Graduate Seminar in Contemporary Music Performance Practice

Course Description

Explores performance practice issues in music since 1965. Topics include: Modernism, Minimalism, Second Viennese School, New Complexity, Electroacoustic Music, Experimentalism, Improvisation, etc. Particular emphasis will be placed on works by under-represented composers. Students investigate music through listening, score analysis, and writings and apply them to a work for their instrument.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • demonstrate understanding of the compositional styles discussed during the course and develop strategies for approaching other contemporary music styles.
  • perform a work of music in a stylistically appropriate way to the best of their abilities, informed by study of contemporary music, compositional technique and its place in music history.
  • back up their performance choices with information gained from study of scores and recordings and pertinent writings on contemporary music.
  • demonstrate knowledge of important musical compositions and writings pertaining to the course topic.
  • confidently defend their performance choices for their chosen work and be able to extend that knowledge to other works of similar compositional style.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Performance/Lecture 40%
Attendance 10%
Participation 25%
Writing 25%

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance and Participation are graded components of this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Students are required to either purchase or use the UNCG libraries for all digital/sheet music presented for performance/evaluation, and any equipment or accessories required for performance by the instructor.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.