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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.
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 8/19/20 - 9/16/20
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42700D | 448 | Lecture | 11:00-11:50am | MTuWTh | 12 of 30 | Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar | ONLINE |   |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42703D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-8:50am | Mon, Wed | 22 of 26 | Nicolas Benavides | ONLINE |  |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42710D | 060 | Lecture | 2:00-3:20pm | Mon, Wed | 24 of 27 | Mark Weiser | ONLINE | Word (115521 KB) | |
| 42711D | 060 | Lecture | 2:00-3:20pm | Tue, Thu | 16 of 25 | Neal Desby | ONLINE | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42716D | 060 | Lecture | 9:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 16 of 18 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42717D | 060 | Lecture | 11:00-11:50am | Tue, Thu | 15 of 18 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | |
Sight-singing, dictation, related keyboard application.
- Note: Register for lecture and one associated lab, as well as corresponding MUCO 133a.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42722D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-10:50am | Mon, Wed | 16 of 24 | Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar | ONLINE | | |
| 42723D | 060 | Lab | 10:00-10:50am | Friday | 9 of 12 | Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar | ONLINE | | |
| 42724D | 060 | Lab | 1:00-1:50pm | Friday | 7 of 12 | Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar | ONLINE | | |
| 42725D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-10:50am | Mon, Wed | 18 of 24 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42726D | 060 | Lab | 8:00-8:50am | Friday | 7 of 12 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42727D | 060 | Lab | 9:00-9:50am | Friday | 11 of 13 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42728D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-10:50am | Mon, Wed | 14 of 24 | Eric N. Pham | ONLINE | | |
| 42729D | 060 | Lab | 8:00-8:50am | Friday | 5 of 12 | Eric N. Pham | ONLINE | | |
| 42730D | 060 | Lab | 9:00-9:50am | Friday | 9 of 12 | Eric N. Pham | ONLINE | | |
| 42731D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-10:50am | Mon, Wed | 17 of 24 | Daniel Allas | ONLINE | | |
| 42732D | 060 | Lab | 10:00-10:50am | Friday | 10 of 13 | Daniel Allas | ONLINE | | |
| 42733D | 060 | Lab | 1:00-1:50pm | Friday | 7 of 12 | Daniel Allas | ONLINE | | |
| 42734D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-10:50am | Mon, Wed | 17 of 24 | John Merz | ONLINE | | |
| 42735D | 060 | Lab | 8:00-8:50am | Friday | 9 of 12 | John Merz | ONLINE | | |
| 42736D | 060 | Lab | 9:00-9:50am | Friday | 8 of 12 | John Merz | ONLINE | |
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: Register for corresponding MUCO 132a lecture and lab.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42768D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 17 of 24 | Juan Pablo Contreras-Palomar | ONLINE | | |
| 42769D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 16 of 25 | Veronika Krausas | ONLINE | | |
| 42770D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 12 of 24 | Eric N. Pham | ONLINE | | |
| 42771D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 14 of 24 | Daniel Allas | ONLINE | | |
| 42772D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-9:50am | Tue, Thu | 14 of 24 | John Merz | ONLINE | |
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 | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42789D | 060 | Lecture | 12:00-1:50pm | Tuesday | 6 of 15 | Nina Young | ONLINE | PDF (159108 KB) | |
| TBA | Thursday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 42790D | 060 | Lab | 11:00-12:20pm | Friday | 6 of 15 | Nina Young | ONLINE | |
Practical understanding and perception of music coupled with the ability to follow a score and understand the work in relation to dance.
- Note: For Dance majors
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42795D | 060 | Lecture | 6:00-6:50pm | Tue, Thu | 29 of 30 | Paul Hodgins | ONLINE | Word (279921 KB) | |
Development of sight-singing, dictation, and related musicianship skills, music theory, form and application of analysis to performance for Musical Theatre.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 142
- Note: For BFA Musical Theatre majors only.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42799D | 060 | Lecture | 3:00-3:50pm | Tue, Thu | 12 of 16 | Paul Hodgins | ONLINE | Word (311240 KB) | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42805D | 060 | Lecture | 4:00-5:50pm | Monday | 6 of 16 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | |
Continuation of 132ab.
