Foundations of Tonal Music

Dr. Gretchen Foley is Professor Emerita of Music Theory in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior teaching appointments include Eastern New Mexico University and Memorial University of Newfoundland. As a member of the Society for Music Theory, Music Theory Midwest, and the College Music Society, she served these associations in a variety of capacities.

Dr. Foley’s research interests focus on George Perle’s theory of twelve-tone tonality and music theory pedagogy, with satellite interests in analysis for performance, genre fusion, and progressive rock. She has presented her work internationally in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Finland, Costa Rica, and Australia, and at national and regional conferences throughout the United States. Her research appears in a variety of journals, including Music Theory Online, Theory and Practice, Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Computer Music Journal, Indiana Theory Review, and College Music Symposium. She has written two electronic textbooks and companion workbooks, Foundations of Tonal Music, Volumes 1 and 2 (Kendall Hunt Publishing Company).

Dr. Foley joined the faculty at UNL in 2001 and retired in 2022. She taught an array of music theory courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and coordinated the freshman musicianship program in theory and aural skills. Dr. Foley was the recipient of the first Leadership Award in Curricular or Programmatic Development in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts in 2009, and the College’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007. In 2005, 2008, and 2019 she received the UNL Parents Association and Teaching Council Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students.