Module MUSI3731: Words and Music

Department: Music

MUSI3731: Words and Music

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To enhance understanding of the relationship between music and words.
• To enhance the ability of students to reflect conceptually on musical material, forms, and performances, especially in the treatment of text and in different types of vocal production.
• To develop the ability of students to compare musical techniques and principles between different traditions and genres.
• To develop the ability of students to pursue their own independent research projects within the framework of existing theories in the area.

Content

• This course explores the role of the human voice in a wide variety of musical traditions and genres, and of the role of words in musical expression. Topics covered, with the help of a published Reader on the topic which will serve as a key resource, will include the origins and relationship between speech and song and between instrumental music and oral mnemonics, identity and subjectivity, words and meaning in song, social and ritual functions of song, word setting, and narrative. Musical examples and case studies may include (but are not limited to) a variety of Western art and popular music (e.g. opera, Lied, country, rap), Indian and Middle Eastern art song, and a variety of ritual and context-specific forms (e.g. laments, wedding songs, healing songs, worship songs). Students will work on an original investigation of a piece or performance of music applying some of the perspectives taught in the course. Nb. This is not a practical course in singing.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will become familiar with a range of theories and analytical techniques, deriving from different academic traditions (especially musicology, ethnomusicology and philosophy), appropriate to a wide range of musical styles.

• Students will achieve a basic competence in applying these skills practically through a series of formative exercises.

• The module will establish and embed theoretical understanding of music and vocality, while developing practical skills in analysing and commenting critically on a wide variety of music.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Core teaching will be delivered in fortnightly 2-hour sessions, which will be structured flexibly to include elements of lecturing as well as group seminar discussion. Small group tutorials will be arranged around discussion of formative work, for example reading of key works and analytical exercises, and also allow time for mini presentations. A ‘mini conference’ session will be dedicated to student presentations.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Students will be asked to prepare short oral presentations on particular works, recordings or topics and written exercises such as literature reviews. Feedback will be given at tutorials.