Classes Offered · USC Schedule of Classes

Composition (MUCO)

http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/programs/comp/
D class assignments available in TMC200; phone (213) 740-4721.
Students accepted into a graduate program must take entrance examinations prior to their first registration. Any deficiencies revealed must be removed prior to completion of two semesters of course work. Transferring undergraduate students registering for the first time who have previous course work must take the appropriate examination for placement. Contact the Thornton School Office of Student Affairs for information. INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION - 1 unit has a $350 fee, and includes 7.5 hours of total instruction. 2 units has a $700 fee, and includes 15 hours of total instruction. Contact school for course level guide.

MUCO 095x: Music Fundamentals Immersion (1.0 unit)

Immersive course for selected students in MUCO 132a/133a. Emphasis on providing a foundation in understanding pitches, intervals, scales, keys, key signatures, chords, rhythms and meters.

Note: Course runs from 8/28/19 - 9/25/19

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42703D	448	Lecture	11:00-11:50am	Mon, Wed	10 of 25	Georgi Dimitrov	MUS303
			11:00-11:50am	Tue, Thu			TMCG128

MUCO 101x: Fundamentals of Music Theory (2.0 units)

An introductory course in music theory required for those majors in need of remedial training, and available to the general student who wishes to develop music writing skills. Not available for credit to B.M. and B.A. music majors. Recommended preparation: ability to read music

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42700R	001	Lecture	8:00-8:50am	Mon, Wed	14 of 25	Nicolas Benavides	MUS204

MUCO 130ax: Basics of Music Theory (3.0 units)

Introduction to music theory; scales, intervals, principles of common practice and popular music harmony; melodic, harmonic, and structural analysis; 20th-century developments. Not available for credit to BM majors.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42705D	001	Lecture	2:00-3:20pm	Mon, Wed	28 of 29 (5 on waitlist)	Mark Weiser	MUS303
42706D	001	Lecture	2:00-3:20pm	Tue, Thu	25 of 29	Eric N. Pham	TMCG156

MUCO 131a: Harmony in Popular Music (2.0 units)

Study of harmony used in the popular music idiom, as well as diminished chord patterns, modulation techniques, basic modal theory, and principles of melodic construction. Prerequisite: MUCO 133b.

Prerequisite: MUCO 133b
Note: For Popular Music Majors Only

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42709D	001	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	12 of 16	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42710D	001	Lecture	11:00-11:50am	Tue, Thu	17 of 17	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150

MUCO 132a: Aural Skills I (2.0 units)

Sight-singing, dictation, related keyboard application.

Note: Each lecture is paired with a specific section of MUCO 133a. You MUST also register for one of the two labs associated with the lecture. Click the icon under Info to view the section numbers of the corresponding labs and MUCO 133a lecture.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus
42712D	001	Lecture	10:00-10:50am	Mon, Wed	19 of 22	Paul Hodgins	TMCG156	Word (318326 KB)
42713D	001	Lab	10:00-10:50am	Friday	11 of 11	Paul Hodgins	TMCG156
42714D	001	Lab	1:00-1:50pm	Friday	8 of 11	Paul Hodgins	TMCG156
42716D	001	Lecture	10:00-10:50am	Mon, Wed	12 of 22	Chris Roze	MUS303
42717D	001	Lab	8:00-8:50am	Friday	6 of 11	Chris Roze	MUS303
42718D	001	Lab	9:00-9:50am	Friday	6 of 11	Chris Roze	MUS303
42720D	001	Lecture	10:00-10:50am	Mon, Wed	14 of 22	Georgi Dimitrov	BMH200
42721D	001	Lab	8:00-8:50am	Friday	8 of 11	Georgi Dimitrov	BMH200
42722D	001	Lab	9:00-9:50am	Friday	6 of 11	Georgi Dimitrov	BMH200
42724D	001	Lecture	10:00-10:50am	Mon, Wed	13 of 22	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42725D	001	Lab	10:00-10:50am	Friday	9 of 11	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42726D	001	Lab	1:00-1:50pm	Friday	4 of 11	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42728D	001	Lecture	10:00-10:50am	Mon, Wed	17 of 22	Eric N. Pham	TMCG128
42729D	001	Lab	8:00-8:50am	Friday	7 of 11	Eric N. Pham	TMCG128
42730D	001	Lab	9:00-9:50am	Friday	10 of 11	Eric N. Pham	TMCG128

MUCO 133a: Theory I (3.0 units)

a: Notation, scales, intervals; introduction to counterpoint; harmonic principles of the common practice period; analysis, written work. b: Continuation of 133a; elements of form; application of analysis to performance. Concurrent registration in Aural Skills required.

Note: Each lecture is paired with a specific section of MUCO 132a. Click the icon under Info to view the section numbers of the corresponding MUCO 132a lecture and labs.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus
42768D	001	Lecture	8:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	18 of 22	Paul Hodgins	TMCG156	Word (313887 KB)
42769D	001	Lecture	8:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	17 of 22	Chris Roze	MUS303
42770D	001	Lecture	8:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	16 of 22	Georgi Dimitrov	BMH200
42771D	001	Lecture	8:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	16 of 22	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42772D	001	Lecture	8:00-9:50am	Tue, Thu	17 of 22	Eric N. Pham	TMCG128

MUCO 135: Counterpoint I (2.0 units)

The study of the techniques of modal counterpoint; exercises in two-, three-, and four-part writing in 16th century style. Corequisite: MUCO 137a.

Corequisite: MUCO 137a

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42785D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Wednesday	13 of 18	Mark Weiser	BMH200

MUCO 137a: Composition I (4.0 units)

Beginning exercises in composing, initial composition projects, study, lectures and class discussions of selected compositions from the repertory.

Note: This course is setup as a lecture course with i.i. The lecture portion will be taught on Tuesdays and the i.i. on Thursdays or other day pending instructor availability. Register for lecture and lab.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
42789D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Tuesday	8 of 15	Andrew Norman	MUS204
			TBA	Thursday			MUS308
42790D	001	Lab	11:00-12:20pm	Friday	8 of 15	Andrew Norman	BMH100

MUCO 221ax: Composition for Non-Majors (2.0 units)

Introduction to the composition of concert music. Includes set exercises, free composition, study of selected compositions. Intended for interested, qualified students not majoring in composition. Not available for degree credit to composition majors. Recommended preparation: MUCO 130bx or MUCO 133b

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42796D	001	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Monday	5 of 16	Daniel Caputo	MUS303

MUCO 232a: Aural Skills II (2.0 units)

Continuation of 132ab.

Note: Register for lecture and one lab listed immediately following that lecture.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
42801D	001	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	Mon, Wed	16 of 20 (1 on waitlist)	Chris Roze	MUS303
42802D	001	Lab	10:00-10:50am	Friday	10 of 10	Chris Roze	MUS303
42803D	001	Lab	1:00-1:50pm	Friday	6 of 10 (1 on waitlist)	Chris Roze	MUS303
42805D	001	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	Mon, Wed	23 of 22 (2 on waitlist)	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42806D	001	Lab	8:00-8:50am	Friday	11 of 11 (1 on waitlist)	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42807D	001	Lab	9:00-9:50am	Friday	11 of 11 (2 on waitlist)	Veronika Krausas	MUS204
42813D	001	Lecture	8:00-8:50am	Mon, Wed	14 of 16	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42814D	001	Lab	10:00-10:50am	Friday	7 of 8	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42815D	001	Lab	1:00-1:50pm	Friday	7 of 8	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42817D	001	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	Mon, Wed	14 of 16	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42818D	001	Lab	8:00-8:50am	Friday	6 of 8	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150
42819D	001	Lab	9:00-9:50am	Friday	8 of 8	Daniel Caputo	TMCG150

MUCO 233a: Theory II (3.0 units)

a: Analysis of representative pieces from the classic and romantic periods; exercises in composition. b: Survey of 20th century developments; composition utilizing 20th century techniques.

Prerequisite: MUCO 133B

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42854D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Tue, Thu	20 of 20 (1 on waitlist)	Chris Roze	MUS303
42856D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Tue, Thu	24 of 23 (2 on waitlist)	Veronika Krausas	MUS204

MUCO 237a: Composition II (4.0 units)

Composition in shorter forms, continuation of score analysis and listening assignments.

Prerequisite: MUCO 137B
Note: This course is setup as a lecture course with i.i. The lecture portion will be taught on Thursdays and the i.i. on Tuesdays or other day pending instructor availability. Register for lecture and lab.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
42880D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Thursday	4 of 14	Ted Hearne	MUS204
			TBA	Tuesday			MUS308
42881D	001	Lab	11:00-12:20pm	Friday	4 of 14	Ted Hearne	BMH100

MUCO 300: Theory Review (1.0 unit)

Review of materials covered in Theory I and II. For students whose entrance examination in music theory indicates the need for further study.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42910D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Thursday	15 of 20	Neal Desby	BMH200

MUCO 321: Composition for Non-Majors II (1.0-2.0 units, max 8)

Individual instruction in composition for non-composition majors. Continuation of MUCO 221abx. Not open to B.M. in Composition majors.

Prerequisite: MUCO 221b
Restriction: Registration closed to the following major(s): Composition

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42916D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	2 of 10	Mark Weiser	MUS308

MUCO 333: Aural Skills Review (1.0 unit)

Review of the materials covered in Aural Skills I, II, III. For students whose entrance examination in aural skills indicates the need for further study.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42920D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Tuesday	19 of 20 (1 on waitlist)	Neal Desby	BMH200

MUCO 337a: Composition III (2.0 units)

Individual instruction in composition; preparation for the senior recital.

