Welcome to the Department of Music Studies which houses these areas of study:
- Music Education
- Music Composition
- Music History
- Music Theory
General Remarks for Music Education
See the Music Education program for information.
General Remarks for Music Composition, History, and Theory
The program in composition, music history, and theory aims to develop the aural skills needed by all musicians, to provide the necessary theoretical knowledge for the continuing study and performance of music, to build an understanding of music’s function in society, to develop an analytical and aesthetic understanding of music forms and styles and to foster the creative impulse in music.
Music Studies Programs:
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education (B.M.)
- Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.M.)
- Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition (B.M.) 1
- 1
This program has paused the admission of new students beginning in fall 2023. Students admitted prior to fall 2023 will follow this curriculum: http://catalog.rider.edu/archives/2021-2022/westminster-choir-college/undergraduate-programs/bm-music-theory-composition/
Undergraduate Music History Curriculum
Music history is concerned with why music matters to us both aesthetically and socially, what the past can teach us about ourselves, and how we arrive at our understandings of the past. It asks such questions as: why did this style or trend occur at this time? Why do we consider this composer to be more important than another composer? What social or political ideas are incorporated into this music? How can music communicate social or political ideas and change society for the better or the worse?
All undergraduates are required to take the two-semester Historiography sequence, Music Since 1900, and a music history elective at or above the 400 level. After completing the required courses, students will have:
- gained a working knowledge of the history of Western Art Music,
- acquired some exposure to music of several other music cultures,
- developed information literacy skills that will allow them to conduct further research in music history,
- improved their ability to read and critique academic writings and
- completed at least one major research project.
Undergraduate Music Theory Curriculum
Required musicianship courses, Contemporary Trends, and elective theory courses form the core of the undergraduate music theory curriculum. All baccalaureate candidates must elect a level I theory course; Bachelor of Music candidates also must elect a level II theory course. All theory electives are defined as level I or level II under course descriptions. Also see “Music Theory Electives” below.
Incoming undergraduates take placement tests and may be required to take Introduction to Musicianship before beginning the core sequence of studies in musicianship. Exemption from and credit for required college-level courses may be earned by passing examinations administered by the department. These examinations are intended for entering freshmen and transfer students only.
Incoming undergraduates who hold scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination in Music Theory will receive credit by examination for TH 141 Musicianship I. Students receiving credit for TH 141 are eligible to take a placement test to determine if credit by examination may be granted for additional theory courses.
Undergraduate Composition
- Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.M.) students may choose a Composition Studies Concentration.
- All students in majors outside of the B.A.M. major may choose to earn a Composition Studies Certificate.
- All interested students have the option to take elective applied composition lessons for an additional fee.
B.A.M. with Composition Studies Concentration: Undergraduate
The curriculum for the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.M.) major with a Composition Studies Concentration is designed to foster individual creative ability and to develop a broad and informed musicianship along with a knowledge of the literature of all periods. Students will take TH 237: Composition Class, and a selection of two courses chosen from: TH 253: Orchestration, TH 255: Song Writing, TH 259: Electroacoustic Music, and TH 424: Choral and Instrumental Arranging. Students also attend Department Forums and participate in Composition Concerts and other Department events. The department welcomes diversity of compositional styles and esthetic viewpoints and encourages exploration on the part of its students.
Composition Studies Certificate: Undergraduate
The certificate in composition studies is designed for students in majors outside of the B.A.M. major who wish to obtain skills in composition. Students will take TH 237: Composition Class, and a selection of two courses chosen from: TH 253: Orchestration, TH 255: Song Writing, TH 259: Electroacoustic Music, and TH 424: Choral and Instrumental Arranging.
B.A.M.: Undergraduate
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a liberal arts degree with a major in music. A broad foundation in liberal studies complements extensive studies in music. The curriculum is designed for students whose academic or career interests extend beyond music.
All students in the B.A.M. degree must select a concentration or a minor. Typically this selection is made no later than the end of the sophomore year. Students are encouraged to make this decision earlier, if possible, as the date of the decision may affect progress towards a timely graduation. The declaration is made through the Registrar’s office.
Students may choose from any concentration or minor approved by Rider University. Concentrations are offered in specialized areas of music and require 9-10 credits. Minors are offered in most disciplines of the university and require 18-21 credits. Courses taken to fulfill Arts and Sciences core requirements may be used to complete minor requirements. Information about minors may be found on the university website (www.rider.edu/academics/majors-minors-programs).
Composition Primary: Graduate
Graduate students majoring in Sacred Music or Music Education may be admitted with a composition primary. Such a student must complete three semesters of Composition Primary and must present a composition recital as a conductor, accompanist, soloist, or ensemble performer. For Sacred Music majors, the composition recital is distinct from the required conducting recital.
Music History Elective
The Music History elective (MH 433, MH 733, MH 635, or MH 734) is an in-depth exploration of a single topic (e.g., a composer, a genre, a country). Topics will vary from year to year. Generally, offerings include at least one course in Western Art Music before 1800, one course in Western Art Music since 1800, one course in Asian, Latin American or African music, and one course in Popular Music (broadly defined) on a regular basis. The goal of the elective is not only to teach students about the specific topic of the course, but also to develop students’ research skills so that they can teach themselves about any topic in music history in the future. The Music History elective includes a significant research paper (2000+ words at the 400 level; 3000+ words at the 600 or 700 level).
Music Theory Electives
Elective courses provide students with opportunities to apply their skills to specific areas of inquiry after satisfying specific prerequisites. The core requirements for Bachelor of Music students include two music theory electives. Bachelor of Music students may meet the theory requirement by taking one level I elective (preferably after completing TH 142 and before taking TH 241) and one level II elective, or else by taking two level II electives.
Level I theory electives include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TH 237 | Composition Class | 3 |
| TH 251 | Analytical Studies I | 3 |
| TH 253 | Orchestration | 3 |
| TH 255 | Song Writing | 3 |
| TH 259 | Electroacoustic Music | 3 |
Level II theory electives include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TH 424 | Choral and Instrumental Arranging | 3 |
| TH 431 | Form and Analysis | 3 |
| TH 432 | Contrapuntal Techniques | 3 |
| TH 433 | Special Topics in Theory | 3 |
| TH 452 | Analytical Studies II | 3 |
| TH 550 | Keyboard Harmony | 3 |
Music Computing Center
Westminster maintains a music computing facility in which students can compose, orchestrate, and print their compositions in publishable quality using computers interfaced with sampler/synthesizers as well as sequencing and music printing software.
Faculty
Sharon Mirchandani (chair) • Professor, Music History/Theory, 1997. B.M., Bowling Green State University; M.M., Temple University; Ph.D., Rutgers University.
Christian Carey • Associate Professor, Theory/Composition/Music History, 2004. B.M., Juilliard; M.M., Boston University; Ph.D., Rutgers University.
Ronald A. Hemmel • Emeritus Professor, Theory/Composition. B.M., Westminster Choir College; M.M., James Madison University; M.Phil., Ph.D., Rutgers University.
Jay Kawarsky • Emeritus Professor, Theory/Composition, 1989. B.M.E., Iowa State University; M.M., D.M., Northwestern University.
Anthony Kosar • Professor, Theory, 1984. B.M., West Liberty State College; M.M., Southern Illinois University; Ph.D., The Ohio State University.
Joel Phillips • Emeritus Professor, Theory/Composition, 1985. M.M., Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; B.M., D.M.A., University of Alabama.
Stefan Young • Emeritus Professor, Theory/Composition, 1979. B.M., Rollins College; M.M., The Juilliard School; Ph.D., Rutgers University.