John Mayer (1929-2004) was a British Indian composer and violinist. Despite his contributions to bringing Indian music to the West and his large output of works, the majority of his compositions remain largely unknown. This document focuses on Mayer's only oboe concerto, Shanai Awaz, which translates to "Sound of the Shanai" in Hindi. It is representative of his fusion of Indian and Western techniques. The performance guide helps the oboist navigate the fusion elements of the piece. Because no piano reduction of the score was made by the composer, the piece has likely not been performed since 1983. A piano reduction of the score was created as part of this dissertation to make it more accessible to oboists.

Zou Xiangping is one of the most significant Chinese composers who writes music for the saxophone. These works, however, are not well-known in the classical saxophone repertoire. The purpose of this dissertation is to help international saxophonists develop an enlightened understanding and ultimately, performance of two selected pieces by Chinese composer Zou Xiangping (邹向平) (b. 1951), Images of Yalong River for Alto Saxophone and Piano (雅砻江印：为中音萨克斯管和钢琴) and Song of Chuanjiang River Boatman for Saxophone Quartet (川江纤夫之歌: 为萨克斯管四重奏) (2022). The compositional background, the relevant introduction about Chinese culture, the manner in which the composer combined this with Western compositional techniques, and comprehensive performance advice of each piece are provided.

Award winning composer Kevin Walczyk's describes himself as a "musical storyteller," using all musical elements of structure, melody, harmony, and counterpoint to convey programmatic content. A variety of subjects are conveyed that include historical events, people, physical objects or locations, and literary texts. Deeper matters, such as spiritual themes, are also often incorporated in his music that enhance the musical program. The technical procedures employed—pertaining particularly to the expression of programmatic content—has produced a unique musical language that stands out in the modern compositional landscape. What are these inherent idiomatic features, and how are they exhibited? The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a detailed examination of Walczyk's distinct musical language. A critical analysis of the technical procedures used to convey his programmatic content, as well as insights into his influences and writing process, illuminate the attributes of this a posteriori musical language. The two works selected for this study to demonstrate this are Symphony No. 2: Epitaphs Unwritten and Talking Winds, both written for wind band.

This paper is an artistic reflection and business plan for my album Somewhere Wild.

In the modern euphonium repertoire, a rapidly expanding medium of accompaniment is the use of electronics, and especially live electronics. While the use of electronics can be daunting to new performers, this document aims to build on the established research surrounding electroacoustic solo euphonium works. The first part of the document will familiarize readers with some history and terminology surrounding electroacoustic music and the foundational research for this project. The second part is a performance guide to two commissioned live electroacoustic works: Bitruncation by Lucy Pankhurst, and Shape Shifter by Andrew May. The performance guides include theoretical analyses, an ideal hardware/software set up, and performative suggestions. An updated repertoire list is included in an appendix for performers who wish to discover more electroacoustic music. This list contains publishing or contact information in hopes that performers can more easily access these works.

This dissertation endeavors to provide a comprehensive framework for piano instructors to effectively prepare students, spanning from beginners to early advanced levels, for the nuanced demands inherent in mastering Luciano Berio's Six Encores pour Piano. Through meticulous analysis, the technical intricacies of Berio's composition are dissected, encompassing a spectrum of challenges including rhythmic complexities, harmonic subtleties, and tonal ambiguities. Drawing upon pedagogical expertise and musical scholarship, this research offers a synthesis of solutions, pedagogical guidance, and a meticulously curated repertoire selection. This resource aims to empower piano educators, particularly those with limited exposure to twentieth-century music, with the tools and insights necessary to guide students through the intricate process of learning and interpreting Six Encores pour Piano. By bridging the gap between traditional pedagogy and contemporary repertoire, this dissertation seek to enrich the educational landscape, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of avant-garde piano literature among both instructors and students.

