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Music Theory

The Music Theory minor prepares students for further in-depth theoretical study and work, such as graduate placement exams, a major or double major at the graduate level, and teaching assistant positions in graduate schools. The Music Theory minor consists of 10 credits, including a Capstone Project.

Students may pursue a Music Theory minor in one of the following tracks:

  • Performance and Analysis
  • Studies in Contemporary Music
  • Music Theory and Applied Composition
  • Research in Music Theory*

The Capstone Project for the Music Theory minor is a one- or two-semester course of individual study with a member of the Music Theory faculty, the duration and scope of which is determined by the Music Theory minor track elected by the student; it is undertaken after the student completes their Music Theory elective requirements. All students seeking the Music Theory minor will give a public presentation of their Capstone Project to the NEC community. The Capstone Project will be evaluated by a three-member committee comprising the minor advisor, the minor department chair, and a third faculty member (selected by the student and/or minor advisor).

For students pursuing the tracks in Performance and Analysis, Studies in Contemporary Music, or Music Theory and Applied Composition, the one- semester Capstone Project requires seven individual meetings with a Music Theory faculty member, during which time students extend a scholarly paper, composition or an integrated project completed in one of their Music Theory electives. For these three tracks, the Capstone Project will typically take place in either the spring semester of the junior year or the fall semester of the senior year.

For students pursuing the Research in Music Theory track, the Capstone Project comprises two semesters of half-time Music Theory studio (THYU 100). Over the course of the 14 individual meetings with a Music Theory faculty member, students develop research topics and strategies and write an extensive scholarly paper. The goal of this track is to prepare students for the Music Theory major at the graduate level.

*Students pursuing the Research in Music Theory track will incur an additional tuition charge for the two semesters of half-time studio instruction (4 credits).