Music Theory

The resources, faculty, facilities, and events at the UofL School of Music offer exceptional opportunities for a thorough education in the fields of music composition and theory, as well as unique opportunities to hear and study a broad range of musical styles. Degrees in theory and composition are available at the graduate and undergraduate levels. A core curriculum emphasizes twentieth-century as well as traditional tonal materials, with numerous classes in analysis, counterpoint, orchestration, and special seminar topics.

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Bachelor of Music in Music Theory

The Bachelor of Music in Theory degree is designed for students interested in understanding and eventually teaching music theory. Many of the graduates of this degree will pursue graduate studies in music theory. In addition to those goals common to all professional baccalaureate degrees in music, students in music theory develop an advanced capability for music analysis, including sophisticated communication skills about analysis and the ability to analyze a musical work from multiple perspectives. Students also develop a sophisticated knowledge of the relationship between music theory and music composition, including the ability to compose music with acoustic and digital sources, and with a degree of technical mastery of music notation, arranging, and computer notation. Theory majors use the tools of music analysis and theoretical research, including keyboard, knowledge of foreign languages, and bibliographic tools. Research techniques and effective written and oral communication skills must be demonstrated by the development and presentation of a senior paper.

Requirements for Emphasis in Theory - BM (4 year) 134 hours

Every University of Louisville School of Music student must complete the following degree requirements:

• 2-4 semesters of Piano (individual to major)
• 4 semesters of Theory
• 4 semesters of Music Literature
• Private Lessons
• Principal Ensemble Performance
• Recital Attendance (15 per semester for 6 semesters)
• General Education Requirements (hours vary)

The liberal arts degree in music affords the student the opportunity to pursue the study of music at the collegiate level and also to combine the study of music with an outside field. In some cases, we have developed some specific areas of emphasis but the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers the student a wide array of choices, limited only to his imagination. This degree is popular with students who want to eventually earn an advanced degree in medicine, law, or some other area.

A professional degree in music is a highly concentrated degree with approximately 85 of the 131 hours in music. There is a solid general studies core of subjects included in this degree as well. Most of the students who pursue this degree will go on to graduate school and to more advanced study in music.