Lee University music student Ian Tan
photo by Megan Balut
Lee University music student Ian Tan had his paper, “Linear Algebraic Applications to Twelve-Tone Tonality,” accepted into the Louisiana State University Music Colloquium.
The paper examines the 12-tone tonality system developed and used by 20th century American composer George Perle. Mr. Tan focuses on how mathematics relates to the system and how linear algebra can be used to further examine specialized concepts of music theory.
Mr. Tan, a senior mathematics major with a minor in music, first learned about the 12-tone tonality system during a composition class with Dr. John Wykoff, assistant professor of music theory and composition.
“It can be difficult for undergraduate students to do meaningful original research at a high level,” said Dr. Wykoff. “For Ian to be accepted to a professional academic conference at all is a great honor for an undergraduate, but to have tackled a topic as difficult as his is especially impressive.”
The LSU Music Colloquium takes place biennially at the College of Music and Dramatic Arts on the LSU campus.
For more information about the colloquium, visit https://www.musicologie.org/16/fourth_biennal_lsu_music_colloquium.html.
For more information about Lee’s School of Music, visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/music/.