Music Courses at New River Community College
Music 122 Music Appreciation II (Lecture Course)
Many of us spend our life listening to music, whether aware or unaware. Music surrounds us, fills the airwaves and influences us in so many ways. What is the definition of music? After all, what is “music” to one's ears may not be music to another's. Where does music come from? Why does music sound the way it does? How is the music of today linked to the past? Why should pop musicians be grateful to Bach?
This class provides an overall understanding of music, an overall appreciation for its past, present and potential future. Music has always had an impact on its listeners and has been used to promote the ideals of different civilizations. Like architecture, literature and art, music has evolved over the centuries…a living mirror and history of man's evolution and philosophy which has the power to reveal to our “modern” ears the sounds of the past: mysticism, reverence, love, passion, joy, sorrow and celebration…
Come and share this common musical thread and discover how much we have in common with those of long ago. It is in understanding this past that we can put into perspective our musical present.
Instructor Supplied Materials
To Be Purchased at NRCC Bookstore:
* Two single subject notebooks to be used for in-class weekly listening journals and class notes
Simply make sure you have two single-subject notebooks! I will hand out the course syllabus in class.
That is all there is to it!
- Q: Can MUS 122 Music Appreciation apply to my degree?
A: Yes. If you need humanities credits, MUS 122 fulfills 3 credits<./p>
- Q: Are these credits transferable to another institution?
- Q: Why should I learn to “appreciate” music? I already do!
A: Music Appreciation acquaints the students with various aspects of music that the average listener may be unaware of. It will look at the evolution of Western Music, from the Middle Ages to present day. Not only will it cover why our music today sounds the way it does, but it will also explore the power of music in one's everyday life.
- Q: What is Blackboard?
A: It is a system that we have on campus to complement the lecture, online or distance education classes. It is simple to use and instructions will be given the first day of class for all students unfamiliar with it.
- Q: What other benefits are there to taking this course?
A: Many students are surprised by how this class affects their personal or family life. Often spouses have found something new to share, a reason to go out without the children, while others open a whole new world of music to their children, making bedtime, study time and car time a whole new experience!
- Q: What are the grades based on?
A: There will be three exams (300 pts.), two reports (200 pts.), and a playlist (100 pts.) that will be prepared for outside of class. In-class and email assignments (150 pts.), pop quizzes (50 pts.), in-class listening journals (100 pts.), and points for attendance (100 pts.) will be gained during class time.
- Q: Is one allowed to do extra credit projects?
A: This class is designed with enough diversity to help all types of learners succeed. In addition to those opportunities, extra credit points can be earned if one attends one of the operas transmitted live or on delay from the Metropolitan Opera. The Regal Cinema theater in Christiansburg will hold a few of these throughout the semester, so check their schedule.
- Q: What do I need to prepare for class besides the class materials?
A: A curious mind and a love of music!
- Q: How do I pronounce the instructor's name “Billaud”?
A: Very easy! Say the letter “B” and then “yo”. Put them together and now you are speaking French!