Courses

This course will introduce students to the uniquely American art form Jazz, through a study of the musical contributions of its major figures. The course of study will include all styles of jazz, from early jazz (Dixieland) to the music of today.

Fundamentals of written musical materials including terminology, tuning systems, notation, intervals, scales, chords, basic diatonic harmony, rhythm, simple forms, aural skills and computer music applications. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory Fundamentals (MUS 244) or Music Theory Placement exam or consent.

Recommended for beginners in guitar. Stresses fundamentals of picking, strumming and note reading.

The third course in the guitar sequence. Prerequisite: MUS 113 or consent.

The Alexander Technique is a widely recognized educational method for improving balance, alignment, ease, flexibility and energy. The Technique offers us insight into the underlying principles that govern human movement. When applied, these principles guide us to a dynamic kinesthetic lightness, wherein thinking becomes clearer, feeling accessible, sensations livelier, and movement more pleasurable. Within this fluid, more conscious condition, we find our actions and interactions strengthened and refined, our sense of time expanded, and our rapport with the environment restored. The workshop addresses structural problems treated by performing arts medicine and in addition, neuroscience research which supports evidence of misuse resulting in pain/injury by our own mental process and perceptions of our body's structure. We explore gentle movement and relaxation exercise as well as the application of Body Mapping to gain clear and accurate information about our anatomical structure for optimal movement.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

A historical survey of the evolution of musical style in Western Europe and the United States from roughly 1750 to the late 20th century. Understanding of musical notation is required. Prerequisite: MUS 104. (Offered in Spring)

A survey of approaches to the formal analysis of music including the approaches of Rameau, Schenker, Forte and others. Prerequisite: MUS 105. (Offered in Fall)

A survey of music-making in America from the colonial period to the present, including early American sacred, patriotic, and political music; musical theatre; and various popular and art music genres of the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly as influenced by the collision between European and African musical traditions. The ability to read musical notation is not required.

A study of audio recording focusing on acoustics, microphone techniques, live and studio recording techniques, editing, signal processing and production.

A consideration of the increasingly complex behavior of music in the modern (or postmodern) world. We will pay particular attention to the function of music: its uses, the ways in which it is part of - and helps to define - daily life for a number of diverse populations in a number of diverse locales, and the ways in which it is transmitted in a global culture. The ability to read musical notation is not required.

An exploration of advanced topics in computer music including interactive systems, algorithmic composition, granular synthesis, and others. Prerequisite: MUS 217.

This course will be devoted to a study of the work of the three principal composers of the classical era: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven (early works). We will study the style characteristics, as well as the musical genres and forms employed. Understanding of musical notation is required.

In this course, we will look at the development of 20th century music idioms and compositional techniques with their larger political and cultural contexts. We will study individual works by composers as well as overall compositional trends. Understanding of musical notation is required.

This course will explore the historical development of African-American gospel music in the 20th Century. The course will begin an examination of the pre-gospel era (pre-1900s-ca. 1920), move on to gospel music's beginnings (ca. 1920s), and continue unto the present. The course will explore the musical, sociological, political, and religious influences that contributed to the development of the various gospel music eras and styles. Through class lectures, demonstrations, music listening, reading and writing assignments, students will learn about the significant musical and non-musical contributions of African American gospel artists and the historical development of African American gospel music. Students will also strive to gain an understanding of the African American musical aesthetic and to determine how it is retained and expressed with African American gospel music and other musical genres. The class is open to students, staff, and faculty of all levels.

Bluegrass has become one of America's most popular folk musics. The History of Bluegrass Music is a comprehensive course that traces this unique art form from its European and African roots, to the hills of Appalachia and beyond. The ability to read musical notation is not required.

Special Topics in Music Performance is a course offering that deals with various aspects of performance within music.

Special Topics in Music Composition is a course offering that deals with the creative aspects of music composition.

Special Topics in Music Collaborations are courses that do not fall within the other designations and are collaborative in nature. They may be courses within the department or in collaboration with other Denison departments.

The Junior Recital is a 30 to 40 minute solo performance of appropriate concert literature selected in consultation with the private lesson instructor. Must be taken concurrently with Private Lessons.

A survey of music-making in America from the colonial period to the present, including early American sacred, patriotic, and political music; musical theatre; and various popular and art music genres of the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly as influenced by the collision between European and African musical traditions. The ability to read musical notation is not required.

Historically, women have played an integral role in musical traditions around the world, although the extent of their contributions has only recently been recognized and studied in an academic context. This course will trace the development and current state of women's roles in music, including Western art music composers, performers, critics, and teachers: performers of popular American genres such as jazz, country, and rock; and performers of popular "World Beat" and traditional world musics.

A study of 19th-century Western art music, focusing on the genres of art song, piano music, symphonic music, chamber music, and opera, from late Beethoven to Debussy. Works will be considered in their historical and cultural context, as well as from the point of view of their musical characteristics. Understanding of musical notation is required.

"The History of American Folk and Country Music" is designed to broaden the students' knowledge of America's musical heritage through aural analysis of recorded and live music, as well as study of printed materials. In order to increase the knowledge of America's diverse musical heritage, students will be exposed to the contribution of European immigrants. African Americans, Hispanics, Franco-American and Native Americans.

Considers the impact of a composer's or other musical artist's gender and sexual orientation on his or her creative output by addressing questions such as: Is there such a thing as a queer aesthetic or sensibility in music? What, if anything, do gender or sexual orientation have to do with musicality? Do the gender or sexual orientation of a composer or musical artist matter to listeners? What impact does a musical artist's gender or sexual orientation have on his or her ability to get his or her music performed? And how have the answers to these questions changed over time?

Latin American music is incredibly diverse in its historical components, and in turn, is some of the most influential source material of popular music today. The course focuses on several main regions of development each with specific countries of influence: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the Caribbean; Mexico and North/Central America; and Brazil and South America. Along with aural analysis of the music itself, the course analyzes the unique social construction of the prevailing musical styles for each region. The themes of cultural interaction and collision along with (often forced) population shifts provide a uniting current across the vast geography of study and provide organizing through-line across the region. If time permits, the course will culminate with the development of Latin American music in the United States and its influence on modern popular music.

This class explores a diversity of movements within rock music from the 1950s through the present. Central to this class is the music itself. Thus one key focus is on building a working knowledge of the musical language of rock (including elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, form, style). In addition, this is a class is historiography where we will investigate how history is created and contested through primary texts such as musicians memoirs and journalistic music criticism. Through these readings, we will discuss rock's relationship to its historical, cultural, and social context, paying particular attention to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality in postwar US culture. The ability to read musical notation is not required.

Special Topics in Musicology/Music History is a course offering that deals with music with respects to its history, people, and culture.

Special Ensemble in Music Theory is a course offering that deals with the musicianship aspects of Music Theory and Aural Skills.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

The Senior Project is a composition or research project in the emphasis of the music major (composition, computer music or music history) to be selected and completed in consultation with the appropriate area instructor.