Dedication

My very first music theory teacher was my biological father Larry Brooks. He introduced me to reading music and playing musical instruments before other kids knew how to be kids. He guided me to a path I did not know I wanted or needed, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. My father would eventually introduce me to Dr. David Livingston, his big band director at Western Kentucky University. Dr. Livingston would be my next big influence. He found ways to teach me music theory without ever playing a note or scribbling anything on a page; some days we didn’t even discuss music, or so I thought at the time. The man who gave me my demeanor in the collegiate classroom and would prove to be my biggest champion within the department of music when no one thought I would achieve anything, is Dr. Charles Smith. I thank him for his guidance, teaching, and mentorship inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Michael Kallstrom taught me that although music is an intellectual pursuit, one could still find the fun music offers us, even in the study of its principles. Dr. Jeffery Wood at Austin Peay State University showed me that there was an entire side of the general intellect of great magnitude of which I was ignorant. I instantly became smarter standing next to him let alone listening to his lectures on music analysis or composition lessons. I consider him to be my intellectual “springboard” in that I have never stopped attempting to learn because I know I can always be more intelligent if I try.