Guest Scholars

The MSU Music Theory Area has a vibrant guest-scholars program. Seven renowned theorists visit us each year to present their research, guest-teach our classes, and mentor our students.

Guest lecture in Music building classroom with lecturer at the front of the class and camera perspective from the audience with several attendees listening

Guest Lectures

Graduate students in the music theory area are exposed to cutting-edge research through guest lectures. Visiting scholars present their most current thinking on a variety of topics, bringing the plurality of the music-theoretic discipline right here to East Lansing.

Guest Teaching

Our students interact directly with the guests as master pedagogues. Visiting scholars are selected so that their expertise aligns with a seminar or workshop in our graduate curriculum in music theory. Each of them guest-teaches this course, and many of them teach a graduate course for performers and/or a course in our undergraduate core sequence as well.

Professional Mentoring

We reserve time in each guest scholar’s itinerary for individual meetings with any interested students, as well as a group lunch with graduate students in music theory. These conversations offer opportunities for candid mentoring about students’ research projects, professional development, teaching, and applications for jobs and doctoral programs.

Upcoming Events

Online

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Richard Sherman, flute with Juan Riveros, harp

7:30 pm

Cook Recital Hall

Artist-faculty and Guest Recital Series

Join flutist Richard Sherman and newly appointed harpist Juan Riveros for a recital featuring works by Persichetti, Farr, Damase, and Alwyn, showcasing the expressive interplay between flute and harp.

Event Details

$$$

Online

Friday, January 17, 2025

“From Vienna with Love”

8:00 pm

Cook Recital Hall

Artist-faculty and Guest Recital Series

“From Vienna with Love” explores romantic clarinet, cello, and piano trios, featuring works by Beethoven, Zemlinsky, Kahn, and Brahms, with artists Guy Yehuda (clarinet), Suren Bagratuni (cello), and Ralph Votapek (piano).

Event Details

$$$

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert

3:00 pm

Fairchild Theatre

MSU Jazz Ensembles

Annual concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring MSU Jazz Orchestras and special guests in a meaningful program, this concert highlights the theme “I Have a Dream for the World.”

Event Details

Free

Monday, January 20, 2025

Carillon Recital: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

12:00 pm

Beaumont Tower

Artist-faculty and Guest Recital Series

Enjoy the MSU 49-bell carillon at Beaumont Tower with carillonists Jon Lehrer, Laurie Harkema, and guests.

Event Details

Free

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Piffaro: Inside Early Music

11:30 am

Music Building Room

Guest Workshop and Instrument Demonstration

Join musicians from Piffaro, the renowned Renaissance wind ensemble, for a public workshop showcasing historical instruments and discussions of the artistry of early music performance.

Event Details

Free

View All Event Listings

"A highlight of my time at MSU was getting to talk about my research and my future plans with a variety of prominent theorists in the field through the guest scholar program."

Alexandrea Jonker '18 (MM Theory), Now A Ph.D. Student In Music Theory at Mcgill University