MUS 337 - 20th Century Music His/Theory

Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: General

As a component of the music theory/music history sequence, this course examines both the theoretical underpinnings and historical framework of music in the 20^th century. Topics include chromatic harmony, atonal and aleatoric music, serial theory-composition, set theory, non-western influences, musique concrete, and minimalism. Ear training and sight-singing are also continued.
Prerequisite: MUS 107
Competencies

Evaluate modern music in the Classical tradition
1. Differentiate between German modernism and French modernism
2. Discuss Avant-Garde
3. Compare late Romantic and early Modern music
Generate names of and describe the key modernist composers
1. Summarize the contributions of Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Anton Webern, Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, and Charles Ives.
2. Describe the correlation in 20^th century compositional techniques
3. Predict the continued influence of these composers
Conclude which important concepts led to the development of the Post-Romantic style
1. Identify examples of tonal instability as they relate to 20^th century music
2. Learn how composers utilize nonfunctional harmony
3. Define the use of omnibus progression and blurred cadence
4. Label the utilization of the augmented triad
Correlate the principles of Impressionism and related styles
1. Give examples of how scales, chords, and cadences are used in this era.
2. Identify and define scales
3. Identify and define chords
4. Use knowledge of theoretical concepts in specimen analysis
Outline musical evolution in the early 20^th century
1. Name the major styles of early 20^th century music
2. Describe the distinctive characteristics of harmony and rhythm
3. Use knowledge of theoretical concepts in specimen analysis
Interpret pitch-class set theory
1. Define set theory
2. List set types
3. Demonstrate comprehension by way of theoretical analysis
Organize the principals of the twelve-tone technique
1. Explain the principles of the twelve-tone compositional method
2. Trace the historical significance of the twelve-tone compositional method
3. Produce, solve and label twelve-tone matrixes
Assess musical developments since 1945
1. Make sense of serialism
2. Explain indeterminacy
3. Describe the use of improvisation
4. Give examples of electronic and computer music
Incorporate and refine music literacy through aural theory and applied theory
1. Demonstrate competency in sight-reading
2. Demonstrate competency in ear training by way of dictation
3. Construct composition(s) using modernist techniques.