- MUR 122 HISTORY OF JAZZ
This study of Jazz, as an American musical art form. Less a strictly chronological approach, focusing on jazz titans, by their seminal and permanent influences, such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker. Blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, cool, progressive, and free jazz are terms that will help define that landscape.
- MUR 123 MUSIC OF BLACK AMERICANS
Study of Black American Christian musical beginnings, including forms of worship, early musical practices, the Spiritual, evolution of Gospel. An examination of ante-bellum musical activities follows including secular song types, character of the folk music with respect to poetic and musical form, language and themes. Attention will be given to significant literary and aesthetic developments, especially during the Harlem Renaissance and the poetry of several writers of that era will be surveyed. The course will treat Blues, its origins evolution through the 1940s. Surveys of classical music forms from the 18th to mid-20th century; music of the theater from minstrelsy to Broadway; precursors of jazz, the syncopated dance orchestra and brass bands; early jazz to bebop round out the course offerings.
- MUR 124 SIGNED SEALED & DELIVERED: Deals & Innovations that Changed the Music Industry Forever
A look at the historical deals and innovations that have impacted the music business between 1877 to present. From ground breaking inventions to brilliant marketing initiatives to hushed back-room deals, this course will expose the key moments where the record industry changed forever, both for good and bad. ** NOTE: This is a 6 week course**
- MUR 125 HISTORY OF ROCK
This course explores the history of rock music, emphasizing primarily the period between 1955-1990. Discussion and reading focusing on identifying a variety of rock-music styles within the historical context of the development, transformation, and interaction of pop styles. Issues of technological development, social, political, and cultural context, race and gender, and music-business practices will also be considered. No prerequisites for this course.
- MUR 127 THE BLUES
See online course description for REL 151.
- MUR 130 THE BEATLES, BRITISH INVASION, PSYCHEDELIA
The history of the Beatles career and music is explored in the context of the band’s stylistic development, as well as against the backdrop of social, cultural, technical, and music-business events and issues of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. No background in music theory or ability to play a musical instrument is required.
- MUR 131 ROCK MUSIC IN THE 1970'S
This course surveys rock music in the 1970s, paying special attention to ways in which 70s styles developed out of 60s styles. Artists considered will include Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Yes, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Allman Brothers, The Eagles, Black Sabbath, The Cars, Tom Petty, The Sex Pistols and Elvis Costello, plus many more. No prerequisites.
- MUR 132 STARMAKERS: INSIDE THE PUBLICITY MACHINE
Will include a historical overview of music stars and the publicity campaigns used to promote their careers.
From Frank Sinatra-1940s; through Elvis Presley;-1950s; through The Beatles & The Rolling Stones in the 1960s, up through self-indulgent 70s with acts like Elton John, Kiss, and Prince, up to today's high profile campaigns for Justin Bieber, Rhianna and Lady Gaga. Students will be versed in the art of writing an artist bio, press releases, and in the various types of PR events staged to gain publicity, Starmakers will also look at the various types of publicity such as career launching; crisis management(scandals; sudden death of celebrity) and tour press.We will also look at how social media has become a game changer for music publicity.
- MUR 133 MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP
Intensive practical experience with scene-and-song work in the repertory of popular musical theater genres. Weekly rehearsals and critique sessions, with emphasis on characterization, technical skills, sub-textual dimensions, and stylistic considerations. Some reading assignments, but emphasis is on performance preparation. Initial and concluding videotaping of "audition piece." Prerequisite: One year of voice instruction; permission of instructor (by audition).
- MUR 135A AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER
A historical and critical survey of the Broadway musical, with a focus on its so-called Golden Age (from Oklahoma! to Cabaret). Weekly listening, reading, and video assignments with analysis of dramaturgy, lyric and musical forms, process of adaptation and production, modes of performance. Offered alternate years.
