Course Information

• Course Number : MUSI 101
• Course Title: Introduction to Classical Music
• Semester: Spring 2013
• Class Day/Time: Internet
• Instructors: Kelly Ker-Hackleman/ John Kilkenny
• Textbook: The Enjoyment of Music, Eleventh Shorter Edition, Kristine Forney and Joseph Machlis, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. Norton Website
• Catalog Info: MUSI 101

My Experience With This Course

I have been interested in classical music for many years. I took piano lessons from 3rd through 12th grade and played works by some of the great composers. However, I never had the opportunity to learn the details of their musical styles. It was something that I had always hoped to learn more about, so I was very happy to take this class.

Since this was an online class, initially I had some concerns about the delivery of the course in this format. I had thought it might be a richer experience to sit in a classroom full of other students, listening to and discussing the classical composers and their works. However, the online format actually worked quite well. Listening to the music with on-screen listening guides, watching documentary and performance videos and participating in on-line discussions with other students was a great combination of resources to fully explore the many aspects of the course material.

Some of the favorite things I learned in this class were:

• the distinctive characteristics of the different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.)
• the different musical forms (symphony, concerto, sonata, etc.)
• the lives and times of the great composers

I also enjoyed learning the specifics about famous works such as Beethoven’s “5th” and Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”.

Since taking this class, I have developed a much deeper appreciation for both classical music and the great composers (my favorite composers are now Beethoven and Haydn). Now when I listen to this great music I have a better understanding of how it came to be, and this leads to a greater level of enjoyment.