MUSC370 - Sem in Theory/Compositio

This is an advanced seminar, primarily for juniors and seniors who are prepared to engage deeply with study of Composition and Theory. Possible course content includes: contemporary compositional practices (Anna Weesner), topics in electronic music (Natacha Diels), spontaneous composition (Tyshawn Sorey), and seminar in Theory (Popular Music-Jairo Moreno). Note: students may take Music 370 more than once. Please check department website for specific course term descriptions. https://music.sas.upenn.edu/

Spring 2022:
MUSC370301. Seminar in Music Theory. Jairo Moreno.
An in-depth study of theoretical and analytical issues in popular music studies, broadly understood but taken here to focus mainly, though not exclusively, on a narrower subset of genres such as pop, rock, EDM, and rhythm and blues. We will study form, meter and rhythm, pitch and tonal organization, texture, timbre, recording techniques and socio-cultural issues, in order to learn and understand how all of these combine in music to produce meaning, express creativity, and mobilize one of the most powerful expressions of popular culture in contemporary societies.