Composition and Music Theory
Composition Studies
The composition faculty teach individual composition lessons at two levels: 025:179 Composition, primarily for undergraduate composition students working toward the Bachelor of Music degree; and 025:223 Advanced Composition, for graduate composers in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
Professor Lawrence Fritts directs the Electronic Music Studios, and teaches a two-course sequence in composition with electronic media (25:250 & 251). All composition students participate in a weekly composition seminar (25:156), a forum for occasional guest speakers and for student presentations.
Both the student-run Composers Workshop and the Electronic Music Studios present concerts of works by composition students. Composition students and faculty also participate in the Midwest Composers Symposium, which meets annually at one of several member institutions for two days of concerts of music by student composers.
The Center for New Music, directed by Professor David Gompper, presents a number of concerts of contemporary music each semester, often including thesis compositions by student composers. See the Center’s webpage for program information.
The Henry and Parker Pelzer Prize in Composition is awarded annually to a graduate student in composition who demonstrates substantial creative achievement.
Music Theory Studies
As a small department within a large School of Music, we offer graduate students the best of both worlds: excellent access to research libraries, stimulating performance opportunities, and ample teaching opportunities, all with a maximum of individualized attention from faculty.
In addition to advanced studies leading to the M.A. or Ph.D. in music theory, we offer a theory pedagogy minor that prepares graduate students specializing in music performance to teach college-level music theory. Our weekly Colloquium lecture series brings distinguished guest speakers to campus as well as provides a forum for our own faculty and graduate students to share their recent research.
The theory area at The University of Iowa comprises a small group of scholars doing cutting-edge research in areas such as transformational theory, popular music, critical theory, modal theory, and history of theory. Our research expertise spans the Renaissance era through the early 21st century.
Composition and Music Theory Faculty
- Matthew Arndt, theory
- Robert Cook, theory
- Michael Eckert, composition and theory; theory coordinator
- Lawrence Fritts. composition; Electronic Music Studios
- David Gompper, composition; Center for New Music; area head
- Jennifer Iverson, theory
Admissions and Degree Requirements
- Bachelor of Music in composition
- Master of Arts in composition
- Master of Arts in theory
- Doctor of Philosophy in composition
- Doctor of Philosophy in theory
- Minor in theory pedagogy
Contact Information
For more information on the theory and composition area at The University of Iowa, please select from the following:
- Michael Eckert, theory coordinator
(319) 335-1619 or michael-eckert@uiowa.edu - Lawrence Fritts, Electronic Music Studios
(319) 335-1666 or lawrence-fritts@uiowa.edu - David Gompper, Composition and Theory area head; director, Center for New Music
(319) 335-1626 or david-gompper@uiowa.edu.