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WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY

Dr. Lee Wilkins, Instructor

Saturday at 12 p.m.in Annex 710

Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in Main Building 404

CLASS ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL; WE DO NOT FOLLOW A TEXTBOOK.

Recommended supplies:

  1. Notebook and paper.

  2. ESM publications “In House” and “Notes” – available online.

  3. Magnetic Key Card (for Sibley Library, Messinger and Eastman Annex) available from ECMS office. 

  4. Radio tuned to 91.5, 94.5, 91.3 FM

Good textbooks about Music History are plentiful.  Here are some suggested ones available at the public library, the SML, or the Eastman Bookstore.

  • Crocker, Richard – A History of Musical Style
  • Grout, Donald Jay – A History of Western Music (Standard College Text)
  • Machlis, Joseph – The Enjoyment of Music

Here are some reference books you should know about.  These are available from the same sources.

  • Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians
  • The New Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (20 Volumes)
  • The New Harvard Dictionary of Music  (no composers covered)
  • The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music

 

Concert Attendance

It is required that you attend at least two live classical music concerts per semester during the term of this class.  Your ID card will get you into all ESM concerts free, discount parking and access to the Sibley Library.

 

Papers

Two (2) short papers based on the attended concerts will be required each semester.  Topics such as Composer, style period, form of a piece, genre of a piece (sonata, trio, quartet, symphony, song, jazz etc.) should make for an interesting paper.  Investigate sources at the Sibley Music Library, starting with the Grove’s and Baker’s Dictionaries and continuing into the computer (“Voyager”).  Consult at least 3 sources, which may include liner notes from recordings.  Make complete bibliographical listings of your sources, and take notes.  The internet is another valuable resource.  Papers should be 400-500 words long.  Include information about the Composer, the work and include your own response to the music.

 

Tests

There will be a mid-term and final exam plus numerous pop-quizzes.

 

Performance in class is encouraged and will greatly enhance your performing skills, other student’s enjoyment and education, as well as your grade.  (hint, hint…)

 

Last updated: October 3, 2008