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.

This dissertation provides a performance guide of Códigos Secretos for flute and electroacoustic sounds (2004) written by Gabriela Ortiz and commissioned by Mexican flutist Alejandro Escuer. Ortiz's compositional language reflects the influence of her teachers in Mexico and London, and the exposure to the evolving musical landscape during her formative years. Her decision to explore the electroacoustic realm stemmed from her fascination with the unlimited possibilities offered by working with a variety of acoustic sources and technological equipment that allowed her to experiment with different musical ideas, compositional processes and unique soundscapes. Códigos Secretos presents various challenges due to the absence of a preface or guide and several elements that may be unfamiliar to flutists, making it challenging or inaccessible to understand and perform the piece. The performance guide includes detailed explanations of the flute and computer scores, addresses discrepancies between different versions of the piece, and provides guidance on improvisatory sections and the execution of extended techniques. These elements enhance the performer's understanding of the piece and facilitate effective engagement and synchronization with the computer, enabling an artistic performance. The purpose of this dissertation is to inform performers and researchers about Gabriela Ortiz's compositional language, raise awareness about the diversity of Mexican music, and bring Ortiz's compositions to a broader audience, making her works more accessible.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Joshua Oppenheim / Julie Yu Oppenheim / The Te Deum chant began in the Roman Catholic Church in prayer, and like many other psalms used in the Mass, it has evolved into a concert piece with settings composed for coronations, military victories, and other festive occasions. This author has identified two significant settings of this text by Joseph Franz Haydn and Antonín Leopold Dvořák for this discussion to study how common factors (primarily a common text) influence their compositions. Chapter I provides the purpose of the study, a brief description of related research, description of the appendices, and analytical criteria for examining the Te Deum settings. Chapter II presents a study of the ancient Te Deum psalm and its text. Topics for discussion include a brief overview of the history of chant. In regards to the Te Deum, further studies are included on its history, uses within prayer, the text, melody, and other uses of the Te Deum. Chapter III contains an in-depth analysis of the Haydn Te Deum (HXXIIIc:2) and the Dvořák Te Deum (Op. 103, B176, [Op. 93, Op. 98]). Analytical criteria for examining these settings consist of: a brief biographical sketch along with each composers compositional characteristics and reasons for commissioning this piece; discussions on general characteristics, structural and formal design, themes, melodic/harmonic characteristics, rhythmic/metrical/tempo characteristics, articulations, dynamics, texture, performance, pedagogical, and conducting considerations. Chapter IV summarizes general trends in the usage of the text of Te Deum. Information for this final chapter is derived from the in-depth analysis, the ancient history of the Te Deum, and other settings of the Te Deum text examined in sources similar to this document. The findings contain summaries of the musical elements listed above as well as general and specific commonalities of textual influence between the selected Te Deum settings. Appendix A provides the complete text of the Te Deum psalm with English translations and melody. Appendix B provides a score analysis of Te Deum (HXXIIIc:2). Appendix C provides a score analysis of Te Deum (Op. 103, B176, [Op. 93, Op. 98]).

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank Tracz / The following report provides a comprehensive analysis of two works for wind band and one small chamber work for woodwind octet: Night Dances for Wind Ensemble by Bruce Yurko, Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 103 by Ludwig van Beethoven, and Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs by Frank Ticheli. This analysis provides information necessary for a conductor’s rehearsal preparation. Included is biographical information about the composer and a historical perspective of the composition itself. Highlighted are the technical difficulties, stylistic concerns, musical elements, and form and structure of each composition. As the researcher, my music education mission statement and perspective on quality literature selection are also included. Suggested listening, seating charts, acoustical justifications, and rehearsal plans with researcher evaluations are provided. The compilation of this information will allow conductors to make more informed musical decisions during their preparation and performances of the works.

