The lecture recital was given on November 20, 1979. The final movement of Widor's Symphonie Gothique, opus 70, the first movement of Widor's Symphonie Romane, opus 73, and the first movement of Dupré's Symphonie-Passion, opus 23 were performed following a lecture on Gregorian Chant in the organ symphonies of Widor and Dupré. The lecture included a brief historical discussion of the decline of organ literature following the French Classical School, the development of the Modern French Organ School beginning with the establishment of the organ department at the Paris Conservatory, the revival of plainsong and the establishment of the School of Solesmes, and the influence of César Franck and the organ symphony. The main body of the lecture included biographical sketches of Widor and Dupré, a discussion of the general characteristics of their organ symphonies, with the emphasis upon those movements specifically employing the use of Gregorian chant.

This dissertation consists of four programs: one lecture recital, two recitals for solo trumpet, and one in combination with other instruments and voices. The lecture was an exploration of the contents of Modo per Imparare a Sonare di Tromba, by Girolamo Fantini, published in 16358. Fantini, who was also a trumpet player, included in his volume a wide variety of music for the natural trumpet. In addition to military signals and fanfares, the book contains exercises for developing technical ability on the trumpet, a large number of dance pieces with and without accompaniment, duets for two trumpets, and sonatas for trumpet and keyboard.

The evolution of the role of the trombone as a solo instrument in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries can be traced most effectively through four schools of playing, with the music of today's avant-garde being a logical historical culmination of these four schools. It will be demons t rated that the avant-garde's use of the solo trombone has merely continued the evolutionary process started in the early nineteenth century. The contribution of the early nineteenth-century virtuosi was the establishment of the idea that the trombone could compete on its own terms with other instruments as a solo instrument. In addition to expanding the technical capabilities, they also left a basic solo repertoire. With the death of the virtuosi the trombone as a solo instrument went into a decline. For the remainder of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth century the Paris Conservatoire was influential. Standards of solo performance were brought to new heights by excellent study material and contest solos. The next important step came from the late nineteenth-century American band virtuosi. Their influence helped the public to accept the idea of the trombone as a solo instrument. The American jazz trombonists of the 1930's and 1940's also …

The first three recitals contained solely performances of piano music. The first one consisted of an Etude-Tableau by Rachmaninov, the Capriccio by Stravinsky (the chamberensemble accompaniment arranged for second piano), and the great Sonata in A minor by Schubert. The second recital contained a Prelude and Fugue by J. S. Bach, Reger's Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, a Romance by the performer, Peter Covino's Toccatina Op. 4 No. 8, and Chopin's Nocturne Op. 55 No. 2 and Scherzo in E. The third recital consisted of Schonberg's Sechs Kleine Klavierstilcke, Ives's Some South-Paw Pitching, and the Sonata Op. 106 ("Hammerklavier") by Beethoven. The fourth recital featured a lecture which surveyed the piano waltz throughout its history. Several complete examples, namely Weber's Invitation to the Dance, Chopin's Waltz in A minor, and La Valse by Ravel, and incomplete examples including a Lundler by the performer, several of Schubert's waltzes, Chopin's Waltz Op. 42, and Man Lebt Nur Einmal! by Strauss-Tausig interspersed the lecture. All four recitals, tape-recorded, and the lecture, typewritten, are filed together in the Graduate Office of the North Texas State University.

The lecture recital was given on November 20, 1972. The discussion of Webern's Variations and Dallapiccola's Quaderno Musicale consisted of a analysis of the two works followed by a comparison of stylistic and performance aspects. The two works were then performed. In addition to the lecture recital four other public recitals were given. Two of these consisted entirely of solo literature for the piano. The third recital was a vocal chamber music recital and the fourth consisted of a piano concerto performed with an orchestra.

This lecture-recital investigated the lineage of French composers who were influenced by jazz during the first half of the twentieth century, with a focus on compositions from the solo trombone repertory. Historically, French composers, more than those of other European countries, showed an early affinity for the artistic merits of America's jazz. This predilection for the elements of jazz could be seen in the selected orchestral works of Les Six and the solo compositions of the Paris Conservatory composers. An examination of the skills of major jazz trombonists early in the twentieth century showed that idioms resulting from their unique abilities were gradually assimilated into orchestral and solo repertory. Orchestral works by Satie, Milhaud, and Ravel works showing jazz traits were investigated. Further, an expose of the solo trombone works emanating from the Paris Conservatory was presented. Although written documentation is limited, comparisons between early recorded jazz trombone solos and compositions for orchestral and solo trombone was established. These comparisons were made on the basis of idiomatic jazz elements such as high-tessitura ballad melodies, blue tonalities and harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and many of the aspects of style associated with improvisation. All major French solo trombone repertory to mid-century was surveyed …