Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar CollegeIntroduction to the musical notation of pitchand rhythm and to scales and intervals throughstudy in beginning piano technique and literature,ensemble playing, and simple improvisation.No prior knowledge of music is necessary.V.6a.Prerequisite: MUSC 107 or placement. A continuationof MUSC 107, with study in both auraland written theoretical practices and performancetechniques on the piano and guitar. V.6a.Prerequisite: Basic keyboarding skills. Thebasics of MIDI technology, sequencing, notation,publishing and arranging using MIDIinstruments and computer software. Offeredalternate years.A course designed to increase and deepenthe student’s appreciation of music as an art.Emphasis is placed upon development of intelligentlistening skills founded upon a knowledgeof the basic elements of music, musical stylesand their historical contexts. V.6a.An introduction to selected musical traditionsof the world, including the impact of cultureand ethnicity on the music of Asia, Africa, Spain(Flamenco), Latin America and the Caribbean,and the United States (Blues and 1950s Rock andRoll). Constant comparisons will be made withWestern music’s forms, melody, harmony andrhythm. No prior knowledge of music is necessaryor expected. V.4.Opera workshop is a performance based coursewhich allows students to explore operatic literaturein an educational classroom setting.Students will study and perform literature whichis vocally and dramatically challenging but whichis well within their capabilities. Basic elements ofstage deportment, character analysis, and publicperformance will also be incorporated. V.6b.Prerequisite: Placement. An introductory studyof the elements of Common Practice music.Attention will be directed to the development ofanalytical and aural skills, through examinationof musical notation, intervals, scales, cadences,motives, phrases, multi-voice combinations andchord structure. See department chair for placementtest information. V.6a.Prerequisite: MUSC 157. A continuation ofMUSC 157. See department chair for placementtest information. V.6a.Prerequisites: MUSC 158 and the ability toplay the piano. Students will have independentinstruction in musical composition. Weekly assignmentsof prescribed composition projects willintroduce the students to a variety of musical procedures.Additionally each student will produce asingle larger work developed progressively throughoutthe semester to be presented in performanceat the end of the term. May be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: MUSC 158 and the ability toplay the piano. Co-requisite: MUSC 245 orMUSC 251. This course will focus on developingeach student’s ability to organize and leadrehearsals of vocal and instrumental ensembles.During the term progressive exercises onbeat patterns, transpositions, and score reading,combined with score analyses, will lead toan investigation of rehearsal procedures andteaching strategies. By arrangement with theinstructor, students will have the opportunity tolead ensembles in rehearsals to acquire practicalexperience in applying the techniques examinedin the classroom. May be repeated for credit.