Reginald L. Sanders joined the faculty of the music department in 2000, following two years of dissertation research in Germany as the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship. His scholarship focuses primarily on members of the Bach Family, especially Johann Sebastian and Carl Philipp Emanuel and also extends to art songs, opera and interdisciplinary studies. He has presented papers at national and international conferences and his scholarship has appeared in such publications as the Bach-Jahrbuch, Göttinger Händel-Beiträge, Hamburger Jahrbuch für Muskwissenschaft and the Oxford Composer Companions: J. S. Bach.
In 2000, the American Bach Society awarded him and co-author Daniel R. Melamed the William H. Scheide Prize for the best publication by scholars in the early stages of their careers for "Zum Text und Kontext der 'Keiser' Markuspassion," which appeared in the 1999 Bach-Jahrbuch. For the series Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: The Complete Works, he has edited the oratorio Die Israeliten in…
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Reginald L. Sanders joined the faculty of the music department in 2000, following two years of dissertation research in Germany as the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship. His scholarship focuses primarily on members of the Bach Family, especially Johann Sebastian and Carl Philipp Emanuel and also extends to art songs, opera and interdisciplinary studies. He has presented papers at national and international conferences and his scholarship has appeared in such publications as the Bach-Jahrbuch, Göttinger Händel-Beiträge, Hamburger Jahrbuch für Muskwissenschaft and the Oxford Composer Companions: J. S. Bach.
In 2000, the American Bach Society awarded him and co-author Daniel R. Melamed the William H. Scheide Prize for the best publication by scholars in the early stages of their careers for "Zum Text und Kontext der 'Keiser' Markuspassion," which appeared in the 1999 Bach-Jahrbuch. For the series Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: The Complete Works, he has edited the oratorio Die Israeliten in der Wüste (2008), Einführungsmusiken IV (Installation Cantatas IV, 2013), and he is currently at work on Miscellaneous Sacred Works III (forthcoming). His current projects also include contributing to and co-editing a collection of essays entitled Compositional Choice and Meaning in the Vocal Music of J. S. Bach, which is forthcoming from Lexington Books.
From 2003-2008, he served as editor of Bach Notes, the biannual publication of the American Bach Society, and he has served as secretary-treasurer of the American Bach Society since 2012.
Areas of Expertise
Bach family and music in the Baroque and Classical periods, music in the 19th century, opera, music and dance and other interdisciplinary studies
Education
2001 — Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University
1994 — Master of Arts from San Francisco State University
1981 — B.S. in Engineering from Princeton University
Courses Recently Taught
DANC 214D
Union of Music and Dance
DANC 214D
This course explores the historical intersections of music and dance in the collaborative creative process. Music and dance are inexorably linked. At times music composition and choreography happen simultaneously, as is the case with Aaron Copland and Martha Graham's "Appalachian Spring." At other times the dance comes after the music has been composed. Learning about the vital intersections between music and dance will provide students with a more deeply understood and nuanced approach to how the work of composers and choreographers intersects as they dialogue with each other in works ranging historically from Lully and Petipa to Philip Glass and Mark Morris.This is an interdisciplinary class co-taught by a professor of dance and a professor of music. This course is the same as MUSC 214D. This counts toward the theory requirement for the dance major and minor and as an elective for the music major and minor. No prerequisite. Offered spring semester every other year.
MUSC 101
Basic Musicianship
MUSC 101
This is an intensive course in the basic materials of music: pitch elements (scales, intervals, chords), time elements (meter, rhythm) and notation. Emphasis is on the development of basic techniques of music-making: sight-singing, ear-training and keyboard work. Suggested for first-year students or those new to the department. No prerequisite. Generally offered each semester.
MUSC 102
Introduction to Musical Style
MUSC 102
This course provides a concise chronological overview of music from the middle ages through the postmodern period and an introduction to the research methods used in the fields of historical musicology and ethnomusicology. Emphasis will be placed on learning to listen analytically to and write about music, and on understanding the role of music within society. Some concert attendance may be required. Readings from primary sources will supplement the basic texts. This course is a prerequisite for upper-level courses offered by the music department. Suggested for first-year students or those new to the department. (Complements the introductory music theory courses MUSC 101 and MUSC 121Y–122Y). MUSC 102, 105 and 107 all serve as introductory courses in music history and satisfy the same prerequisites. Students may only enroll in one of these courses. This counts toward the history requirement for the major and minor. No prerequisite. Offered each year.
