The course intends to enable students to learn appropriate language in order to talk and write about music, to be able to recognize and differentiate standard styles, structures, and mediums of music, and to appreciate different styles of music in their cultural contexts. The essential underlying thesis of this course is that an appreciation for classical music is rooted in the experience of listening again and again to musical works of the various style periods until true familiarity with this literature is achieved. Most class sessions are listening oriented and include discussion of the music. Videos sometimes enhance class presentations. Interactive dialogue between students and teacher or students in small groups is the norm.
Homework includes formal writing as well as listening assignments.
Exploring Music is a prerequisite for Music Theory I, and is therefore required of music majors and music minors. It is open to all students, however, regardless of major. To gain a real love for and understanding of Western art music, to achieve a working acquaintance with appropriate language in order to talk and write about music, to learn to recognize and differentiate standard styles, structures, and mediums of music, to appreciate different styles of music in their cultural contexts, to be able to communicate about music with others. Joseph Kerman, Listen, 3rd brief edition with accompanying CDs. The student is responsible for the material covered in each class.