Musicology Commons^™

Bel Canto: An Analysis From Birth And Background To Musical Benefaction, Kaitlin Kohler

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Since the beginning of time, singing has been celebrated. Although opera itself was not properly established until the seventeenth century, drama and music have existed since the world’s genesis. It is difficult to imagine exactly what singing would have been like in ancient times, but the Bible and other ancient documents describe singing as an important factor in community—singing is meant to be beautiful and enjoyable. As the centuries pass on, a common thread of music history is the quest for beautiful singing. Composers each try to outdo their predecessors, coming up with new ways for vocalists to shine. They …

The Court Of Burgundy : A Musically Fluent Society, Elizabeth Lee Ferris

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The court of Burgundy supported music in the daily life for reasons spanning from religious practice to showing off the wealth of the duke. The importance of hearing different styles of music was emphasized through the patrons of the court of Burgundy. The culture of Burgundy supported music and made it available to most people. This was possible because their land provided safe travel amongst it and they were well off politically and economically. The practice and performance of music were supported in the daily routine through the church and organizations that patrons sponsored. It must first be understood that …

A Musical Reformation: Martin Luther’S Influence On Sacred Music, Lydia Sarver

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Martin Luther stands at the focal point of the Protestant Reformation, and while history glorifies him as a groundbreaking theologian, little attention is given to his liturgical reformation. Studies that do observe Luther’s hymns, generally focus on Luther’s appreciation for music as a tool to promote the message of the Reformation in the vernacular, thereby neglecting Luther’s systematic understanding of music and its impact on future compositions. Therefore, this article defends Martin Luther’s significant influence on the development of sacred music and his impact on future composers, culminating in the work of J.S. Bach. It first chronologically surveys the history …

Music Next To Theology: The Impact And Influence Of Martin Luther's Reformation On Johann Sebastian Bach, James Ryan

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The artistic figure and music of Johann Sebastian Bach looms large in the history of Western arts and culture. His influences were many, but one strong influence in his life’s work was that of the Protestant Reformation and the theology of the Lutheran church. Through this research, it is evident that Bach strongly held to the doctrines and theology of the Lutheran church and that his employment in the Lutheran church was not merely a vocation for him, but an outward expression of his inward religious and theological conviction. This position is evidenced by the writings and teachings of Martin …

The Three Parents Of The Violin, Hanna Bahorik

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The history of the violin is one full of examination and documentation, and yet speculation as to it’s true ancestry remains at the forefront of research. While it can certainly be said that the violin was derived from multiple instruments, this paper seeks to answer the question of which instruments exhibit essential characteristics and should be considered as the violin’s direct ancestors. Theories concerning the violin’s family tree abound, such as the bow theory and the sound chest theory which each attempt to trace the ancestry of the violin down through dozens of instruments, focusing on one critical, structural element. …

The Unifying Strands: Formalism And Gestalt Theory Span Centuries Of Music Philosophy, Amanda N. Staufer

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

In every age, musicians and philosophers deal with inquiries concerning musical meaning and the effect of music on the listener. Musical formalism and Gestalt theory—two theories in musical aesthetics—demonstrate that aspects of musical perception and experience are enduring and comprehensive. Musical formalism is the theory that music’s nature is innate, self-evident, able to be systematically deduced, and rational. According to formalism, musical meaning is defined by things objectively ‘there’ in the music, musical experience relies on cognition, and music is less a matter of sense than of mind. Gestalt Theory holds that music is a unified totality—the whole gives meaning …

Engaging The Public With New Music: The Roles Of The Public, The Composer, And The Educator, Maria Confer

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Concerning new music, when the public knows what to listen for, composers who wish to more directly involve the public with new music remain open to dialogue regarding it, and educators inform and engage the public about it, there is a higher chance of active public acceptance of new music. The tripartite relationship between the public, composers, and educators benefits from open communication and community education, in addition to each participant knowing their responsibility and contribution in the relationship. A history of this relationship since 1900, including a delineation of who and what qualifies as an “educator,” leads into a …

