Time Schedule:
Lawrence Starr
MUHST 424
Seattle Campus
Diversity of the contemporary musical scene. Vocabularies appropriate for the description and understanding of the new music, developed through study of representative composers and works, and appropriate readings. Prerequisite: 2.0 in MUHST 210; 2.0 in MUSIC 303; 2.0 in MUSIC 306.
Class description
This course is designed to immerse students in the complex issues of style that surround contemporary music. The question of why there are apparently no "canonic" works and no "great" composers any more(?) will be examined critically from multiple perspectives. Investigations will include jazz and popular music, along with what is traditionally termed "art music."
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Intense discussion. Students must be actively involved in the aesthetic issues of our time, and prepared to demonstrate their involvement regularly in class.
Recommended preparation
A thorough background in traditional music history and theory; an inquiring mind and a deep interest in the arts of the present time; a fearless commitment to exploring ideas and asking questions.
Class assignments and grading
Continuous participation in class is expected. Students will prepare brief written assignments to questions posed in class. Students will design and complete one major project, which may include composition and performance, and aspects of oral presentation, in addition to the traditional written component.
Quality of class participation and of the major project.
