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Music 425/525 - Spring 2005
20th-Century Music

What is this class about?
This course is an historical survey of "art" music of the twentieth century as traced in the culture and traditions of western civilization.  Popular genre and non-western music is discussed only in its impact on this western heritage.

What materials will I need?
In addition to the two texts, you will need a binder with paper and music manuscript paper for note taking and handouts.  Some assignments and quizzes may be submitted as computer files. You will be assigned a computer that you will use during each class session.  You will have a personal folder in the "Student Folder"  on this computer. In addition, you will pick-up and drop-off assignments in the appropriate folder on the Coulter 374 server.  The Appserver may be used to transfer files from your home computer as well.  You should beack up your work often.  You should have computer discs and diskettes with you for this purpose. Keep them in a protective case.  Floppy diskettes should be formatted to MS-DOS which can be read by both Macintosh and Windows machines.

What is expected of me ?
Participation.
Attendance and participation are important.  The effectiveness of this class is dependent on sharing of ideas among ourselves.   If you need to be absent for any reason, please let me know in writing or by email.  This includes any field trip forms.  These must be signed by me before the event. After three unexcused absences (a week of class) your overall letter grade will be lowered by a full letter grade per subsequent absence.  Punctuality is a courtesy.  Students arriving late to class will not be allowed to take any quiz in progress and will lose grade points. Material in addition to the assigned readings will be presented in class so careful attention to note taking applies. (For more information about university policy regarding attendance, please refer to the WCU Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.)

Quizzes.
A quiz drawn from the reading assignments will be given during each class meeting.  Listening and score examination are critical elements of this class.  Many of your assignments will include these activities.  The three compact disks that accompany the Morgan Anthology will be on reserve in Coulter 374 for your convenience.  Please do not remove these from the resource room.  Listening and score identification quizzes drawn from this material will be given periodically throughout the semester.

Reading and Listening Assignments.
Reading and listening assignments for each class meeting are given in the class schedule. Although not all of this material will be discussed in class, you are responsible for the content.  Questions for quizzes and exams will be drawn from this material as well as classroom presentations.

Will I have to write a major research paper?
No!  However there are smaller projects.  Four listening guides with composer biographical sketches, and three creative activities covering a variety of composition, orchestration and performance skills will be assigned during the semester.  Assignments are to be presented in electronic form.  The subject of the listening guides must be drawn from the composers and compositions cited in the Morgan text.  Laboratory classes have been included in the schedule for the presentation of student projects.   The project themes are listed below.

Creative Activity #1 - Impressionism, transition and the music of Debussy.   Presentation date: January 21.

Listening Guide #1 - with a brief biographical sketch of a selected composer active before and during WW1, as cited in Morgan chapters III-VI).  Due date: January 24.

Listening Guide #2 - with a brief biographical sketch of a selected composer active after WW1 and during WW2, as cited in Morgan chapters VII-XI. Due date: February 11

Creative Activity #2 - Expressionism, Atonality, the Twelve-Tone system and the music of Schoenberg.  Presentation date: February 21.

Listening Guide #3 - with a brief biographical sketch of a selected composer active after WW2, as cited in Morgan chapters XII-XIX..  Due date: March 14.

Creative Activity #3 - Indeterminacy and the music of John Cage.  Presentation date: April 4.

Listening Guide #4 - with a brief biographical sketch of a selected composer active during the last decade of the 20th century.   These will be presented in the last two class periods in a series of presentations.  Due date: April 27.

The listening guides will be presented in class in historical sequence. Be prepared for an informal discussion of the featured composer.  Listening Guide Guidelines and Procedures include:

1. Select one work by a prominent 20th-Century composer for each of the topics above.  This must be selected from a reference in the Morgan text but cannot include works in the anthology.
2. Prepare a short annotated bibliography.  You may use liner notes, The New Grove, and at least one other reputable source
3. Develop a short biographical sketch of the composer.  Be prepared to discuss biographical details in class.
4. Analyze the music.
5. Develop a listening guide.  Include lyrics for vocal compositions.  Consider the form and phrase structure; harmonic language and melodic construction; tempo, meter and rhythmic elements; instrumentation and tone color; dynamics and other expressive qualities; and any aesthetic or external considerations (such as program music or special effects).
6. Present the music to the class.  Text handouts to accompany the music are acceptable but PowerPoint, ChartCreator, Macromedia Director, Web pages and other displays that incorporate graphics are preferred

Graduate Students will participate in a Graduate School Research Seminar Concert on the afternoon of April 15 (subject to change).  This will be one of several concurrent sessions featuring activities of graduate students campus wide.  A performance or presentation of Twentieth-century music is required.  Details TBA.


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