Reginald Sanders

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.

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.

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.

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.

ST:From Bingen to Cage

MUSC 191

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.

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.

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.

ST:Music and Dance

MUSC 291D

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.

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.

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.

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.

Senior Honors Project

MUSC 497Y

Prerequisite: permission of department chair.

Senior Honors Project

MUSC 498Y

Prerequisite: permission of department chair.