Courses and Descriptions
TH 001R Student Recital 0 Credits
25 Minute Student Recital.
TH 002R Student Recital 0 Credits
45-60 Minute Student Recital.
TH 045 Introduction to Musicianship 4 Credits
Integration of the basic elements of music, scales, intervals, key signatures, triads and rhythmic notation with the practical skills of sight singing, rhythmic reading, keyboard harmony and dictation. Both the theoretical and the practical portion must be passed individually in order to receive a passing grade; 0 credits toward graduation, counts as 4 credits in the semester load.
TH 100 Topics in Music Theory 3 Credits
The topic of courses carrying this number will vary with the special interests and qualifications of the instructors teaching them. They are meant to be at an introductory level, open to all Rider University students. Possible topics include music and social causes or distinct perspectives, or specific creative techniques in music such as songwriting for beginners.
TH 141 Musicianship I 4 Credits
This course assists students in learning and integrating aural, performance, analytical and composition skills involving diatonic melody and harmony. Both the theoretical and the practical portion must be passed individually in order to receive a passing grade.
Prerequisite(s): TH 045 or passing a placement test.
TH 142 Musicianship II 4 Credits
A continuation of TH 141 involving chromatic melody and harmony with an introduction to binary and ternary form.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 141.
TH 168A Applied Composition 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
TH 168B Applied Composition 1 Credits
Half-hour, 1-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
TH 168C Applied Composition 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit elective lesson. Not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
TH 168D Applied Composition 1 Credits
Half-hour, 1-credit elective lesson. Not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
TH 168E Applied Composition 2 Credits
Part-time students: One-hour, 2-credit required or elective lesson – fee charged per semester.
TH 168F Applied Composition 1 Credits
Part-time students: Half-hour, 1-credit required or elective lesson – fee charged per semester.
TH 168G Applied Composition 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit required/elective lesson. Half-hour is required and is included in tuition. The second half-hour is elective and is not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
TH 237 Composition Class 3 Credits
Class instruction in original composition. May be taken as a level I elective.
Prerequisite(s): For non Theory/Composition majors only, minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 241 Musicianship III 4 Credits
A continuation of TH 142 with an introduction to larger musical forms and counterpoint.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 251 Analytical Studies I 3 Credits
An in-depth analytical study of a select body of tonal music to be determined by the instructor. The music, which will contain only the harmonic vocabulary and formal structures studied in TH 141 and TH 142, may vary each time the course is offered. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 253 Orchestration 3 Credits
A study of the orchestra and its individual instruments from the standpoints of the composer, arranger and conductor. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 255 Song Writing 3 Credits
Solo vocal composition in various styles. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 259 Electroacoustic Music 3 Credits
An introduction to the history and literature of electroacoustic music emphasizing hands-on creative opportunities in sequencing and digital sound processing. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 342 Contemporary Trends 3 Credits
An analytical study of the compositional techniques of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Prerequisite(s): TH 241.
TH 424 Choral and Instrumental Arranging 3 Credits
Arranging for various ensembles of voices and instruments. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): TH 241.
TH 431 Form and Analysis 3 Credits
Study of the compositional process as observed in selected examples of music literature, predominantly from the tonal repertoire. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 241.
TH 432 Contrapuntal Techniques 3 Credits
18th century counterpoint with an emphasis on analysis and writing of original compositions. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 241.
TH 433 Special Topics in Theory 3 Credits
The content of the course carrying this number will vary with the special interests and qualifications of the professor teaching it. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 241.
TH 452 Analytical Studies II 3 Credits
An in-depth analytical study of a select body of tonal music to be determined by the instructor. The music, which will contain a more advanced harmonic vocabulary and larger formal structures than the music studied in TH 251, may vary each time the course is offered. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): TH 241 with a minimum grade of C-.
TH 480 Senior Project 3 Credits
Independent study in theory or composition resulting in either a paper comparable to a substantial journal article or a composition in one of the larger forms.
Prerequisite(s): Five semesters of private composition study.
TH 490 Independent Research and Study 1-4 Credits
Students may pursue a special topic for which they have prepared through prior course work. Only one project may be scheduled in a semester. The project may involve 1-4 credit hours. Students may count up to a maximum of 18 independent study hours toward graduation. Approval of the faculty sponsor, department chair, and dean required prior to the first day of the semester in which the project is to be completed. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.
Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
TH 511 New Music Ensemble 1 Credits
This course provides an opportunity to perform new music, primarily works of fellow students. It will also provide instrumentalists an opportunity to develop their performance skills more fully.
TH 512 Chinese Music Ensemble 1 Credits
This course provides an opportunity to learn a Chinese instrument and to perform on it in an ensemble setting. Students will learn musical styles from different parts of China and the Chinese Diaspora.
TH 550 Keyboard Harmony 3 Credits
An intense exploration of and drill in musicianship-keyboard skills, including score reading, transposition, modulation, clef reading, figured bass realization, harmonizing melodies, improvising and lead sheet accompanying. Projects may include transposition of a number of songs (perhaps a complete set) into all keys, figured bass realization for a Bach cantata, improvisation of service music (prelude, offertory, interludes, chorale preludes, postlude), multiple re-harmonizations of hymns/chorales for a service and score reduction and performance of a movement of an orchestral work. May be taken as an undergraduate level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate, minimum "C-" grade in TH 241; Graduate, Removal of all theory deficiencies.
TH 608 Graduate Musicianship Review 4 Credits
Required for graduate students admitted with deficiencies in musicianship as determined by the graduate placement test in musicianship. This course assists students in learning and integrating aural, performance, analytical and composition skills. Both the theoretical and the practical portion must be passed individually in order to receive a passing grade. It is strongly recommended that this course be taken at the outset of graduate study.
TH 622 Electroacoustic Music 3 Credits
Advanced opportunities for creative activities utilizing the resources of Westminster’s Music Computing Center. Previous experience with sequencers and/or digital audio is expected.
Prerequisite(s): Removal of all music theory deficiencies.
TH 623 Seminar in Music Theory 3 Credits
The content of the course bearing this number will vary with the special interests and qualifications of the professor teaching it.
Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate, minimum "C-" grade in TH 241 and permission of instructor, or graduate student standing and removal of all music theory deficiencies.
TH 625 Composition 3 Credits
Class instruction in original composition. Projects and presentations.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing and removal of all music theory deficiencies.
TH 645A Composition Primary 3 Credits
TH 645C Composition Elective 2 Credits
TH 645D Composition Elective 1 Credits
TH 645E Composition Primary 3 Credits
TH 645F Composition Primary 1 Credits
TH 655 Composition Project 3 Credits
Graduate-level private study in composition culminating in a major composition in one of the larger forms.
Prerequisite(s): three semesters of TH 645.
TH 690 Independent Research and Study 1-3 Credits
Students may pursue a special topic for which they have prepared through prior course work. Only one project may be scheduled in a semester. The project may involve 1-3 credit hours. Approval of the faculty sponsor, department chair, and dean required prior to the first day of the semester in which the project is to be completed. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.
Prerequisite(s): graduate standing.
TH 726 Analysis 3 Credits
A study of the compositional process as observed in selected tonal works, using the analytical approach of Heinrich Schenker.
Prerequisite(s): Removal of all music theory deficiencies.