MA (Concentration in Music Theory)

Language Requirement

You must pass an examination testing reading knowledge of one foreign language prior to applying for graduation. The choice of language, other than German or French, must be approved by the music theory area.

Two-Paper Option

As an alternative to the thesis requirement in music theory, graduate students may write two research essays. If you choose the two-paper option, you must enroll in MUGC 5930 for two semesters. The Master's Two-Paper Option Proposal Form must be completed and submitted to the Division Chair for approval to begin the process. Each essay must have a different advisor, and will be evaluated by a committee of three faculty members: the advisor of paper #1, who will also serve as the instructor of record and Committee Chair; the advisor of paper #2, and a third faculty member. One essay must be a revised and extended research paper generated in a 5000- or 6000-level music theory class. The other paper may either be from a graduate class or be an independent project. Both papers must be on substantially different topics in the field of music theory. The committee evaluates both essays, determines what revisions or expansions are needed, and determines when they are ready to be defended, at which time the papers are either approved, approved with revisions, or not approved.

Course Requirements

Qualifying Exams

When and How Students Should Take the Qualifying Exams
Qualifying examinations are administered during orientation week before the fall and spring semesters. Be prepared to spend three full days on the written examination. Ph.D. students are required to take the Qualifying Examinations no later than the third long semester after they have completed all course and language requirements have been satisfied. Any portions of the Qualifying Examination that are not passed must be retaken in the subsequent long semester. If upon a second try there are still portions that have not been passed, they must be retaken in the following long semester. Students may take any portion of the exam no more than three times.  

For more information, contact the area coordinator. All materials will be provided, monitored, collected and printed out by the area coordinator.

Students may use their own computers for all exams as well as translation dictionaries for the foreign language exam. All work must contain page numbers and must be double-spaced. Students who write any examples or figures on staff paper they provide themselves should be sure to make clear reference to them in their prose. Any score analysis should be similarly labeled and referenced, if it is intended to be considered in the grade.  

Click here to view/download sample questions from past exams.

Description

The examination consists of three written components (Analysis, History and Methodology). Each component includes six hours of examinations subdivided into smaller parts as given below. Each part will be accompanied by specific questions or instructions. All parts of the qualifying examination will be graded by members of the theory faculty. The grade of “pass” or “fail” will be given as a single grade for each of the three components. An added oral examination may be assigned by the graders for borderline grades on any or all components. Each sub-section of the three component examinations may be taken a maximum of three times.

1. Analysis. Three essays (three hours each). The student is to write three analytical essays, one on a work composed before 1750, one on a work written between 1750-1900, and one after 1900. For each essay the student chooses one of two complete pieces provided. A piano will be provided, but no recordings. The student may engage any analytical approaches deemed appropriate and pertinent. Each of the three essays should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the complete work or movement by addressing various issues in relating the component parts to the whole.
2. History. Two essays (three hours each)
   1. Repertoire essay: eight score excerpts from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and modern periods (complete shorter pieces, and/or an entire formal section of a larger piece) are provided. The student is to select four of these score excerpts. For each of them, the student is to identify and describe specific features of the score excerpt that may be regarded either as characteristic “signature” gestures of an individual composer or as evidence of a given musical style. Finally, drawing upon these cited features, the student is to surmise a probable date when the work was composed and a possible composer.
   2. Language document essay. One excerpt from a theoretical text in a language other than English is provided. The chosen language should not be the native language of the student and should be relevant for mainstream Western music theory (German, French, Italian, Latin). Other languages may be considered if relevant for the student’s major research project. The student writes an essay on the content and context of the text, following any given prompts. A literal translation of the source is not required, but translations of selected quotes are encouraged. Use of a translation dictionary is permitted, brought by the student.
3. Methodology.Two essays (two hours each)
   1. History of Theory. The student writes an essay on a given topic/problem/issue in the history of music theory. Some possible topics could be: a theoretical concept, theoretical problems in a specific historical period, the writings of a specific theorist, or specific theoretical terminology.
   2. Theory Pedagogy. The student is to write an essay on a given topic in theory pedagogy. The topic may be related to a pedagogical concept or a case study of a specific teaching situation.

Dissertation

The culmination of the doctoral work is a dissertation of appropriate scope, quality and originality. The dissertation proposal will be presented to GADCom after successful completion of the qualifying examination. Upon admission to candidacy, the student must maintain continuous dissertation enrollment (MUGC 6950) each long term/semester until the dissertation has been completed and accepted by relevant administrators of the College of Music and Toulouse Graduate School. Registration in at least one summer session is required if you are using university facilities and/or faculty time during that summer session. The final copies of the dissertation must be placed in the hands of your major professor at least two weeks before the scheduled oral examination in any given term/semester. The oral examination will be scheduled after the dissertation has been completed and accepted by your major professor, and before the last day for filing dissertations in the office of the graduate dean, as announced in the academic calendar.

Related Field in Music Theory (MM)

The related field in music theory requires nine credit hours. Courses used to fulfill major-field requirements may not be used to fulfill the related-field requirements.

Application

Doctoral students wishing to select music theory as related field must submit a formal application. Applications will be reviewed during long semesters only and will consist of three items:

• a cover letter including contact information
• an analysis paper that the student wrote for a past music theory class (not necessarily at UNT)
• a personal statement (300-500 words) addressing theoretical/analytical interests and goals

These materials must be sent to the area coordinator. Area faculty will then evaluate the application and issue a formal decision of acceptance or rejection. Only once a formal acceptance is officially communicated to the student will he or she be admitted to the related field in music theory.