Prerequisite: MUCO 237B
Note: Register for lecture and lab.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42940D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	5 of 8	Donald Crockett	MUS308
42941D	001	Lab	11:00-12:20pm	Friday	5 of 8	Donald Crockett	BMH100

MUCO 338x: Elementary Orchestration (2.0 units)

Range, techniques, timbre, transposition of orchestralinstruments; exercises in orchestration. Not available for credit to theory and composition majors. Recommended preparation: MUCO 233b

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42950D	001	Lecture	1:00-1:50pm	Tue, Thu	13 of 20	Neal Desby	TMCG156
42951D	001	Lecture	11:00-11:50am	Mon, Wed	21 of 21 (3 on waitlist)	Frank Ticheli	TMCG156

MUCO 339: Orchestration Review (1.0 unit)

Review of materials covered in elementary orchestration; for students whose entrance examination in orchestration indicates a need for further study.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
42955D	001	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	Mon, Wed	8 of 15	Paul Hodgins	MUS319	Word (308549 KB)

MUCO 435: Counterpoint III (2.0 units)

Canon and fugue; 19th and 20th century developments.

Prerequisite: MUCO 235

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43005D	001	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Wednesday	10 of 25	Frank Ticheli	MUS303

MUCO 437a: Composition IV (2.0 units)

Individual instruction in composition; preparation for the senior recital.

Prerequisite: MUCO 337B
Note: Register for lecture and lab.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43015D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	7 of 15	Donald Crockett	MUS308
43016D	001	Lab	11:00-12:20pm	Friday	7 of 15	Donald Crockett	BMH100

MUCO 490x: Directed Research (1.0-8.0 units, max 12)

Individual research and readings. Not avaliable for graduate credit.

Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Junior, Senior

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43055D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 10	Donald Crockett	MUS308

MUCO 501: Introduction to the Analysis of Tonal Music (2.0 units)

Survey of common practice period (1650-1900) approaches to phrase design, tonal organization and type-forms (binary, ternary, rondo, sonata.)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43065D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Monday	16 of 20	Mark Weiser	MUS303

MUCO 502: Introduction to the Analysis of Post-Tonal Music (2.0 units)

Introductory survey of 20th/21st century approaches to the organization of pitch (serial, modal, extended tonal, etc.), rhythm, texture and form.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43070D	001	Lecture	6:00-7:50pm	Wednesday	11 of 20	Mark Weiser	MUS303

MUCO 521x: Composition for Non-Majors III (1.0-2.0 units, max 8)

Individual instruction in composition. Not open to graduate students in composition. Prerequisite: submission of portfolio of musical compositions.

Restriction: Registration closed to the following major(s): Composition
Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43079D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	4 of 10	Mark Weiser	MUS308

MUCO 533a: Analytical Approaches to Tonal Music (2.0 units)

Introduction to essential structural and prolongational aspects of Schenkerian theory.

Prerequisite: MUCO 501

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43095D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Monday	7 of 15	Sean Friar	MUS319

MUCO 537: Advanced Composition I (1.0-2.0 units, max 8)

For graduates with evidence of preparation for advanced work.

Note: This course also has the per unit individual instruction fee attached.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43109D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	12 of 15	Donald Crockett	MUS308

MUCO 539a: Theoretical and Aesthetic Issues in Music from 1950 to the Present (2.0 units)

Anti-rationality and indeterminancy, ultra-rationality and integral serialism, new performance procedures, electronic music and new technologies, minimalism.

Prerequisite: MUCO 502

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43115D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Monday	14 of 15	Sean Friar	MUS319

MUCO 550: Teaching Music Theory (2.0 units)

Comparative study of curricula, text materials, and teaching strategies in music theory.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43126D	001	Lecture	5:00-6:50pm	Monday	7 of 15	Brian Head	MUS319

MUCO 572: Comparative Analytical Studies: 20th/21st Century and Non-Tr (2.0 units, max 6)

In-depth analysis of characteristic forms and genres of 20th century music or of other forms and genres that do not figure largely in the "common practice" tradition. Specific emphasis to be determined by the department. Recommended preparation: MUCO 501.

Note: Topic: Genre in Contemporary Music

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43132D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	16 of 17	Sean Friar	MUS319

MUCO 590: Directed Research (1.0-12.0 units)

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43136D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 10	Donald Crockett	MUS308

MUCO 592: Selected Topics in Graduate Composition (2.0 units, max 8)

Seminar for graduate students in composition that addresses aesthetic, technical and analytical issues from a composer's perspective. Open only to theory and composition majors.

Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Composition, Music (Music Theory)
Note: Topic: Introduction to Computer Music (using Max/MSP)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43139D	001	Lecture	2:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	9 of 12	Nina Young	MUS319	PDF (128126 KB)

MUCO 637: Advanced Composition II (1.0-2.0 units, max 4)

Continuation of MUCO 537. For students holding the M.M. degree in composition.

Note: This course also has the per unit individual instruction fee attached.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43170D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	3 of 10	Donald Crockett	MUS308

MUCO 737: Advanced Composition III (1.0-2.0 units, max 8)

Continuation of MUCO 637.

Prerequisite: (MUCO 536 and MUCO 637)
Note: This course also has the per unit individual instruction fee attached.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43175D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	5 of 10	Donald Crockett	MUS308

MUCO 790: Research (1.0-12.0 units)

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
43185D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 10	Donald Crockett	MUS308