Theory & Composition at SCE
Lyle Davidson, Department Chair
Paul Burdick
Martin F. Gardiner
Margaret McAllister
Stephen Savage
Shane Simpson
Doug Amos
Jazz Theory and History Faculty
Eyran Katsenelenbogen
Rick McLaughlin
Joel Yennior
Click here for Jazz Theory and History course listings.
Certificate Programs
A Certificate of Merit and a Professional Studies Certificate are available in music theory and composition. Check out our Certificates page for more information.
Private Instruction
Students wishing to broaden their musical training whether general or expert can do so through private instruction. Private classical and jazz instruction is offered by highly qualified and experienced faculty. Lessons range from 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Theoretical studies include sight-singing, ear training, form and analysis, 16th-and 18th-century counterpoint, tonal composition, 20th-century idioms, orchestration, and jazz theory and arranging. Lessons are open to everyone and you can enroll at anytime. Placement is made by the SCE Director.
Theory Program
The theory program is designed to provide the highly motivated adult student with instruction in the areas of rhythmic and melodic sight-singing, keyboard skills, and basic theoretical concepts. Ear-training is emphasized at all levels. Class presentations also provide historical context through musical examples and videos.
Classes
Music Theory & Literacy I
Shane Simpson, Instructor
Mon 6:30-8:30 pm
2 credits: $1500
Non-credit: $990
FALL SEMESTER ONLY
Required of all Certificate students. The practice of harmonic and melodic intervals; rhythmic performance and dictation in simple and compound meters; reading of treble and bass clefs using fixed-do solfège and oneline melodic dictation; the study of triads and inversions, introduction to voice leading, with an emphasis on the harmonic style of music from the 18th century.
Music Theory & Literacy II
Shane Simpson, Instructor
Mon 6:30-8:30 pm
2 credits: $1500
Non-credit: $990
SPRING SEMESTER ONLY
Required of all Certificate students. A sequential continuation of Advanced Theory I, the emphasis will be placed on a study of voice leading; harmonic analysis; the harmonization of bass lines and soprano melodies, employing a variety of diatonic triads, seventh chords and non-chord tones; recognition and labeling of periodic phrase structures, with an emphasis on the harmonic style of music from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Prerequisite is Advanced Theory I.
Music Theory & Literacy III
Shane Simpson, Instructor
Wed 6:30-8:30 pm
2 credits: $1500
Non-credit: $990
FALL SEMESTER ONLY
Required of all Certificate students. A sequential continuation of Advanced Theory II. It will continue from the topics related to the cadential seventh chord and its role in the musical form of the classical period to the expansion of tonality through chromaticism in the romantic period. This course incorporates the study of harmonic tonal procedures, musical analysis of selected pieces and the acquisition of the practical and theoretical skills needed to comprehend, perform and write short compositions using the idioms of the 18th and early 19th century. The study of modulation, altered chords and forms will be reinforced with dictation using seventh chords and sight reading using treble, alto and bass clefs. Prerequisite is AdvancedTheory II.
Music Theory & Literacy IV
Doug Amos, Instructor
Wed 6:30-8:30 pm
2 credits: $1500
Non-credit: $990
SPRING SEMESTER ONLY
Required of all Certificate students. A sequential continuation of Advanced Theory III. This semester will conclude with an introduction to 20th century harmony and the acquisition of the practical and theoretical skills needed to comprehend and perform that music. It will start from the topics of enharmonic modulation through augmented sixth and diminished seventh chords and its role in the further expansion of tonality in the music of late romanticism. The study will be reinforced with dictation using rhythms with changing time signatures and complex subdivisions, and sightreading using soprano, alto, and tenor clefs.
Introduction to Composition I
Stephen Savage, Instructor
Saturday 2:00-3:00 pm
1 credit: $750 per semester
Non-credit: $495 per semester
FALL SEMESTER ONLY
Beginning composition students are encouraged to realize their musical conceptions. Basic concepts introduced include pitch and scale organization, meter, rhythm, interval, chord, tone color, motive, phrase, melody and texture. Rudiments of counterpoint, harmony, instrumentation and standard forms are considered, with emphasis on the balance between repetition and contrast. Specific exercises are given, but students are also encouraged to write freely and to develop a style of their own.
Compositions are performed in class when possible. Prerequisite: some basic knowledge of standard music notation and a desire to compose.
Introduction to Composition II
Stephen Savage, Instructor
Saturday 1:00-2:00 pm
1 credit: $750 per semester
Non-credit: $495 per semester
Intermediate composition students are encouraged to realize their musical conceptions. Topics from Introduction To Composition semester 1 are reviewed, and in addition chromatic and non-triadic harmony, contrapuntal techniques such as double and triple invertibility, larger forms, and various 20th century developments are explored. Specific exercises are given, but students are also encouraged to write freely and to develop a style of their own. Compositions are performed in class when possible.
Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction To Composition 1, or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite is Advanced Music Theory III or permission of the instructor.
The Art of Musical Sightreading
Martin F. Gardiner, Instructor
OFFERED AS PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS. Private lesson rates apply.
This course is especially for singers or instrumentalists who know basic notation and wish to become more fluid at reading music they wish to explore or prepare to perform. But all who wish to better understand languages of music and how to read them are welcome. When reading verbal language we expect to not only translate symbols for letters and words, but to immediately interact with verbal meaning that these symbols can convey. Our goal in this course is similar: to develop skills at reading musical notation in ways that immediately go beyond translating notational symbols simply into sounds, but instead reach for higher structures of musical meaning. We will read music of different historical periods and of different composers to develop capabilities in understanding how musical languages work and how they may be read. Practice at home is expected of those who wish to improve their reading fluidity, there will be group reading, and opportunities for individual reading work in class for those who wish it.
Modal Counterpoint
Margaret McAllister, Instructor
Offered as private instruction. Private lesson rates apply.
A study of 16th-century species counterpoint in two voices and an introduction to 18th-century counterpoint and canon and fugue in three voices. Representative musical examples by Palestrina and Bach will be studied; the last class is a one-hour exam. Text: Johann Fux, Gradus ad Parnassum. Prerequisite: Theory I or permission of the instructor.
Eighteenth-Century Tonal Counterpoint
Margaret McAllister, Instructor
Offered as private instruction. Private lesson rates apply.
A study of the basic elements of canon and fugue and the tonal harmony that gives direction and articulation to these types of polyphony. Representative examples will be drawn from J.S. Bach’s Musical Offering, Goldberg Variations, and The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Composition Seminar
Bert van Herck, Instructor
Wed 6:00-8:00 pm
2 credits: $1500
Non-credit: $990
Required of all Composition Certificate students. This course involves itself with creating intensive collaborations between composers and conservatory performers. The coursework is project based. Projects are focused on composing for specific instrumental combinations, differing from semester to semester. Studies in orchestration and score study of repertory pieces will help composers develop their craft for writing for the selected performer combination. The class will predominantly be run like a group composition lesson where students present ongoing work for the chosen ensemble to each other. At various times throughout the semester meetings will be held with performers who will workshop works-in-progress. The course will culminate in a final performance and recording of finished work. This course fulfills the ensemble requirement for certificate composition students.