This course surveys European music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, from the origins of Western musical notation to the intricate and complex works of the late-sixteenth century. We will investigate how musicians across this era conceptualized, wrote, and performed music, considering how these early innovations laid the groundwork for music in centuries to come. We will also explore how developments in musical style were often mediated by political and religious pressures as well as aesthetic concerns. Course activities center around listening, analysis of primary sources, and writing about music.