MUS 314/714 Contemporary Music Theory Techniques
University of South Dakota
Dr. Nolan Stolz

contact your instructor at Nolan.Stolz@usd.edu

Download the class syllabus HERE

Topics Schedule (exact days subject to change)
1/13 Syllabus; Review of 19th c. harmony
1/17 More 19th c. Review: Chromatic Mediants, Dominant 7th chords respelled
1/19 The Twilight of the Tonal System, more on CM, Mm7 chords and other chromaticism
1/24 Scale formations (Chp. 2)
1/26 Chp. 2, cont.
1/31 Vertical Dimension (Chp. 3)
2/2 Chp. 3, cont.
H/W for 2/7: Compose an 8-measure work for solo instrument and piano using 2 of each of the 9 chord types discussed in the chapter. Circle the chord, label the type, and give it a chord name if possible.
2/7 As more than half of you will be on the band tour, no class meeting.
Homework will be due at 2pm. Leave it at my door at 6am before you leave.
2/9 Horizontal Dimension
H/W for 2/14: Part B nos. 1, 2 and 4. Also, analyze an excerpt (of your choosing) from the electric guitar concerto.
2/12 (Sunday) at 1pm: Stolz's electric concerto (Aalfs)
2/14 Harmonic Progression and Tonality (Chp. 5)
2/16 Composer Michael-Thomas Foumai will talk about his music (3-415)
2/21 Non-serial atonality (Chp. 9)
2/23 (No class due to the required attendance at 2/12 concert)
2/28 Chp. 9, cont.
3/1 Chp. 9, cont.
SPRING BREAK
3/13 Midterm Review (in groups)
3/25 Jazz Festival
3/20 Midterm
3/22 Classical Serialism (Chp. 10)
H/W for 3/27: Write a 12-tone row (make it sound atonal), and create a matrix (see the example in the book). Do #1 on pg. 207
3/27 Classical Serialism, cont.
H/W for 3/29: nos. 2-5 on pg. 208 and no.3 on 209
3/29 Developments in Rhythm (Chp. 6) Timbre and Texture: Acoustic (Chp. 11)
Write a duet for you and one other person using serial techniques, 20th c. rhythmic techniques, and common and extended techniques which explore timbre. Bring in scores on 4/3
4/3 Chapter 6 and 11, cont.
4/5 Rehearsal of group projects (40 minutes on each piece)
4/10 Performance of group projects; Timbre and Texture: Electronic (Chp. 12)
4/12 20th c. overview (art and music)
4/17 Serialism after 1945 (chp. 13)
4/19 Progressive rock music (readings on reserve in library)
4/20 USD Orchestra with progressive rock group Kansas
4/24 Chance Music (Chp. 14)
4/26 Minimalism and Beyond (Chp. 15)