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Programs

Music Theory

The Music Theory Department at the Eastman School of Music prepares our graduates to be leaders in music theory pedagogy and research. Equipped with one of the discipline’s largest, most diverse, and most distinguished faculties and positioned in an iconic school of music within a leading research university, Eastman’s theory department provides a multitude of musical experiences and opportunities for aspiring scholars, teachers, and leaders. We offer a PhD in Music Theory and an MA in Music Theory Pedagogy.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Music Theory website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Advanced CertificatesLink to section

Eastman graduate students apply internally for this certificate program, directly to the theory department. Requirements include a transcript, recommendation, and an interview that will cover score analysis, sight singing, error detection and correction, and keyboard skills.

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Master of Arts in Pedagogy of Music Theory Admission Requirements

  • Online application
  • Online interview
  • Personal statement and resume
  • Three recommendations
  • Two research papers, one or both of which are music analysis papers
  • Transcripts (all collegiate study)

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

PhD in Music Theory Admission Requirements

  • Online application
  • Online interview
  • Personal statement and resume
  • Three recommendations
  • Two music research papers, one or both of which are music analysis papers
  • Transcripts (all collegiate study)

AcademicsLink to section

Advanced Certificates and RequirementsLink to section

Advanced Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy offers a course of study for Eastman graduate students pursuing academic careers that combine music performance and music theory teaching. It is open to students enrolled in a graduate degree program at Eastman. The curriculum includes core courses in theory pedagogy and electives chosen from other theory courses, including keyboard skills, counterpoint, and analysis.

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Master of Arts in Pedagogy of Music Theory is a two-year, 30-unit degree intended for those who wish to focus on a teaching career in music theory. The curriculum includes coursework in theory pedagogy, counterpoint, an apprenticeship in pedagogy, advanced keyboard skills, style composition, analysis courses, elective courses, a teaching recital, and the MA skills exam.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory is awarded for completion of scholarly research satisfactorily defended in a dissertation. It is assumed that recipients of this degree are not only well-versed in the subject matter of music theory, but have also demonstrated a breadth of interest and original outlook that indicate real promise of success in research, as well as mastery of the teaching of the discipline. Core coursework consists of three required courses (proseminar in theory, pedagogy, and history of theory). Instead of traditional analysis courses, students can choose courses from four areas: common-practice music; 20th- and 21st-century concert music; vernacular music; and non-Western music. Elective courses and the dissertation project complete the 60-credit PhD. More details on achieving candidacy and on the comprehensive and qualifying exams can be found here: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/07-00/#07.03.11. 

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • TH 421-422: Pedagogy of Music Theory I-II
  • TH 451: Modal Counterpoint
  • TH 452: Tonal Counterpoint
  • TH 471-472: Apprenticeship in Pedagogy I-II
  • TH 475: Intermediate Keyboard Skills
  • TH 476: Advanced Keyboard Skills
  • TH 480: Style Composition
  • TH 511: Introduction to Theory and Analysis of Tonal Music
  • TH 513: Introduction to the Theory and Analysis of Twentieth-Century Music
  • TH 521: Pedagogy of Music Theory
  • TH 523-524: History of Music Theory I-II
  • TH 581: Topics in Music Theory
  • TH 595: PhD Dissertation Project