Course Objectives
- To gain familiarity with the various quantitative and qualitative methods for studying musical performance
- To develop an understanding of the ways in which musical performance is studied in the fields of music theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, and sound studies
- To formulate and execute a research project using the methods covered in (1) that is situated within one of the fields listed in (2)
Grade Breakdown
Weekly Seminar Activities: 35%
These include (1) preparing article summaries each week and engaging with your colleagues’ responses in the Blackboard Discussion Board and (2) acting as a seminar respondent once during the semester.
Listening Reflections: 15%
Written reflection comparing and contrasting two musical performances of the same piece. Over the course of the semester, you’ll be responsible for writing four reflections and making a video of one of these reflections.
Project Annotated Bibliography: 10%
Annotated bibliography of at least five items. For each item, you’ll write one paragraph summarizing the content and one paragraph describing the relevance to your project for each item.
Project Presentation: 15%
Presentation of your final project in seminar, to be scheduled at the end of term.
Project Paper: 25%
A study of performance practice in your choice of musical tradition using some of the qualitative and/or quantitative methods discussed in class.
