An introduction to the creation of mathematical models, both deterministic and probabilistic, for the description of problems drawn from physical, biological, social, and environmental sources.
In the first semester, students work with faculty mentors to design and begin working on substantial projects that require integrating and building on what they have learned in their other courses. In the second semester, students complete these projects and present their results in a public venue.
Medical Humanities
A seminar on topics related to leadership and medical humanities for Hippocrates Fellows. May be repeated once for credit.
Music
Today’s music—pop, EDM, hip-hop, K-Pop, movie music, etc.—shares many characteristics of older styles, including blues, jazz, rock, R&B, country, piano, and orchestral scores. In this class the student learns to listen perceptively to older idioms and to apply those skills to more recent music. The ear comes to recognize musical concepts such as meter, mode (major, minor), musical form ("what's a bridge?"), texture, and more recent recording techniques such as looping, sampling, and Auto-Tune.
A general introduction to the language of music, using the piano as toolkit. Students with little or no experience in piano acquire the ability to read music, play simple piano pieces, and improvise. They learn the essentials of chord progressions and how to accompany melodies with harmony. Students also engage fundamental theoretical concepts (melodic and rhythmic notation, intervals, major and minor key signatures, major and minor scales, and simple and compound meters). The fourth hour will be devoted to ear training and practical musicianship. This course covers the combined material of MUSC 102 and MUSC 103 and is not open for credit to students who have received credit for either.
A general introduction to the language of music, using the piano as toolkit. Students with little or no experience in piano acquire the ability to read music, play simple piano pieces, and improvise. They learn the essentials of chord progressions and how to accompany melodies with harmony. Students also engage fundamental theoretical concepts (melodic and rhythmic notation, intervals, major and minor key signatures, major and minor scales, and simple and compound meters). The fourth hour will be devoted to ear training and practical musicianship. This course covers the combined material of MUSC 102 and MUSC 103 and is not open for credit to students who have received credit for either.
An introduction to the great music of Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the present. The course begins with a discussion of the elements of music and proceeds with a chronological overview of music history. Musical masterworks from all style periods are studied. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MUSC 211.
African American Gospel music represents a unique and powerful tradition of American music and culture. This course begins with the foundations of Gospel music as represented in African American spirituals and blues along with its religious roots in the Great Awakenings and the later Pentecostal movement. Subsequent topics include the post-Civil War Jubilee choral style, Gospel's "golden age" of 1945-55, the advent of black-run radio programs, record companies, and a performance circuit for Gospel singers. Gospel music from 1960 to the present is examined bio-chronologically, discussing important songwriters, singers, and the music's significant stylistic changes. As a useful overture to study students may pursue in upper-level music courses, this course also introduces terminology required for musical analysis, including mode, meter, and form.
To take this class the student must read traditional music notation on the treble, bass, or alto clefs. Musicality is developed by integrating theory and analysis, aural skills, performance, and composing songs. Through this integration of skills and knowledge, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of music relevant to our current musical and cultural landscape.
An accelerated version of MUSC 111 intended for performing musicians or other students with fair experience as listeners. After a quick review of the history of Western music, the course proceeds to consider topics such as the many manifestations of songs through the centuries, music and dance, music and politics, and musical exoticism/globalization. In addition to songs, other genres under consideration include symphonies, concertos, sonatas, operas, and musicals. Students take an active role in selecting music for discussion. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken MUSC 111.
This course covers the fundamentals of electronic music and studio recording. Using Reason software, students learn about MIDI, sound synthesis, sampling, drum machines, loop players and sound processing. The second half of the semester focuses on Pro Tools, a digital recording program. Students learn recording techniques, sound editing, use of plug-in MIDI instruments, and how to produce recordings of their own music.
Students continue to expand their abilities to play piano, analyze chords and musical ideas, and compose original music. The new topics covered in this course include counterpoint, melodic and harmonic development, formal analysis, part-writing, and extended harmonies. As in MUSC 160, musicality is developed by integrating theory and analysis, aural skills, performance, and composition. Through this integration of skills and knowledge, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of music relevant to our current musical and cultural landscape.
This is the final course in the theory and musicianship sequence. Students continue to hone the skills introduced in the previous semesters, while progressing onto more advanced concepts. The new topics covered in this course include modulation, chromatic harmony, tonal extensions, modality, jazz theory, hip-hop studies, and post-tonality. As in MUSC 160 and 260, musicality is developed by integrating theory and analysis, aural skills, historical contextualization, performance, and composition. Through this integration of skills and knowledge, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of music relevant to our current musical and cultural landscape.
Music, Ensembles and Lessons (Individual and Group)
The University Choir plays an important role in the musical life of the University and All Saints' Chapel. At All Saints', the choir's activities include singing at all Sunday Eucharist services during the semester as well a monthly Choral Evensong. In addition to its liturgical duties, the choir offers several concert performances throughout the year, often with orchestral accompaniment. Membership in the choir is open to any undergraduate student.
The University Orchestra presents the full range of the symphonic repertory and collaborates frequently with other organizations to present choral-orchestral and musico-theatrical works. Participation in the University Orchestra is open to all qualified undergraduate students as well as students from the School of Theology, faculty, and members of the Sewanee community.
Singing from the Sacred Harp hymnal represents an old but still rewarding Southern musical practice, suitable for all amateurs willing to sing loudly. In twice-a-week practices, we cover the fundamentals of shape-note singing and learn to sing in parts. Approximately once a month we travel to Alabama to participate in one of the traditional Sacred Harp singings.
Jazz Ensemble provides experiences in performance of all types of jazz literature from early swing (Duke Ellington, Count Basie) and Latin forms (Antonio Carlos Jobim) to contemporary fusion (Pat Metheny, Brecker Brothers, Yellow jackets). The group focuses on the developing jazz student, providing an opportunity for a challenging ensemble experience while encouraging the performer to explore improvisation. In addition, members have the opportunity to compose and arrange music for the ensemble. Membership is open to all students regardless of major. The group consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, bass, drum set and keyboard. In addition, the group involves male and female vocalists as well as string players with an interest in learning to sing or play jazz. The jazz ensemble offers one or more performances each semester.
The University gospel choir, which performs under the name "Sewanee Praise," offers a campus performance medium for gospel music. The group's repertory includes spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel, praise and worship, and contemporary Christian. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.