From Modal To Tonal: The Influence Of Monteverdi On Musical Development, Haley J. Perritt

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

In efforts to prove the transition from modality to tonality in the late Renaissance era, this paper uses examples from the works of Monteverdi to reveal the shift to tonal music. By examining his background in music theory and his involvement within the church, it is evident that Monteverdi’s upbringing in music later affected his musical compositions. Being raised in Cremona, a city in close proximity with Milan, he was exposed to a wide variety of music and excellent instruction, especially from the church cantor Marc’ Antonio Ingegneri. Through score study and evaluation of Monteverdi’s early madrigals and his famous …

The Science Of Singing: A Voice Lesson From Anatomy And Physiology, Gracie Bennett

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The voice is the oldest instrument in existence. Throughout its history, there have been many vocal performances practices. The purpose of my research is to show the correlation between modern vocal practices and the current medical technology available to help us understand the physiology of the voice. I am studying and analyzing the vocal performance and pedagogical practices from the early church to present day. I want to know why these vocal strategies have changed over time. There have been several different schools of thinking in regards to vocal practices. From the Italian style bel canto singing that was widely …

Shakespeare's Philosophy Of Music, Emily Sulka

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Shakespeare is one of the most widely read figures in literature, but his use of music is not usually touched on in literary discussions of his works. In this paper, I discuss how Shakespeare portrays music within the context of his plays, both through dialogue and songs performed within each work. In Shakespeare’s time, Boethius’ philosophy of the music of the spheres was still highly popular. This was the idea that the arrangement of the cosmos mirrored musical proportions. As a result, every aspect of the universe was believed to be highly ordered, and this idea is prominent throughout Shakespeare’s …

French Society Abroad: The Popularization Of French Dance Throughout Europe, 1600-1750, Adam P. Rinehart

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This paper explores the dissemination of French dance, dance notation, and dance music throughout Europe, and it explains the reasons why French culture had such an influence on other European societies from 1600-1750. First, the paper seeks to prove that King Louis XIV played a significant role in the outpour of French dance and the arts. Next, the paper discusses prominent French writers of dance notation who influenced the spread of French dance literature and training throughout Europe. Finally, the paper delineates European composers and their involvement in the development and production of French dance music. Using academic, peer-reviewed journal …

The Triple Harp: The Unsung Hero Of Harp History, Brittany L. Roberts

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Graced with thousands of years of history, the harp has evolved and adapted to many different musical eras. A prime example of this is the triple harp, a precursor of the modern pedal harp. Before the invention of the pedals, harpists found it difficult to adjust to the increasing chromaticism found in the ornamentation and chord progressions of the Baroque era. However, harp builders were not deterred by this challenge. First built by Italian luthiers in the early 1600's, the triple harp featured three layers of strings stretched parallel to one another. The two outer layers were tuned diatonically to …

Musical Life In Russia From 1917-1953, Josiah Kenniv

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This research focuses on Russian musical life in the Soviet Era, beginning in the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, to the death of the Joseph Stalin in 1953. Much of the information is taken from books written by Russian authors who attempt to take this massive cultural and political change from the perspective of both the artist and the everyday citizen in Russia. The purpose of this project is to show how governmental reforms change musical life in Russia, and how composers and performers alike adapted to that change.

