College Bulletin 2015-2016

Nov 23, 2024

College Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music and Dance: Music

Faculty

GERALD LEVINSON, Professor of Music
THOMAS WHITMAN, Professor of Music and Chair
HANS LÜDEMANN, Julien and Virginia Cornell Visiting Professor
BARBARA MILEWSKI, Associate Professor of Music ³
JONATHAN KOCHAVI, Associate Professor of Music
JAMES BLASINA, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
ANDREW HAUZE, Instructor and Director of Musical Performance
MARCANTONIO BARONE, Associate in Performance (part time)
JOSEPH GREGORIO, Associate in Performance (part time)
ANDREW NEU, Associate in Performance (part time)
I NYOMAN SUADIN, Associate in Music and Dance Performance
BERNADETTE DUNNING, Administrative Coordinator
SUSAN GROSSI, Administrative Assistant

³ Absent on leave, 2015-2016.

The study of music as a liberal art requires an integrated approach to theory, history, and performance, experience in all three fields being essential to the understanding of music as an artistic and intellectual achievement. Theory courses train students to understand and hear how compositions are organized. History courses introduce students to methods of studying the development of musical styles and genres and the relationship of music to other arts and areas of thought. The department encourages students to develop performing skills through private study and through participation in the chorus, gamelan, jazz ensemble, orchestra, wind ensemble, and the Fetter Chamber Music Program, which it staffs and administers.

The department assists instrumentalists and singers to finance the cost of private instruction. (See “Individual Instruction” under the heading “Credit for Performance.”)

The Academic Program

Revised, fall 2015. These requirements apply to members of the class of 2018 and subsequent years. Majors and minors who plan to graduate in 2016 and 2017 will fulfill the requirements of the previous academic program.

Course Major

The music major curriculum normally includes the following components. Every student’s program is subject to approval by music faculty, taking into consideration the student’s background and goals. We welcome individualized proposals, which are evaluated and approved on the basis of consultations with the music faculty. We emphasize the importance of depth and mastery of musical skills and understanding, and we also recognize the value of studying the diversity of musical cultures.

A. Required. 4 courses in Music Theory plus Musicianship sections (MUSI 040). MUSI 040 may be taken for 0.0 or 0.5 credit at the student’s option.

MUSI 011 and 040A
MUSI 012 and 040B
MUSI 013 and 040C
One additional upper level Music Theory course (MUSI 014, MUSI 115, or other advanced course in theory) and MUSI 040D

Majors are strongly advised to take 5 Music Theory courses if possible.

B. Required. 2 courses in Music History and Literature from among the following

MUSI 020 (Medieval and Renaissance)
MUSI 021 (Baroque and Classical)
MUSI 022-W (19th-Century Europe)
MUSI 023-W (20th Century)

C. Required. Ethnomusicology. 1 course

MUSI/DANC 010 (The Fieldwork of Music and Dance)

D. Required. 1 elective.

This may be an additional course — at any level, introductory or advanced — in Music History and Literature; in Ethnomusicology or World Traditions; or in Music Theory; Conducting and Orchestration; or Composition. Alternatively, with permission of the music faculty, it could be an academic course in Theater or Dance if relevant to the student’s interests.

E. Required. 1 course to fulfill the Senior Comprehensive requirement.

MUSI 094: Senior Research Topics

During their senior year, majors in the Course Program will take the departmental comprehensive examination, which normally consists of the study of a single musical work or cultural style (selected in advance by the student, subject to the approval of the department) which demonstrates skills in the three areas of analysis, historical or socio-cultural research, and performance. Majors in course will enroll in MUSI 094 (Senior Research Topics in Music) in the spring semester of their senior year to prepare for their senior comprehensive examination.

F. Required. Additional Requirements for Course Majors:

Keyboard Skills Exam
Department ensemble for at least four semesters

The following is a description of these additional requirements:

Keyboard skills. This program is designed to develop keyboard proficiency to a point where a student can use the piano effectively as a tool for studying music. Students learn to perform repertoire and, in addition, play standard harmonic progressions in all keys. The department offers free private lessons to all majors and minors who need support in this area. No academic credit is given for these lessons. All music majors are expected to be able to perform a two-part Invention of J. S. Bach (or another work of similar difficulty) by their senior year.