MUSC 105
From Hildegard von Bingen to John Cage: Music, Composers and Their World
MUSC 105
This course is a writing intentional survey of music from the middle ages through the post-modern period. It has been designed for first-year students who have some background in music theory and the ability to read a musical score. While the composers and their compositions will be central to the course, social, artistic, political, religious, philosophical and literary forces that shaped each era will also be explored. This course fulfills the music history prerequisite for upper-level courses offered by the music department and is recommended for students who are considering the music major or minor. This course complements the introductory music theory course MUSC 121Y–122Y. MUSC 102, 105 and 107 all serve as introductory courses in music history and satisfy the same prerequisites. Students may only enroll in one of these courses. This counts toward the history requirement for the major and minor. Prerequisite: AP score of 4 or 5 or music theory exam. Offered every year.
MUSC 191
ST:From Bingen to Cage
MUSC 191
MUSC 203
Music History: Baroque and Classical
MUSC 203
This course is a survey of Western art music from the early 17th century through the era of Haydn and Mozart. While the stylistic development of art music is central to the course, questions of aesthetics, philosophy, religion, performance practice and politics will also be explored. Primary and secondary source readings will be used to augment the basic texts. This counts toward the history requirement/additional electives for the major and minor. Prerequisite: MUSC 101 or placement by exam and MUSC 102, 105 or 107. Offered every other year.
MUSC 204
Music History: 19th Century
MUSC 204
This course is a survey of Western music from Beethoven to the end of the 19th century. While the stylistic development of art music is central to the course, questions of aesthetics, philosophy, performance practice and politics will also be explored. Primary and secondary source readings will be used to augment the basic text. This counts toward the history requirement/additional electives for the major and minor. Prerequisite: MUSC 101 or placement by exam and MUSC 102, 105 or 107. Offered every other year.
MUSC 214D
Union of Music and Dance
MUSC 214D
This course explores the historical intersections of music and dance in the collaborative creative process. Music and dance are inexorably linked. At times music composition and choreography happen simultaneously, as is the case with Aaron Copland and Martha Graham's "Appalachian Spring." At other times the dance comes after the music has been composed. Learning about the vital intersections between music and dance will provide students with a more deeply understood and nuanced approach to how the work of composers and choreographers intersects as they dialogue with each other in works ranging historically from Lully and Petipa to Philip Glass and Mark Morris.This is an interdisciplinary class co-taught by a professor of dance and a professor of music. This course is the same as DANC 214D. This counts toward the theory requirement for the dance major and minor and as an elective for the music major and minor. No prerequisite. Offered spring semester every other year.
MUSC 291D
ST:Music and Dance
MUSC 291D
MUSC 306
Music History: J.S. Bach
MUSC 306
This course is a chronological exploration of the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. It draws upon the most recent scholarship and, to the extent possible, upon primary source documents. The student will gain an understanding of the world in which Bach lived and a familiarity with the background, structure and significance of his most important works.This counts as an elective for the major and minor. Prerequisite: MUSC 202, 203, 204, 205 or permission of instructor. Offered every two to three years.
MUSC 307
Ludwig van Beethoven
MUSC 307
This course is a chronological exploration of the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven. Through the study of primary sources and recent scholarship, the student will gain an understanding of Beethoven, the world in which he lived, and the background, structure and significance of his most important works. This counts as an elective for the major and minor. Prerequisite: MUSC 202, 203, 204, 205 or permission of instructor. Offered every two or three years.
MUSC 309
History of Opera
MUSC 309
This course will trace the development of opera from its origins in the 16th century through the important works of the 20th century. Students will study representative operas from the various periods in Italy, France, Germany, Eastern Europe and America to understand the stylistic development of the genre and the musical, literary, philosophical, aesthetic and political forces that shaped it. This counts as an elective for the major and minor. Prerequisite: MUSC 101 or placement by exam and MUSC 102, 105 or 107. Offered every two to three years.
MUSC 493
Individual Study
MUSC 493
Individual study is available to junior or senior music majors wishing to explore, with a music department faculty member, a topic not normally offered in the curriculum. The student proposes the topic to the faculty member, who then brings the proposal before the department for approval. The department will discuss the feasibility of any proposal. Individual studies supplement the music curriculum and may not be used to satisfy major requirements. Individual studies will earn either 0.25 or 0.50 units. After identifying a faculty member willing to oversee the individual study, the student should work with that professor to develop a short (one-page) proposal that will be shared with the department for approval. The proposal should articulate the nature of the proposed study; present planned readings, assignments and other work; and describe how or what in the proposed study will be assessed at the end of the semester. Meeting schedules may vary, but at a minimum the department expects that students will meet once per week with the faculty member. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.
MUSC 497Y
Senior Honors Project
MUSC 497Y
Prerequisite: permission of department chair.
MUSC 498Y
Senior Honors Project
MUSC 498Y
Prerequisite: permission of department chair.