Music
MU 1611. Fundamentals of Music I.
Cat. I
This course concentrates on basic music theory of the common practice period. If time permits, instruction includes ear training, sight singing, and work on scales and intervals.
Recommended background: basic knowledge of reading music.
MU 2611. Fundamentals of Music II.
Cat. I
Fundamentals II is a course on music theory at the advanced level beginning with secondary dominants and modulations and working through 19th-century chromatic harmony.
Cat. II
Through an introduction to the musical contributions of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and others, students are exposed to the chronological development of the language of jazz. Each jazz era is examined in detail including the musical and social contexts which helped define it. Participants are expected to build aural skills with the goal of identifying specific historical periods through the recognition of particular musical characteristics. Students examine in depth one artist of their choice.
This course will be offered in 2010-11 and alternating years thereafter.
[This replaces MU 4623. Credit is not allowed for both MU 4623 and MU 2719.]
MU 2720. Music History I: Medieval Through the Baroque.
Cat. II
This course provides a historical survey of Western music from Medieval through Baroque periods with an emphasis on understanding stylistic traits and theoretical concepts of the eras. Topics include Gregorian chant and secular monophony; evolution of musical notation; development of polyphonic music; and vocal and instrumental genres such as mass, motet, madrigal, opera, cantata, sonata, and concerto, among others.
No prior background in music is necessary.
This course will be offered in 2010-11 and alternating years thereafter.
MU 2721. Music History II: Classical to the Present.
Cat. I
This course provides a historical survey of Western music from the Classical period to the present with an emphasis on understanding stylistic traits and theoretical concepts of the eras. Topics include the development of genres such as sonata, string quartet, concerto, symphony, symphonic poem, character piece, Lied, and opera; and 20th century trends of impressionism, primitivism, atonality, serialism, minimalism, aleatory music, and electronic music.
No prior background in music is necessary.
MU 2722. History of American Popular Music.
Cat. I
This course will explore the uniqueness of America’s popular music and its origins in the music of Africa and the folk music of Europe. Particular emphasis will be given to the origins and history of rock ‘n’ roll examining its roots in blues and early American popular music. [This replaces MU 4625. Credit is not allowed for both MU 4625 and MU 2722.]
Cat. I
This course examines harmonic and melodic relationships as applied to jazz and popular music composition. Students are introduced to a wide range of jazz improvisational performance practices. Topics include compositional forms, harmonic structures, major and minor keys, blues, modal jazz, and reharmonization techniques. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of reading music. [This replaces MU 4624. Credit is not allowed for both MU 4624 and MU 2730.]
Cat. II
This course introduces students to selected musical cultures of the world, e.g., Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, from the ethnomusicological perspective by examining their musical styles as well as cultural and social contexts. Students will be expected to read materials in interdisciplinary areas, including musical ethnographies.
No prior background in music is necessary.
This course will be offered in 2009-10 and alternating years thereafter.
MU 3002. Arranging and Orchestration.
Cat. I
Students will study specific characteristics of instruments and the voice to enable them to successfully arrange vocal and instrumental music. Students will need to possess a basic knowledge of music theory. Suggested background for this course is MU 1611 (Fundamentals of Music I) or its equivalent.
MU 3611. Computer Techniques in Music.
Cat. I
This course concentrates on both the technical and artistic aspects of computer music. Topics covered include the MIDI protocol and specification, sequencer design, voice editing, synthesizer architecture, and literature.
MU 3612. Computers and Synthesizers in Music.
Cat. I
This course focuses on technical and aesthetic problem solving in computer music. Using programming languages, students propose and design creative solutions to contemporary problems which currently have no commercial solutions. Students work with sequencers, signal processors, synthesizers, MIDI controllers, editors, and programming languages.
MU 3613. Digital Sound Design.
Cat. I
This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of digital sound design. It focuses on creative problem-solving in applications where digital audio production is a key component. Topics include digital sound recording and editing, creation and synchronization of digital sound tracks for video, theatrical sound design, and multimedia production.
MU 4621. Independent Instruction (Lessons) in Music.