A Blend Of Traditions: The Lute’S Influence On Seventeenth-Century Harpsichord Repertoire, Audrey S. Rutt

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The close relationship between the harpsichord and lute traditions is commonly claimed but rarely elaborated upon, and many experts disagree on the manner in and extent to which the two are related. Often, texts covering the early harpsichord literature will limit discussion of the lute’s influence to a brief mention of the style brisé, if the important connection between the two traditions is even mentioned all. The lute’s impact on the harpsichordists of the seventeenth century is not a facet that can be ignored; rather, an understanding of the lute tradition is essential to an understanding of the harpsichord tradition. …

The Partimento Tradition In The Shadow Of Enlightenment Thought, Deborah Longenecker

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This presentation investigates the relationship between partimento pedagogy and Rameau’s music theories as influenced by Enlightenment thought. Current research on partimento has revealed its importance in Neapolitan music schools of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Along with counterpoint, partimento was a core subject in the study of composition in the Neapolitan schools; however, as pedagogy and theory began to be influenced by Enlightenment ideals such as the scientific method or a preference for clear systemization, the partimento tradition began to wane. In this presentation, I examine Rameau’s music theory as an example of Enlightenment thought in music, juxtaposing the central …

Baroque Music And The Doctrine Of Affections: Putting The Affections Into Effect, Joshua L. Dissmore

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This paper attempts to prove that throughout the Baroque period, the Doctrine of Affections governed musical composition through the musical elements of intervals, key, and tempo. This Baroque practice of relating music with various emotions dates back to ancient Greece and the teachings of the four temperaments, which were each associated with specific affections. Music allegedly had the ability to arouse these affections within the individual to produce an intended emotional response. Through the careful examination of the works of prominent Baroque composers and philosophers such as Johann Mattheson, J. S. Bach, and Antonio Vivaldi, this paper demonstrates how the …

Next Time Won’T You Sing With Me? The Role Of Music Rooted In Oral Tradition As A Resource For Literacy Learning In The Twenty-First Century Classroom, Catherine Milliron

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Most children learn music by rote long before they begin to learn by note. Early music learning is often facilitated through the oral transmission of music – a practice that has existed since long before the emergence of standardized music notation. Orality has long been linked to literacy and the relationship between the two – both in the past and in the present – has been studied in depth by modern scholars. Although it could be supposed that the innovation of music notation has negated the necessity for oral music transmission, in reality the two music transmission methods work in …

Scholarly Debates: The Development Of Early Polyphony, Eleanor G. Raquet

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The records of early polyphony show development that progresses over time. How did these developments come about, and what caused polyphony to develop the way that it did? When one researches this topic, one discovers that most scholars have a different opinion on the factors that led to the development of polyphony. In this paper, I will prove that the development of early polyphony is not a simple linear process and is highly debated among scholars. Specifically, this paper examines and summarizes different scholars' opinions on the role of notation versus the oral tradition in the development of polyphony. It …

The Doctrine Of Affections In Music: Where Art Meets Reason, Sharri K. Hall

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The Doctrine of Affections was a widespread understanding of music and musicality during the Baroque era. The Doctrine was a result of the philosophy of reason and science as it coincides with music. It aimed to reconcile what man knew about science and the human body, and what man thought he knew about music. It was a reconciliation of practical musicianship and theoretical music which had begun to rise in the time. Though it is generally understood as being apart from Enlightenment thinking, the Doctrine is a result of Enlightenment-style philosophy. As the Enlightenment sought to explain why things occurred …

The Interwoven Evolution Of The Early Keyboard And Baroque Culture, Rachel Stevenson

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact that Baroque society had in the development of the early keyboard. While the main timeframe is Baroque, a few references are made to the late Medieval Period in determining the reason for the keyboard to more prominently emerge in the musical scene. As Baroque society develops and new genres are formed, different keyboard instruments serve vital roles unique to their construction. These new roles also affect the way music was written for the keyboard as well. Advantages and disadvantages of each instrument are discussed, providing an analysis of what would …

Musically Russian: Nationalism In The Nineteenth Century, Joshua J. Taylor

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

What does it mean to be Russian? In the nineteenth century, Russia saw a growth in nationalism. Intellectuals began producing literature, music, and artwork that represented Russian culture and served to separate them from France. In particular, music was a driving force in creating nationalism. Russian thought regarding national culture creation in the nineteenth century reflected the idea that every people group has a unique musical style. The influence of Russian musical style can be seen in the works of Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Each of these composers contributed to nationalism in their own unique way.

