Music Theory Minor (B.Mus.) (18 credits)
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Bachelor of Music
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
The Minor in Music Theory is available to all students, with the exception of students in the Major Theory, subject to approval of the Schulich School of Music. This Minor will take the place of free electives in Music programs.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
18 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUCO 575 | Topics in Composition. | 3 |
Topics in Composition. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Pitch systems, harmonic concepts and compositional techniques from the late 19th Century to the present. | ||
| MUJZ 260 | Jazz Arranging 1. | 3 |
Jazz Arranging 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to concepts and techniques commonly used in jazz arranging. Notation, calligraphy and score preparation are discussed; including study of classical and contemporary scores by prominent jazz arrangers. | ||
| MUJZ 261 | Jazz Arranging 2. | 3 |
Jazz Arranging 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Consolidation of knowledge of basic concepts and techniques used in jazz arranging. | ||
| MUMT 250 | Music Perception and Cognition. | 3 |
Music Perception and Cognition. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic processes by which the brain transforms sound waves into musical events, dimensions, systems and structures and the processes by which musicians imagine new musical sounds and structures and plan movements that produce music on instruments. | ||
| MUTH 202 | Modal Counterpoint 1. | 3 |
Modal Counterpoint 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Polyphonic techniques of the Renaissance period studied through analysis of works by Palestrina and others and through written exercises in two to three voices. | ||
| MUTH 204 | Tonal Counterpoint 1. | 3 |
Tonal Counterpoint 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The contrapuntal techniques of Baroque composers studied through detailed technical analysis of their works and through written exercises in strict style. | ||
| MUTH 251 | Theory and Analysis 4. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Expanded harmonic resources of the 19th century (e.g., advanced chromaticism including enharmonic reinterpretation and symmetrical division). Analysis of characteristic small and large forms. Writing and analytical skills with a goal toward perceiving how levels of musical structure interact. | ||
| MUTH 302 | Modal Counterpoint 2. | 3 |
Modal Counterpoint 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continuation of Modal Counterpoint I. Study of more advanced techniques through further analysis and written exercises in three or more voices. | ||
| MUTH 304 | Tonal Counterpoint 2. | 3 |
Tonal Counterpoint 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Further analysis and written exercises with special emphasis on fugal techniques in free style. | ||
| MUTH 321 | Topics in Tonal Analysis. | 3 |
Topics in Tonal Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in advanced analysis of tonal music. | ||
| MUTH 322 | Topics in Post-Tonal Analysis. | 3 |
Topics in Post-Tonal Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Topics in advanced analysis of post-tonal music. | ||
| MUTH 350 | Theory and Analysis 5. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 5. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Exploration of 20th and 21st century organizations of pitch, rhythm, timbre etc. Written and analytical skills for the purpose of gaining insight into the compositional techniques and aesthetics of this repertoire. | ||
| MUTH 426 | Topics in Early Music Analysis. | 3 |
Topics in Early Music Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Music from before 1700 is analyzed using recently developed techniques as well as materials gathered from treatises contemporaneous with the music. The implications of analysis for performance are considered. | ||
| MUTH 526 | Methods in Tonal Theory and Analysis. | 3 |
Methods in Tonal Theory and Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theoretical topics and analytical applications in tonal music. Topics include some of the following: reduction, prolongation, voice-leading/linear models,motive/Grundgestalt, schema, partimento, and phrase rhythm/hypermeter. | ||
| MUTH 528 | Schenkerian Theory and Analysis. | 3 |
Schenkerian Theory and Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the principles and graphing techniques of Schenkerian theory, analysis of tonal works from 1700-1900, and study of prolongational techniques in relation to formal types. | ||
| MUTH 529 | Proseminar in Music Theory. | 3 |
Proseminar in Music Theory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the discipline of music theory, including modern music theory and analysis. | ||
| MUTH 538 | Mathematical Models for Musical Analysis. | 3 |
Mathematical Models for Musical Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theoretical topics and analytical applications selected from the following: serial theory, atonal set theory, contour theory, similarity metrics, transformational networks, elementary group theory and generalized interval systems, neo-Riemannian theory, atonal voice-leading and geometry, scale theory, models of tuning and temperament and information theory. | ||
| MUTH 539 | Topics in Advanced Writing Techniques. | 3 |
Topics in Advanced Writing Techniques. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced writing skills, including intensive four-part harmonization, advanced harmonic vocabulary and syntax, post-tonal counterpoint. | ||
| MUTH 541 | Topics in Popular Music Analysis. | 3 |
Topics in Popular Music Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Different approaches to the analysis of popular music. Issues of transcription, notation, analytical pertinence, aesthetics, hermeneutics, and semiotics will be explored through transcription exercises, readings, and analysis of selected recordings. | ||