Purin Earns Doctorate in Music Theory

September 2, 2011

Peter Purin, assistant professor of music theory at OBU, has completed the requirements for his Ph.D. in music theory from The University of Kansas in Lawrence. Purin will graduate in December.

Purin's dissertation is titled "'I've a Voice, I've a Voice': Determining Stephen Sondheim's Compositional Style Through a Music-Theoretic Analysis of his Theater Works."

Purin earned his bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College and his master's degree from The University of Minnesota. Prior to his time on Bison Hill, he served as a graduate student section instructor for "Music Theory" and "Introduction to Music Technology" at the University of Kansas. He also served as a teaching assistant section instructor for music theory at The University of Minnesota.

At OBU, the courses Purin teaches include "Fundamentals of Music," "Introduction to Aural Skills," "Theory II" and "Ear Training and Sight Singing II." He also oversees music technology at OBU.

Purin said his primary focus is to teach students to use music theory practically and to challenge students' ways of thinking about music. As a researcher, he has given papers at conferences locally, regionally and nationally. His research interests include American Musical Theatre, 19th Century Music and Schenkerian Theory. In performance, he is an accomplished singer and actor, particularly enjoying participation in musical theatre works of all eras. He enjoys writing music for a variety of instruments, particularly for singers.

Purin has published several articles including "An Examination of Don Walker's Orchestration Style in The Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella, and The Music Man" in the American Music Research Center Journal; and "Review: The Sound of Broadway Music by Stephen Suskin" and "Review: Directors and the New Musical Drama by Miranda Lundskaer-Nielsen," both published in Studies in Musical Theatre.