Music

Chamber Music plays a central role in our on-campus Music Major for classical instrumentalists. Through the study of repertoire from the 18th Century to the present, students learn crucial skills including score study; rehearsal techniques; non-verbal communication; group dynamics; and expressivity and interpretation. Our students participate in at least one chamber ensemble for all or most of the semesters they attend Walnut Hill. Chamber music at Walnut Hill includes weekly coachings, regular independent rehearsals, masterclasses, and performance opportunities both on and off-campus.

Composition for Non-Majors is a one-semester course designed for music students with little to no previous experience in writing music down on paper. The class is exposed to music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and representative styles. Issues of notation, writing for specific instruments and developing a musical idea are covered. This project-based class culminates in students writing music for their classmates and having it performed by the end of the semester.

Composition majors and other advanced composition students are exposed to some of the major influences in contemporary music through detailed analysis of scores and representative styles of music. This course includes in-class composition projects and readings; once-a-year readings of student works by a professional ensemble; and a study of instrumentation and orchestration. All of these elements are designed to motivate and inspire students to write their own music and to acquire the technical means to express themselves. Composition students’ works are presented in concerts at Walnut Hill three times a year. Required for all composition majors.

This class for Voice Majors takes a three-fold approach to studying languages to enhance clarity and communication, as follows:

• Lyric pronunciation
• Phonetic symbols to notate the sounds
• Inflection of the language through grammatical structure.

Languages studied include Italian, English, German, French and Latin.

New and returning students take an ear-training placement test at the beginning of the year. Students in ear-training classes take melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation in classes and complete assignments using Musica Practica ear-training software. Some students test out of ear-training courses.

During the time between winter break and the beginning of second semester, the Music Department collaborates on an annual community-wide project focusing on the in-depth study and performance of a major work. All music students and many faculty participate in this process-oriented exploration, culminating in a performance at an all-school assembly in late January. Regular arts classes are suspended to allow the Music Department to focus on the project in depth. In addition to rehearsals, activities include topical workshops, field trips, masterclasses, presentations by outside speakers, and more.

This small jazz combo includes a drummer, a bassist (electric and/or acoustic), one or two chordal instruments (piano or/and guitar), and any number of melodic instruments (woodwinds-including free reeds, brass, voice, and pitched percussion). The coach will play with the ensemble and act as its arranger. Repertoire consists of a variety of jazz and related music styles from many different eras of history from the 1920s to the present. The pieces will include improvisation, accompaniment and articulation styles appropriate to the pieces that differentiate the musical language of the repertoire. Each semester concludes with a public performance on or off campus. Concert recordings will be reviewed in class. All Jazz Majors participate in the Jazz Ensemble. For non-majors who wish to participate, private jazz instruction is required to help work on the pieces. This two-hour class meets twice per week.

Music History is a one-year course required of all Seniors. This course sees music as an essential form of expression across cultures and historical periods. While the main focus of the course is Western music and its social contexts, it also explores musical traditions from the students’ countries of origin. Course content includes listening, discussion, score analysis, and practice in writing about music.