Greg McCandless
Greg McCandless is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Appalachian State University. He holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and Florida State University. Greg’s research interests include theories of rhythm and meter, music theory pedagogy, music technology, and the analysis of popular music. He is currently active as a performer and producer of music for television.
Biography
Dr. Greg McCandless is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Appalachian State University. A native of Rochester, NY, Greg graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2005) with a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors in Bass Performance. He later received Master of Music (2007) and Doctor of Philosophy (2010) degrees in Music Theory from Florida State University.Dr. McCandless's research interests include theories of rhythm and meter, music theory pedagogy, music technology, and the analysis of popular music. His dissertation and related article in Music Theory Online (2013) focus on the music of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, and he has also published essays on music technology in the e-book Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy Vol. II (2014) and Music Theory Pedagogy Online (2014, co-authored with Anna Stephan-Robinson). Forthcoming articles will appear in Music Theory Online and the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy in late 2017.
Dr. McCandless is also active as a session musician, and he has composed original music and recorded bass, guitar, and trombone tracks for artist releases, film scores, production library music, and video game soundtracks. He serves as a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy Online, as a technology committee member for the North Carolina Music Educators Association, and as Member-at-Large for Music Theory Southeast.
Prior to his appointment at ASU, Greg served as the Department Chair of Music Composition for the fully-online Music Production Bachelor of Science degree program at Full Sail University from 2010–2015. In this capacity, he authored and taught several online theory and aural skills courses, including Music Theory, Musical Listening and Identification, Music Theory II, and Advanced Music Theory.
Education
-
Ph.D. in Music Theory, Florida State University, 2010
M.M. in Music Theory, Florida State University, 2007
B.M. with Honors in Bass Performance, UNC, 2005
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
-
Theories of rhythm and meter, music theory pedagogy, music technology and production, analysis of popular music
Websites
Books
Articles
Conference Report: Pedagogy into Practice
Published: Aug 03, 2017 by Music Theory Online
Authors: Gregory R. McCandless
A report on the Pedagogy into Practice conference held at Lee University in June, 2017.
Video and Podcasting Tools for Blended, Flipped, and Fully-Online Theory Courses
Published: Jul 03, 2017 by Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy Online
Authors: Gregory R. McCandless and Anna Stephan-Robinson
This article provides an overview of technological tools that can be used to optimize blended and online music theory courses.
On the Assessment of Technological Competence in Online Music Courses
Published: Jul 03, 2014 by Engaging Students, Vol. II
Authors: Gregory R. McCandless
A brief article discussing practical issues related to teaching fully online music courses.
Metal as a Gradual Process
Published: Jun 03, 2013 by Music Theory Online
Authors: Gregory R. McCandless
Article on additive rhythmic structures in the music of the progressive metal band Dream Theater.