Expanding the Music Theory Canon: Inclusive Examples for Analysis from the Common Practice Period

The first music theory anthology to provide 255 topically arranged examples by 67 historical women and people of color.

Winner of the 2025 Pedagogy of Music Theory Award presented by the Society for Music Theory

Featuring music by sixty-seven historical women and/or people of color, Expanding the Music Theory Canon is designed to supplement any introductory Western classical music theory curriculum. At a time when many academics are focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, this book provides the means to seamlessly incorporate works by underrepresented composers into music theory core courses. The anthology's 255 musical examples are organized topically and include excerpts as well as nineteen complete pieces for analysis. Each chapter begins with guided analysis questions aimed at students approaching these concepts for the first time. Notably, this anthology provides a biography and image for each composer, which is particularly significant since works by these individuals have rarely been included in previous textbooks or anthologies. A related website, www.expandingthemusictheorycanon.com, provides additional examples and links to recordings when available. All musical examples in the anthology have been classroom-tested with music majors and minors at a major conservatory, at private and public universities, and at community colleges. Detailed tables provide suggestions for using this book in conjunction with the major introductory theory textbooks.

A special set of online exercises has been prepared by the book's author using the Auralia & Musition software programs; you can find further information here: https://www.risingsoftware.com/expanding-the-music-theory-canon.

Additional examples and a blog offering teaching suggestions may be found at: https://www.expandingthemusictheorycanon.com.

Paula Maust is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.