Music Appreciation
Syllabus 2015-2016
HU 186 Dual-Credit
Course Description:
This course develops musical perception, understanding, and appreciation. It is appropriate for
those with no musical training. This course provides an introduction to musical styles and forms
through listening. Through use of the listening charts in the text, discussion inc lass, and
additional readings, students will develop a deeper appreciation and awareness of the
similarities and differences that make up the music of our cultural identity both locally and
globally. To provide a well-rounded experience, the course features direct listening and live
performances.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Identify major musical styles
Relate the works of music to their cultural background and to a more global perspective
Recognize and identify major musical compositions of each style or period
Demonstrate writing and verbal skills to clearly express ideas about music using musical
terms
5.) Utilize reading comprehension skills and critical thinking to analyze music from a variety of
backgrounds and styles
6.) Recognize and identify musical examples outside the western tradition
Course Requirements:
The student is expected to:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Attend all classes and be on time (class meets every other day)
Participate in class discussions
Complete and submit all assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams as scheduled
Attend a minimum of five live musical performances and complete a reflection for each
Required Textbook:
David Willoughby. The World of Music. Seventh edition.
Grading:
Exams
Participation/Assignments
Listening reflections
50%
20%
30%
Listening Reflections:
These reflections will be based on your listening observations. Some of the listening reflections
will be completed in class, while others will be based on live performances. Examples include
school concerts within the district or at another school, concerts by professional musicians or
groups, school or Broadway Theatre League or Broadway musical performances, etc.
Course Outline:
I. Preparation for Listening
Chapter 1: Introducing the World of Music
A Global Perspective
Music in Culture
The Business of Music
Summary
Chapter 2: The Nature of Music: Vocabulary for Listening and Understanding
Definitions of Music
Music as a Science
Expressive and Functional Qualities of Music
Music’s Creative, Performing, and Listening Processes
Participation for Active Listening/Listening Examples
Summary
The Elements of Music: Vocabulary for Listening and Understanding
Elements of Music: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Dynamics, Tone Quality
Musical Concepts: Texture, Genre and Form
Instruments of the Traditional Orchestra
Summary
II. Listening to American Music: Folk, Religious, Pop, and Jazz
Chapter 3: Folk Music Traditions
The Roots of Traditional Folk and Religious Music: Oral Tradition, Hymn Books,
Singing Schools, Shape-Note System
Folk Song Styles
Chapter 4: Religious Music Traditions
Spirituals and the Blues
Traditional Gospel
Popular Contemporary Styles
Summary
Chapter 5: Jazz in America
What is Jazz?
The Jazz Style
The Roots of Jazz
Types of Jazz Music
Summary
Chapter 6: American Popular Music
The Definition and Scope of Popular Music
Twentieth Century and Beyond: Tin Pan Alley, Country Music, Early African-American
Influences, Rock, Rap/Hip-Hop, Other genres
Summary
III. Listening to World Music
Chapter 7: Music of the Americas
Native American Music
Ethnic Music in the United States
Music of South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean
Summary
Chapter 8: Music Beyond the Americas
Music in India
Music in Japan
Music in Africa
Music in Eastern Europe
Indonesian Gamelan and Popular Music
Jewish Music
Celtic Music
Summary
Chapter 9: Music to 1600
The Beginnings of Western Music (1450): Gregorian Chant, Notation, Polyphony
The Renaissance Period (1450-1600): Mass, Motet, Madrigal
Summary
Chapter 10: Music of the Baroque (1600-1750)
Musical Forms and Genres: Opera, Orchestral Works, Chamber Music, Keyboard Works,
Choral Music
Musical Characteristics: Texture, Major-Minor Tonal System, Continuo, Word Painting
Instruments
Summary
Chapter 11: Music of the Classical Period (1750-1820)
Genres: Instrumental, Vocal/Choral/Opera
Forms: Sonata form, Theme and Variations, Minuet and Trio
Musical Characteristics
Instruments
Summary
Chapter 12: Music of the Romantic Period (1820-1900)
Musical Characteristics
Forms and Genres
Summary
Chapter 13: Music of the Twentieth Century
General Characteristics
Stylistic Developments: Impressionism, Neo-classical, Atonal Music and Serialism,
Electronic Music, Chance Music
Instruments
Summary
Partial Outline of Composers and Listening Examples:
[Various listening examples to coincide with material from Chapters 3-8]
Renaissance:
Josquin des Prez
Ave Maria
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Gloria
Orlando di Lasso
Ola oche bon echo
Thomas Morely
Now is the Month of Maying
John Dowland
The Frog Galliard
Baroque:
Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude and Fugue in C Minor
George Frideric Handel
The Messiah – Hallelujah Chorus
Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons, excerpts
Domenico Scarlatti
Sonata for Keyboard in C major, K. 159 “La Caccia”
Classical:
Franz Joseph Haydn
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3
Surprise Symphony
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
The Magic Flute, excerpts
Ludwig van Beethoven
5th Symphony mvmt. 1
9th Symphony mvmt. 4
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, “Pathetique”
Eroica
Romantic:
Hector Berlioz
Symphonie Fantastique
Johannes Brahms
Requiem – How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
Lullabye
Robert Schumann
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Frederic Chopin
Prelude No. 6
Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64 No. 2
Prelude in Db major, No. 15 “Raindrop” Op. 28 No. 15
Felix Mendelssohn
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in D minor
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Wedding March
Songs Without Words Op. 19 No. 1 in E major
Franz Schubert
Serenade
Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished”
Johann Strauss
Blue Danube Waltz
Die Fledermaus Overture
Pyotr I’yich Tchaikovsky
Overture to Romeo and Juliet
Nutcracker excerpts
Swan Lake
1812 Overture Finale
Giuseppe Verdi
Requiem – Dies Irae
Aida – Grand March
Richard Wagner
Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin
Ride of the Valkyries
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvmt. 1
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Prelude in C# minor
Twentieth Century:
Claude Debussy
La Mer, Mvmt. 2
Clair de Lune
Igor Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring – The Adoration of the Earth
Firebird Suite
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 5
Arnold Schoenberg
A Survivor from Warsaw, Op. 46
Pierrot Lunaire
Bela Bartok
Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Mvmt. 1
Edgard Varese
Poeme Electronique
John Cage
4:33
Sonata No. 2 for Prepared Piano
Charles Ives
Variations on America
Aaron Copland
Billy the Kid
Appalachian Spring
Fanfare for the Common Man
George Gershwin
Prelude for Piano No. 1
Rhapsody in Blue
Scott Joplin
Maple Leaf Rag
John Phillip Sousa
Stars and Stripes Forever