I. Course Title: Keyboard Literature
II. Course Number: MUSC 441
III. Credit Hours: 2 credits
IV. Prerequisites: MUSC 321 and MUSC 322 for undergraduate level
V. Course Description:
Keyboard Literature is a two-semester sequence that will study and explore music composed for keyboard instruments from the Renaissance through contemporary periods, with emphasis on the development of the instrument and performance practice.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
This course will supplement piano majors’ historical understanding of the largescale timeline of music history by studying relevant piano works composed throughout all stylistic periods.
Graduate credit: Graduate students will be assigned extra presentation projects that involve significant guided research, and will present findings to the rest of the class.
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
Course will consists mainly of instructor-guided lectures and discussions, and will include relevant readings, listening examples, and performance projects.
Students will be assigned academic readings as well as specific pieces of literature to study, and class time will be spent discussing musical, stylistic, technical, instrumental, and compositional trends in the music. Recordings of assigned pieces will be played and discussed in class.
Material will be selected by instructor to cover the main stylistic periods and central composers/important works, but will also introduce students to underrepresented composers and repertoire.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the keyboard’s role in music history (in the development of the instrument itself into the modern day piano, as well as the contributions of significant composers on the instrument) and will be exposed to important composers, works, trends, and performance practice.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
Students will be assessed based on their knowledge and understanding of the academic content matter through written and verbal assignments/tests, by participation in group discussion, and by completion of a final performance project based on topics covered in class.
Review and Approval
August 2020