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Music Theory, Composition, and Technology

Music Theory

All music majors take a series of "music core" classes designed to strengthen their fluency in reading, writing, performing, describing, and most importantly imagining music.  Among these courses are a four-semester sequence in aural skills, Sight Singing and Ear Training I-IV.  All students also receive a rigorous training in traditional harmony in Music Theory I, II, and III, and an overview of twentieth century compositional techniques in Music Theory IV.  Performance majors continue their theoretical studies with courses in Counterpoint and Form and Analysis.

Composition

Music majors who have completed music theory I-IV can enroll in Directed Study in Composition, for the study of contemporary composition privately with Profs Scott Harris or Bruce Fithian.  Specialized courses in orchestration and jazz arranging are offered.  Performance opportunities for student compositions are abundant, and major ensembles in the department are eager to read through and program student works.

Music Technology

All music students benefit from the Center for Music Technology currently located in a spacious new room on the first floor of Corthell Hall. Work stations for digital audio recording and editing, MIDI sequencing, music notation, CD and CD-ROM creation, music CAI, internet research, and other applications are currently in place, and will be supplemented over the next year with state-of-the-art software and hardware.  A portable computer unit is available for the use of Smart Music Studio by performers.

The "Topics in Music Technology" course has been developed for students who want an intensive study of some aspect of music technology. Faculty and students alike are producing CD recordings of concerts, compressing audio for web presentations, creating pedagogical software packages, creating and notating music compositions, and demonstrating commercial software.  Most music theory projects incorporate some aspect of music technology.

University of Southern Maine Theory/Composition/Technology Faculty

Adam Ayan, Music Technology

Scott Harris, Music Theory, Ear Training, Composition

Bruce Fithian, Composition, Voice

Alan Kaschub, Music Theory, Ear Training

Joseph Packales, Orchestration, Theory, and World Music