Graduate Course Descriptions

500 Introduction to Graduate Theory (4 credits)
One-semester remedial course designed for entering graduate students found, by examination, to be deficient in music theory. Aural and written theory, and theoretical analysis reviewed. LEC

501 Intensive Review of Music History (4 credits)
A review of music history from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century for entering graduate students found by examination to be deficient in music history. LEC

511-512 Electronic Music (4 credits each)
The study of techniques for experimental use of micro-processor assisted composition and performance systems. Macintosh computers, MIDI-controllable audio and synthesis technologies, and real time music software will be utilized. LEC/LAB

513 Performance Specialties (2 credits)
Certain areas of performance, such as piano and voice. Structure and emphasis vary according to area of investigation, but, in general, deal with literature, performance styles, interpretation, question of tradition and technique, and the art of teaching. LEC

514 Seminar in Vocal Pedagogy (3 credits)
Overview of various concepts of vocal pedagogy and teaching of voice from perspectives of theory and practice. LEC

515 Studies in Music History (4 credits)
Designed to meet professional needs of music history students. Content varies each semester; course may be repeated for credit. SEM

517 Studies in Music History (4 credits)
Designed to fulfill history requirements of graduate students other than music history majors. Content varies each semester and course maybe repeated for credit. SEM
Prerequisite: an adequate undergraduate preparation of at least a one-year music history survey and two period music history courses.

521 University Chorus (2 credits)
Open to all members of the university community without audition. Literature emphasis is on larger works for chorus. The University Chorus presents public performances several times throughout the academic year. Occasionally the chorus joins forces with instrumental ensembles of the department. TUT

525-528 Survey of Music History (4 credits each)
The four courses cover the history of music from the Middle Ages to the end of the nineteenth century. They presuppose a thorough preparation in undergraduate history and theory of music. LEC

529 Music 1900-1945 (4 credits)
A survey of music from the earlier twentieth century, including representative works of composers such as Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, Ives, Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, Bartók, Hindemith, Weill, Prokofiev, Copland, Shostakovich, and Britten. LEC

530 Music Since 1945 (4 credits)
A survey of the principal composers and compositional tendencies in the United States, Europe and Japan since 1945. The course will deal with leading figures such as Cage, Carter, Messiaen, Ligeti, Boulez, Stockhausen, Xenakis, and others, as well as recent trends. LEC

531 Symphony Band (2 credits)
Open to all graduate students by audition. Rehearsal and public performance of significant compositions for wind and percussion. TUT

538 UB Orchestra (2 credits)
Open by audition to all university instrumentalists who desire to study and perform works from a wide range of orchestral literature. Public performances are frequent both in Buffalo and in other communities. TUT

Note: The following smaller ensembles specialize in the rehearsal and performance of new and rarely heard works as well as those in the standard repetoire. Admission to each course is by audition. TUT

540 Chamber Music (2 credits)

543 Chamber Music - Percussion (2 credits)

545 Chamber Music - Voice (2 credits)

547 Chamber Music - Contemporary Ensemble (2 credits)

550 Opera Workshop (2-4 credits)
Practical experience in technical and performing aspects of opera and music theater, focusing on coaching and staging of public productions. Each year the department presents several evenings of both standard opera and rare works. TUT

551 University Choir (2 credits)
A select choir, open by audition to all students in the university, which performs a wide variety of choral literature. The choir often collaborates with instrumental ensembles. TUT

553 Musical Science and Technology (4 credits)
Exploration of analog and digital audio systems, theory, synthesis, and studio techniques. LEC

554 Studies in Music Theory (4 credits)
Designed to meet professional needs of graduate music theory majors. Content varies each semester; course may be repeated for credit. LEC
Prerequisite: graduate theory major status or permission of instructor.

555 Studies in Music Theory (4 credits)
Designed to meet the needs of graduate students other than music theory majors. Content varies each semester; course may be repeated for credit. LEC

559-598 Instrumental and Vocal Instruction (2-4 credits)
Students are accepted through audition for private study on all the standard instruments and voice. Registration is processed through the Music Programs Office, 226 Baird Hall. TUT

599 Supervised Teaching (1-4 credits)
Available only to students holding teaching assistantships. TUT

600 Tutorial (1-12 credits)
Study on a tutorial basis is initiated by the ambitious and resourceful student under the sponsorship of a faculty member. By special permission of the instructor. TUT

605-606 Survey of the History of Music Theory (4 credits each)
Study of history of speculative theories of music, from classical Greek authors such as Aristoxenus through the works of Schenker, Hindemith, and Babbitt. MUS 605 in not a prerequisite for MUS 606. A reading knowledge of German is required for MUS 606. LEC

607-608 Contemporary Music Materials (4 credits each)
Analysis of selected works of the twentieth century. Course content changes each semester and may be repeated for credit. LEC

609-610 Fugue (4 credits each)
Practice in composition of fugue, combined with extended analyses of works from Bach to present. LEC

611-612 Computer Music (4 credits each)
Extensive exploration of techniques of software synthesis, digital signal processing, and algorithmic composition. Permission of instructor required. LEC/LAB

613-614 Doctoral Seminar in Music Theory (4 credits each)
Intensive work on theoretical topics selected by instructor. SEM

615-616 Doctoral Seminar in Music History (4 credits each)
Training in methods of musicological research through intensive work on topics selected by instructor. SEM

618 Bibliography (4 credits)
Exploration of basic information sources and tools for historical research. LEC

619-620 Advanced Orchestration (4 credits each)
A course open by permission of instructor to advanced students of composition. LEC

621-622 Schenker Studies I, II (4 credits each)
A study of hierarchical relationships in tonal music (1750-1900) and the notational system of representing them, developed by the Austrian theorist Heinrich Schenker. Designed for music theory majors; open to others by permission of instructor. SEM

623 Advanced Music Theory
Designed to meet needs of graduate students other than music theory majors. Content varies each semester; course may be repeated for credit. LEC
Prerequisite: MUS 500 or permission of instructor.

625-626 Notation (4 credits each)
The first half of this course approaches music history through a study of notation from Gregorian chant to the 14th century. The second half completes the chronology and deals with special notational projects. LEC

627-628 Composition (4 credits each)
Weekly private composition lessons with a member of composition faculty with a required regular attendance at a compositional seminar. TUT

627-628 Composition Seminar Laboratory (2 credits each)
Discussion of current topics in contemporary music, both theoretical and practical. Lectures by prominent guest composers and other professional musicians involved in new music. Required course for all graduate composition majors but also open to other students with permission of instructor. SEM

629-630 Pitch Structures I, II (4 credits each)
A study of ordered and unordered pitch-class sets and their relationships, with emphasis on formalism and applications in music analysis. Designed for music theory majors; open to others by permission of instructor. SEM

635-636 Advanced Conducting (4 credits each)
Students may elect to work with specialized kinds of ensembles such as a band, orchestra or chorus. A preliminary interview to demonstrate readiness is required. Permission of instructor required. LEC

700 Doctoral Dissertation (1-12 credits)
TUT