MUS-111 Master Composers I

A study of masterpieces of Western Music Literature intended for students with little or no background in music. Students will be introduced to musical terms, forms, styles, genres, and historical periods in order to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of how music works.

Credits

3

Lecture Contact Hours

3

Lab Contact Hours

0

Other Contact Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply basic technical nomenclature pertinent to engaging music literature.
2. Apply basic features characteristic of conventional historic style periods while considering the creative processes of composers active in those style periods.
3. Write a response to a selected text demonstrating information literacy skills designed to enhance academic and personal success.
4. Identify campus resources to aid the development of independent learning skills necessary for success within a field or discipline.
5. Reflect on their own learning in order to articulate academic and career goals and develop an educational plan to reach those goals.

View Course Outline

MUS 111: Master Composers I

Course Description

A study of masterpieces of Western Music Literature intended for students with little or no background in music. Students will be introduced to musical terms, forms, styles, genres, and historical periods in order to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of how music works.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

SUNY General Education Course

• The Arts

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply basic technical nomenclature pertinent to engaging music literature.
2. Apply basic features characteristic of conventional historic style periods while considering the creative processes of composers active in those style periods.
3. Write a response to a selected text demonstrating information literacy skills designed to enhance academic and personal success.
4. Identify campus resources to aid the development of independent learning skills necessary for success within a field or discipline.
5. Reflect on their own learning in order to articulate academic and career goals and develop an educational plan to reach those goals.

Topic Outline

1. MUS 111 covers a wide variety of music literature, including orchestral, keyboard, vocal, and chamber music. We will consider the structure of pieces as well as their most salient and characteristic style features. Specific repertory varies from term to term. We will also consider various topics in music aesthetics which will be the basis for class discussions and/or writing assignments.

2.

3.

4. I. Basic Elements of Music

5. Melody (contour, range, intervals, phrases, cadences, conjunct/disjunct motion)

6. Harmony (chords, triads, tonality, diatonic, non-diatonic, consonance, dissonance)

7. Rhythm (beats, meter, measures, syncopation)

8. Texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, counterpoint)
Timbre (instruments, voice parts)

9. Form (strophic, binary, ternary, movements)
Tempo (presto, allegro, moderato, adagio . . . )

10. Dynamics (piano, forte, mezzo forte . . .)

11. Instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, keyboard)

12. Notation (clefs, staff, noteheads, stems, measures . . .)

13. Ensembles (chorus, orchestra, chamber . . )

14.

15. II. Style and Function

16. Sacred Music and Secular Music

17. Genres (sonata, symphony, concerto, chamber music, opera . . .)

18. Historical Periods (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary)

19.

20. III. Campus Resources and Career Strategies

21. Career Choices in Music

22. MTNA (Music Teachers National Association)

23. Survival Skills for Music

24. Information literacy in Music

25. College Resources and Facilities

26. College Culture and Social life
Campus Policies and Procedures

27.

28.