Music Appreciation MUSI 1306 Dr Holderer Course Website

Music Appreciation (MUSI 1306) Dr. Holderer Course Website: (www. michaelholderer. com) Email: michael@michaelholderer. com Course Textbook: Introduction to Music Appreciation. Bethanie Hansen, David Whitehouse, and Cathy Silverman. American Public University System e. Press. 2014.

The Impact of Music • Greek Philosophy: Music of the Spheres – Music was mathematically and scientifically linked to the universe. – Music had the power to influence everything from birth to politics. • Voyager Space probe recording planetary sounds. • Romantic Philosophy: Music is a moral and ethical force. – It has the power to change people and the world. – Nobility is not an inherited title, but a personal characteristic of an individual (Beethoven).

Music con’t. • Music is everywhere and so are its effects. • Sounds impact us. – Rattlings in our cars upset us. – Noises or repeated sounds can either put us to sleep at night or keep us up. • (the dog barking vs a mother singing to her child).

Music is ritualistic • Masses and Oratorio • The music that pumps us up before a workout.

Purpose of this Course • To study the development of Western Music from the Late Medieval and Renaissance period to the present day. • Emphasis will be placed on developing visual and audiographic knowledge of music. • Student will develop a broad conversationallevel knowledge of music and music history.

Music & Architecture • Music’s Architectural Analogues. • We’ve come a long way

Important Terms • Monuments of Music • The Period Eye

More Terms • • Texture Melody Harmony Voices/Voicing Tempo/Tempi Dynamics Form

How to Listen/Listening Skills • Passive vs. Active Listening • You will become Active Listeners • You will listen to music differently than you have in the past.

Adding Historical Context • Whenever possible, I will present the historical circumstances surrounding a particular piece of music. • It is important to see history as a whole and not just as a set of detached events.

Continued Learning • Learning doesn’t stop with classwork. • I’d like you to listen beyond the examples presented in class. It will enhance your understanding of what we do in class and will enhance your cultural understanding as well.