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100-Level Courses
Course Description
Prereq.
100 The Art of Music 1c

An introductory course intended for those students with little or no previous knowledge of music. Representative works from all periods and styles are studied in such a way as to emphasize the acquisition of permanent listening skills.

101 History of Music (before 1750) 1c

An introductory course for students with some previous music experience providing training in intelligent listening through chronological discussion and analysis of selected representative works from the Middle Ages to 1750.

102 History of Music (1750-present)

An introductory course for students with some previous music experience providing training in intelligent listening through chronological discussion and analysis of selected representative works from the classical period (c. 1750) to the present.

103 20th-Century Music 1c

A survey of the major trends in music during the 20th century.

Prerequisite: 100, 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor.

100/101/102
104 History of Opera 1c

A survey of operatic literature from its inception to the present.

Prerequisite: 100, 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor.

100/101/102
106 Music in the United States

An introduction to American music from the 18th to the 21st centuries. An overview of Native American, European, and African musical antecedents will serve as a foundation for the exploration of American musical genres including sacred and folk music in the colonies, blackface minstrelsy, Tin-Pan Alley, concert music and opera, Broadway musical, and post-WWII popular and art musics.

107 Biographical Studies 1c

A study of the life and works of a major composer, e.g., Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, or Bartok. The content of the course will be altered from year to year in order to provide a diversity of subject matter.

Prerequisite: 100, 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor.

100/101/102
107A Johann Sebastian Bach 1c

Explores the music of Bach froma variety of critical perspectives. Open to students with little or no musical background.

108 American Jazz 1c

A study of the roots of jazz in social, cultural and artistic dimensions followed by a chronological survey of the evolution of jazz styles from the late 19th century to the present.

Prerequisite: 100, 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor.

100/101/102
109 World Music

This course explores the historical and contemporary music of selected world cultures. The genres and practices of art, folk and popular music are examined in diverse regional contexts that may include China, India, Japan, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. An introductory course open to those with little or no musical background.

110 Music in England 1c

A topics course in the history and performance of music which uses the performances of music and the musical settings of London and its environs as part of the study. Taught only in the Summer Session in England program.

111-01 Performance Studies Class: Piano

Introduction to piano technique and keyboard fundamentals in a group setting. Recommended for all students with no keyboard experience—regardless of major. Course content includes both group and solo playing, individual practice sessions, basic music theory, and expository writing. Learning objectives include being able to read and play basic piano music with two hands and pedal. Prepares students for continued private piano study at the 114 level.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. To register for this course, you must contact the instructor directly.

111-02 Performance Studies Class: Voice

An introduction to vocal technique in a group setting. Course content includes physiology, both group and solo singing, independent practice sessions, IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), written listening assignments, and required concert attendance.Will meet prerequisite for continued study in voice (114).

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

111-03 Performance Studies Class: Guitar

All elements relevant to the study of the guitar will be addressed that are appropriate for the beginning guitar student: technique, basic musicianship, theory, history, and interpretation. Students will form a foundation of both plectrum and fingerstyle techniques; develop the ability to read standard notation, tablature, and chord chart diagrams; and learn how to construct simple chords. Special emphasis will be placed on forming an efficient, goal-oriented, and methodical approach to home practice. In addition to weekly lessons, students are asked to attend five repertory classes.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass.

113-114 Performance Studies I

Private study open to all students who demonstrate some acquaintance with musical notation, and who should continue to study voice or an instrument at the basic level. One-half (30 minutes/week) or full (60 minutes/week) course credit each semester.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

115 Fundamentals of Music

A hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of music through reading, writing, listening, singing, and basic keyboard skills. Emphasis is upon the acquisition of musical literacy grounded in a thorough knowledge of music notation. The course is intended for non-majors with little or no theory background, and for minors and majors as a preparation for Music 125.

121 Musical Transgressions in Early Modern Europe

Explores the long and shifting dialogue between music and other disciplines, with particular focus upon significant moments of creative conflict between old and new modes of musical thought. Topics are selective and wide-ranging, and may include ancient philosophy, the Orpheus myth, rhetoric and memory, Petrarch and the madrigal, musical iconography in Renaissance painting, the invention of opera, Louis XIV and musical statecraft, biblical exegesis in Bach's music, Masonic strains in Mozart, and Beethoven during and after Napoleon. An introductory course open to those with little or no musical background.

125-126 Theory of Music I

An introduction to the basic materials of music by means of discussion, analysis, and written exercises, complemented by intensive drill in sight singing, ear training, and keyboard harmony.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.


200-Level Courses
Course Description
Prereq.
205 Vocal Music Arranging

This course gives students practical training in the dictation and arrangement of music for vocal ensemble performance.

Prerequisite: 125.

125
213-214 Performance Studies II

Private study open to students who demonstrate a basic technique, and who should continue to study voice or an instrument at the intermediate level. One-half (30 minutes/week) or full (60 minutes/week) course credit each semester.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: 114 and permission of the instructor.

114
245-246 Theory of Music II

Introduction to the basic materials of music continued. Evolution of chromatic harmony in the 19th century and selected techniques in 20th century music. Increased emphasis is placed upon stylistic and critical analysis.

Prerequisite: 126.

