Music Theory & Composition | Lawrence University

Students majoring in theory/composition at Lawrence reap the benefits of a comprehensive course of study that blends these two interrelated disciplines. Intensive coursework in tonal harmony, twentieth-century techniques, counterpoint, form, and analysis complements private lessons in composition, small seminars in orchestration, and frequent colloquia which provide opportunities to share ideas, present works in progress, and discuss a range of technical and aesthetic issues in contemporary music. Once a year, the studio convenes at Björklunden, the university’s residential retreat center in Door County, for an informal weekend of music making, collegiality–and excellent food!

In addition to the regular degree program in theory/composition, the department offers a jazz-emphasis track for students interested in jazz composition. Other possible courses of study include student-designed majors; in recent years, Lawrence students have designed majors in musical theatre, film scoring, and music theory/history.

Theory/composition students enjoy frequent contact with internationally known composers and music theorists; in recent years, Lawrence has hosted such luminaries as composers Samuel Adler, Philip Glass, Gunther Schuller, Michael Torke, Joan Tower, Augusta Read Thomas, Chen Yi, Scott Lindroth, Maria Schneider, and Rodney Rogers; theorists Allen Winold and Janet Schmalfeldt, and composer/theorist Fred Lerdahl. Students also gain first-hand professional experience by participating in regional scholarly societies like Music Theory Midwest, whose annual conference Lawrence hosted in May 2000.

Theory and Composition for Non-Majors

The Department of Theory/Composition also offers a number of courses that serve the needs and interests of non-music majors and of conservatory students majoring in other areas, such as performance or music education. In addition to private and class instruction in composition and music theory for non-majors, the department oversees the core music theory curriculum required of all music majors (First- and Second-year Theory and Analysis) and offers a number of upper-level theory and composition electives.

After Lawrence

Lawrence graduates in theory/composition go on to become composers, arrangers, scholars, and educators. Distinguished alumni/ae include Fred Lerdahl, Fritz Reiner Professor of Music Composition at Columbia University, and Janet Schmalfeldt, Professor of Music at Tufts University. Some recent graduates are listed below:

Jason Hoogerhyde, C '91, completed the M.Mus. in Composition at Boston University, where he studied with Lukas Foss, and the D.M.A. in Composition at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati, where his principal teacher was Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. From 1999-2004, Jason served his alma mater as a lecturer in Music Theory and Composition. He is currently Assistant Professor of Music at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
Scott Spiegelberg, C '93, received the Ph.D. in music theory from the Eastman School of Music and is now Assistant Professor of Music at the DePauw University School of Music. His current research is in the psychoacoustics of musical articulation. While at Lawrence, Scott completed a double degree, receiving the B.Mus. in Trumpet Performance and the B.A. in Chemistry.
Brooke Joyce, C '95, received the M.Mus. degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and is currently a doctoral candidate in composition at Princeton University. At Lawrence, Brooke's senior thesis for the B.Mus. degree was an opera composed to a libretto by Professor Fred Gaines of the Department of Theatre and Drama. Brooke's interest in music for the theater continues, and he recently collaborated on a chamber opera, An Imaginary Line, based on the book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.
Javier Arau, C '97, is currently pursuing the M.Mus. degree in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. At Lawrence, Javier was a double degree student, receiving the B.Mus. in music theory/composition and the B.A. in economics. Javier completed both the regular and jazz-emphasis majors in composition, in addition to being an award-winning saxophonist. Currently based in New York City, Javier is active internationally as a free-lance performer, composer and clinician.
Stephen Rodgers, BA '98, was awarded a prestigious Mellon Fellowship to pursue the Ph.D. in Music Theory at Yale University, where he is currently completing his dissertation, a study of the metaphorical relationship between musical form and literary program in the music of Berlioz. At Lawrence, Steve completed a double major in Music and English; during his senior year, he was invited to read his paper "'This Body that Beats:' Roland Barthes on Robert Schumann's Kreisleriana" at the annual meeting of Music Theory Midwest held at the University of Louisville.
Zachariah Victor, '99, is a doctoral candidate in musicology at Yale University, where he is completing a dissertation entitled "An Interdisciplinary Study of Vocal Genres and the Pastoral in the Music of Alessandro Scarlatti, 1693-1707."
René Rusch, C '00, is pursuing graduate studies in music theory at the University of Michigan. At Lawrence, René completed the B.Mus. in piano performance, in which she also pursued secondary interests in music theory and jazz.
Michael Trinastic, C '02, is currently pursuing the Ph.D. in music composition at Duke University.
Cara Gruber, C '02, is currently pursuing the Ph.D. in musicology at Yale University. Cara graduated from Lawrence with a degree in piano performance.