Composition, Theory & Analysis Courses

Students majoring or minoring in Music MUST complete the core requirements (MUS261, MUS361, MUS461, MUS255S, MUS256S, MUS257, MUS258) for a letter grade. S/U grading will NOT count toward the completion of the Music major or minor. 

Number Title Codes Notes
MUSIC 120 Music: An Introduction CCI, ALP, CZ
MUSIC 161 Introduction to Music Theory ALP Instructor: various. For questions about the course, please contact the Coordinator of Music Theory, Nicholas Stoia, nicholas.stoia@duke.edu .
MUSIC 162S Introduction to Composition: Explorations in Musical Time and Space ALP Instructor: Stephen Jaffe, sjaffe@duke.edu
MUSIC 259 Modern and Experimental Music W, ALP
MUSIC 261 Theory and Practice of Tonal Music I ALP Students may take a music theory and aural skills placement exam to pass out of Music 261. The theory portion of the exam tests students’ knowledge of harmony, counterpoint, form, and popular idioms; the aural skills section tests their keyboard, sight reading, and dictation abilities. The theory faculty administers the music theory and aural skills placement exam once before (or near the beginning of) the start of each semester.

Please contact the Coordinator of Music Theory, Nicholas Stoia (nicholas.stoia@duke.edu) to find out when the test is given. Please keep in mind that AP Theory does not automatically—or even typically—exempt a student from Music 261.

Students majoring or minoring in Music MUST complete the core requirements (MUS261, MUS361, MUS461, MUS255S, MUS256S, MUS257, MUS258) for a letter grade. S/U grading will NOT count toward the completion of the Music major or minor.
MUSIC 281S Composition Seminar - Transcribing and Arranging Music for Chamber Ensembles CCI, R, ALP
MUSIC 361 Theory and Practice of Tonal Music II ALP Students majoring or minoring in Music MUST complete the core requirements (MUS261, MUS361, MUS461, MUS255S, MUS256S, MUS257, MUS258) for a letter grade. S/U grading will NOT count toward the completion of the Music major or minor.
MUSIC 418 Advanced Study in Conducting
MUSIC 461 Theory and Practice of Tonal Music III ALP Students majoring or minoring in Music MUST complete the core requirements (MUS261, MUS361, MUS461, MUS255S, MUS256S, MUS257, MUS258) for a letter grade. S/U grading will NOT count toward the completion of the Music major or minor.
MUSIC 463S Theory and Practice of Post-Tonal Music ALP
MUSIC 465S Counterpoint R
MUSIC 481T Advanced Composition R, ALP
MUSIC 490S Advanced Topics in Music