- MUR 135B SONDHEIM AND THE MODERN MUSICAL THEATER
A historical and critical survey of the American musical theater from roughly 1960 to the present, as reflected principally in the works of composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim and/or producer/director Harold Prince. Analysis of lyrics, musical forms and idioms, process of adaptation and production, modes of performance. Although prior completion of MUR 135A is recommended, students with a strong background in musical theater will be admitted as well. (Fall, alternate years)
- MUR 140 RELIGION & HIP HOP CULTURE
No description
- MUR 141 INTRO TO AUDIO MUSIC & ENGIN
No description
- MUR 145 HIGH VOLTAGE: HEAVY METAL MUSIC AND ITS HISTORY
Behind the screaming guitars, thundering pulse, and soaring vocals of heavy metal music lies an impressive history of censorship, rebellion, and redemption. Emphasis on musical structure and the fascinating social/cultural history of hard rock and metal. Over 40 years of hard rock and metal trends will be discussed— Sabbath to Stryper to Slipknot—and several guest musicians and lecturers will complement the course materials with performances and anecdotes.
- MUR 157 JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The Jazz Ensemble is open by audition to all U of R community, and performing a wide variety of music. Occasional guests artists and clinicians.
(Fall and Spring) (1 credit)
- MUR 157A JAZZ COMBO
Small group playing of selections from the jazz repertoire, with an emphasis on improvisation. Admission is by permission of instructor only. (1 credit)
- MUR 158 GOSPEL CHOIR
One rehearsal per week. Two concerts per semester. In addition, there may be off-campus performances in local colleges, churches, and other venues in the greater-Rochester community. The Gospel Choir performs a varied repertoire of sacred music -- spirituals, hymns, traditional and contemporary Gospel, music of the praise-and-worship genre. (Fall and Spring) (1 credit)
- MUR 180 ROCK REPERTORY ENSEMBLE
The Rock Repertory Ensemble is devoted to performing accurate versions of songs from the rock music repertory, with selections ranging from the early 1950s to the present day. Open to guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboard players, and singers, with consideration given to winds players depending on repertory for a given semester. Audition required.
- MUR 191 ART AND TECH OF RECORDING
No description
- MUR 192 LISTENING AND AUDIO PROD
No description
- MUR 193 SOUND DESIGN
No description
- MUR 201 BASIC JAZZ THEORY & IMPROVISATION I
Rudiments of jazz, including chord and scale spellings, chord scale relationships, jazz/pop chord symbol nomenclature, basic forms, chord substitutions, piano voicing; strong emphasis on ear training and vocalization and transcription from records of jazz solos.
- MUR 202 JAZZ THEORY & IMPROVISATION II
Continuation of MUR 201.
- MUR 214B TOPICS IN MUSIC THEORY: ANALYSIS OF POPULAR MUSIC
Many people love pop music for its simplicity, but this course will reveal that pop music can often be surprisingly complex in the ways it projects structure and creates musical relationships. Many dimensions of pop music will be analyzed, including harmony, melody, rhythm and meter, texture, form, recording technique, and text-music relationships. Prerequisites: MUR 112.
- MUR 233 ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP
Continuation of MUR 133.
- MUR 234 MUSIC ANALYSIS: THE BEATLES
This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate music majors and graduate students in music. We will analyze the music of the Beatles in detail, focusing on issues of form, harmony, textural coordination/stratification, lyrics, instrumentation, rhythm/meter, and production.
- MUR 235 PROGRESSIVE ROCK IN THE 70S
Seminar course designed for graduate/advanced undergraduate music students having a strong background in music history and analysis. Closely examining music of 1970s progressive rock bands, with emphasis on Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, and Gentle Giant. Students will transcribe passages, closely analyze, and consider music in terms of issues of form, texture, harmony, melody, instrumentation, as well in relation to a variety of music-historical and aesthetic contexts.
- MUR 434 MUSIC ANALYSIS: THE BEATLES
This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate music majors and graduate students in music. We will analyze the music of the Beatles in detail, focusing on issues of form, harmony, textural coordination/stratification, lyrics, instrumentation, rhythm/meter, and production.
- MUR 435 PROGRESSIVE ROCK IN THE 70S
Seminar course designed for graduate/advanced undergraduate music students having a strong background in music history and analysis. Closely examining music of 1970s progressive rock bands, with emphasis on Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, and Gentle Giant. Students will transcribe passages, closely analyze, and consider music in terms of issues of form, texture, harmony, melody, instrumentation, as well in relation to a variety of music-historical and aesthetic contexts.