Department ensemble. The department requires majors and minors to participate in any of the departmental ensembles (Orchestra, Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Gamelan). We also recommend that students participate in other activities, such as playing in Chamber Music ensembles or seeking out service-learning experiences that incorporate music.

Course Minor

A. Required. At least two courses in Music Theory plus Musicianship sections (MUSI 040). MUSI 040 may be taken for 0.0 or 0.5 credit at the student’s option.

MUSI 011 and 040A
MUSI 012 and 040B

B. Required. At least two courses in Music History and Literature, and/or in Ethnomusicology, from among the following:

MUSI/DANC 010 (The Fieldwork of Music and Dance)
MUSI 020 (Medieval and Renaissance)
MUSI 021 (Baroque and Classical)
MUSI 022-W (19th-Century Europe)
MUSI 023-W (20th Century)
Any other Music History course numbered above 023

C. Required. 1 elective.

This may be an additional course — at any level, introductory or advanced — in Music History and Literature; in Ethnomusicology or World Traditions; or in Music Theory. Alternatively, with permission of the music faculty, it could be an academic course in Theater or Dance if relevant to the student’s interests.

D. Additional Requirements

Department ensemble for at least two semesters; and at least one of the following, subject to departmental approval of a written proposal:
Keyboard Skills Exam
Service-learning project in music
Senior recital
Special project in music

Honors Major

Summary: The music major in honors is identical to the music major in course in its prerequisites, required coursework, and requirements for keyboard skills, and Department Ensemble membership. In addition, honors majors do three honors preparations in music.

Three Honors Preparations:

1. Required Honors Preparation: Senior Research Project. This consists of MUSI 094 (Senior Research Topics) in combination with one course in Music History and Literature, in Music Theory, or in Ethnomusicology.

2., 3. Elective Honors Preparations, normally one of the following:

Music Theory. A 2-credit honors preparation in Music Theory is normally based on MUSI 115 in combination with one lower-level Music Theory course.
Music History. A 2-credit honors preparation in Music History may be based on any music seminar numbered 100 or higher or on any other Music History course when augmented by concurrent or subsequent additional research, directed reading, or tutorial, with faculty approval.
Composition. At least two semesters of MUSI 019 (Composition)
Senior Honors Recital. A Senior Honors Recital preparation is available only to students who have distinguished themselves as performers. It is normally limited to those who have won full scholarships through MUSI 048. Students who wish to pursue this option must follow all of the steps listed in the departmental guidelines for senior recitals (see department website) and obtain approval of their program from the music faculty during the semester preceding the proposed recital. They should register for MUSI 099: Senior Honors Recital. This full credit, together with at least another full credit of relevant coursework in music, will constitute the 2-credit honors preparation. One faculty member will act as head adviser on all aspects of the honors recital. As part of the honors recital, the student will write incisive program notes on all of the works to be performed. This work will be based on substantive research – including analytical as well as historical work – and will be overseen by one or more members of the music faculty.
Senior Thesis.

Students are encouraged to propose honors preparations in any areas that are of particular interest, whether or not formal seminars are offered in those areas. The music faculty will assist in planning the most appropriate format for these interests.

Oral examinations are given for all honors preparations in music. Written examinations, in addition to oral examinations, are given for those preparations based on courses or seminars, not for theses, performances, and composition portfolios.

Honors Minor

A. Required. Two courses in Music Theory plus Musicianship sections (MUSI 040). MUSI 040 may be taken for 0.0 or 0.5 credit at the student’s option.

MUSI 011 and 040A
MUSI 012 and 040B

B. Required. At least two courses in Music History and Literature, and/or in Ethnomusicology, from among the following:

MUSI/DANC 010 (The Fieldwork of Music and Dance)
MUSI 020 (Medieval and Renaissance)
MUSI 021 (Baroque and Classical)
MUSI 022-W (19th-Century Europe)
MUSI 023-W (20th Century)
Any other Music History course numbered above 023

C. Required. 1 elective.

D. One honors preparation.

See Honors Major for descriptions of possible Honors Preparations.

E. Additional Requirements.

Keyboard Skills Exam
Department ensemble for at least two semesters

Special Major

The department welcomes proposals for special majors involving music and other disciplines. Recent examples include the following:

Special Major in Music and Education
Special Major in Ethnomusicology

Other special majors are possible. For more information, contact the department chair.

