Music Theory & History 

Curriculum Initiative

This site provides up-to-date information about changes to the music theory and history curriculum. 

What's happening? 

In Fall of 2023, the music theory program began phasing in a new undergraduate music theory curriculum. This update modernizes the courses in the current core and adds additional course options and flexibility for programs and students.

In Fall 2024, we'll begin phasing in updates to the music history curriculum and remedial graduate coursework.


Where's the info I need

Check out the pages on this site:

 

What are the goals of the update? 

1) To make our curriculum more diverse and inclusive.

2) To provide more flexibility for students.

3) To provide more flexibility for programs. 

4) To increase student engagement.


Additional Grant Support for the Project

Clifton Boyd (NYU CAS) and Sarah Louden (NYU Steinhardt) were awarded a $10,000 Working Group Grant and $6500 Teaching Advancement Grant to support music theory curriculum updates at both NYU Steinhardt and the College of Arts and Sciences, in a two-year joint project called “Music Theory For Whom? A Comprehensive Reform of Music Theory Curricula Across NYU.” Awarded by the NYU Centers for Humanities and Faculty Advancement, the project will bring together faculty and graduate students from Steinhardt, CAS, and other schools in a working group to address diversity and inclusivity in music theory pedagogy, and reframe the curricula in both programs to promote music by traditionally under-represented composers, popular musics, and musical traditions across the globe. The funding will provide support for the development of course resources, teaching materials, guest speakers, and impact more than 18 core courses across CAS and Steinhardt.