Dr. John Roeder

Professor

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Biography

John Roeder is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Music at the University of British Columbia. With a background from Harvard University for his A.B. and Yale University for his Ph.D., Roeder has established himself as a music theorist and analyst. He focuses on understanding how people conceive music, emphasizing the organization of time in coherent, expressive, and meaningful ways. His research is particularly relevant to contemporary composers and includes interests in popular music, jazz, and Renaissance polyphony, as well as phenomenology and post-tonal grouping. He has provided direction to graduate student research in various areas, including rhythm, meter, and mathematical approaches to music. Roeder has also been involved in interdisciplinary projects like InterPARES and has held grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for studies on contemporary art music. Active in the Society for Music Theory, he participates on editorial boards and has led workshops and seminars to advance the study of contemporary music theory.

Research Interests

Music Theory Music Analysis Contemporary Music Popular Music Jazz Renaissance Polyphony Phenomenology Post-Tonal Grouping Rhythm Meter Mathematical Approaches to Music Semiosis Representation Processive Approaches to Music

Experience

Professor Emeritus

— Present

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC, Canada

Retired professor with extensive focus on music theory and composition.

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.