Dr. Joseph Siu Contributes Chapter to Modeling Musical Analysis

Dr. Joseph Chi-Sing Siu, Associate Teaching Professor in Music Theory at UMBC, is a contributing author to Modeling Musical Analysis, edited by Kim Loeffert and John Peterson and recently published by Oxford University Press.

Dr. Siu’s chapter, “Metrical Dissonance and Phrase Grouping in HWANG Yau-Tai’s Oblivion [黃友棣 - 遺忘] ,” analyzes one of HWANG Yau-Tai’s (1911–2010) most beloved choral works. Composed in 1968 and set to a text by Taiwanese author CHUNG Mei-Yun (鍾梅音), the four-part choral piece portrays the protagonist’s emotional turmoil as she struggles to forget her lover, even as her lingering feelings persist. Dr. Siu’s analysis focuses on HWANG’s use of metrical dissonances and phrase groupings, demonstrating how these compositional techniques enhance the expressive depth of the music and reflect the protagonist’s conflicted emotions.

Modeling Musical Analysis provides a collection of accessible and diverse analytical essays designed for classroom use. The volume amplifies the voices of marginalized scholars and broadens the scope of music theory pedagogy by incorporating a wide range of musical traditions and genres. Essays in the collection explore music from regions such as China, India, Japan, North and South America, and Turkey, as well as genres like ballet, chamber music, film music, jazz, musical theater, opera, oratorio, orchestral music, popular music, video game music, and vocal music. These essays provide students with new perspectives and methodologies, helping to make music theory more inclusive by expanding the range of music and analytical techniques typically represented in theory curricula.

Congratulations to Dr. Siu on his contribution to this publication!