This course introduces the principles and practices of contrapuntal writing through focused study of two foundational traditions: 16th century modal counterpoint and 18th century tonal counterpoint. Students will analyze masterworks by composers such as Palestrina, Bach, and their contemporaries while gaining fluency in species counterpoint, voiceleading conventions, invertible counterpoint, canon, and fugal techniques. Through a combination of written exercises, partwriting, and short composition projects, students develop the skills necessary to craft coherent, stylistically informed polyphonic textures and to understand the evolution of contrapuntal thinking across musical eras.
Prerequisites
Term Offered
Fall Only