Contents & Structure of an
Intra-Disciplinary Undergraduate
Music Theory Curriculum
Nico Schuler, Southwest Texas State University
Since
several years, a high percentage of the vacancy descriptions for positions in
music theory include the revision of the music theory curriculum as one of the
job responsibilities. Why are so many universities and colleges interested in
these revisions? Why are they not satisfied with their current curriculum?
Which parts of the curriculum need to be changed? And most of all: How does
such a revised curriculum look like and satisfies the current needs?
The
proposed poster will try to answer these questions, based on experiences with
major revisions of the theory curriculum of a public, medium-size, regional
university in Texas. The revisions are based on the current situation (which is
similar to many colleges and universities in the country) and on the needs of instruction
for future music professionals. The revised theory curriculum includes the use
of music technology and specifically more intra-disciplinary connections to
composition, performance, history, popular music / jazz, and world music. In
addition, concepts of counterpoint are included already in the core curriculum,
musical forms and transposing instruments are more emphasized than before.
Fourth semester theory and aural skills are exclusively reserved for late 19th
century techniques and (techniques of) modern music. Upper-level theory classes
also include "Jazz Theory" and "Theory and Analysis of Popular
Music."
The
proposed poster will explain the revisions of the theory curriculum and explain
the reasons for the revisions. The poster will also include successful teaching
strategies and activities to realize the intra-disciplinary aspects of the
undergraduate theory curriculum. The detailed structure of the new curriculum
will be provided.