| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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Examinations and Assignments:
Learning Objectives:
¿ To gain familiarity with the diversity of forms of musical notation
¿ To consider musical notation as a form of design, a language code, and a form of translation
¿ To refine understandings of the creative processes of those who write music
¿ To broaden awareness of the relationships between sound and image
¿ To understand the extramusical content of notation
ASSESSMENT:
The written assignments will include a short paper tackling various kinds of musical inscription (3 pages), a case study and presentation on an item in Special Collections that becomes paper 2 (4 pages), and a final research project, which will be presented in class and submitted as a final paper or a carefully documented composition. The outline and bibliography/discography of the final paper or composition must be approved in advance.
Grade breakdown:
Participation in class discussion, helpful bullet points 20%
Short paper assignment 1 15%
Short paper assignment 2 and presentation 30%
Final paper/composition and presentation/performance 35% |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Topic: Dimensions of Musical Notation -
This seminar examines the relationship between musical writing and cultural practices. Tracing a thread from medieval notations through to contemporary scores, we investigate the shifting tensions between the sonic and the visual. Why were sounds inscribed in the 9th century? How do 1960s scores reflect the radicalism of their era? Connections across centuries shed light on musicians for whom the creative potential of notation surpasses its descriptive and prescriptive functions. Featured composers will include Hildegard of Bingen, Guillaume de Machaut, Baude Cordier, Iannis Xenakis, Earle Brown, John Cage, Cornelius Cardew, Yoko Ono, Nye Ffarrabas, Pauline Oliveros, Wadada Leo Smith, Sandeep Bhagwati, Mark Applebaum, Charles Hutchins, and Peter Falconer. Believing that material form shapes the musical experience, we will engage directly with relevant primary sources. Final projects can be designed to cater to divergent areas of expertise. |
| Instructor(s): Alden,Jane Times: .M.W... 10:50AM-12:10PM; Location: MST301; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: 8 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
|
Examinations and Assignments:
The course will involve a series of compositions, responses, and a final creative or research project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Topic: Unruly Waves
What becomes possible when sound behaves in unexpected ways? Unruly Waves creatively examines the work of artists/composers/performers/improvisers/researchers/scholars who lean into the creative and surprising potentials of sound when it upends assumptions about its behaviors, features, uses, and possibilities.
The course begins initially by looking at inventive and critical works within field recording practices, and how they may engage divergent scopes of space, time, and innovative and experimental recording techniques. We quickly then expand into forays of rethinking sound as it relates to possible perception, looking at different modes of encountering vibration and imaginations of sound as it is transduced (often quickly!) across different disciplines.
The course involves in-class discussion related to readings and compositions, performance, the development of new creative work, and one field trip.
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| Instructor(s): Matthusen,Paula Times: .M.W... 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: RHH105; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: 5 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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