Dept. Code:  MTC

The Department of Music Theory-Composition

  • Music Theory-Composition (MTC)

Majors in Music Theory-Composition

Minor in Music Theory-Composition

MTC 101. Composition I. 2 Credit Hours.

Course covers elementary principles of composition; class performance of composition projects is also included. Required of theory-composition majors.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 102. Composition II. 2 Credit Hours.

Continuation of MTC 101.
Prerequisite: MTC 101.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 107. Skills Lab I. 1 Credit Hour.

Chamber-music ensemble (vocal or instrumental) for intensive work on aural skil ls (transcription, sight-singing, etc.), analysis of literature in and through performance, and improvisation, with focus on music of the Baroque and Classica l periods.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 108. Skills Lab II. 1 Credit Hour.

Chamber-music ensemble (vocal or instrumental) for intensive work on aural skil ls (transcription, sight-singing, etc.), analysis of literature in and through performance, and improvisation, with focus on music of the Baroque and Classica l periods.
Pre or Corequisite: MTC 141.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 109. Music Theory Skills I. 3 Credit Hours.

A first course in music theory and musicianship for non-music majors; covers basic literacy, fundamentals, tonal harmony, and elements of musical form in a wide variety of traditional and contemporary styles and genres. Includes intensive training in aural and singing skills.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 110. Music Theory Skills II. 3 Credit Hours.

Course is designed for students deficient in the knowledge of the basic fundamentals of music. Includes the study of notation, keys, scales, and chord construction. Credits do not count toward music degree requirements.
Prerequisite: MTC 109.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 12. Composition Forum. 1 Credit Hour.

A weekly forum for all undergraduate Music Theory/Composition majors. Course involves guest lectures by visiting composers and performers, presentations of faculty compositions, and group discussions of important compositional and theoretical issues.
Components: FOR.
Grading: CNC.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 140. Experiential Musicianship I. 3 Credit Hours.

Study of tonal harmony, voice leading, and elements of musical form, covering d iatonic procedures and basic modulation, using the chorales of J.S. Bach, with other repertoire, as models for composition.
Corequisite: Must Pass MTC 107 with a C or Higher.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 141. Experiential Musicianship II. 3 Credit Hours.

Continuation of MTC 140, enlarging the study of tonal harmony and voice leading, covering harmony of the Classical period and sectional musical forms through small rondo and compound ternary, culminating in a large independent model-composition project for each student.
Corequisite: MTC 108.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 148. Electronic Music Ensemble. 1 Credit Hour.

An in-depth study and performance of electroacoustic music compositions.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 182. Composition Workshop. 1 Credit Hour.

Variety of composition concepts and problems are dealt with through assignments and projects with special emphasis on practical considerations.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 197. Studio Rhythm Section. 1 Credit Hour.

A performing ensemble of student-generated contemporary musical repertoire.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MTC 199. Ensemble Ibis for New Music. 1 Credit Hour.

Ensemble Ibis is the new music ensemble at the Frost School of Music which performs music of the late 20th and 21st centuries and performs 3 to 4 concerts per year.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 201. Composition III. 2 Credit Hours.

Principles of composition with special emphasis on stylistic considerations.
Prerequisite: MTC 102.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 202. Composition IV. 2 Credit Hours.

Continuation of MTC 201.
Prerequisite: MTC 201.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 207. Skills Lab III. 1 Credit Hour.

Chamber-music ensemble for intensive work on aural skills (trascription, sight- singing, sight-reading, etc.), analysis of literature excerpts in performance, and improvisation, with focus on tonal music of the Classical period and the nineteenth century.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 208. Skills Lab IV. 1 Credit Hour.

Chamber-music ensemble for intensive work on aural skills (transcription, sight -singing, sight-reading, etc.), analysis of literature excerpts in performance, and improvisation, with focus on selected music of the twentieth century.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 240. Experiential Musicianship III. 3 Credit Hours.

Continuation of MTC 141; study of advanced tonal harmony, voice leading, and larger musical forms, based primarily on music of the Classical period and the nineteenth century.
Pre or Corequisite: MTC 141.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 241. Experiential Musicianship IV. 3 Credit Hours.

