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Unit of study_

MCGY2611: Music from the Middle Ages to Baroque

2025 unit information

This unit explores major topics in the history of Western art music from the 9th century to c. 1750 in a broad historical context. Beginning with Gregorian chant and the invention of music education notation, we investigate a wide range of genres and styles of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as innovations including the development of music printing, developments in musical instruments, and the emergence of opera, sonata and concerto. Musical works for analysis and discussion include examples by Hildegard of Bingen, Machaut, Dufay, Josquin, Palestrina, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Lully, Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel and J.S. Bach.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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Ability to read musical notation

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a knowledge of key features of the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, including a knowledge of major composers and representative musical works, and an understanding of the role of music and musicians in the society and culture of the periods
  • LO2. describe and explain the major musical styles, genres and instruments of the periods, and apply relevant analytical methods to the study of this music
  • LO3. identify important musical styles, genres, and instruments of the periods aurally and from music notation
  • LO4. think, speak, and write critically about Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, and use relevant terminology appropriately.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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