It is open and designed equally for music and non-music majors. Weekly listening tapes and selected outside readings are required. Midterm and final examinations are primarily essay. For non-School of Music students only. This course deals mainly with composing and appreciation of contemporary art music.
Assignments are creative but directed.
Teaching assistants give individual attention to students while working on projects. Attendance at concerts of contemporary music is required. A balance is maintained between traditional compositional crafts and advanced or experimental tendencies. Many outstanding American composers have started in this class. The course is also recommended for students outside of music programs who have had rather extensive backgrounds in music, performance, and even composing.