as sonata form.  Our work will draw on important recent theories by William Caplin, James Hepokoski, Janet Schmalfeldt and others.  Our core repertoire for study dates from roughly 1770 to 1850, with some examples drawn from earlier and later music.  While the course work and projects are primarily analytical in focus, there will also be some composition activities based on historical models.