MUSC 1035 - Music Appreciation

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Course Description: This course surveys the history and diversity of Western art music and the societies and cultures in which it developed. Topics include the elements of music, notable composers and works, and comparison to various world music traditions. There is an emphasis on focused listening, with the purpose of enhancing the ability to understand and appreciate music.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. Western art music in context
   1. Elements of music (rhythm, harmony, melody, texture, timbre, etc.)
   2. Instruments and ensembles
   3. Historical and social contexts in Western art music
   4. Comparison to other art forms in Western culture
   5. Comparison to music in non-Western cultures (world music) and/or popular culture
   6. Music in performance (public and private)
2. Historical Eras
   1. Medieval and Renaissance
      1. Sacred music (Gregorian chant, masses, motets)
      2. Secular music (dance music, madrigals)
      3. Significant composers and their works (Hildegard of Bingen, Josquin, Palestrina, etc.)
   2. Baroque
      1. Sacred music (cantatas, oratorios)
      2. Secular music (suites, concerti, opera)
      3. Significant composers and their works (Bach, Handel, etc.)
   3. Classical
      1. Developments in instrumental and vocal ensembles and forms
      2. Significant composers and their works (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, etc.)
   4. Romantic
      1. Developments in instrumental and vocal ensembles and forms
      2. Musical trends (program music, exoticism, nationalism, etc.)
      3. Forms (piano music, art song, opera, music dramas, tone poems, etc.)
      4. Significant composers and their works
   5. The 20th and 21st Centuries
      1. Early 20th century trends (can include impressionism, expressionism, atonality, twelve tone music, serialism, etc.)
      2. Post-WWII and 21st century trends (can include electronic music, minimalism, chance music, avant garde, pluralism, etc.)
      3. Significant composers and their works

1. describe structural elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and timbre.
2. analyze Western art music through knowledge of the structural elements of music, social and cultural contexts, and historical eras.
3. describe elements of Western art music in comparison to music of various world traditions.
4. describe the interrelationships between music, musicians, composers, cultures, and societies.
5. identify musical styles, characteristics, and genres of Western art music of various historical eras.
6. describe how composers of different eras use musical traditions and innovation.

06. 02. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.

06. 03. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

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