abstract: Since the 1920's, the school musical has been an important event in American high schools and in the lives of students. This study begins with a condensed history of the American musical theatre, into focus on selected shows' value as potential high school repertoire. Review of literature included studies of high school musical theatre, production guides and related materials, and writings both against and in favor of musicals at the high school level. The school musical is usually undertaken as an extra-curricular activity led by performing arts faculty. This study focuses on the preparation, responsibilities, and attitudes of high school music educators toward musical theatre direction. Musical direction is defined as teaching the vocal music, and teaching and leading the instrumental music of the production where applicable. A researcher-designed survey was distributed to Arizona music educators in schools that included grade 12. The response rate was 71%. Questions included items designed to assess the pervasiveness of musical theatre productions, the roles and responsibilities of music educators, and their preparation for those roles. Additional Likert-type questions comprised an inventory measuring attitudes toward musical theatre productions. Results of the survey showed that musicals are produced in 80% of Arizona high schools, and music faculty are expected to lead at least the musical aspects of these productions. Although 62% report that they learned about teaching musical theatre on the job, and that they received no other preparation, 70% report a large amount of personal enjoyment and fulfillment from their work in musical theatre. The mean attitude score for positive feelings about work in musical theatre was found to be significantly higher for choral teachers than instrumental teachers. The primary implications of the study are the need for better preparation and in-service opportunities for music educators in musical theatre pedagogy. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music Education 2010

The dissertation presents a female German composer Ellinor Valesby, who composed Chinese art songs in Chinese with classical Chinese poetry. For political reasons, she used her pseudonym rather than her given name Irmgard Heinrich (1894-1969). As a western composer, also the wife of a Chinese poet and composer Ching-chu, who lived in China for 25 years, Valesby's songs present various interpretive challenges stemming from the combination of traditional Chinese poetry, folk music vernacular, and Western music components. Because no documentation in English can be found about Valesby or her songs, there is a need to provide performers with a better understanding of her perspective in these increasingly multicultural times. In addition, the dissertation discusses the germination and development of the Chinese Art Song and introduces the school song, the predecessor of Chinese art songs. The focus is on examining the Chinese and Western influences that appear in Valesby's art songs, revealing through examination of text setting, form, musical texture, and the role of piano how this female Western composer who did not speak Chinese set Chinese poetry from her unique cross-cultural perspectives. Today the legacy of these Chinese art song pioneers remains incomplete, but Valesby and her husband Ching-chu's profound contribution to both Chinese art songs and Chinese musicology remains indisputable.

Music written by Black composers has often been overlooked in the classical saxophone community regarding study and performance. One piece that is inspired directly by Black culture is Steven Banks' Come As You Are (2020). In this composition, Banks incorporates material directly from classic Negro spirituals and Gospel church hymns. The purpose of this document is to assist in educating classical saxophone pedagogues and performers about a work from an underrepresented composer who is clearly meritorious and whose work is worthy of being added to what might be considered by many as the standard repertoire for the saxophone. Included in this document is a performance guide of Come As You Are, as well as an oral history provided by the composer, Steven Banks.

This DMA dissertation provides a pragmatic and coherent way of interpreting a piece of post-tonal music, Four Songs of Solitude, by John Harbison. In this study, a modified Schenkerian analysis, namely linear analysis, serves as a methodological tool for the performer to identify and understand the implicit focal pitches, linear progressions, musical directions, and background structures of the music. By exploring this modified Schenkerian approach to interpreting post-tonal music in-depth, the performer is expected to achieve convincing results in performance on stage.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Patricia Thompson / This report contains biographical, historical, and analytical commentary on the following composers and their pieces for soprano voice: Henry Purcell and The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation; Franz Schubert and Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister, Op. 62, D. 877; Jacques Offenbach and Les oiseaux dans la charmille, from Les Contes d'Hoffmann; Libby Larsen and Try Me, Good King: Last Words of the Wives of Henry VIII; Charles Gounod and Ah! Je veux vivre, from Roméo et Juliette. These selections, unified by the theme of tragedy in various forms of love, were presented in a graduate recital in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy degree.