
C. Catherine Losada
Professor
Professor of Music Theory
Emery Hall
4225L
CCM Music Theory - 0003
Professional Summary
Professor C. Catherine Losada, PhD., is a music theorist whose research interests include post-tonal music, the music of Pierre Boulez, advanced serial techniques, transformational theory, the musical collage, film music, and music written after 1950. At CCM, Losada teaches tonal theory, film music, analysis of popular music, twentieth-century theory and analysis, post-1950s theory and analysis, set theory, alternatives to set theory, seminars on the music of Pierre Boulez, a seminar on transformational theory, and other seminars involving recent developments in the application of mathematical approaches to music theory and analysis. She has been published in Music Theory Spectrum (2009, 2014 and forthcoming), Journal of Music Theory, Musica Theorica, Mitteilungen der Paul Sacher Stiftung, Music Analysis, Music Theory Online (2007 and 2019), Music Theory and Analysis, Journal of Mathematics and Music, Quaderni di Matematica and Twentieth-Century Music and Mathematics. She has also published in collections of essays such as The Cambridge Companion to Serialism, Boulez in Context. She has served on the Executive Board of the Society for Music Theory and as president of Music Theory Midwest. She is currently working on a monograph on the music of Pierre Boulez.
Losada is the recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Grant, the Outstanding Publication Award from the Society for Music Theory, the Rieveschl Award for Creative and/or Scholarly Works, a Third Century Faculty Research Grant, a Publications Subventions Grant from the Society for Music Theory, a Paul Sacher Foundation Grant, a University Research Council Grant, and a University Research Council Faculty Summer Fellowship for research conducted at the Sacher Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. She is also a Fellow of the Graduate College at the University of Cincinnati and has served as Fulbright Specialist. She has delivered papers at top quality venues spanning several continents. This includes an invited lecture for the colloquium Boulez: l'invention a pouvoir? Les années 1975-1995 at the Collège de France (Paris, France, 2025), a paper at Edinburgh MAC (Edinburgh, UK, 2024), presentations at Music and the Moving Image (New York, New York, 2023, and 2024), a special symposium by a research group, "Concepts of Harmony in Musical Composition 1945-1975" (Venice, 2019 and 2022), a symposium on Music Theory and Analysis at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia, 2022), a Study Day on Boulez's Sur Incises at the University of Montreal (Montreal, Canada, 2021), a keynote address at the 9th International Conference on Arts and Humanities (Queretaro, Mexico, 2019), An International Symposium and Workshop Series in Music Theory at the China University (Beijing, 2018), an invited lecture in the Carrigan Lecture Series at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, 2017), EuroMAC (Strasbourg, France, 2017), IMS (the conference of the International Musicological Society, Stavanger, Norway, 2016), KeeleMac (the conference of the Society for Music Analysis, Keele, UK, 2015), the McGill Workshop on Italian Serialism of the 1950s (Montreal, 2010), the First International Conference of the Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music (Berlin, 2007), and the Fourth Biennial International Conference on Twentieth-Century Music (University of Sussex, 2005). She has also presented her research at the annual meetings of the Society for Music Theory (Seattle, 2004; Cambridge, 2005; Los Angeles, 2006; Minneapolis, 2011; New Orleans, 2012; Charlotte, 2013; Milwaukee, 2014; Vancouver 2016; Viurtual, 2020; Virtual, 2021; New Orleans, 2022; Jacksonville, 2023), the American Musicological Society (2019), as well as many regional conferences.
Education
BM: Rutgers University
Ph.D.: City University of New York
MM: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, (Music Theory)
MM: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, (Music Performance)
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Catherine Losada (2014. ) Complex Multiplication, Structure and Process: Harmony and Form in Boulez's Structures II .Music Theory Spectrum, , 36 (1 ) ,
Catherine Losada (2009. ) Between Modernism and Postmodernism: Strands of Continuity in Collage Compositions by Rochberg, Berio and Zimmermann .Music Theory Spectrum, , 31 (1 ) ,57
Catherine Losada, Guerino Mazzola, Florian Thalmann and Schuyler Tsuda (2009. ) Topos Theory for a Creative Analysis of Boulez's Structures .Quaderni di Matematica, , (23 ) ,234
Catherine Losada (2008. ) The Process of Modulation in the Musical Collage .Music Analysis, , 27 (5 ) ,97
Catherine Losada (2008. ) Isography and Structure in the Music of Pierre Boulez .Journal of Mathematics and Music, , 2 (3 ) ,135
Catherine Losada (2007. ) K-nets and Hierarchical Structural Recursion: Further Considerations .Music Theory Online, , 13 (3 ) ,
Catherine Losada (2017. ) Between Freedom and Control: Composing Out, Compositional Process and Structure in the Music of Boulez .Journal of Music Theory, , 61 (2 ) ,
Catherine Losada (2018. ) The “Prismes” of Figures Doubles Prismes .Mitteilungen der Paul Sacher Stiftung, , 31 ,
Catherine Losada (2019. ) Boulez and Mathematics .Twentieth-Century Music and Mathematics, ,
Catherine Losada (2019. ) Middleground Structure in the Cadenza to Boulez's Eclat .Music Theory Online, , 25 (1 ) ,
Catherine Losada (2019. ) The Need for an Aesthetic Orientation: Developmental Techniques in the Music of Boulez .Music Theory and Analysis, ,
Catherine Losada (2017. ) Stravinsky and Boulez: Compositional Process, Form and Development .Proceedings of the 9th European Music Analysis Conference (EuroMAC), ,
