Music

This module explores issues of music, text, and performance around the world, focusing on conceptions about the relationships between music as a form of text drawing connections between society and culture. The key debates within the discipline of ethnomusicology are viewed from an historical perspective, outlining their impact upon the development of contemporary ethnomusicological perspectives. As well as exploring the contemporary presence of music (incorporating traditional music, martial music, and other forms of music), this course addresses the historical trajectory of music in its socio-political context. The course consists of a lecture and ensemble/workshop format. Students with previous musical experience of all levels and no previous musical experience are welcome to apply.

This course explores different musical traditions in their historical and cultural contexts, encouraging students to think deeper about the universal function of music to not only reflect, but also create social reality. The course focuses on the aesthetics and history of classical music in the Western world and beyond, exploring masterpieces of composers from both Europe and Asia, as well as ethnic and popular music in parts of Asia and the Middle East. 

The course also asks essential questions about the historical development of music in different regions, and about suitable approaches for the study of music. Tracing the historical trajectory of musicology as a field, the class discusses the major debates within musicology; questions its central tenets, and explores how music has been studied in other disciplines such as ethnomusicology, philosophy, and psychology. 

Classes feature live performances by instructor and guest lecturers, followed by discussions.

This course introduces the creation of music and sound design for screen-based media using a digital audio workstation (DAW). It balances practical application with theoretical and historical context. It also expands skill sets in screen music composition and non-linear music idioms for learners in music, film, and computer science. 

This course introduces the theory and practical skills of near-distance microphone techniques for a variety of acoustic and electric/electronic instruments. This course covers basic Pro Tools skills, and overdub techniques. Students are required to complete at least five multitrack sessions independently during the semester. This course requires a prerequisite.

This course develops technical composition skills and deepens artistic awareness in creating, manipulating, and analyzing music. It explores creative and technical approaches drawn from historical and contemporary art music, as well as various popular idioms. It covers melody writing, thematic development, harmonic understanding, and contemporary musical languages.

This course engages students to think and express themselves through the production process of a musical. By introducing the various aspects of mounting a musical production, it empowers the students to transmit this understanding into an actual display of intrinsic ideas. The course is executed through classroom seminars and an experiential component culminating in the form of a micro-musical. The content coverage embodies a survey and appreciation of Singapore musicals; and to expound on the hardware and software requirements in mounting a musical. This includes individual elements like acting, singing, writing, composing, music-making and dancing which are interwoven in the creation of this art form; as well as the financial and budget planning, safety measures and basic aspects of stage management.

This course continues to develop the fundamental techniques which enable students to perform proficiently in a public arena on a chosen instrument.

Students explore some of the repertoires that are at the heart of post-war American pop music, including mainstream pop, the blues, hip-hop, funk, country, and rock. Students consider the extent to which American popular music has influenced other pop music cultures, and how a sense of American identity is both fostered and communicated in its music. Students also connect specific kinds of repertoire to major events in American history, such as the Civil Rights Movement. The course is organized according to topics such as the music industry, the blues continuum, identity in country music, urban music, and Afrofuturism. Students learn to identify and describe a range of American popular music genres, and position them in their socio-historical context. 

In this course, students explore some of the exciting and experimental developments in film music practices emerging in the second half of the 20th century. During this time cultural changes and expectations were reflected in greater experimentalism and innovation across society and art forms. This includes film music and sound, following the so-called Golden Age of classical Hollywood film scores in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Students will begin with a brief review of Golden Age film music and the established continuity system of musical editing. Students then examine case studies of film scores from several different countries, including USA, Britain, France, and the former Soviet Union. Students consider fragmented, composite, formalist, and popular music solutions. Finally students consider the growing influence of sound design and the blurred boundaries between music and sound in some contemporary cinema.