126
251 Score Study and Conducting

An intermediate course in conducting vocal and instrumental ensembles following fundamentals of conducting taught in Music Theory 125-246. Principals of score study and analysis, score preparation, baton technique, expressivity, recitative and concerto-accompanying will be addressed. Texts include tradition choral and instrumental repertoire, examining the variety of problems and technical challenges of leading an ensemble and in developing an interpretation.

Prerequisite: 245.

245
253 Orchestration

A course in orchestrating music for a complete range of traditional Western orchestral, chamber and solo instruments. Issues of balance, transposition, score format, instrument ranges, characteristics and technical limitations will be studied. Students will practice arranging for a thorough array of instruments and will have their final orchestrations read by an ensemble.

Prerequisite: 126.

126
255 Beginning Composition

Students undertake the composition of a small work (3 - 5 minutes) for chamber ensemble (usually a duo or trio) under the guidance of the professor. The composition must be formatted in a music notation software; the college provides access to the Sibelius program. Students prepare a complete score and set of parts. The final composition is read by members of the Musical Artists in Residence and recorded.

Prerequisite: 125 & 126, or permission of the instructor.

125 + 126
256 Advanced Composition

Drawing on the experience gained in Music 255, students undertake the composition of a larger work (5 - 8 minutes) for chamber ensemble (usually a quartet or quintet) under the guidance of the professor. Students begin learning and using electronic media in “Terpsichore,” the Department’s electronic music studio. As in beginning composition, the final composition for this course must be formatted in a music notation software. Students prepare a complete score and set of parts. The final composition is read by members of the Musical Artists in Residence and recorded.

Prerequisite: 255, or permission of the instructor.

255
257 Form Analysis

This course introduces students to the major formal models of Western music from the Common Practice era (c. 1600-1900) as well as several variations of those models. Musical works from this era serve as the basis of study. Drawing on analytical skills and experience gained in Music Theory, students develop more complex, sophisticated analyses and interpretations of larger works.

Prerequisite: 245.

245

300-Level Courses
Course Description
Prereq.
301 Historical Performance Practices 1c

Methods, materials and issues involved in the performance of music prior to 1850. Ornamentation, improvisation, vocal and instrumental tone color and technique, access to repertory and performing editions. Practical application of concepts.

Prerequisite: 100, 101, 102 or permission of the instructor.

100/101/102
313-314 Performance Studies III

Private study open to non-majors and majors with a performance emphasis, who demonstrate a fully developed technical skill and who should continue study on the advanced level. May be repeated for credit with the permission of the instructor. One-half (30 minutes/week) or full (60 minutes/week) course credit each semester.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: 214 and permission of the instructor.

214
323-324 Repertory and Performance (Junior Year)

Private study for music majors with a performance emphasis. An upper divisional hearing is required at the end of 323 to determine if the student is prepared for the junior recital required as part of 324.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: 214 and permission of the instructor.

214
351 Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Music

Studies in selected topics of the history of music from chant to ca. 1600. Offered alternate years.

Prerequisite: 101 and 126 or permission of the instructor.

101 + 126
352 Seminar in Baroque Music 1c

Studies in selected topics of the history of music ca. 1600-1750. Offered alternate years.

Prerequisite: 101 and 126 or permission of the instructor.

101 + 126
353 Seminar in Classic and Romantic Music 1c

Studies in selected topics of the history of music from ca. 1750 to 1900. Offered alternate years.

Prerequisite: 102 and 126 or permission of the instructor.

102 + 126
354 Seminar in Contemporary Music

Studies in selected topics of the history of music ca. 1900 to the present. Offered alternate years.

Prerequisite: 102 and 126 or permission of the instructor.

102 + 126

400-Level Courses
Course Description
Prereq.
413-414 Performance Studies IV

Private study for non-majors or majors without a performance emphasis who will continue study at an advanced level. One-half (30 minutes/week) or full (60 minutes/week) course credit each semester.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: 314 and permission of the instructor.

314
423-424 Repertory and Performance (Senior Year)

A two-semester sequence of private study culminating in a public senior recital that includes a variety of musical styles and, for vocalists, languages. The culmination of 423 is a research paper on a composer, poet or genre relevant to the recital program. Must be taken in sequence within the same academic year.

Not available for Audit or Pass/No Pass. Performance Studies Fee applies. Prerequisite: core curriculum, 324, and permission of the instructor and Department Chair.

324
491-492 Senior Seminar in Composition 1c

Advanced independent study culminating in the creation of a substantial composition. The course must be taken as a fall-spring pair of half-credit courses. Open only to seniors majoring in music.

Prerequisite: 245, 246, 255 and permission of the Department Chair.

245 + 246 + 255
493-494 Senior Seminar in Analytical Theory 1c

Advanced independent study in musical analysis culminating in the creation of a major analytical essay. Open only to seniors majoring in music.

Prerequisite: 245, 246, the relevant 300-level seminar, and permission of the Department Chair.

245 + 246 + (one of 351-354)
495-496 Senior Seminar 1c

Advanced independent study in music history culminating in a major research paper. Open only to seniors majoring in music.

Prerequisite: two courses from 351-354 and permission of the Department Chair.

(two of 351-354)

 

Dickinson College Department of Music
Emil R. Weiss Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 1773 • Carlisle, PA 17013-2896 • 717-245-1568
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