A course throughout the year in any two of the subjects listed below.
Electives may be taught in consecutive semesters (two one-hour lectures per week for each subject) or throughout the year (one one-hour lecture per week for each subject). A list of available electives and teaching schedules will be posted on notice-boards during the re-enrolment period.
Note:
Insufficient enrolment may be a ground for suspending an elective.
ASSESSMENT
Where appropriate, students must have attended and participated in the course to the satisfaction of the Faculty before being admitted to final assessment.
Assessment for each elective will be according to that detailed in the appropriate handbook entry. Both electives must be passed before a result will be returned in the course.
CHURCH MUSIC IN ENGLAND SYLLABUS
A course designed to examine the finest choral church music composed and performed in England from about 1500 to the present century. Both Latin church music of the Renaissance, and all important foreign and secular influences will be investigated.
ASSESSMENT
1. Two assignments of not more than 2.000 words each, one of which may involve transcription from late Renaissance vocal notation. The marks for these two assignments must average a pass before a student can be admitted to the second part of the assessment.
2. One 3-hour examination paper.
The final mark for the subject will be determined wholly by the examination paper.
THE 1890s SYLLABUS
This elective will examine selected works from the 1890s, drawing occasional conclusions concerning such issues as nationalism in music and musicians, expansion/contraction/disintegration evident in various musical parameters, new approaches to the setting of texts, the relation of music to the other arts and to prevailing politico-economic circumstances. It is expected that the course will concentrate on an examination of the output of a small number of the following composers;
Tchaikovsky, Rakhmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Brahms, Dvorak, Verdi, Schoen- berg, Puccini, Elgar, Richard Strauss. Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, Faure, Chabrier, Satie, Reger, Albeniz, Grieg, Saint-Saens, MacDowell, Ives, Balakirev. Wolf, Skryabin.
ASSESSMENT
1. One 35-minute class paper (20%).
2. One essay of not more than 2,500 words (30%).
3. One 2-hour examination (50%).
THE IBERIAN RENAISSANCE SYLLABUS
An examination of Spanish and Portuguese music from the late 14th century until the early 17th century. The course examines the nexus between Aragon and the European mainstream during the Avignonese Papacy, the emergence of a dis- tinctively Hispanic style in the 15th century cancioneros and the rich, influential repertory of sacred, secular and instrumental music from the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire.
ASSESSMENT
1. Two essays of not more than 3,000 words each.
2. One class paper of 40 minutes.
MUSIC ANALYSIS
Students may choose either music Analysis A or B.
Please note: In any given year a particular area of the syllabus may be given special emphasis.
MUSIC ANALYSIS A SYLLABUS
This course examines a selection of the following techniques of analysis:
1 (a) Schenkerian Theory and Analysis (Tonal Music).
(b) Extensions of Schenkerian Theory (Pre-tonal and Atonal Music).
2 (a) Set Theory applied to Atonal Music, (b) Serial Music Theory and Analysis.
ASSESSMENT
1. Two analyses each of a complete short piece, a movement from a larger work, or (in special cases) a partial analysis of a complete work (50%).
2. An examination in the form of a take-away paper set individually for each student. This would comprise either a further (but more extensive) analysis, or a theoretical essay of between 3,500 and 5,000 words (50%).
MUSIC ANALYSIS B SYLLABUS
This is a course designed to examine major techniques of analysis in the 20th century.
1 (a) Thematic Analysis: The Techniques of Schoenberg, Reti and Keller.
(b) Precursors of the Thematic Analysis (18th Century Phrase Analysis).
2. Structuralist and Semiotic Approaches to Music Analysis.
ASSESSMENT
1. One seminar paper (40 minutes).
2. Two analyses, each of a complete short piece, a movement from a larger work, or (in special cases) a partial analysis of a complete work.
3. An examination in the form of a take-away paper set individually for each student. This would comprise either a further (but more extensive) analysis, or a theoretical essay of between 3,500 and 5,000 words.
MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY SYLLABUS
A critical study of the influences of technology on musical thinking and practice including the application of digital computers to solving musical problems.
Topics include: Philosophical: Technology and/of thinking (general) Historical: Technology and/of thinking (musical)
Practical: solving simple musical problems with a digital computer and the high level programming lan- guage APL.
ASSESSMENT
1. One assignment ot approximately 3,000 words or equivalent.
2. Class papers.
3. One 1-hour examination on the computer.
MUSIC IN AUSTRALIA SYLLABUS
The evolution of music in Australia from Settlement to the present day. An exami- nation of:
(i) the musical activities in the period Settlement to Federation
(ii) the development of creative music to 1945 ' (iii) the 'coming of age' of Australian composition 1945 to present day
(iv) the influences of institutions and organizations such as the Australian Broad- casting Corporation, Musica Viva, various University music departments, and federal and state committees and boards created to develop and fund music in Australia.
ASSESSMENT
1. Up to two seminar papers or essays.
2. One 3-hour written examination paper.
THE MUSIC OF BEETHOVEN SYLLABUS
A critical and chronological study of the works of Beethoven.
ASSESSMENT
1. One essay of about 3,000 words.
2. One 3-hour written examination paper.
MUSIC OUTSIDE THE WESTERN TRADITION SYLLABUS
A survey of Music outside the Western Tradition. The origins of music as seen through primitive music cultures. The basic differences between this form and European music. The principles of Ethnomusicology. The music of Japan, China.
South East Asia, India, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
ASSESSMENT
1. Up to two seminar papers or essays.
2. One 3-hour written examination paper.
RENAISSANCE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SYLLABUS
A study of instrumental music to about 1620 principally for lute and keyboard instruments, but also for other wind and string instruments with a significant extant literature. The course examines sources and styles from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, England and the Netherlands and investigates theoretical sources that document improvisation, embellishment and other performance practices of the period.
ASSESSMENT
1. Two essays of not more than 3,000 words each.
2. One class paper of 40 minutes.
THE OPERATIC TRADITION SYLLABUS
A study of the operatic tradition from its beginnings in the 17th century up to the present day.
ASSESSMENT
1. One written essay of approximately 3,000 words.
2. Class papers.
3. One 3-hour examination paper.
THE SYMPHONY IN THE 19TH CENTURY SYLLABUS
A study of the development of the Symphony from Beethoven to Mahler.
ASSESSMENT
1. One essay of about 3,000 words.
2. One 3-hour examination paper.