The music history of the United States encompasses many richly varied strands—native, imported, learned, vernacular. This course focuses on the music created and consumed by large numbers of Americans, primarily in Anglo-American and African American cultures. Attention to specific performers (“artists”), especially female, redresses the likely gender imbalance of a course oriented mainly towards composers. In rough chronological order students learn about the nation’s hymns (including shape-note traditions) and spirituals, minstrel tunes, ragtime, early pop music and “evergreens,” jazz, American orchestras, the blues, rock ’n’ roll, and hip-hop. Students also engage the concept of “phonograph effect,” as introduced by Mark Katz: the way recording technology fundamentally reshapes not just American music but the way that we experience and think about music.
An introduction to musicology that features scholarly assessments and case studies drawn from the whole length of European and American music history, including the "phonograph effect." Students take responsibility for several kinds of in-class discussions, developing leadership skills. The course also helps students prepare the listening and other components of the music comprehensive exam. The course assumes substantial previous contact with music history on the part of the student.
Through the lens of media composition, students develop their musical imagination for the moving image. Applying material learned in MUSC 160, 260, and 214, students score music for advertisements, movie and game trailers, and short films. Basic knowledge of Logic Pro X and some music notation software (e.g., Finale or MuseScore) is useful for the course.
Music, Ensembles and Lessons (Individual and Group)
A general introduction to the language of music, using the piano as toolkit. This is the first course in a two-course sequence. Students with little or no experience in piano acquire the ability to read music, play simple piano pieces, and improvise. Along with piano skills, students learn fundamental theoretical concepts, such as melodic and rhythmic notation, major scales and key signatures, expressive markings, and simple meters.
A general introduction to the language of music, using the piano as toolkit. This is the second course in a two-part sequence. Students with little or no experience in piano acquire the ability to read music, play simple piano pieces, and improvise. Along with piano skills, students learn fundamental theoretical concepts, such as tuplets, minor scales and key signatures, structural elements, and compound meters.
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.
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.
An intermediate singing course that provides individual lessons on a weekly basis with daily practice expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
An intermediate singing course that provides individual lessons on a weekly basis with daily practice expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
Focusing on musical theater and commercial vocal styles, this intermediate singing course provides individual lessons on a weekly basis with daily practice expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
Focusing on musical theater and commercial vocal styles, this intermediate singing course provides individual lessons on a weekly basis with daily practice 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.
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.