Music Course Descriptions
Fundamentals of Music - 3 credits
This course is for students with little or no music background. Through an active approach to note reading, singing, playing, listening, and musical experiences, students will learn the basic theory and fundamentals of rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. Attendance at two musical performances chosen from a list provided by the instructor is required.
Listening to Music - 3 credits
This course introduces students to the perceptive and analytical skills required for listening to and describing music. It is inteneded for students wishing to pursue further music education from an established music, music education, or arts program. The course presents a series of sequential listening skills and their accompanying descriptive vocabulary. Rather than focusing on a specific set of repertoire, this course studies the musical concepts common to a variety of repertoires. Repertoire for the course will complement live performances being presented in the local area.
Introduction to Music History - Music of the Twentieth Century - 3 credits
This course introduces to students methods of analyzing musical genres and trends with a focus on major social, cultural, and political contexts for the music. Beginning at the twentieth century, we will examine the music of post-romantic, impressionist, expressionist, nationalist, popular, and experimental styles. Special attention will be given to important Canadian and American composers and performers and their musical responses to major events in North American history.
MUSC 199C (repertoire set one), and MUSC 199D (repertoire set two)
Ensemble Practicum - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor
This practicum course provides students an opportunity to learn the basic skills of music ensemble rehearsal and performance. The course involves listening skills, practical drills in rhythm and sight reading, and group preparation of exercises and selected repertoire. No specific music background is required; this course will accommodate learners of various ability, experience and interest. It normally will be offered as a choir ensemble. An interest in developing musical skills as part of an ensemble is required. There is no audition.
Note 1 : Rehearsals take place during scheduled class time.
Note 2: MUSC 199 can be taken twice for credit as long as the alpha designation is different (ie: 199C & 199D).
Music and Society II - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None; MUSC 100 or MACS 201/MUSC201 recommended
This course examines the social and political transformation of Western society from the seventeenth through the twenty-first centuries through the lens of its musical cultures. Topics include: major genres (concerto, sonata, opera, symphony, etc.) and conventional periods (baroque, classical, romantic, etc.); the emergence of the public sphere and the rise of the middle class; nationalism and colonialism; modern notions of gender and sexuality; the history of canon formation; classical music and popular music.
Interdisciplinary Music Courses
New Media I - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None; one of VA 113, VA 115, or VA 116 is strongly recommended
This course offers an introduction to the language, content, and methods of time-based media. Students are introduced to slide/sound installation, video and performance art, as they relate to the visual arts. These media are investigated through both studio production and academic research. Many disciplines covered in this course share common histories and interrelated studio practices. Interdisciplinary work is therefore encouraged. The overall objective is to provide students with hands-on production experience while familiarizing them with the various visual and textual discourses that surround time-based art production.
Music and Society I - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None; MUSC 100, MACS 110 or MACS 130 recommended
Popular music is everywhere in our day-to-day lives, yet we seldom consider how it was made, what it means, and how it affects us. Scholars however have been thinking and writing about popular music for decades, sometimes praising it for its positive effects on society, sometimes condemning it. In this course, we’ll draw on different scholars’ ideas to reflect on the diverse social contexts in which people create and listen to popular music.
Note: This course is offered as MACS 201 and MUSC 201. Students may take only one of these for credit.
Introduction to the Psychology of Music - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 required, PSYC 102 recommended
An introductory survey of the psychology of music; including the physical, perceptual and emotional properties of music, music processing in the brain, issues in the evolution of music, learning and memory in music , and development of music perception and production. Guest speakers and performers will demonstrate aspects of music learning and performance. Ability to play an instrument or read music is not required to take the course.
MUSC 203/ENGL 293
Literature in Music History - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): One of MUSC 101, MUSC 150
This course is designed for students with interests in music, music education, comparative literature, history, and religious studies. The focus is on music composed in western Europe for a variety of social settings from the cathedral to the drawing room, the opera house, and the concert hall. The course will also look at how works of literature influenced the course of music history.
Note: This course is offered as MUSC 203 and ENGL 293. Students may take only one of these for credit.
MUSC 204/ENGL 294
Opera and Literature - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): One of MUSC 101, MUSC 150
This interdisciplinary course is designed for students with interests in comparative literature, music, music education, and drama. It will consider how operas reflect the social, political, and cultural transformation of Europe from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Students will listen to and watch recorded opera performances and examine the literary, musical, dramatic, and social dimensions of the operatic form.
Note: This course is offered as MUSC 204 and ENGL 294. Students may take only one of these for credit.
History of Musical Theatre - 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): One of the following: THEA 201, THEA 202, or 45 university-level credits
This course examines the development of musical theatre from the 18th century to the present, focusing on Broadway and London's West End. Content may include anyalyses of individual musicals that have transformed the genre, and exploration of the place of musical theatre in popular culture, and an overview of Canadian musical theatre. Attendance at two musical theatre performances chosen from a list provided by the instructor is required.
Note: This course is offered as THEA 306 and MUSC 306. Students may take only one of these for credit.
Find our Music offerings here!