Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Music Courses at Caltech

A recent survey of the Caltech student body revealed that nearly 30 percent of undergrads and graduate students are involved, in some way, in the study or performance of music. Clearly music plays a significant role in the lives of a large number of students, and the members of the faculty and staff who teach and coach music on campus are proud of the diverse and active programs which are offered.

A large number of courses in music is offered by the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. All are taught by Thomas Neenan, Lecturer in Music History and Music Theory. These include a six-term music history sequence which is offered on an on-going basis, one section per term. These courses (Medieval/Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Early- and Late-Romantic, 20th/21st Century) give the students the opportunity to study the major periods in music history in considerable depth.

In addition, a three-term music theory sequence is offered in alternate years. Beginning with music fundamentals (the study of the basic components of music such as pitch, rhythm, and basic harmony), students may progress to analysis of musical form and chromatic harmony. The third term offers students (some of whom have begun without the ability to read music at all) the opportunity to compose a piano sonata movement in the style of Haydn and hear it performed before an audience of friends and family.

Other courses that are regularly offered are Listening to Music (a survey of the history of music in a single term with emphasis on the art of listening and discerning musical style), and more specialized courses such as the History of Opera, Beethoven, Bach and Handel, and Choral-Orchestral masterpieces.

Performance Organizations

A vast array of performance organizations formed under the auspices of the Student Affairs Office offers students the opportunity to perform music under the direction of excellent directors, coaches, and teachers. These include:

• Vocal Music: Open to the entire Caltech community, a variety of vocal ensembles rehearses on a weekly basis and performs major works throughout the year on and off campus. These include the Men's and Women's Glee Clubs as well as the Caltech Chamber Singers. Vocal instruction is offered free of charge to those enrolled in one of the vocal ensembles.

• Instrumental Music: The Caltech/ Occidental College Orchestra is a seventy-member ensemble comprised of students, faculty, and staff. The orchestra rehearses weekly and gives three pairs of concerts annually. Approximately twenty chamber music ensembles are active on the Caltech campus at any given time. Instrumentalists are grouped according to their abilities and availability, and perform music of every period in numerous concerts during the year. A Concert Band and a Jazz Band rehearse weekly. Both ensembles have recorded CDs and have performed with major artists such as David Shiffren, Billy Childs, and Bobby Shew. Each ensemble performs several times during the year. Class instruction in Guitar is offered each term with opportunities for students at beginning through advanced levels.