Courses & Curriculum
Sample Courses & Curriculum
History of Rock, Pop, & Soul
This course explores the evolution of American and British popular music from about 1950 to the present day. Musical styles are studied and contextualized with an examination of related cultural, social and political trends. This course also introduces fundamental music terminology that is germane to the study of popular music.
Diatonic Tonal Harmony
The course covers principles of diatonic harmony and voice-leading, as well as species counterpoint and simple formal structures, with an emphasis on analysis and stylistically appropriate composition. The course includes an ear-training lab that features sightsinging, rhythmic performance, and melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation.
Introduction to Computer Music
The course is a composition-focused introduction to computer music resources. Basic principles of digital audio and acoustics/psychoacoustics, as well as the history of electroacoustic and computer music, are introduced. A range of software applications are used for recording, editing, sequencing, synthesis, and processing. Discussion of composition strategies and aesthetic issues guide the use of such techniques in creative projects.