Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Department of Music, August 2002. / Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-188).

Thesis (D.M.A.) Florida State University, 2007. / Advisor: Ladislav Kubik, Florida State University, College of Music. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed 8-20-2007). Document formatted into pages; contains 84 pages. Includes biographical sketch.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.M.)--Boston University

Thesis (M.M.)--Boston University

This composition is a symphonic poem for full orchestra roughly eighteen minutes in length. The work takes both its title and inspiration from George Orwell's novel 1984. Each individual section of music reflects on a specific scene from the novel, but the sections function as transient and free-flowing "scenes" rather than as distinct movements, and musical material is transferred freely between them over the course of the piece.

"Transformations" is a three-movement work that is approximately 17'30" in duration and is scored for full orchestra. The piece is a tone poem and employs extended tonal pitch content. Each of the three movements is based upon a cell of planing intervals: the cell of I. Molto Moderato consists of two parallel fifths played by the double basses; the cell of II. Adagio is three intervals (a seventh, third, and fourth) sounded first by the violins; and the cell of III. Allegretto is four intervals (a sixth followed by three fourths) played by the bassoons, violas, and double basses. The planing motifs, which evoke both medieval and contemporary popular styles, recur throughout the piece with varied pitch content (including inversions) and in a variety of orchestrations (e.g. in "transformations," as implied by the title).

Premiered on November 1st 2016, Steve Reich’s new work Pulse: For Winds, Strings, Piano and Electric Bass epitomizes 51 years of compositional development. Understandably, no formal or analytical discussions exist of this work, a lacuna that inspires the present research questions: Where does Pulse fall in relation to Reich’s overall style and technique? Is it a logical continuation of his compositional evolution? Does it make use of the techniques that distinguish him or does it venture into new territories? To answer these questions, the thesis combines a historical survey of Reich’s compositional output with an analysis of Pulse that considers current analytic scholarship. An overview of the literature on the composer serves to determine the separate compositional periods of his output in relation to his most employed techniques. This amalgamation allows for a historically and stylistically contextualized analysis of Pulse. The resulting synthesis not only creates a new categorization of Reich’s compositional development, but also shows that Pulse embodies a summation of the composer’s musical technique.

abstract: Currently, an aspiring assistant conductor is faced with a lack of information regarding the expectations and successful strategies in preparing to take on an assistant conductorship in the United States. A conductor's training in the United States focuses heavily on stick and rehearsal technique, score study, performance practice, and developing a deeper understanding of the administrative and logistical structure of the modern symphony orchestra - as it should be. Speaking as a an aspiring young conductor, I believe that, although these aspects of conducting are crucial for one's success in the field, two important aspects of a conductor's education are often not given an adequate amount of attention in the basic curriculum. These are: 1) Developing a clearer understanding of the official and unofficial functions of an assistant orchestra conductor in the United States; and, 2) Providing a model of the elements of a professional and highly effective press packet including: conducting footage, CV/resume, photographs, website, references and cover letter. The purpose of this project was to collect and present information that may inform an aspiring assistant orchestra conductor regarding the expectations of such a position and strategies to improve one's marketability for such a job in the United States. A handbook for the aspiring conductor was also created. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2014