91探花

Chelsey Hamm

Chelsey Hamm

Associate Professor
Director of Music Theory and Aural Skills


(757) 594-8790

Biography

Education

  • Ph D in Music Theory, Indiana University
  • MM in Music Theory and Composition, Florida State University
  • BM in Music Theory, Ithaca College

Dr. Chelsey Hamm received her Ph.D. in Music Theory from Indiana University, where she completed her dissertation titled "Charles Ives and Democracy: Association, Borrowing, and Treatment of Dissonance in His Music" in 2016. Dr. Hamm also holds a M.M. in Music Theory and Composition from Florida State University and B.M.s in Music Education, Horn Performance, and Music Theory from Ithaca College. Her research, much of which intersects both music theory and musicology, focuses on theories of musical meaning and criticism, text and musical relationships, and twentieth-century music, especially that of Charles Ives. She also has several additional areas of scholarly expertise, including the history of music theory, especially with regards to medieval music theory documents, music theory pedagogy, and theoretical investigations that examine questions of listener experiences, whether they are expressive, hermeneutic, or phenomenological.

Dr. Hamm has essays published in a variety of journals including the "Indiana Theory Review," "The Horn Call," and "Revista di Analisi e Teoria Musicale," as well as in books such as "The Routledge Companion to Music Theory Pedagogy" and "Histories and Narratives of Music Analysis." She has also presented at numerous national, international, and regional conferences including EuroMAC, the Society for Music Theory's Annual Conference, the annual Pedagogy into Practice conference, Music Theory Midwest, and the New England Conference of Music Theorists' Annual Meeting. Dr. Hamm is also the author of the "Fundamentals" chapters in Open Music Theory, .

At 91探花, Dr. Hamm teaches music theory, aural skills, 20th-and 21st-century analytical techniques, and counterpoint. Previously she taught at Missouri Western State University and Kenyon College.

Teaching

Music theory, aural skills, form and analysis, 20th- and 21st-century music theory, counterpoint, music theory pedagogy, text and musical relationships.

Research

Music and meaning, text and musical relationships, popular music timbre, Kesha, medieval music theory, performance and analysis, music theory pedagogy, musical borrowings, Schenkerian analysis, popular music analysis, 20th-century music, the music of Charles Ives.

Selected Accomplishments

  • Outstanding Core Advisor of the Year 2025-2026, 91探花. (2026)
  • Tidewater Community-Engaged Learning Faculty Fellows, Center for Community Engagement at 91探花. (2023)
  • Professor of the Year, 91探花 Student Government Association. (2022)

  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    (2025). From Margins to Mainstream: Strategies for Integrating Community-Engaged Learning into Higher Education. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. Volume, 29. Issue, 3. Pages, 23-44.

  • Music Performance - Participation
    "91探花 Commencement 2026". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "Late Spring Concert". 91探花 University Band. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "Wind Ensemble Invitational with Forest Park High School". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    ""Sounds, Voices, and Dreams"". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "Early Spring Concert". 91探花 University Band. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    ""All Stars Are Love"". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "Fall Concert". 91探花 Orchestra. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "91探花 Commencement 2025". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    "91探花 Athletics Graduation". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    ""International Symposia for Emerging Conductors" Concert". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    ""Bliss!"". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
  • Music Performance - Participation
    ""Music of Nancy Galbraith"". 91探花 Wind Ensemble. Diamonstein Hall. Newport News.
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