MUSIC 155 - History of Broadway

Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course will look at the history and development of the Broadway musical, from its roots in early American musical entertainment and classical European opera, its heyday in the post-modern era and its evolution in the late 20th century as a result of the music publishing and recording industry. In addition, the course will take an in-depth look at the music and structure of several Broadway masterpieces and how they affected and were affected by American popular culture.

Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.

Course Category: Liberal Arts | Humanities
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.

This Course is Typically Offered: Fall Only
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Course Competencies

Identify the key musical, formal and artistic elements of the Broadway musical.
Differentiate the style periods of the Broadway musical.
Explain the history of staged musical entertainment in European music history and its influence on the development of the Broadway musical.
Explain the history of American staged music entertainment prior to the Broadway musical and its influence on the Broadway musical.
Examine the artistic, musical and formal structure of the European musical stage, American musical stage prior to the Broadway musical, and Broadway musicals.
Identify the composers, lyricists and performers of selected Broadway musicals.
Examine the styles of the major composers, lyricists and performers of selected Broadway musicals.
Explain how the historical, political and cultural background of selected Broadway musicals influenced their subsequent themes.
Compare the musical, artistic and formal structure of several chosen Broadway musicals and their relationship to the cultural, sociological, political and historical events in American history at the time of their creation and popularity.
Compare the musical, artistic and formal structure of several chosen Broadway musicals and their relationship to the musical, artistic and formal structure of contemporary examples of American popular music and classical music in the United States.
Formulate an aesthetic base from which to further listen and study Broadway musicals.
Examine personal perceptions of the Broadway musical in the context of a live performance.
Provide a written critique of a live performance of a Broadway musical.
Explain the extent to which the music studied in this course intersects and connects with the musical and cultural traditions of the student’s personal life.