Music Appreciation class

Discover the rich tapestry of music history in our Music Appreciation course! Dive into the evolution of music through intriguing historical and cultural lenses. Learn essential building blocks of music—like terminology, instrument families, tempo, rhythm, form, and meter. These core concepts will not only enhance your understanding but also serve as a gateway to exploring music across diverse eras, from the Medieval and Renaissance periods to Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and an exciting range of 20th-century genres.

Within our sessions, you’ll uncover the context behind iconic compositions and develop your ability to recognize and appreciate the unique style characteristics and masterworks from different musical periods. Join us and experience music in a whole new way—understand its past, appreciate its present, and be inspired for the future!

Class Highlights

Appreciation Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own music preferences and explore what makes music stand out across various genres. They’ll examine the elements that evoke different emotions and discuss what defines different musical styles.

Connections Students will make connections between musical works and their cultural and historical backgrounds, deepening their understanding of how context shapes music.

Language Students will learn a rich musical vocabulary and develop skills to describe various sounds using specific musical elements. By the end of the semester, they will be able to write insightful performance critiques and understand how historical composers used language to enhance their music (text painting).