Music Theory

Your future in Music Theory

Are you interested in how music is created? Are you fascinated by the different forms of music? Do you want to gain a better understanding of music? You should pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory at the University of North Texas.

Music theory involves studying music structures and forms, musical ideas and critical thinking. For music theory majors, a bachelor's degree can be the first step toward a teaching career at a college, university or conservatory. It also may be used to develop skills and insights for interpreting music.

What we offer

Our faculty members provide you expert guidance in areas ranging from ancient Oriental music to contemporary popular music, with in-depth study in Western music from the Renaissance to contemporary atonal practices. Some faculty members have earned recognitions from the American Musicological Society and the Society for Ethnomusicology for their work.

In addition to their scholarly contributions, many are nationally and internationally known, award- winning musicians and performers. We also give you the opportunity to:

• Access one of the nation's largest music libraries
• Discover your potential in classes with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Meet some of the world's top music scholars and artists through specialized lectures and events hosted by the Division of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology
• Perfect your instrumental or voice techniques in one of our 300 practice rooms
• Perform in state-of-the-art performance halls with exceptional acoustics
• Take advantage of countless solo, chamber music and ensemble opportunities

Scholarships are available to help you pay for your education. These scholarships are awarded based on talent and an audition.

The College of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Va. 20190-5248, telephone 703-437-0700). This accreditation means the college meets or exceeds strict academic standards for excellence in education.

Spinner.com, an AOL music web site, ranked us No. 2 on its list of "College Rankings of Rock: Top 20 Universities Rated for Their Musical Alumni." Students include The Eagles' Don Henley, crooners Roy Orbison and Pat Boone, singer Norah Jones, rocker Meat Loaf, saxophonist Lou Marini of the Blues Brothers band, and members of Brave Combo.

What to expect

You will need to be admitted to the College of Music through an audition in addition to applying to the university. Auditions are held on campus during the spring semester for enrollment the following fall. If you cannot audition in person, you may submit a recording. Once accepted into the college, you will take placement exams in music theory and piano.

As a Music Theory major, you will take courses in aural and keyboard skills and theoretical concepts. You will also:

• Complete courses in advanced sight reading and music composition
• Complete 12 credit hours of voice or instrument lessons and 2 credit hours of secondary piano (If your instrument is the piano, you will complete 2 credit hours of lessons in another instrument or in voice.)
• Enroll in two years of French or German courses
• Finish a senior research project to help you acquire the investigative skills needed to attend graduate school and teach at a university
• Learn about Schenkerian and 20th-century analysis
• Participate in a student ensemble each fall and spring semester
• Study counterpoint by 16th- and 18th-century composers and form and harmonic styles.

Our Career Center, Internships and Cooperative Education office, and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center and the Internships and Cooperative Education office can provide advice about future employment opportunities as well as getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at Unt

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school. In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning allows you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.