Study of rhythmic patterns associated with rhythms from West African, the Caribbean, Brazil, and the United States, through theory and performance.

Technosonics is an introduction to the history, theory, and practice of electronic music and sound art. We will focus on the role of new technology in shaping musical thought, production, and culture from the turn of the century through today. Listening examples are drawn from a broad range of styles and genres, including experimental computer music, ambient and dance music, sound art, and multimedia.

Listening sets us up to be involved fully in the life around us, and to be interactive in communities that create together. This course explores listening and sound-making in daily life from many angles including field research, reading, writing, discussion, and group performance workshops. We explore ideas about improvisation, uniting the aesthetic sphere with the broader sphere of social life and active engagement.

When we think about knowing the world through the senses, we are likely to think of the visible world. But sound, hearing, and listening are crucial too. How do sound art, technology, and design create the world we inhabit and our everyday social and political experience? How can vibrations both heal and destroy? We will ponder such questions through theoretical, experiential, and creative explorations.

An ensemble that performs at all home football games and selected away games each season, also traveling to Bowl games and performing at special events. This course counts as performance, and thus subject to the limit of eight credits of the 120 required for the B.A. Prerequisite: Students are selected by audition.

Studies pitch and formal organization in European concert music of the 18th and 19th centuries. Includes four-part vocal writing, 18th-century style keyboard accompaniment, key relations, and form. Students compose numerous short passages of music and study significant compositions by period composers. Prerequisite: MUSI 3310 or instructor permission.

Introductory keyboard skills; includes sight-reading, improvisation, and accompaniment at the keyboard in a variety of styles. No previous knowledge of music required. Satisfies the performance requirement for music majors. Prerequisite: Instructor permission by audition.

Scholarly and critical study of music circulated through mass media. Specific topic for the semester (e.g. world popular music, bluegrass, country music, hip-hop, Elvis Presley) announced in advance. No previous knowledge of music required.

Jazz Improvisation

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