Course overview
This course aims to develop an understanding of the means and context of musical theatre throughout its history. Examining music's development from theoretical, historical, practical and conceptual viewpoints, the course explores the variety of paths and practices through which music theatre grew from the late 19th and early 20th century to the modern day. Extending from Contemporary Musicianship 1B, exploration of notational, harmonic, rhythmic and formal concepts is continued, with greater emphasis placed on analysis of music theatre repertoire and how this relates to performance. While equipping students with a knowledge of notated practice, the course also enables students to appreciate music theatre in its wider historical and cultural context and explores some of the continuities that extend beyond the chronological frame.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge in music theory and music literacy, and fundamental skills in aural acuity andmusicianship;
- Compare performance practices in musical theatre contexts;
- Contextualise performance styles in music theatre in the period from 1900;
- Integrate music theory skills into practice for a supported craft-based approach to singing;
- Demonstrate recognition of a wide variety of composers, musical, styles and time periods from recorded examples;
- Anticipate the ways in which compositional techniques can inform dramatic intent