Fall 2013 Topic Course Descriptions

Department of Music - Fall 2013

*Course Descriptions that Do Not Appear in the Calendar*

Music 2850: History of Musical Theatre

This course will provide a broad survey of the history of musical theatre from the nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Through lectures, recordings, and readings, you will learn of the historical development of various styles of music theatre, some of the musical and theatrical conventions of these styles, and who their most important practitioners were/are. The course is structured chronologically, and throughout the term we will progress from discussions of musical theatre’s origins in operetta and variety theatre to an assessment of musical theatre as it is currently practiced on Broadway and elsewhere. This historical narrative will be placed in the context of relevant social and cultural developments that have often influenced the nature and content of musical theatre practice, and from time to time will also take note of dominant trends in the popular entertainment industry.

 No prerequisite

Music 3000: Analysis of Popular Songs and Recordings

This course is designed to help develop skills in listening to and analysing recordings of popular music. By reviewing a variety of analytical methods and applying them to their own listening, students will learn to recognize and interpret various constituent elements of most such recordings. These elements include (but are not limited to) arrangement of lyrics, performance styles, relationships between lyrics and music, song structure, and studio arrangement (mixing). By the end of the term, students should be able not only to identify and label appropriately many of the technical parameters of recorded sound but also to discuss the narrative flow of a track. The course material presented will focus primarily on the rock tradition from the 1960s to the present, but will occasionally stray into other regions. Students will be free, in some of their assignments, to extend the techniques learned in our study of this music to other genres of popular music.

Prerequisites: Theory IV

Music 3200 – History of Jazz

This course provides a comprehensive overview of jazz history, covering the major jazz styles and important musicians that have pioneered this music. We will trace jazz from its infancy, beginning in New Orleans and will highlight how this music has developed through the years and has grown into various sub-genres. Some of the styles that will be covered include: Early Jazz, the Swing Era, Bebop, Cool, Fusion and Modern jazz.

Other important topics will include learning important jazz terminology, becoming acquainted with the preeminent jazz artists from each style, and most importantly, analyzing how jazz has evolved since the early twentieth-century. We will connect the important stylistic periods of the past and trace the various directions these trends have gone since. This course will provide students the opportunity to broaden their understanding and appreciation of this diverse music form.

Prerequisite: 15 university-level courses (a minimum of 45.0 credit hours)

NOTE: Not counted in the 16-course Arts and Science Music major or the core courses in the B.Mus. degree.

Music 3200 - History of Rock ‘n Roll: 1948-1970

This course is designed to give the student a historical overview of the development of rock ‘n roll from its roots up until the end of the 60’s.  This will be presented in a chronological manner, beginning with a brief overview of rock ‘n roll’s ancestors and influences.   It will go on to study the musical and cultural melting pot of the 1950’s, followed by the effects of the British Invasion of the 60’s.   A discussion of developments occurring in North America following the British Invasion will be the culminating point of this class.

Prerequisite: 15 university-level courses (a minimum of 45.0 credit hours)

NOTE: Not counted in the 16-course Arts and Science Music major or the core courses in the B.Mus. degree.

NOTE: Students with credit in Music 2850 (History of Rock ‘n Roll), 2850 (3850) (Popular Music in the 20th Century) or 3010 cannot receive credit for the same offering in the Music 3200 series.

 

Music 3200 Z - History of Rock ‘n Roll: 1948-1970

*** NOTE: This course is being offered on the EDMONTON campus!!! ***

This course is designed to give the student a historical overview of the development of rock ‘n roll from its roots up until the end of the 60’s.  This will be presented in a chronological manner, beginning with a brief overview of rock ‘n roll’s ancestors and influences.   It will go on to study the musical and cultural melting pot of the 1950’s, followed by the effects of the British Invasion of the 60’s.   A discussion of developments occurring in North America following the British Invasion will be the culminating point of this class.

Prerequisite: 15 university-level courses (a minimum of 45.0 credit hours)

NOTE: Not counted in the 15-course Arts & Science major or the core courses in the B.Mus. degree.  Students with credit in Music 2850 (History of Rock ‘n Roll), 2850 (3850) (Popular Music in the 20th Century) or 3010 cannot receive credit for the same offering in the Music 3200 series.