Dr. Gretchen C. Foley is Associate Professor of Music Theory and area head of theory, history, and composition in the School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Foley received the Ph.D. in Systematic Musicology (Theory) from the University of Western Ontario (Canada), and the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada). Prior to her appointment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2001), Dr. Foley was Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Eastern New Mexico University (1999-2001), and held numerous teaching assignments at Memorial University of Newfoundland's School of Music (1988-1999).
Dr. Foley's research interests include George Perle's theory of twelve-tone tonality and music theory pedagogy. An active member of the Society for Music Theory (SMT), Music Theory Midwest (MTMW), and the College Music Society, she has presented her work at national and regional meetings of these associations throughout the United States, and at international conferences in Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Costa Rica. She currently serves as Reviews Editor for SMT's electronic journal Music Theory Online and Treasurer for MTMW.
Dr. Foley's publications appear in: the Proceedings of the International Conference of Mathematics and Computing in Music, Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung, Berlin (forthcoming); Theory and Practice 33 (forthcoming) and 32 (2007); Music Theory Online 13.3 (2007); College Music Symposium 46 (2007); Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy 20 (2006); Computer Music Journal 30/3 (2006); Indiana Theory Review 23 (2002); Studies in Music from the University of Western Ontario 19-20 (2001); andSystems Research in the Arts, Volume II: Music, Environmental Design and the Choreography of Space, the International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics (2000).
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Foley coordinates the freshman musicianship program, and teaches undergraduate core theory and aural skills, and graduate courses in counterpoint, post-tonal music theory, music theory pedagogy, history of music theory, and comprehensive analysis. Dr. Foley received the Hixson-Lied College Award for Outstanding Leadership in Curriculum and Program Development in 2009 and the Hixson-Lied College Distinguished Teaching Award for 2007, and UNL Parents Association and UNL Teaching Council-sponsored Certificates of Recognition for Contributions to Students in 2005 and 2008. She has been a reader for the College Board's AP Music Theory Exams since 2002.
Dr. Foley has performed extensively as a member of numerous chamber choirs and ensembles and as a collaborative pianist. She is a founding member of the UNL Chamber Singers. She has also served as musical director for a variety of community musical productions in St. John's, Canada, and is currently on the board of directors of Lincoln's Pinewood Bowl Inc. Dr. Foley directs the Family Choir at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and is Treasurer for the St. Joseph's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Lincoln Council.
