Theory and Ethnomusicology
Princeton University has four faculty members working in music theory:
Kofi Agawu, whose work covers semiotics, Schenker, chromatic harmony, and African music; Scott Burnham, who specializes in the history of theory and the music of the classical style, particularly Beethoven and Schubert; Noriko Manabe, whose work touches on ethnomusicology, popular music, and the cross-cultural transmission of musical styles; and Dmitri Tymoczko, who thinks about tonality, scales, the geometry of music, and compositional applications of theoretical ideas. Kofi Agawu and Noriko Manabe work in both ethnomusicology and theory; they are joined by Dan Trueman, a composer who studies and plays a variety of folk fiddle styles, particularly Norwegian Hardanger fiddle.
Though the department does not offer a separate program in music theory or ethnomusicology, it encourages applications from students interested in these areas. Pure theorists or ethnomusicologists should apply to the musicology program; composer-theorists or composer-
ethnomusicologists can instead apply to the composition side.
Students admitted under this circumstance will work with the faculty to design an appropriate course of study, tailored to their individual needs and interests, which may include specialized general examinations or courses at nearby institutions.
