Basics in Writing Fugues and African Song Cycle

Course Code:

MUS 3111

Course Credit Units:

4

Semester:

Semester 1

Year of Study:

Year 3

Undergraduate or Graduate Level:

Undergraduate Level

Academic Programs:

Bachelor Of Arts (Music)

College:

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

School:

School of Liberal and Performing Arts

Department:

Music Dance Drama

Course Discipline:

Music

Course Description & Objectives:

The course offers compositional skills in writing fugues and African song-cycles. It examines the theoretical background of the exposition of fugues in the style of J S Bach. In addition, the course examines the scoring for chords of the strings, woodwinds, and brasses of an orchestra. The course also examines the theoretical background of an African song cycle and the analysis of several song cycles. Poems on a related topic are examined, their flow of ideas, expressions, mood, texture, accompaniment, and form. In addition, the course examines the traditional African musical instruments. Students begin on a composition project of two fugues and one song cycle, guided by the supervisor. Objectives:

To equip students with skills for writing an exposition of at least a three-voice fugue in both the major and minor modes, in the style of J S Bach
To impart skills for writing chords for the strings, woodwinds, and brass sections of a western orchestra
To impart skills for writing an ethnic poem on a given topic

Learning Outcomes:

Ability to analyze and write an exposition of at least a three-voice fugue in both major and minor keys in a style of J S Bach
Ability to orchestrate homophonic music for the string, woodwind, and brass section of an orchestra
Ability to write an original poem, set music to it, and give it an instrumental accompaniment in one’s ethnic music style