Catherine Losada (2026. ) Rotation and Inversion-Based Arrays as Reflections of Harmonic Conceptions in Boulez's Compositional Practice .Music Theory Spectrum, , 48 (2 ) ,
Catherine Losada (2021. ) Pierre Boulez, América Latina y la vanguardia europea después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial .Musica Theorica, , 6 (1 ) ,
Invited Publications
Catherine Losada (2025. ) Pierre Boulez: Figures, Doubles, Prismes- Podcast .Radio Nacional de España,
Catherine Losada (2024. ) Pierre Boulez's Éclat .A Century of Serialism: 100 Analyses of Serial and Twelve-Tone Music (video series),
Book Chapter
Catherine Losada (2025 ) Counting Boulez: Boulez and Mathematics Boulez in Context .Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
Catherine Losada (2023 ) Pierre Boulez and the Redefinition of Serialism The Cambridge Companion to Serialism .(pp. 125 -139).Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
Catherine Losada The Diagonal Dimension: Concepts of Harmony in the Music of Pierre Boulez Concepts of Harmony in Musical Composition 1945-1975 .
Presentations
Invited Presentations
Catherine Losada (2020. ) America Latina y la Vanguardia Europea después de 1950 .Universidad Antonio Nariño- Virtual, Bogotá, Colombia. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2020. ) Latin America and the European Avant-Garde after 1950 .Longyear Speaker Series, University of Kentucky, Lexington-Virtual. Level:University
Catherine Losada (2019. ) Keynote Address: América Latina y la Vanguardia Europea Después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial .International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Queretaro, Mexico. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2010. ) Transformational Networks as Representations of Systematic Intervallic Interactions in Berio's Sinfonia .Music Thoery Workshop on Italian Serialism of the 1950sMcGill University, Montreal, Canada. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2019. ) The Diagonal Dimension: Concepts of Harmony in the Music of Boulez .Concepts of Harmony in Musical composition 1945-1975, Venice. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2016. ) The Pedagogy of Post-Tonal Music Theory .Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2018. ) Developmental Techniques in the Music of Boulez .An International Symposium and Workshop Series in Music Theory at the China Conservatory, Beijing, China.
Catherine Losada (2017. ) The Concept of Development in the Music of Pierre Boulez .Carrigan Lecture Series at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Level:University
Catherine Losada (2025. ) Spirals in the Harmonic and Formal Structure of Répons .Collège de France, Paris, France. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2024. ) Continuity through Expressive Transformations in Film Music by Max Steiner .James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Level:University
Catherine Losada (2023. ) The Diagonal Dimension: Concepts of Harmony in the Music of Pierre Boulez .Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Level:University
Catherine Losada (2022. ) The Diagonal Dimension: Concepts of Harmony in the Music of Pierre Boulez .Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2022. ) Sur Incises: Reflexiones sobre la armonía en la música de Pierre Boulez .Pontifica Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2021. ) Sur Incises and Boulezian Harmony .University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. Level:International
Lecture
Catherine Losada (04-13-2010. ) Transformational Networks as Representations of Systematic Intervallic Interactions in Berio¹s Sinfonia .Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Other Institution. Level:University
Catherine Losada (01-30-2008. ) Isography and Structure in the Music of Pierre Boulez .Philadelphia, PA. Other Institution. Level:University
Catherine Losada (03-09-2007. ) Musical Structure and its Relationship to Compositional Process in the late 20th Century .Rutgers University. Other Institution. Level:University
Catherine Losada (01-30-2007. ) Simplifying Complex Multiplication .London, Ontario, Canada. Other Institution. Level:University
Catherine Losada Chromatic Saturation and the Significant Gap as Unifying Devices in the Musical Collage .Other Institution. Level:University
Paper Presentations
Catherine Losada (2013. ) Between Freedom and Control: Composing-Out, Common Subsets and Structure in an Open Work by Boulez .Charlotte, NC. Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada (2024. ) Between Continuity and Discontinuity: Expressive Transformations and Structure in the Work of Max Steiner .Jacksonville, FL. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2012. ) Complex Multiplication, Structure and Process: Harmony and Form in Boulez's Structures II .New Orleans, LA. Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada (2024. ) Between Continuity and Discontinuity: Expressive Transformations and Structure in the Work of Max Steiner .Edinburgh, UK. Conference. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2011. ) Transformational Networks as Representations of Systematic Intervallic Interactions in Berio's Sinfonia .Minneapolis, MN. Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada (2024. ) Between Continuity and Discontinuity: Expressive Transformations and Structure in the Work of Max Steiner .New York NY. Conference. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2011. ) Transformational Networks as Representations of Systematic Intervallic Interactions in Berio's Sinfonia .Buffalo, NY. Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada Simplifying Complex Multiplication . Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada Between Modernism and Postmodernism: A Strand of Continuity . Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada The Process of Modulation in the Musical Collage . Level:Prof. Org.
