In the words of the French-American composer Edgard Varèse, “Music is organized sound.” Well- educated musicians explore how and why sound may be organized in particular ways from multiple perspectives including historical context, close observation and analysis of organizing systems, and doing original organizing themselves – composing music. At Drew we encourage integrating music theory with composition so that students may develop their own musical imaginations. Composition and music theory studies also contribute to enhancing performance skills by deepening the performer’s musical understanding. We offer courses which allow the exploration of varying styles grounded in the Western classical tonal tradition, through contemporary idioms, to present-day experimental approaches continuing into the future.
MUS 1/Music: Imagination and Technique
MUS 2/Fundamentals of Music
MUS 27, 28/Music Theory I & II
MUS 46/Counterpoint
MUS 60/Composition Seminar
MUS 124/Techniques of Contemporary Music
MUS 134/Orchestration
MUS 137/Electronic Music Composition
For a Music Theory Diagnostic Test to determine which level
of theory you should register for, click here.
For more information on the study of music theory and composition at Drew, contact Dr. Trevor Weston at tweston@drew.edu.