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.