Music

Requirements for the paper:

The paper is a research project, not an opinion project. It will discuss the life and music of a composer (or composers) of western art music. Composers of jazz, popular music, world music, film music, etc. are not acceptable topics. A list of acceptable composers is attached to the syllabus. If you interested in writing about a composer whose name is not listed, prior approval by the instructor is required. Final papers on a non-approved composer will not be accepted. All portions of the assignment must be DOUBLE-SPACED. Images (photos, paintings, music scores/ notation, etc.) are permitted, but do not replace the text length requirement. For example, if the image occupies a quarter page, there must be an additional quarter page of text in the paper. Students must submit the paper by 11:59 pm on March 31, 2024.

The paper should be a minimum of 1,500 words (approximately 5 typed pages), exclusive of bibliography. The first page should list your name, the course number and name and your instructor’s name, as well as your name and the paper’s title in the upper left corner. Pages are to be numbered and include student’s last name. The paper’s format should be as follows:

Part I: Composer’s biography/overview 4 pages minimum

Part II: Music analysis of focus piece 1 page minimum

Bibliography 1 individual page(s)

The Music Analysis part consists of research and analysis of one specific musical composition by the composer. Part II should begin on a separate page, like a new chapter in a book.

The paper must utilize at least three scholarly, peer reviewed book or journal sources. Students must use at least one article from Grove Music Online (this qualifies as one of the three scholarly sources). Additional internet sources are permitted, but must be cleared with the instructor before inclusion as a source. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source, and papers citing Wikipedia will receive at least a 5 point grade reduction. The paper must include at least 6 in-text citations.

Approved Composer List

Composers are listed by time period. Further information is provided at the end of the list.

+ Composers approved for papers about two composers

# Composers who are people of color

Female composers
Middle Ages/Renaissance (450-1600)

Hildegard of Bingen
+ John Dowland

+ Orlando di Lasso (Lassus)

+ Guillaume de Machaut

Josquin des Prez

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

+ Thomas Weelkes