This seminar explores various theories and techniques pertaining to analytical interpretation of 20th and 21st-century art music. We will consider contemporary theories for analyzing pitch structure, form, and the narrative aspects of music, and investigate the extent to which such conceptual and analytical criteria inform our interpretation as listeners and performers. The goals of this seminar are to develop skills applicable to a wide variety of repertoires, as well as develop verbal, written and critical skills in analysis. Seminar participants are responsible for weekly reading and five analytic assignments, contributing to class discussions, a brief research/analytical paper, and a class presentation on the topic of the final paper. Topics change with the interests of the cohort; this year they will encompass voice-leading parsimony, scale network theory, transformational theory, neo-Riemannian theory, approaches to post-bop jazz, approaches to microtonal music, and topic theory. We will meet once a week for a three-hour zoom session, with breakout ad hoc sessions as needed. The five analytic assignments will be delivered via Canvas, but all support materials (reading, listening, etc.) are located here.

Assignments (5 x 8; 45%); Class Presentation (15%); Class participation (10%); Final Paper (30%).