MUSI 005C. Philadelphia: Music City

How have contemporary and historical sociopolitical contexts of Philly shaped music making here? How has musical creativity shaped today’s Philadelphia? This course is a history of music in Philadelphia, but also a musical history of Philadelphia. As the first capital of the United States, Philly nurtured a rich musical life, often linked with governing and diplomacy. In the nineteenth century, Philadelphia was home to a vibrant music publishing industry, and many of the institutions that animate our contemporary musical life were founded during this time. The Great Migrations of the early twentieth century brought thousands of African Americans from the rural south to work in the city’s industrial plant, bringing musical traditions that would make Philadelphia a vanguard of popular musical developments. Television shows like American Bandstand brought Philadelphia’s musical youth culture to the living rooms of the nation, and propelled rock ‘n’ roll artists like Chubby Checker to global renown. Artists like Nina Simone made music explicitly political, through involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Philadelphia International Records brought Philly soul to the market, led by artists like Patti LaBelle and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. While historical in orientation, this course also investigates contemporary music making in Philadelphia. We will attend live musical performances, visit local record stores, and interact with scholars and musicians beyond our classroom.

No background in music is necessary for success in this course.

This class will be taught in Philadelphia as part of the Tri-Co Philly Program.

Humanities.
1 credit.
Spring 2025. Blasina.
Catalog chapter: Music
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/music

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