Music

This course would normally span two to two and a half years and cover topics that would enhance the understanding of music and its relationship to society and culture.Western Music and its evolution from the medieval to the present times through carefully chosen case studies referring to the past as well as to the present times are the main modules to be studied on this subject.

The tonal traditions of Western Music are explored in detail to form a proper basis for more advanced studies in all the areas of music studies. The topics would include areas in arrangement, attaining essential harmonic skills at the keyboard, aural work, as well as writing of music in a variety of historical styles.

This module explores the range of styles in music through a practical approach in order to understand the actual ways in which music functions. This module also forms a link between the other two modules and thus deepens the understanding of music as a whole.

Three electives can be selected from a range of subjects like: advanced historical topics, advanced analysis, jazz and popular Music, Ethnomusicology, Scientific approaches to music, performance studies, and composition. Along with these subjects, a dissertation of 5,000 to 7,000 words would be expected to be submitted at the end of the second year.

In the third and final year, all the subjects of study can be selected by the student from the variety offered in that year, as there are no core or compulsory subjects. The selected subjects could reflect the interests and skills of the student and the goal towards which he or she is working.

The subjects of choice could include: Beethoven: the Late String Quartets, The Cantatas of J S Bach, The Music of Miles Davis, Fugue, Monteverdi in Mantua and Venice, Nationalism and Music in the Middle East, Performance Practice 1600-1830, Music and Globalization, Shostakovich and his World, Perception and Performance, and the Music of Chopin.

Various levels and areas of music are also open to the student for working on an individual project such as: advanced performer, composer, historian, analyst, Ethnomusicologist, or music scientist. While this course builds a solid foundation for the music studies, it also offers a variety and flexibility that can be utilized according to the tastes, interests and future goals of the student.