• About ­µ¼Ö·§½×
• Texts and Recordings
• Course Expectations

Catalog Description

In Introduction to Music we'll explore the history of music in Europe and the United States. During the course you'll become familiar with several pieces from a variety of musical traditions, including several genres and idioms unique to our period, including the symphony, the string quartet, jazz, and musical theater. We'll study the pieces themselves as well as the historical circumstances in which they were created.

In addition to the broad historical survey covered in the lectures, this class will ask you to listen to music not only in terms of its shared aesthetic value with the other arts in a historical perspective, but also with an ear towards understanding and comprehending the musical elements that characterize each particular style. Be Prepared to listen to and explain the various components of a piece of music; This takes practice, patience and a desire to understand music as well as enjoy it.

Texts And Rrecordings

• David Willoughby The World of Music

Online Listening

All assigned recordings for the course are available both on reserve and online. Access the online listening through either the Description of Assignments and Listening List page or ªF§d¤j¾Ç¹Ï®ÑÀ]«D®Ñ¸ê®Æ«ÇÀH¿ïµø°T

Course Expectations: Assignments, Exams, Attendance

The Class Schedule provides detailed information on lecture and discussion topics and assignments for each day. The reading and listening assignments should be completed prior to the class for which they are assigned. Keep up with all the assignments and do not wait to cram for exams.

You are advised to listen to each of the assigned listening pieces several times: several times when the assignment is due, and again when preparing for exams. Knowing the assigned listening will help you for the exams, where you'll be asked to identify excerpts from them; to remember and apply names, terms, and dates related to them; and to write essays in which the pieces will serve as examples of broader issues. Also, exams will test your ability to recognize the style or genre of unassigned pieces, that are related to the course material.

The two exams will be based on a combination of all the material in the course.  Exam questions will include:

• listening identification of the assigned listening pieces:
• composer name (and/or performer name in jazz and blues)
• title
• genre or style
• instruments used
• listening identification of unassigned music
• short answer questions
• term definitions
• essays

There are no make-up exams for listening quizzes. The only acceptable excuses for missing final concert report deadline are illness of emergencies documented by an official written acknowledgement, such as a doctor's medical excuse. Only extraordinary, documentable circumstances can justify giving a makeup or extension.

Attendance is expected for lecture. You are responsible for the content of every class, including special anouncements that will be made from time to time. The instructors cannot take responsibility for informing you of material you may have missed. You are also expected to arrive on time. Students who frequently miss class usually do poorly or fail.

The class will require your active participation, not just passive attendance. Keeping up with the class will help create the kind of alertness and confidence needed to do well in class.