Music

This course presents African music through practical and hands-on experience. Groups of five to six members learn a variety of indigenous musical instruments from the whole African continent. Practical music-making, which forms the mainstay of the course, serves as an introduction to a multi-faceted pan-African aesthetic experience. A theoretical component places this practical exploration in philosophical, historical, and cultural context. No prior knowledge of music or previous musical experience is needed. 

This course explores the rich musical and cultural traditions of the Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes connecting East Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe. The course examines how the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and music, shaping world history and cultural development. Through the study of musical genres, styles, and instruments from across the region, the course investigates how music intersects with identity, power, and diplomacy across geographical and historical boundaries. The course also looks at similar cross-cultural projects happening today, such as the Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road initiative.

The course features live performances and interactive workshops, as well as instruments from different regions. No musical background is necessary. 

This course introduces different approaches in the study of non-western musical cultures. Students will learn about methodologies borrowed from ethnomusicology and ethnography. Students focus on particular case studies including, for example, Iranian pop music and Bollywood musicals.

Gagaku is one of Japan's traditional musical genres, boasting the longest history. Along with Buddhist chanting, it forms the backbone of Japanese music. Understanding the history and structure of gagaku is fundamental to understanding the diverse forms of Japanese music. 

This course first defines the term gagaku in Japan, grasping its etymology and genres, then studying the basics of the imported music and dance that form the core of the current gagaku tradition (e.g., genres, instrument arrangements, and performance techniques). Then, it traces the history of ancient Japanese songs and dances, as well as music and dances from the continent that were introduced between the 5th and 9th centuries. The course then examines the evolution of gagaku from its peak in the Heian period to its current form from various angles. 

Thus, this class experiences the rich diversity of gagaku, a genre that continues to thrive today. It includes the many variations of traditional pieces preserved in ancient scores, pieces that have been given new life through revivals and restorations, and the possibilities of musical expression that have expanded through the adoption of Western music.

This course cultivates the fundamental literacy skills required for commercial music composition. The topics covered include pop songwriting, beat making, film scoring, and jingle production. Students are introduced to contemporary practices in the music industry through music demos, instrumental tracking, music arrangement, and music production techniques.

The Lyon 2 University Orchestra focuses on performing works from the classical repertoire (Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Bizet, Beethoven, Gershwin, Offenbach, Mendelssohn, Carl Orff, Mozart) but also regularly performs the greatest film music themes (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Atlantis, Lord of the Rings) as well as works by composers from the 20th century and beyond, and student compositions from the professional master's program. The orchestra now specializes in film concerts. The Lyon 2 Orchestral Ensemble performs in venues in the Lyon region such as the Théâtre de l'Astrée, the Salle de l'Arbuel (Condrieu), the amphitheater of the Opéra de Lyon, the Amphi Culturel (Bron), Espace Culturel de l'Alpha (Charbonnières), and the Grand Amphi of Lyon 2 University.

This course explores the origins and development of the Heavy Metal genre, from its beginnings in classic and hard rock through to contemporary forms. The aesthetics of the genre are also discussed, and some focus is given to some of the more prominent movements within the genre, such as the NWoBHM (new wave of British heavy metal), death metal, and black metal.

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of Western music theory with an emphasis on reading and writing musical notation, ear training, and analytical listening. It helps develops an understanding of how texture, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, melodic development, and other parameters interact to create music. Examples used in the class are drawn mostly, but not exclusively, from classical repertoire. Although prior musical training is helpful, there are no prerequisites for the course.

This course explores the evolution of the Great American Songbook, a loosely defined canon of influential American popular songs from the early 20th century. These songs, many originating from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and Hollywood, have shaped the foundation of American popular music. Students examine the craft of songwriting, the business of music publishing, and the cultural contexts that influenced the work of composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Richard Rodgers. Through musical and lyrical analysis, historical inquiry, and engagement with primary sources, students develop a critical understanding of the enduring legacy of these songs and their impact on jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary popular music.