Course Description:
This introductory course is designed for students interested in delving into the world of music, focusing on its language, interpretation, and meaning. Through coordinated listening, analysis, and creative activities, students will explore the vast landscape of musical expression. The course aims to expand students' knowledge of musical repertoire across history, enhance listening and analytical skills, and inspire compositional creativity.
Course Objectives:
•Expand Knowledge of Musical Repertoire: Explore a wide range of music from various historical periods, with a focus on Western European classical tradition.
•Enhance Listening and Analytical Skills: Develop abilities to listen critically and understand complex musical structures and elements.
•Foster Compositional Creativity: Encourage creative endeavors in music composition, utilizing acquired theoretical and historical knowledge
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1-2-3-4
Introduction to Music Fundamentals
Elements of music: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Texture, Form
Basic music theory: Notes, scales, keys, intervals
Assignment #1
Create a musical Composition Due September 23rd
Quiz #1 September 25th
Week 5
Early Music and the Medieval Period
Overview of Medieval music
Gregorian Chant and early polyphony
Notation and performance practice
Week 6
Renaissance Music
Characteristics of Renaissance music
Madrigals, motets, and mass settings
Notable composers: Palestrina, Josquin Des Prez
Week 7
Baroque Era
Features of Baroque music
The birth of opera and orchestral music
Composers: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi
Assignment #2
After listening to selected pieces from the Early Music, Renaissance, and
Baroque periods, can you identify and describe the key differences you noticed in terms of musical style, emotional expression, and compositional techniques among these eras? Please include specific examples from the pieces you
listened to in order to support your observations.
Quiz #2 October 9th
Week 8
Review
Midterm Exam Wednesday October 14th
Week 9 - 10
Classical Period
Classical style and form
Development of the symphony and sonata
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven
Romantic Era
Romanticism in music
Program music, art songs, and solo piano works
Composers: Chopin, Wagner, Tchaikovsky
Assignment #3
Write one page paper having listened to selected pieces from both the
Classical and Romantic eras of music, can you describe the most striking
differences you observed in terms of musical style, emotional expression, and
compositional techniques? Please provide specific examples from the pieces
you listened to support your observations
Quiz #3 November 2nd
Week 11
20th Century and Contemporary Music
Modernism, Postmodernism, and other movements
Experimental and electronic music
Notable figures: Stravinsky, Schoenberg, John Cage
Week 13 - 14
World Music and Jazz
Introduction to non-Western music traditions
Jazz: its history and influence
Listening to music from diverse cultures
Music in the Modern World
Music in film and media
Contemporary classical music
The role of technology in music creation and distribution
Quiz #4 November 23rd
Assignment #4
Concert report
Your task is to attend a live music performance and write a concert report. The performance can be from any musical genre and can take place at any venue, although I encourage you to consider attending a concert at the School of Music whenever possible. After attending the performance, write a detailed report describing your observations, critiques, and overall experience. Be sure to include the date, time, and location of the performance; the name of the performer or group, along with a brief background if known; and a description of the music performed, including your personal reactions and musical insights. You should also analyze the performance itself by discussing the quality of the musicianship, the interaction between the performers and the audience, and the overall atmosphere of the event. Your report should be printed and submitted along with the program from the concert you attended as proof of attendance and to provide context for your report. The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to experience live music and develop your ability to listen critically, analyze a performance, and appreciate different forms of musical expression.
Week 15
Review
Final Exam December 11th
Required Materials: Roger Kamien, Music an Appreciation , 13th ed., (New York: McGraw Hill LLC,
2022
Assignments and Evaluation:
Weekly Listening Assignments: Engage with selected pieces and write
reflective journals. (Week 5 - 15)
Quizzes
Midterm Exam Format
Multiple Choice Questions (40% of the exam)
Number of Questions: Approximately 15-30.
Content: Questions will cover material from the beginning of the
course up to the midterm, including music fundamentals, Medieval
and Renaissance music, and early Baroque music.
Types of Questions: Questions will test students on music theory,
historical context, key composers, and specific musical works studied
in class.
Listening Section (60% of the exam)
Number of Pieces: Around 5-7 excerpts will be played.
Tasks:
Identify the time period (e.g., Medieval, Renaissance).
Recognize the style or form (e.g., Gregorian chant, madrigal).
Name the composer, if applicable, or the cultural origin of the piece.
Answer specific questions about musical elements present in the excerpt (e.g., texture, rhythm, instrumentation).
Response Format: Short answer or multiple-choice questions based
on the excerpts played.
Final Exam Format
Multiple Choice Questions (40% of the exam)
Number of Questions: Approximately 15-30.
Content: Comprehensive, covering all material from the course,
including later Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and
contemporary music.
Types of Questions: Similar to the midterm, focusing on broader
knowledge and understanding of the course content.
Listening Section (60% of the exam)
Number of Pieces: Around 7-10 excerpts.
Tasks:
Identify the time period and style/form of each piece.
Recognize and name significant composers or specific works.
Analyze and describe key characteristics of the music, such as melody, harmony, texture, and form.
Identify any notable historical or cultural contexts relevant to the excerpt.
Response Format: A combination of multiple-choice and short
answer questions.
Additional Notes
• Preparation: Students should regularly review their listening journals and
class notes. Focusing on the distinctive features of each musical period and
style will be crucial.
• Resources: Sample test questions and practice listening exercises may be
provided to help students prepare.
• Duration: Both exams should be designed to fit within a standard class
period (1 hour).