Music 110 - The Symphony Orchestra

In this class we will study the history of the symphony orchestra from its origins in seventeenth-century Europe to the virtuosic ensembles found in many of the world's great cities today. At the heart of our exploration of these groups will be understanding the development of their repertoire by tracing the history of the major genres of orchestral music: symphony, overture, symphonic poem, and concerto. In addition to studying long-canonized musical figures (e.g. Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Gershwin), we will study composers and performers who have been marginalized in the "classical" canon because of race and/or gender (i.e. Dean Dixon, William Grant Still, Florence Price, George Walker, and Clara Wieck). Fulfills the "historical studies" requirement for the music major.

No prior experience with symphonic music or the ability to read music is required. 

Fall Semester. Professor Schneider.