Catherine Losada (2016. ) Middleground Structure in the Cadenza to Boulez's Éclat .
Catherine Losada (2015. ) Pierre Boulez and the Aesthetics of Proliferation .Keele, England.
Catherine Losada (2014. ) Pierre Boulez and the Aesthetics of Proliferation .Milwaukee, WI.
Catherine Losada (2017. ) Stravinsky and Boulez: Compositional Process, Form and Development .Strasbourg, France. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2016. ) The Musical Sketch as Artifact .Stavanger, Norway. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2019. ) The Diagonal Dimension: Concepts of Harmony in the Music of Boulez .Boston, MA. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2017. ) Sketches, Compositional Process and Form .Arlington, VA.
Catherine Losada (2023. ) Boulez, Krenek, Perle .Denver, CO. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2023. ) Continuity through Expressive Transformations in Film Music by Max Steiner .New York, NY. Conference. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2022. ) Sur Incises and Boulezian Harmony .New Orleans, LA. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2021. ) Rotational Arrays in the Music of Boulez .Virtual. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Catherine Losada (2020. ) Respondent-Provincializing Music Theory: Epistemic Frameworks for the New Comparativism .Virtual. Professional Meeting. Level:International
Honors and Awards
2010 -2012 Research Grant Paul Sacher Foundation Status:Recipient Level:Professional Org. Type:Grant
2008 URC Faculty Summer Research Fellowship University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Fellowship
2005 -2007 Faculty Development Awards University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Non-Monetary
2005 URC Research Grant For research conducted at the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel, Switzerland University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Grant
2004 SMT Minority Travel Grant For paper presentation at the SMT conference Society for Music Theory Status:Recipient Level:Professional Org. Type:Grant
2003 Herbert Colvin Award for outstanding student paper Texas Society for Music Theory Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition
05-2017 Third Century Faculty Research Grant Status:Recipient Type:Grant
2014 Publication Subvention Grant from the Society for Music Theory Status:Recipient
2016 Outstanding Publication Award Society for Music Theory
2021 Rieveschl Award for Creative and/or Scholarly Works Univeristy of Cincinnati Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition
2020 Fulbright Specialist Grant Fulbright Specialist Program- cancelled due to COVID Status:Recipient Level:International Type:Grant
2018 -2021 Member of Fulbright Specialist Roster Fulbright Specialist Program Status:Recipient Level:International Type:Recognition
2018 -2019 George Barbour Award for Good Faculty-Student Relations Univeristy of Cincinnati Status:Nomination Level:University Type:Recognition
Professional Affiliation
2013 -2015: President Music Theory Midwest,
2013: Co-founder SMT Post-1945 music analysis special interest group,
2013: Member of the Program Committee Conference of Music Theory Midwest,
2013: Session chair Music Theory Midwest conference,
2013: Session chair Conference of the Music Theory Society of New York State,
2013: Member of the Scientific Board Conference of the Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2012: Member of the Program Committee Conference of the Music Theory Society of New York State,
2011 -2013: Member of the Publications Subvention Grant Society for Music Theory (SMT),
2011: Member of the Executive Board Music Theory Society of New York State,
2011: Member of the Scientific Committee Conference of the Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music,
2011: Session chair Conference of the Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music, Paris, France
2010: Editorial Board Member Music Theory Online,
2010: Session chair Conference of Music Theory Midwest,
2016: Session chair Music Theory Midwest conference,
2008: Editorial Board Member Journal of Music Theory,
2015 -2017: Member of the Executive Board Society for Music Theory (SMT),
2008: Member of the Program Committee Conference of the Society for Music Theory,
2015: Session chair Annual Meeting of the Society for Music Theory,
2008: Session chair Conference of Music Theory Midwest,
2015: Member of the Scientific Board for the 2015 conference Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music, Paris, France
2007: Member of the Executive Board Music Theory Midwest,
2015: Session chair KeeleMAC,
2004: Member of the Program Committee Conference of the Music Theory Society of New York State,
2004: Member of the Program Committee Conference of the Texas Socity for Music Theory,
2021 -2022: Chair of Publication Award Committee (Articles) for the Society for Music Theory Society for Music Theory,
2020 -2022: Publication Award Committee Society for Music Theory,
2015 -2018: Member of the Executive Board Society for Music Theory,
2017: Society for Music Theory Representative EuroMAC Conference,
2023: Member of the Publication Awards Committee- 1945 Music Analysis Interest Group Society for Music Theory,
2020 -2025: Founding Member of Scientific Committee First Spanish-language academic journal dedicated to publication of original scholarship in music theory Sociedad de Análisis y Teoría Musical (SATMUS), Spain
2024: Member of Editorial Team for "A Century of Serialism: 100 Analyses of Serial and Twelve-Tone Music."