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Master鈥檚 degree in music theory

The CU Boulder master鈥檚 degree in music theory provides students with the opportunity to engage in deep analytical and interpretive study of music in dialogue with performance, musicology, cognitive science, pedagogy, new media and other fields. The degree equips students for theory teaching and original research and prepares them for advanced doctoral study. Students benefit from the vibrant and collegial environment of the College of Music with access to elective courses in performance, composition, musicology, music education, music entrepreneurship, musician鈥檚 wellness and other fields.

Master of Music in Theory degree requirements

Opportunities for TAships

The College of Music offers merit-based aid听in the forms of scholarships and teaching assistantships in music theory.听Teaching Assistants (TAs) perform various essential duties, including听teaching courses related to the undergraduate theory core and in music technology.

  • Students applying for the theory assistantship must complete听this online application听to be considered. Learn more about applying听for the master鈥檚 in music theory degree.

  • An in-person interview is highly recommended for those applying for a theory TAship. The interview will include sight-singing, demonstration of keyboard skills (harmonic progressions, simple keyboard textures, etc.), as well as discussion of the applicant鈥檚 theory and teaching background.听To schedule an interview, contact Music Theory Chair听Yonatan Malin,听yonatan.malin@gmail.com.

Graduate assistantships + scholarships

Theory placement criteria

All incoming first-year music majors who begin in a fall semester are required to take the theory diagnostic in the summer prior. The assessment takes about an hour and comprises written theory and aural skills portions. Topics include key signatures, scales, intervals, triads and seventh chords, rhythm and meter, Roman numerals听and melodic and harmonic dictation. Students are not expected to know all this information: The diagnostic assesses students鈥� current familiarity and facility with theory fundamentals. From the results, we can appropriately place students in first or second-semester theory courses. Students can prepare for the assessment by studying a fundamentals text or website (some of which include aural skills lessons and reinforcement). See the lists below for suggestions.

Advanced placement music theory students

Students who earn a composite score of 4 for AP Music Theory are generally exempt from first-semester theory core courses. Those with a score of 5 are generally exempt from the entire first year of the theory core. These students are still required to take the theory diagnostic so that we can confirm their knowledge and skill levels.

Websites

Self-study textbooks

Note: Edition numbers are not especially significant because this topic does not change much.
听
  1. 鈥淪cales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm听and Meter鈥� by John Clough and Joyce Conley, published by Norton
  2. 鈥淏asic Materials in Music Theory: A Programmed Approach鈥� by Greg Steinke and Paul Harder, currently published by Pearson
  3. 鈥淎 Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals鈥� by William Duckworth, currently published by Schirmer