Application Process Notes for the Major or the Minor

We do not have a minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission as a major or minor. In its place is a consensus of music faculty that the student can do good work in the discipline. The situation is perhaps more complex in music than in other fields because we think that a major (or minor) should have basic musical as well as purely intellectual abilities, not all of which can be measured by a GPA. We do consider the likelihood of a student’s passing the Comprehensive Examination. Students applying for admission as majors in the Honors Program should have done exceptionally high-quality work in the department and should have shown strong self-motivation.

Prerequisites for acceptance into the program:

MUSI 011/040A and one Music History course numbered 020 or above. These courses are strongly recommended for first-year students and should be completed before the junior year. If a student has not completed all of these prerequisites at the time of an application for a major/minor, but has done good work in one or more courses in the department, he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis.

Off Campus Study/Language Study

Students are encouraged to seek possibilities for off campus study, in accordance with their particular interests, in consultation with the music faculty and the off-campus study adviser.

Students are advised that many graduate programs in music require a reading knowledge of at least two languages, with one most commonly being either German or French.

Application Process Notes for the Major or the Minor

We do not have a minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission as a major or minor. In its place is a consensus of music faculty that the student can do good work in the discipline. We do consider the likelihood of a student’s passing the Comprehensive Examination. Students applying for admission as majors in the Honors Program should have done exceptionally high-quality work in the department and should have shown strong self-motivation.

Prerequisites for acceptance into the program:

Additional Resources

A unique resource of the department is its ensemble in residence, Orchestra 2001, directed by Professor Emeritus James Freeman. This nationally renowned ensemble offers an annual concert series at the College, focusing on contemporary music. The series features distinguished soloists and often includes advanced Swarthmore students in its concerts.

Special scholarships and awards in music include the following (see 17 Distinctions, Awards, and Fellowships ):

The Renee Gaddie Award
Music 048 Special Awards
The Boyd Barnard Prize
The Peter Gram Swing Prize
The Melvin B. Troy Prize in Music and Dance

Credit for Performance

Note: All performance courses are for half-course credit per semester. No retroactive credit is given for performance courses.

Individual Instruction (MUSI 048)

Academic credit and subsidies for private instruction in music are available to students at intermediate and advanced levels. For further details, consult the MUSI 048 guidelines on the Music Program website.

Orchestra, Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Gamelan, Chamber Music, Jazz Ensemble

Students may take Performance Chorus (MUSI 043), Performance Garnet Singers (MUSI 050, co-requisite MUSI 043 required), Performance Orchestra (MUSI 044), Performance Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 041), Performance Wind Ensemble (MUSI 046), Performance Chamber Music (MUSI 047), or Performance Gamelan (MUSI 049A) for credit with the permission of the department member who has the responsibility for that performance group. The amount of credit received will be a half-course in any one semester. Students applying for credit will fulfill requirements established for each activity (i.e., regular attendance at rehearsals and performances and participation in any supplementary rehearsals held in connection with the activity). Students are graded on a credit/no credit basis.

Students wishing to take Chamber Music (MUSI 047) for credit must submit to the chamber music coordinator at the beginning of the semester a proposal detailing the repertory of works to be rehearsed, coached, and performed during the semester. It should include the names of all student performers and the proposed performance dates, if different from the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program performance dates. One semester in a Department Ensemble is a prerequisite or co-requisite for each semester of MUSI 047. This applies to all students in each Fetter Chamber group. It is expected that Fetter students in Department Ensembles will play the same instrument/voice in both activities.

A student taking MUSI 047 for credit will rehearse with his or her group or groups at least 2 hours every week and will meet with a coach (provided by the department) at least every other week. All members of the group should be capable of working well both independently and under the guidance of a coach. It is not necessary for every person in the group to be taking MUSI 047 for credit, but the department expects that those taking the course for credit will adopt a leadership role in organizing rehearsals and performances. Note: MUSI 047 ensembles do not fulfill the ensemble requirement for lessons under MUSI 048.

Music Courses and Seminars

Introductory Courses without Prerequisite

Theory and Composition

Students who anticipate taking further courses in the department or majoring in music are urged to take MUSI 011 and 012 as early as possible. Advanced placement is assigned on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with the theory and musicianship faculty. Majors will normally take MUSI 011 to 015.

History of Music

Seminars

Performance

Note: The following performance courses are for 0.5-course credit per semester.