First Name:
Dr. Greg
Last Name:
McCandless
Main Title:
Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition
Phone Number:
828-262-7844
Email:
Type:
Area(s):
Dr. Greg McCandless is an associate professor of music theory in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. Before joining Appalachian State University, Dr. McCandless served as the Department Chair of Music Composition at Full Sail University from 2010 to 2015, where he developed and taught several online music theory and aural skills courses.
Dr. McCandless's research encompasses theories of rhythm and meter, music theory pedagogy, and popular music analysis. His dissertation examined the music of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He co-authored the textbook The Craft of Contemporary Commercial Music with composer Daniel McIntyre, published by Routledge in 2017 (with a second edition forthcoming in 2025).. His scholarly articles appear in prominent journals such as College Music Symposium, Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy, Music Theory Online, and the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. McCandless is an active songwriter for television, with original productions featured on CBS broadcasts of sporting events (such as NFL games, NCAA football contests, and the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, among others) as well as various cable shows on the Warner/Discovery family of networks (HGTV, TLC, Motor Trend, and more).
Originally from Rochester, NY, Dr. McCandless graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (2010) and Master of Music (2007) from Florida State University. Dr. McCandless graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors in Bass Performance.