Theory/History/Ethnomusicolgy

This program offers undergraduate and graduate music students an experience in composition, performance and art at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence. The program is grounded in private study, group interdisciplinary projects and art history. The rich cultural resources of Florence provide a stimulating environment for the performance creation of new works.

Music study at either the University of Salzburg or the Mozarteum through the dual Master of Arts in Music History and German. Students generally spend their first year participating in the well-established year abroad program in Austria.

In Theory Only is a scholarly journal devoted to music theory. It was founded in 1975 by graduate students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with the aim of supplying a “forum where ideas can be tested by speedy critical reactions” as an alternative to the two established journals. Originally published monthly, the early days were astonishingly free-wheeling. The content ranged from contributions by the top scholars in the field to those of students; from hot debate of ideas to humorous or satirical items. Subsequently, the style became more refined and ITO matured into one of the top three or four journals in the discipline of music theory. It garnered a world-wide readership (Paris, Hong Kong, Finland, Brazil, etc.), as its subscriber base grew from the initial 53 to nearly 500. As ITO expanded and its standards rose, its production became increasingly labor-intensive. Publication became irregular and finally ground to a halt in 1992.

The prospect of permanently losing such an illustrious journal distressed many in the discipline. Consequently, a group of concerned former editors, John Covach (University of Rochester), William E. Lake (Bowling Green State University) and David Headlam (Eastman School of Music) stepped in to revive ITO. To maintain a link with the University of Michigan, they assembled an editorial board of graduates and former faculty. The editorial office moved to Bowling Green State University in March 1994.

In Theory Only is an international music theory journal with a circulation of approximately 450. Its publication schedule is irregular. The last issue published was a quadruple issue, volume 13, numbers 5–8, which was mailed in January 2008. The next issue, volume 14, numbers 1–2, is in preparation, but its actual publication date is uncertain.

Subscriptions are billed on a per-volume basis, not a per-year basis. Current subscription prices are $20 per volume for students, $25 per volume for individuals and $40 per volume for institutions. Subscribers outside the United States are charged an additional $10 for postage. To order a subscription, send check or money order by mail to:

In Theory Only
College of Musical Arts
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0290

Requests for additional information may be sent to wlake@bgsu.edu. Thank you for your interest in In Theory Only.

• Title: In Theory Only
• Subtitle: none
• Sponsoring organization: none
• ISSN: 0360-4365
• Language of publication: English
• Country of publication: USA
• First year of publication: 1975
• Refereed: Yes
• Subject classification: Music theory (academic/scholarly)
• Approximate circulation: 450 (paid)
• Format: Print; Online from IIMP
• Book reviews: Yes
• Advertising: Yes
• Supplements: No
• Cumulative index: No
• Editor: William E. Lake
• Business and editorial office:
  College of Musical Arts
  Bowling Green State University
  Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0290
  (419) 372-0522
• Current issue: Volume 13, nos. 5–8 (June 2007)
• Issues per volume: 8
• Volume and issue numbers per year: Not applicable—we publish irregularly
• Frequency: Not applicable—we publish irregularly
• Publication schedule: Not predictable—we publish irregularly

• 2008 institutional rates

  • Domestic: $40 per volume
  • Foreign: $50 per volume
  • Payment currency: US dollars
  • Payment must be by check, made out to “Bowling Green State University”
  • Payment in advance required
  • Subscriptions begin with the current issue
• Subscriptions for partial volumes: no
• Term restrictions: We do not accept subscriptions extending more than one volume beyond the current issue. With the current issue at 13/8, we are not presently accepted subscriptions going beyond vol. 14, no. 8.
• Cancellations: Accepted, but subscriptions are non-refundable
• Agency discount: none
• Claims deadline: Five years
• Claims accepted by mail only
• Back issues: Inquire by mail for availability and price list

Sidra Lawrence, director

The BGSU Afro-Caribbean Ensemble performs traditional songs, percussion music and dance from sub-Saharan Africa and the Carribean. During the academic year, performances are given on campus and in neighboring communities. Enrollment is open to all students.

Arne Spohr, director (Guido’s Band)

The Early Music Ensemble performs music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble is made up of undergraduate and graduate students in music and occasionally students from other programs. The vocal ensemble consists of 10–15 auditioned singers; the instrumental ensemble (Guido’s Band) is open to anyone proficient in a modern instrument who wants to learn the early instruments (recorder, lute, viola da gamba, Renaissance fiddle, cornetto, crumhorn). The group performs regularly on campus and at schools and community concerts in northwest Ohio.

Allison Eckardt Merrill, director

Taiko is a form of Japanese Ensemble drumming that has become popular across Japan, then United States, and around the world.  Students will perform in the ensemble, learning multiple pieces and performing in World Percussion Night.  Music is learned aurally, so music reading ability is not necessary, but you should be ready for lots of physical movements.

Legong/Kraton

Christopher Dietz, director

The New Music Ensemble presents the works of our time in several concerts each year. Besides the traditional repertoire, the ensemble also focuses on improvisation and collaboration with artists from other disciplines.

Robert Desmond, director

Composed of undergraduate and graduate students, the new Steel Drum Ensembles (founded in 2007) perform music ranging from traditional Carribean tunes to modern jazz arrangements. Students learn instruments ranging from bass pan up to lead tenor as well as “engine room” percussion—drum set, timbales, congas, shakers, etc. Steel Drum Ensembles are open to all students.

Hot, Hot, Hot by Alphonso “Arrow” Cassell, as made famous by Buster Pointdexter
I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash