Letter in Defense of Music Theory
I came across this letter I wrote to Baldwin Wallace University back in 2019 (before I was ever a professor there) to try and help save the Music Theory degree. (They did keep the degree for several more year until disappointingly it was cut last month). Seven years after writing it, my career has only grown and the statements here all hold true, well mostly. I have no interest in pursuing a doctorate. 😂 I thought I'd share it here as it talks about the benefits of how having a degree in Music Theory aided me in my career, and that those considering pursuing a music degree might find it informative.
Dear, Board of Trustees and Provost of Baldwin Wallace University,
I was informed that the Music Theory and Music History degree programs are being considered for termination. I was surprised to hear this as it’s unclear to me how this would benefit the university, the students, or keep the BWU Conservatory of Music in the same class as other major conservatories and music schools that offer these degrees. (Julliard, Curtis, Manhattan, Peabody, Oberlin, CIM, Berklee, etc.) I’ll assume these arguments have already been made. So, the focus of my letter is to illustrate briefly how the education I received from BWU benefited my career.
My name is Rob Kovacs, and I am a full-time performer, pianist, singer, composer, arranger, music director, teacher, and all-around musician. I’ve lived in and worked in New York City and Cleveland, have performed all around the country, have scored music for films, recorded on records for other artists, recorded my own records, performed as a dueling pianist, played with orchestras (Lima Symphony, Distant Worlds, numerous pit orchestras), performed with contemporary ensembles (No Exit, FiveOne XO, l(a)), played in churches, musicals, music directed many events, played in restaurants and bars, played for weddings, private parties, am a Musician in Residence at the Cleveland Clinic, started my own groups (Return of Simple, 88bit, Math + Logic) and gave the first solo performance of Steve Reich’s Piano Phase (which occurred in Gamble Auditorium, March 28, 2004).
I did not get a degree in Piano Performance, though I took performing very seriously, nor was my degree in composition, though I took that subject seriously as well. My degree is in Music Theory with Dr. Kent Cleland as my advisor and guide. I chose this major from day one, even though I technically couldn’t enroll until my sophomore year. I wanted to perform as well as compose, and I loved theory and just learning about music. I felt a degree in Music Theory would give me the most well rounded musical education which I could then take in any direction I wanted. And it most certainly did.
I could have taken classes in “How to Score for Films” or “How to Be a Session Musician”, or “How to Learn Music by Ear”, or “How to Arrange for Piano,” etc. Wait, no, those classes didn’t exist. So how did I learn how to do all of this?
These skills were all made possible by having a solid understanding of music theory.
Music Theory is, at its core, the study of how music works — why it makes us feel the way we feel. It tries to explain how and why composers made the choices they made. And as new music is composed, newer theories are developed to explain it. Music Theory encompasses everything from simply naming a key on a piano, to explaining the melodic hierarchy using Schenkerian analysis, to why someone likes Justin Timberlake’s music, or not.
Having a deep understanding of music theory allowed me to combine all the knowledge gained from college courses (solfege, harmony, history, 12-tone techniques, piano lessons, jazz ensemble, etc.) and develop the skills needed to accept and succeed at jobs that have come my way. Without a proper understanding of music theory, I would have failed miserably or more likely, never have had the confidence to take work outside of my comfort zone. I see it today with musicians who don’t have a solid understanding of music theory.
My letter is going beyond “brief.” So to wrap up, my career would not be what it is had I not gotten a Music Theory degree from BWU. And I could never have anticipated where my career would have even taken me. Additionally, I feel confident in the goals that I’m currently pursuing.
I’m also happy that I have this degree and that I have the option to continue my education and pursue a doctorate in Music Theory, which I may do someday.
BWU has an outstanding Music Theory program, and I’m forever grateful to have had the opportunity to study there.
Thank you for your time.
Most sincerely,
Rob Kovacs