Courses » » Music 398. Experimental Courses

Music, Sound and The Moving Image

This historical survey explores film music from 1895 to the present, asking how film music works, what are its roles in the film and how technology has shaped the music. While we learn about film and composition techniques, we will observe both classic and contemporary films produced by important directors and composers such as Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann or Steven Spielberg and John Williams. This course will include considerable in class viewing and discussion, frequent reading and writing assignments and regular film viewing assignments outside class.

Introduction to Songwriting

An introduction to the processes, materials, and aesthetic issues involved in creating songs within the folk, rock, or singer-songwriter traditions. Coursework will include both creative and analytical assignments. The course will culminate in a public performance and possibly the production of a studio demo. Students must be able to fluently read and play simple chord progressions on piano or guitar and to perform vocally while doing so.

Beethoven

A study, through discussion, listening and performance, of the life and works of this most iconic and influential composer in the western musical tradition. Beethoven’s life will be viewed against the social and political history of his time. His works will be examined from the viewpoints of style, form, compositional technique, performance practice and reception history.