- Note: Register for lecture and one lab listed immediately following that lecture.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42809D | 060 | Lecture | 9:00-9:50am | Mon, Wed | 16 of 24 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42810D | 060 | Lab | 10:00-10:50am | Friday | 7 of 12 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42811D | 060 | Lab | 1:00-1:50pm | Friday | 9 of 12 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42812D | 060 | Lecture | 9:00-9:50am | Mon, Wed | 18 of 24 (4 on waitlist) | Veronika Krausas | ONLINE | | |
| 42813D | 060 | Lab | 8:00-8:50am | Friday | 6 of 12 | Veronika Krausas | ONLINE | | |
| 42814D | 060 | Lab | 9:00-9:50am | Friday | 12 of 12 (4 on waitlist) | Veronika Krausas | ONLINE | | |
| 42815D | 060 | Lecture | 8:00-8:50am | Mon, Wed | 14 of 18 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42816D | 060 | Lab | 10:00-10:50am | Friday | 9 of 9 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42817D | 060 | Lab | 1:00-1:50pm | Friday | 5 of 9 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42818D | 060 | Lecture | 9:00-9:50am | Mon, Wed | 13 of 18 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42819D | 060 | Lab | 8:00-8:50am | Friday | 6 of 9 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | | |
| 42820D | 060 | Lab | 9:00-9:50am | Friday | 7 of 9 | Daniel Caputo | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Tue, Thu | 17 of 24 | Chris Roze | ONLINE | | |
| 42856D | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Tue, Thu | 20 of 24 (4 on waitlist) | Veronika Krausas | ONLINE | |
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 | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42880D | 060 | Lecture | 12:00-1:50pm | Thursday | 7 of 14 | Ted Hearne | ONLINE | | |
| TBA | Tuesday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 42881D | 060 | Lab | 11:00-12:20pm | Friday | 7 of 14 | Ted Hearne | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Thursday | 9 of 20 | Neal Desby | ONLINE | |
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
- Note: FINAL Deadline to request D-clearance: Friday of first week of classes. Contact Thornton Student Affairs at thornton.studentaffairs@usc.edu. Thornton does not allow this course to be audited. For non-Thornton majors, individual instruction will be online-only and access to practice facilities will not be available.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42916D | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 4 of 10 | Mark Weiser | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Tuesday | 9 of 20 | Neal Desby | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 3 of 8 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | | |
| 42941D | 060 | Lab | 11:00-12:20pm | Friday | 3 of 8 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 4 of 15 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | | |
| 43016D | 060 | Lab | 11:00-12:20pm | Friday | 4 of 15 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 0 of 10 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
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
- Note: FINAL Deadline to request D-clearance: Friday of first week of classes. Contact Thornton Student Affairs at thornton.studentaffairs@usc.edu. Thornton does not allow this course to be audited. For non-Thornton majors, individual instruction will be online-only and access to practice facilities will not be available.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43079D | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 6 of 10 | Mark Weiser | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 9 of 15 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
In-depth analytical and historical study of contrapuntal techniques and styles. Emphasis to be determined by the department. Recommended preparation: MUCO 501.
- Note: Topic: 20th/21st-Century Counterpoint
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43132D | 001 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Wednesday | Canceled | Sean Friar | |
Analytical study of major composers and/or problems in tonal music. Emphasis to be determined by the department. Recommended preparation: MUCO 501.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43134D | 001 | Lecture | 10:00-11:50am | Wednesday | Canceled | Sean Friar | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43138D | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 2 of 10 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
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: Digital Media
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43142D | 060 | Lecture | 2:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | 11 of 12 | Nina Young | ONLINE | PDF (154487 KB) | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 2 of 10 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 2 of 10 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |
Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.
- Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Doctoral Student
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43190D | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 1 of 10 | Donald Crockett | ONLINE | |