Courses

Courses

Fall 2007 Courses

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101. Theory I: Fundamentals of Music Theory
Shannon Chase M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room
A course in the basic elements of Western music and their notation, through the essentials of diatonic harmony. The class concentrates equally on written theory and musicianship skills to develop musical literacy. Frequent written assignments, drills, and quizzes, and additional laboratory work in ear training and basic keyboard skills. Students with musical backgrounds who wish to pass out of Theory I must take the placement test at the beginning of the fall semester.

121. History of Jazz I
James McCalla T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room
A survey of jazz's development from its African American roots in the late nineteenth century through the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s, and following the great Swing artists—e.g., Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Benny Goodman—through their later careers. Emphasis is on musical elements, but includes much attention to cultural and historical context through readings and videos.

125. Music in the Arab World
Mary Hunter M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room
A general survey of Arab music in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. An introduction to characteristic pan-Arab instruments, scales, rhythms and principles of musical construction, followed by considerations of selected folk, popular, classical and religious traditions. Includes visits by Arab musicians working in the Boston area.

138. Music of the Caribbean
Joanna Bosse M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room
Surveys various musical traditions of the Caribbean, paying attention to the relation between sociohistorical context and artistic practice. The course is organized by geographic region, but will address such larger issues as colonialism, nationalism, race, gender, and class.

151. Write Your Own Show Tune: Introductory Practicum in Tonal Music
Mary Hunter M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25 Studzinski-202
A largely practical, project-oriented course, for students with some basic experience in music. Students learn elementary tonal vocabulary through writing and performing their own songs, mostly in “Rodgers and Hammerstein” style. Chord writing and analysis, bass-line construction, text-setting, and basic keyboard skills are addressed. Small-group and individual lab sessions are scheduled separately.

255. The Western Canon
James McCalla T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Gibson-206
A historical study of many of the principal works of Western classical music, with special attention to the processes of canon formation and the changes in the canon over time.

269. Middle Eastern Ensemble
Mary Hunter M 8:00 - 9:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room
Small ensemble playing music from the Arab countries, Turkey, Armenia, and the Middle East more generally. Students who play string or wind instruments or percussion are welcome to play those, or learn the oud, the qanun, the saz or hand percussion. Students should be able to read music.

271. Chamber Choir
Shannon Chase M 4:15 - 5:35, T 4:15 - 5:35, W 4:15 - 5:35, TH 4:15 - 5:35 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room


273. Chorus
Anthony Antolini TH 7:00 - 8:55, SU 7:00 - 9:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room


275. Concert Band
John Morneau T 6:30 - 8:25, TH 6:30 - 8:25 Gibson-10


279. Chamber Ensembles
Roland Vazquez Studzinski-202


281. World Music Ensemble
Joanna Bosse M 2:30 - 3:25, W 2:30 - 3:25, F 2:30 - 3:25 Gibson-101 Tillotson Room


283. Jazz Ensembles
Frank Mauceri Gibson-10


285. Individual Performance Studies
The Department
The following provisions govern applied music lessons for credit: Individual performance courses are intended for the continued study of instruments with which the student is already familiar. Students must take at least two consecutive semesters of study on the same instrument to receive one-half credit per semester and to receive the reduced rate. The first semester of study on the first instrument will be designated Music 285. The second and all subsequent semesters of private lessons on the same instrument will be designated Music 286. The first semester of study on a different instrument will be designated Music 287. The second and all subsequent semesters of study on that second instrument will be designated Music 288. The number Music 289 is reserved for all semesters of study on a third instrument.

286. Individual Performance Studies
The Department
The following provisions govern applied music lessons for credit: Individual performance courses are intended for the continued study of instruments with which the student is already familiar. Students must take at least two consecutive semesters of study on the same instrument to receive one-half credit per semester and to receive the reduced rate. The first semester of study on the first instrument will be designated Music 285. The second and all subsequent semesters of private lessons on the same instrument will be designated Music 286. The first semester of study on a different instrument will be designated Music 287. The second and all subsequent semesters of study on that second instrument will be designated Music 288. The number Music 289 is reserved for all semesters of study on a third instrument.

287. Individual Performance Studies
The Department
The following provisions govern applied music lessons for credit: Individual performance courses are intended for the continued study of instruments with which the student is already familiar. Students must take at least two consecutive semesters of study on the same instrument to receive one-half credit per semester and to receive the reduced rate. The first semester of study on the first instrument will be designated Music 285. The second and all subsequent semesters of private lessons on the same instrument will be designated Music 286. The first semester of study on a different instrument will be designated Music 287. The second and all subsequent semesters of study on that second instrument will be designated Music 288. The number Music 289 is reserved for all semesters of study on a third instrument.

288. Individual Performance Studies
The Department
The following provisions govern applied music lessons for credit: Individual performance courses are intended for the continued study of instruments with which the student is already familiar. Students must take at least two consecutive semesters of study on the same instrument to receive one-half credit per semester and to receive the reduced rate. The first semester of study on the first instrument will be designated Music 285. The second and all subsequent semesters of private lessons on the same instrument will be designated Music 286. The first semester of study on a different instrument will be designated Music 287. The second and all subsequent semesters of study on that second instrument will be designated Music 288. The number Music 289 is reserved for all semesters of study on a third instrument.

302. Tonal Composition
Vineet Shende M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25 Gibson-206
A compositional study of the stylistic traits of the common-practice period in western Europe. In addition to frequent short exercises, aural drill, and keyboard studies, students compose a late romantic lied or character piece, a baroque chorale, and the first movement of a classical sonata.

361. Topics in Music Theory: Orchestration
Vineet Shende T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Gibson-206
An in-depth examination of factors to consider when writing for modern orchestral instruments. Students become familiar with all such instruments and arrange and transcribe works for ensembles such as string quartet, woodwind quartet, brass quintet, percussion ensemble, and full orchestra. Students will also study scores by composers such as Brahms, Mahler, Ravel, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, and Takemitsu in order to further their knowledge in the techniques of instrumentation.

385. Advanced Individual Performance Studies
The Department
This option for private study is open only to students already advanced on their instruments. Students may take one or more semesters of this option. Music 386 may be repeated for credit. The first semester of study will be designated Music 385. The second and all subsequent semesters of private lessons on the same instrument will be designated Music 386. The number 387 is reserved for all semesters of study on a second instrument.