Music

A high-level performing and research ensemble that explores modern experimental music utilizing improvisation. With a focus on music that incorporates composition, technology and/or improvisation, the ensemble will rehearse, develop and perform a diverse repertoire, which may include the work of selected students. Students are encouraged to develop their language of improvisation, ensemble musicality, composition skills, and musical aesthetics.

Course focuses on the craft of writing raps. No previous experience writing raps required. Students will listen to, attempt to deconstruct, and evaluate a broad range of rap music while learning the basics of composing lyrics. Along with writing raps, students will learn songwriting techniques and some theoretical approaches to composing larger works such as a 'mixtape' or 'album' through examinations of music, criticism, and literature.

A platform for students to develop successful strategies for advancing their careers in music. Students will gain knowledge about multiple aspects of being an independent musician, including songwriting process, copyrights, PROs, marketing, booking shows, live production, tour management, and more. The course includes guest speakers, such as entertainment lawyers, artist managers, and publicists.

The craft of writing rap songs and the collection, selection, and integration of other media to collaborate toward the composition of a class mixtape. Experience writing raps or producing beats will be helpful, but it is not necessary to take this course. Students will listen to, attempt to deconstruct, create, and evaluate a broad range of music and literature while collaborating on the mixtape.

Make Beats introduces students to technologies, techniques, and histories of beat making. Students practice critical listening to exemplars across genres, and work to reverse engineer what we hear. Key projects focus on creative practice, applying course content to the composition of original beats and tracks.

This class focuses on composition techniques in American and European concert music, including the music of various composers and the composition of new music. Prerequisite: MUSI 3310. The course can be repeated for credit with approval of instructor.

Students gain hands-on experience with synthesizers, music notation software, and the control of MIDI instruments via computer. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Ecoacoustics explores the intersection between ecology and music. It engages with natural systems of change and the unique sonic energy of places. Students learn recording and analysis techniques, and create their own ecoacoustic sound works as we study seminal works from the musical and artistic fields of acoustic ecology, sonology, soundscape composition, sonification, earthwork art, and deep listening.

This course will examine the symphony orchestra in detail, covering the capabilities of every orchestral instrument, and study how they are combined by master composers. Students will create arrangements for string quartet, woodwind quintet, and full orchestra. The majority of these projects will receive readings by ensembles. Students may be asked to bring instruments to class for demonstration purposes.

Third semester of a sequence designed to develop keyboard technique and musicianship skills to an intermediate level. Skills covered include the playing of intermediate-level piano pieces in a variety of styles, the continuing development of piano technique, sight reading, harmonization, score reading, basic ensemble skills, and improvisation. Prerequisites: MUSI 2304: Keyboard Skills 2 or placement by audition, together with MUSI 3310: Theory 1 or equivalent background.

Selected topics, announced in advance, exploring the study of music through specific contexts and methods. Appropriate for music majors and others at that level.

Special topics courses, topics announced in advance. Courses combine community engagement activities with reflective interpretation.

This course provides the opportunity to offer new topics in the subject of Music.

Studies of various musical topics, with emphasis on relatons between music and cultural context. Taught at the major level.

Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Exploration of the role of sound and listening in film. We will consider the history of sound recording in film and will listen to and watch examples and techniques of sound storytelling. Students will also learn about different types of microphones, experiment with making recordings, and create their own short sound films. No musical experience necessary.

This course focuses on critical analyses of and questions concerning the "Black Voice" as it pertains to hip-hop culture, particularly rap and related popular musics. Students will read, analyze, discuss a wide range of thinkers to explore many conceptions and definitions of "Blackness" while examining popular artists and the statements they make in and about their art.

Through discussion, reading, writing, viewing/listening, we explore African performance theory associated especially with Ewe (Ghana) and BaAka (Central African rainforest) music/dance we are learning to perform, experimenting with abstracting concepts and remaking them in the immediate context of the course. No experience required, but dedication to an interactive, interdependent intellectual and creative community is expected from each student.

Studies in 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century techniques and styles through analysis and composition. Prerequisite: MUSI 3320 or instructor permission. Students who have taken MUSI 3330 may not enroll in MUSI 4331.

Study of the evolving styles of orchestration, from the Classical era through the present-day. Close study of orchestral masterworks spanning these eras. Students will create short orchestrations emulating styles of specific composers.

Study of the life and works of a composer (or school of composers); topic announced in advance. Prerequisite: MUSI 3320 or the equivalent and instructor permission.

Selected topics, announced in advance, exploring the study of music within cultural and historical frameworks.

An intensive experience with ethnomusicology and performance studies, this seminar explores musical ethnography (descriptive writing), experiential research, sociomusical processes, and other interdisciplinary approaches to musical performance. Addresses issues involving race, class, gender, and identity politics in light of particular topics and areas studies. Prerequisite: MUSI 3070 or instructor permission.

Addresses specific issues and cultural areas according to the interests of the students and instructor. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Includes advanced ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: Passing score on the exit test for MUSI 3336.