FSU College of Music . Academic Programs . Music Theory

The Florida State University College of Music features one of the largest and most distinguished theory and composition faculties in the United States. Our students gain valuable experience in teaching and research, working with faculty members who care deeply about both pursuits.

Interested in applying to our program?
You can find a link to current information about curricula and application procedures here. You might also want to see our short lists of:

Coming attractions!
Welcome back (and simply 'welcome!' to alll our new students)! There will be a meeting for all new graduate students in music theory and composition on Wednesday, August 20 at 3:30 in KMU 206.

This year, among other activities, our Fourteenth Biennial Festival of New Music will feature guest composer Christopher Theofanidis (Peabody Conservatory) and the acclaimed new music ensemble eighth blackbird. Kofi Agawu (Princeton University) will keynote our annual student-run Music Theory Forum.

Some highlights of the past school year:
This past fall, Prof. Andrew Rindfleisch (Cleveland State University) was a visiting professor from October 24-25, leading a composition forum and offering private sessions with our student composers. In November, Profs. Michael Buchler and Clifton Callender and doctoral student Christopher Endrinal presented papers at the Society for Music Theory annual meeting in Baltimore, Prof. Nancy Rogers moderated and organized a session on music theory pedagogy, and Prof. Matthew Shaftel served on the program committee.

In spring 2008, we hosted three guest scholars: Robert D. Morris (Eastman School of Music) was in residence as Housewright Scholar from March 19-21. The 25th annual Music Theory Forum was held on February 2 and Judith Lochhead (Stony Brook University) delivered the keynote address. Michael Klein (Temple University) was a visiting scholar from February 14-16, giving a public lecture and guest teaching several of our classes.

Good news abounded at the Music Theory Southeast conference in Greensboro, NC. Seventeen graduate students and six faculty members made the trip; Prof. Evan Jones and FSU students Sean Atkinson, Greg McCandless, Crystal Peebles, and Al Theisen presented their research, and Al Theisen won the best student paper award. Congratulations also go to Nancy Rogers, who is the new President of MTSE and Matthew Shaftel, who was re-elected MTSE Treasurer!

On March 1, our composition graduate students held their first student-run new music festival: Composers Helping to Advance Student Music (CHASM). The day-long event featured three concerts and a masterclass with guest composer Paul Richards (University of Florida).

Please see our news and events page for a complete schedule of theory/composition happenings!

Congratulations!

Christopher Endrinal completed his Ph.D. in music theory (2008) and wlll be Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell beginning in Fall 2008.
James David (D.M. Composition) will be Assistant Professor at Colorado State University beginning in Fall 2008.
Sean Malone will be Assistant Professor of Music Theory at University of Central Missouri beginning in Fall 2008.
Neil Anderson-Himmelspach received a 2008 FSU Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (one of ten at the University).
Alan Theisen won the Best Student Paper award at the 2008 Music Theory Southeast Conference in Greensboro, NC.
Prof. Clifton Callender has co-authored an article in a recent issue of Science.
Prof. Michael Buchler has an article in the latest issue of Music Theory Spectrum.
Prof. Nancy Rogers was elected President of Music Theory Southeast and Prof. Matthew Shaftel was re-elected Treasurer.
Profs. Michael Buchler, Clifton Callender, and Nancy Rogers will be promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in August 2008.
Prof. Jane Piper Clendinning was elected vice president of the Society for Music Theory. She joins Prof. Nancy Rogers (Secretary) and Prof. Michael Buchler (Member-at-Large) on the SMT Executive Board. FSU faculty now hold three of ten elected positions on the Board.
Jose Bevia (D.M. composition, 2006) won the 2007 BMI Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Award in New York City. He is currently Assistant Professor at County College of Morris (New Jersey).
Martin Blessinger (D.M. composition, 2006) is now Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth).
Rob Bennett (Ph.D. candidate, music theory) is now Assistant Professor at Oklahoma City University.
The following students and recent graduates attained visiting faculty appointments: Kathleen Biddick-Smith (George Washington University); Scott Farrah (University of Northern Arizona), Shannon Groskreutz (Stetson University); Alexander Sanchez-Behar (Ashland University); Elizabeth Smith (Butler University).

Interested in what we've been up to in past years? Click here for a walk down memory lane.