So, I’ve got a student-ish dilemma. I can only afford (cost, and time-wise) to take ONE course this semester, and I’m not sure what it should be.
Anyone care to lend a hand with the popular vote?
The choices are:
- Music in the baroque era
A survey of the major genres and composers in the period 1600 to 1750. Genres considered will be instrumental music, oratorio, motet, cantata, sonata, concerto, and opera. Some of the composers studied will be Monteverdi, Schütz, Lully, Couperin, Rameau, Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel. - Ragtime and Jazz
A survey of ragtime and jazz from their roots in pre-twentieth-century black music and white music to contemporary jazz idioms, including an examination of New Orleans jazz and Dixieland, swing, bebop, cool jazz, and free jazz. - Music and Gender
The role of gender in the theory and practice of music in western and non-western cultures. Attention is directed to women’s participation in music to make good their absence from traditional accounts in music’s history, significance and development. - Computer music techniques
An introduction to the techniques of sound synthesis primarily through practical experience at the digital synthesizer and computer. This course includes the basics of machine operations, software and computer applications to composition and synthesis. Enrolment in this course is limited.
go for # 4
Hmm. The last three look the most interesting to me. The gender one could be pretty interesting, depending on who is teaching it. (I bet there’s a lot of new stuff, there.) Same with number 4,–if you have an interest in composition. (You prolly already have a decent background in the machines, etc., no?) I would also have a personal interest in the Ragtime/Jazz one, but you might not find it as satisfying if you don’t have a taste for those styles of music.
(That sure narrows it down, eh?!)
Good luck!
Ragtime and Jazz! Ragtime and Jazz!