Les structures en bois sont une bonne solution pour la construction de bâtiments multiétages. Le bois est reconnu pour son aspect architectural, pour son empreinte écologique faible ainsi que pour sa résistance mécanique. L’ajout d’une mince couche de béton connectée à l’aide de connecteurs de cisaillement sur une pièce de bois lamellé-collé ou bien un CLT permet d’augmenter considérablement la rigidité du plancher. Il est donc possible de construire sur une plus longue portée tout en respectant les critères de flèche d’État Limite de Service (ELS) et de résistances aux États Limites Ultimes (ELU). Ces solutions innovantes sont aussi moins sensibles aux vibrations puisqu’elles sont plus rigides. Le confort des usagers est donc amélioré. Cette thèse se concentre sur le développement d’une connexion de type entaille peu profonde adaptée aux dalles composites. Cette connexion est conçue afin d’obtenir un comportement initial rigide, puis une grande ductilité. Ceci est possible en utilisant le caractère ductile en compression du bois. Plusieurs configurations sont testées dans le CLT et dans le bois lamellé-collé. La profondeur de l’entaille varie. L’influence de la présence d’un isolant acoustique entre le bois et le béton est aussi quantifiée. Les premiers tests de cisaillement sur les différentes configurations ont montré de très bons résultats et des dalles CLT-BHP ont été coulées pour une portée de 8 m. Les dalles de CLT-BHP ont été conçues selon une approche multicritère afin de respecter les normes du Code National du Bâtiment du Canada et de maximiser certains facteurs considérés importants par le milieu de la construction tels l’épaisseur du plancher, le poids du plancher, le coût, etc. / Wooden structures are a good solution for building multi-story buildings. Wood is known for its architectural appearance, low footprint and mechanical strength. The addition of a thin layer of concrete connected using shear connectors to a piece of glued-laminated timber (GLULAM) or a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) considerably increases the rigidity of the floor. It is therefore possible to build longer span in building while respecting the Serviceability Limit States (SLS) deflection criteria as well as the Ultimate Limit States (ULS) bearing capacity. These innovative solutions are also less sensitive to vibrations since they are more rigid. The comfort of users is improved. This thesis focuses on the development of a shallow notch type connection suitable for composite slabs. This connection is designed to obtain a rigid initial behavior, followed by a big ductility. This is possible by using the compressive ductile nature of the timber. Several configurations are tested in CLT and GLULAM. The depth of the cut varies from 20 mm to 35 mm. The influence of the presence of an acoustic insulation between the timber and the concrete is also quantified. The first shear tests on the different configurations showed very good results. Three 8 m single span CLT-HPC slabs were cast. The CLT-HPC slabs were designed with a multi-criteria approach to meet the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) standards and to maximize certain factors considered important by the building industry such as floor thickness, floor weight, the cost, etc.

Quan Ji-Hao is a Chinese contemporary composer who has created significant musical works of different genres. His work includes symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces. His style combines Chinese ethnic music with Western composition techniques, with unique results. This thesis aims to give a pedagogical perspective by analyzing the musical and technical challenges of Quan Ji-Hao's piano suite Long and Short (1984), offering a practical practice method and introducing the fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements. This piece offers pianists an opportunity to explore diverse cultures and deepen musical understanding. Chapter 2 provides a brief biography of the composer, his music style, and the origin of the title of the piano suite Long and Short (1984). Chapter 3 offers a structural analysis of the suite to give an overall impression to the reader. Chapter 4 explains the musical challenges of contemporary harmonies in this suite, comparing them to similar ideas in works of Western composers and offering suggestions for teaching them. Chapter 5 analyses the technical challenges in the work as well as offering teaching suggestions. Chapter 6 includes practice methods to improve accuracy in performance and maintain a stable tempo.

The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce Violin Concerto No. 2, "Scherben der Stille" (2021) by Unsuk Chin (b. 1961), a South Korean composer based in Berlin. This violin concerto creates a sonic drama. The sound material of this work resembles a "shard," as the subtitle of the work suggests: Shards of Silence. Through this work, Chin shows how music can deliver her dreams and fantasies through unconventional use of instruments and sounds. The dissertation includes a brief biography, observations on the composer's significant works and compositional style, and an overview and analysis of the work. Despite the increasing popularity of Violin Concerto No. 2, the piece has never gained scholarly attention. This writing should also contribute to the available sources about the composer Unsuk Chin and to the study of complex contemporary music that may seem resistant to formal analysis by analyzing its constituent fragments.

Despite its relatively short history, classical singing training in South Korean music colleges has shown quantitative and qualitative growth. Korean undergraduate voice programs have been graduating an abundance of eminent singers who are achieving success in the global music world. The purpose of this research is to examine the evolution of Western classical voice programs in South Korean undergraduate music institutions. By analyzing the strengths and challenges of their voice curricula, comparing them with leading music colleges and universities in the United States, this document will offer suggestions for curricular changes which will train excellent singers while offering practical courses that encourage other career opportunities that will support their long-term financial security.