Music

This course provides an in-depth critical introduction to a range of important concepts, musical works, institutions, and people in music of a given time period, and explores both their impact on musical culture and their relationship to wider political, social, and artistic issues. Topics may vary by year.

This course takes the development of classical Western music history as the main axis, with special emphasis on the role and influence of composers in the changes of different eras. The course explores the hymns of the Middle Ages, through the polyphonic art of the Renaissance, the splendor and order of the Baroque, the balanced structure of the classical period and the soulful expression of the romantic period, to the opportunity music, spectrum music, electronic music and cross-disciplinary creations of the 20th and 21st centuries. Through the works and life stories of representative composers of each era, the class analyzes how music responds to and shapes culture, thought, and social trends. Classes combine listening experience, film viewing, and interactive discussions to cultivate students' artistic perception and critical thinking. 

This course trains students to put traditional Irish music theory into practice. Students are introduced to a wide range of traditional repertoire, styles and techniques, taught by leading artists in the field. Students then apply these skills to their own performances, compositions or arrangements, which are submitted at the end of the semester. Students work on one major project and one minor project, choosing any two of the following options:

- Performance
- Composition/Arrangement
- Essay

Performance:
Major Performances will be a set of tunes, to be performed and recorded in Weeks 11-12, showcasing a variety of the playing styles studied in class.
Minor Performances will be a single tune or song demonstrating some of the techniques taught in class

Composition/Arrangement
Major Compositions will be an original work or set of tunes, exploring a variety of the instrumental and regional playing styles studied in class. Minor Performances will be a single original tune or song demonstrating some of the techniques taught in class.
Major Arrangements of traditional material will be written for at least 6 of instruments available from among the ensemble. Minor arrangements will be written for at least 2 of instruments available from among the ensemble.

Essay
Major Essays will be 5000 words, researching a topic covered in class (or closely related topics, to be approved by MC).
Minor Essays will be a 1000-word commentary on the student's recording or composition, outlining the styles and techniques demonstrated.

This course examines the basics of making music for film and animation. Aspects of the function and crafting of music in film and animation including film scoring and the music dramatic narrative will be explored. 

This course develops skills and knowledge that help students to get more out of the experience of listening to Western art music. Surveying set works drawn from different periods, the course considers the roots, emergence and establishment of this repertoire and its associated practices. Students consider how musical compositions were historically shaped by cultural and material contexts, and develop analytical skills in using musical scores to describe musical organization, style, and genre. Students are not required to perform as part of this course, but some prior familiarity with western musical notation is necessary.

This course explores the aesthetic and cultural dimensions of popular music through critical listening and analysis of representative works, examining how music both shapes and mirrors the evolution of society. By tracing the relationship between musical expression and its historical contexts, the course cultivates an appreciation for the aesthetic values embedded in popular culture.

This course guides students through the rich tapestry of classical music by immersing them in live piano performances accompanied by humorous commentary, fostering an understanding of music history, renowned composers, and significant classical pieces. Through lively discussions and sharing among students, individuals cultivate their unique perspectives and tastes in music, while also advocating for the profound impact of arts and humanities. 

This course develops students' appreciation of various types of electronic music via an open, creative environment for its composition. It explores the nature of sound and approaches to its organization, listening deeply to music and the world around us, and covers theory and practice in digital audio signal processing. The course works with 'concrete sound' and thus no prior experience in music notation or composition is required. The course culminates in an open concert-presentation of final works that students develop over the semester.

This course explores the role of music and sound in perhaps the dominant art form of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries: film. From the live accompaniments of early silent movies to the Oscar-winning soundtracks of today's Hollywood productions, music has been an integral part of cinema from the outset, structuring narratives and shaping audience responses. This course introduces students to key aesthetic concepts and debates surrounding film music as well as providing a historical overview of the development of film sound.