IS/P
Students electing to take their humanities and arts Sufficiency in music may, for one of their five courses, undertake 1/3 unit (normally at 1/12 unit per term) of private vocal or instrumental instruction. (Supplemental ensemble work is also strongly recommended.) The student must receive prior approval by a member of the WPI music faculty, and the instruction must be beyond the elementary level. Lessons involve a separate fee. Note that the maximum of 1/3 unit credit for lessons may be earned in addition to 1/3 unit credit for performance (see condition A or B below). Additional work, either in performance or lessons, may be acknowledged on the WPI transcript but will carry no WPI credit. Private lessons: voice, piano, organ, winds, brass, strings, and percussion.
MU 4628. Performance Sufficiency.
IS/P
A final (sixth term) Sufficiency in music may be fulfilled by a recital performance in addition to a related paper, provided the music faculty determines that the student's capabilities be of a high order. During this term, the student usually is under private instruction, the cost of which is borne by the student.
NOTE: Two 1/3 units credit remain the maximum allowed for all lessons and performance credit.
Music Ensembles
Students who sing or play a traditional band or orchestra instrument at the intermediate level or better may enroll for any of the ensembles listed below. Students will register at the beginning of A term and receive 1/6 unit at the end of B term for participation in both terms. Students may also register at the beginning of C term and receive 1/6 unit at the end of D term for participation in both terms. Students may apply up to 1/3 unit of performing ensembles to the Humanities and Arts Sufficiency course requirement.
Cat. I
The Glee Club is the men’s choral ensemble and the oldest student organization on campus. Glee Club performs many styles and periods of the vast repertoire of music for men’s ensembles. Several times each year the Glee Club and Alden Voices (Women’s Chorale) join forces as the WPI Festival Chorus to perform major works of the repertoire. The Glee Club tours Europe and also performs on tour. Rehearsals are held weekly. Prior singing or music experience is encouraged but not required. Open to all men.
Cat. I
Alden Voices is the women’s choral ensemble. Alden Voices performs many styles and periods of the vast repertoire of music for women’s ensembles. Several times each year Alden Voices and the Men’s Glee Club join forces as the WPI Festival Chorus to perform major works of the repertoire. Alden Voices performs on tour as well as performing on campus. Rehearsals are held weekly. Prior singing or music experience is encouraged but not required. Open to all women.
Cat. I
The Brass Ensemble performs frequently on campus and on tour and is open to students who perform on trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, tuba, or tympani. Renaissance antiphonal music is included in the repertoire. Rehearsals are held weekly. Students are expected to perform with the ensemble and to know how to read music. Permission of the instructor is necessary to register.
Cat. I
The Jazz Ensemble performs frequently on campus and on tour and plays jazz arrangements written for a small ensemble with major emphasis on improvisation. Rehearsals are held weekly. Students are expected to perform with the ensemble and to know how to read music. Permission of the instructor is necessary to register.
Cat. I
The Stage Band performs traditional and contemporary big band literature with an emphasis on stylistically appropriate interpretation and performance practice. The ensemble performs frequently on campus and on tour. Rehearsals are held weekly. Students are expected to perform with the ensemble and to know how to read music. Permission of the instructor is necessary to register.
Cat. I
The Concert Band is a large ensemble that performs several concerts a year as well as on tour. Membership is open to those who play traditional wind, brass or percussion instruments. Rehearsals are held weekly. Students are expected to perform with the ensemble and to know how to read music.
Cat. I
The String Ensemble performs music for string orchestra both on campus and on tour. Members of the string ensemble also comprise the string section for the full orchestra. Rehearsals are held weekly. Students are expected to perform with the ensemble and to know how to read music.
MU 2638. Vocal Performance Lab.
Cat. I
The Vocal Performance Lab is a performance practice oriented chamber vocal ensemble. This ensemble explores specific stylistic techniques as pertains to the music of the Renaissance, Baroque, twentieth century, jazz, and extended vocal techniques (electronic, digital and experimental). The ensemble meets weekly. Students are expected to be of the highest vocal caliber and should possess advanced sight-reading techniques. Open to both men and women. Permission of the instructor is necessary to register.