Continuation of MTC 240; study of materials and techniques in composition of music from the early and middle twentieth century, based on works by Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Bartok, and other models.
Prerequisite: MTC 240.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 301. Composition V. 2 Credit Hours.

Individual compositional projects with an emphasis on smaller formal structure.
Prerequisite: MTC 202.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 302. Composition VI. 2 Credit Hours.

Individual compositional projects including all media with an emphasis on extended formal structures.
Prerequisite: MTC 301.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 311. Analysis and Experience. 3 Credit Hours.

Musical analysis and its relationship to listening and performance. An introduction to musical aesthetics is also included.
Prerequisite: MTC 241.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 312. 20th and 21st Century Techniques. 3 Credit Hours.

Analysis of twentieth century compositional resources. Topics include Impressionism, expanded tonal resources, Neo-classicism, serialism, post-serialism, aleatoric procedures, minimalism, and other recent trends.
Prerequisite: MTC 241.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 313. 18th Century Counterpoint. 3 Credit Hours.

Two-part keyboard counterpoint in the style of J. S. Bach, beginning with a modified species approach and including composition of dance-suite movements and inventions. Introduction to three-part writing is also included.
Prerequisite: MTC 240 Or MSJ 240.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 401. Composition VII. 2 Credit Hours.

Individual compositional projects including all media with an emphasis on advanced problems in composition.
Prerequisite: MTC 302.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 402. Composition VIII. 1 Credit Hour.

Advanced Composition. Continuation of MTC 401.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 416. Orchestration. 3 Credit Hours.

The uses and possibilities of orchestral instruments as well as scoring for various instrumental groups, including the symphony orchestra.
Prerequisite: MTC 240, or MSJ 240, or MMI 240.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 493. Special Projects in Music Theory and Composition. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area of expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Requisites: Undergrad Music Students Only and Dean's Approval and Signature.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MTC 494. Special Topics in Music Theory and Composition. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MTC 499. Senior Recital. 1 Credit Hour.

A public recital of original compositions required of all Music Composition majors.
Components: PRA.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MTC 501. The Aesthetics of Music. 3 Credit Hours.

Survey of thought and discourse about the nature, roles, values, experiences, a nd meanings of music. Variety of perspectives, including those of the listener, performer, and composer are addressed. Application to musical interpretation and criticism is included.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MTC 505. Analysis and History of Electroacoustic and Acousmatic Music. 2 Credit Hours.

Course examines electroacoustic and acousmatic music from both a historical/literature and analytical perspective. Analytical techniques with a focus on an ecological analysis approach will be conducted as well as a survey of electroacoustic, acousmatic, and digital music.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MTC 506. Digital Editing and Sequencing. 3 Credit Hours.

Computers as control devices for music synthesis and digital manipulation of pre-recorded sounds. Topics include interfacing sequencing software with software synthesizers, performance techniques, and sound design using samples.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 515. Choral Arranging. 3 Credit Hours.

Arranging for choir and vocal groups with and without instrumental accompaniment in all styles.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MTC 516. Advanced Orchestration. 3 Credit Hours.

Scoring for the symphonic orchestra with an emphasis on recent techniques.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 517. Analysis of Popular Music Since 1950. 3 Credit Hours.

Course examines popular music in the second half of the Twentieth Century from a music analytical perspective. Critical skills needed for this analysis are identified and developed. Analytical techniques for understanding the determination and utilization of musical elements and structures in contemporary popular music are applied. Various contemporary genres and some precursors are examined and particular stylistic determinants of their compositional and performance models are discussed.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MTC 518. Advanced Counterpoint. 3 Credit Hours.

Three-voice fugal writing in Bach's style, followed by compositional projects i n a variety of twentieth-century contrapuntal styles.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MTC 567. Electronic and Computer Music Seminar. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced techniques and applications in electronic and computer music. Topics may include electronic projects in composition, performance, research, programming, or other as approved by instructor.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.