Associate Professor
Music Theory

B.Mus. (Toronto)
M.A. (McGill)
Ph.D. (Western)

jargentino@mun.ca
Room: MU-2016
(709) 864-3155

Joe Argentino is Associate Professor of Music Theory at Memorial University of Newfoundland, specializing in post-tonal and serial music. His current research interests include the connection between form and text in Arnold Schoenberg’s religious works and music and symbol in the works of Luigi Dallapiccola. He is also involved in interdisciplinary research investigating parallels between musical and linguistic structure.

Dr. Argentino is a sought-after speaker and has been invited to give numerous guest talks, lectures, and keynote addresses across Canada. He has presented papers at regional, national, and international conferences, including the Society for Music Theory, the Music Theory Society of New York State, KeeleMAC, NewMAC, Canadian University Music Society, West Coast Conference of Music Theory and Analysis, the Annual Meeting of Music Theory Southeast, the College Music Society, Manchester Phonology Meeting, and the New England Conference of Music Theory, among others. He is also a seasoned veteran of the Tuckamore Festival, where he has given over twenty engaging talks on music ranging from Bach to Run-DMC. He looks forward to returning to Tuckamore for the seventh season in his unique educational role as ‘Festival Music Theorist.’

Dr. Argentino has published articles in the top music theory journals including Music Theory Online, Music Analysis, Music Theory Spectrum, Journal of New Music Research, Intégral, and a book chapter in The Routledge Companion to Music Theory Pedagogy. Argentino is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and was the winner of the prestigious McMaster Students Union Excellence in Teaching Award in the Humanities at McMaster University.

 

"I came to Memorial School of Music with an interest in music theory, but working with Dr. Argentino turned this interest into a passion. His enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness creates a positive and supportive learning environment in his music theory and aural skills classes. Dr. Argentino's support during my time at MUN and beyond was pivotal in establishing my academic path towards graduate studies in music theory."

- Jack Etchegary, BMus (Composition) 2018 and MMus (Conducting) '22
MA in Music Theory '24, University of Western Ontario
Current PhD student in music theory, University of British Columbia

"Studying with Dr. Argentino was a highlight of my time at Memorial. His passion for music theory and teaching is contagious, and he consistently goes above and beyond for his students. Dr. Argentino’s post-tonal course sparked my own love for music theory and inspired me to pursue graduate studies in the field; when I first mentioned this to Dr. Argentino, he enthusiastically jumped into action to help me through the process, and has remained a steadfast support and mentor ever since. I am proud to say that I recently completed my PhD in music theory, which never would have been possible without Dr. Argentino’s early inspiration, encouragement, and guidance. I am extremely grateful to have studied with him!"

- Hannah Davis-Abraham, BMus (Hons) in Piano Performance '18
MA in Music Theory '20, University of Toronto
PhD in Music Theory '26, University of Toronto

"Dr. Argentino is an exceptional and engaging instructor who is clearly dedicated to helping his students learn. Personally, he’s offered me indispensable guidance as I’ve prepared to continue with graduate studies in the field of music theory."

- Madison Braye, BMus '24, Major in Composition
MMus in Performance/Pedagogy '26