Music Theory - University of Houston
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Moores School of Music

Music Theory Division

Dr. Tim Koozin

Timothy Koozin
Professor of Music Theory
Coordinator of Music Theory  
E-mail: tkoozin@uh.edu
Phone: 713-743-3318
Office: MSM 148  

Welcome to Music Theory at the UH Moores School of Music! Qualified graduate music students in all degree programs are encouraged to apply for the Music Theory Teaching Assistantships awarded each academic year. Our MM Music Theory graduates have consistently garnered admission to high-level graduate programs, published research, and successfully pursued academic careers. 

Please explore the links below or download our brochure to learn more about our programs and distinguished faculty.

 

Academic Programs

Under the guidance of our highly respected faculty, music theory majors receive instruction in music theory research and teaching pedagogy. Graduate students have the opportunity to hone their pedagogical skills through the many teaching assistantships available, and all degree programs culminate in the creation of a thesis document. As part of our commitment to presenting the most current research trends, we annually invite nationally known scholars to speak on campus through the Martha Suit Hallman Lecture Series. Our graduates have consistently garnered admission to high-level graduate programs, careers in academia and have published research.

  • Bachelor of Music

    The Bachelor of Music in music theory emphasizes aural skills, music analysis across a diverse range of musical repertoires, and writing. Incoming music students take a diagnostic exam to determine which courses will best meet the needs of the student. In order to be fully admitted to the music theory major, students must complete all freshman- and sophomore-level theory and aural skills courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Please refer to UHin4 for academic maps. 

  • Minor in Music Theory

    The minor in music theory curriculum emphasizes aural skills, music analysis across a diverse range of musical repertoires, and writing. All incoming music students take a music theory diagnostic exam to determine which courses in the music theory core program will best meet the needs of the student.

  • Master of Music

    The Master of Music in music theory is a scholarly degree providing a foundation in both research and pedagogy and culminating in a master’s thesis. Students research a broad range of issues, musical repertoires, and approaches. It bridges the gap between undergraduate and Ph.D. programs, and prepares students for success in doctoral studies as well as in careers as professors and scholars. Degree candidates generally also hold a music theory teaching assistantship, gaining experience teaching under the guidance of a faculty mentor.  Interviews for the MM in music theory program are held on all audition days.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students at all levels of study who demonstrate outstanding accomplishment and promise. For nonresident students, merit-based scholarships may make a student eligible to receive a tuition waiver resulting in Texas resident tuition rate. A variety of teaching assistantships is available for qualified graduate students. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

For qualified students, these positions grant valuable professional experience teaching classes in the core undergraduate music theory program under the guidance of a faculty mentor. All graduate teaching assistants receive a stipend and scholarship. For nonresident students, merit-based scholarships may make a student eligible to receive a tuition waiver resulting in Texas resident tuition rate. A variety of Teaching Assistantships is available for qualified graduate students.  Interviews for these positions are held on all audition days, during which time applicants also take the graduate theory placement exam.

Faculty

Guest Speakers

Each year the Moores School of Music brings distinguished guest speakers to campus to present colloquia and engage with our students. The Martha Suit Hallman Lecture in Music brings nationally known speakers to the Moores School of Music to address topics of interest to a broad community of students, scholars, artists and musicians. Recent guest speakers have included James Hepokoski, Michael Klein, Robert Hatten, Scott Burnham, William Kinderman, and Michael Spitzer.

Courses

The faculty provide a diverse music theory curriculum with advanced courses and special topic offerings every semester. Recent and upcoming music theory elective courses and seminars include:

  • Opera Analysis: Romantic to Modern
  • Modern Women Composers
  • Analysis of Jazz and Popular Music
  • Analysis of Art Song
  • Post-Tonal Analysis
  • Sonata Theory
  • Semiotic Approaches to Musical Analysis
  • Pedagogy of Music Theory
  • Seminar in World Music Theory
  • Analysis of Rhythm and Meter
  • Schenkerian Analysis
  • Beethoven Symphonies
  • History of Theory
  • Seminar in Contemporary Music
  • Music and Text in Romantic Italian Opera
  • Variation Forms and Techniques
  • The Music of Chopin
  • The Symphony Since Mahler
  • Doctoral Seminar in Music Theory
Houston

“My time at UH gave me the first experience of my college teaching career, put me on the path to becoming a thoughtful scholar and taught me that big schools can indeed have caring and helpful teachers. I am where I am today because of my time there, and I will always be proud to call myself a cougar.” - Dr. Adam Hudlow (M.M.'09) Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Northwestern State University