Improvisation: The History Of Unplanned Notes In Structured Music, Daniel T. Galey

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Since improvisation is an important aspect of music in today’s society, questions arise whether improvisation was essential in music from the past or whether it even existed in the past. Rather than discussing the origin of improvisation, this paper will discuss the evolution of improvisation starting in the medieval period. This paper argues that improvisation did exist in the medieval period, and seeks to show certain ways in which it was evident and how it developed in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Many historically documented books discuss the music from different time periods. I specifically study the aspects of music …

Swing It Sister: The Influence Of Female Jazz Musicians On Music And Society, Kirsten Saur

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Female jazz vocalists, both as soloists and in groups, and instrumentalists, both as solo artists and in ensembles, of the jazz era influenced music and society in their own times and in later times. They added new musical concepts, added new vocal styles, worked to change the society they lived in, and worked hard to find their place in music no matter what got in their way, making them inspirations for future generations of women striving to succeed in the world. This paper looks at how these women of jazz influenced music, society, and future generations of women through their …

Music And Athletics: An Inseparable Bond, Alisha Symington

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Music is so deeply ingrained in nearly every part of our culture, it sometimes passes by unnoticed. However, if one were to remove music from its typical appearance, the resulting silence can be deafening. For example, in a film, such as Star Wars, if the main theme did not exist, the anticipation of the film and the overall reaction to the plot would be far less appealing. If clothing stores did not play spunky electronic music, would consumer’s shopping habits be altered? A strongly universal and historic aspect of culture that a lack of music would dramatically is the world …

From Bows To Sound-Chests: Tracing The Ancestry Of The Violin, Janelle Finley

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The subject of the ancestry of the violin is something that has been largely studied, researched, debated, and written about in great detail. However, despite all of the research and study, the ancestry of the violin is still not certain. This paper first presents two different schools of thought, each proposing different theories as to how the ancestry of the violin should be determined and what instruments should be included in the ancestry of the violin. The first school of thought proposes that the violin’s ancestry should be traced through the bow. The second theory proposes that the violin’s ancestry …

Musica In Tempore Belli: An Analysis Of “Black Angels”, Calvin D. Hitchcock

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Described as “…extraordinarily haunting” and “[the] intoxicating magic of…sound,”(Steinitz, 1978) the music of George Crumb is some of the most evocative and expressive music of the 20th century. His extensive use of extended techniques (many of which he pioneered) is in part what makes his music so memorable. Also known for its liberal use of theatricality, Crumb’s music has become a standard of the 20th century, as well as in the contemporary music canon overall.

“Black Angels” for Electric String Quartet, subtitled “Thirteen Images from the Dark Land” was written as a response to the Vietnam War and is one …

Birth Of The Pipes: The Organ From Its Beginnings Through The Baroque Era, Joshua Drake

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The purpose of this presentation is to survey the development of the organ, which is one of the most magnificent and impressive musical instruments known to man. The main objective is also to explain how and why the organ developed the way that it did. Further, the presentation will attempt to answer the following questions: what deficiencies in the performance of early organs were organ builders trying to improve on, what differences in sound did they want new organs to be able to produce, and how did the needs and preferences of organists influence changes in organ design? The majority …

From Silence To Golden: The Slow Integration Of Instruments Into Christian Worship, Jonathan Lyons

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The Christian church’s stance on the use of instruments in sacred music shifted through influences of church leaders, composers, and secular culture. Synthesizing the writings of early church leaders and church historians reveals a clear progression. The early musical practices of the church were connected to the Jewish synagogues. As recorded in the Old Testament, Jewish worship included instruments as assigned by one’s priestly tribe. Eventually, early church leaders rejected that inclusion and developed a rather robust argument against instruments in liturgical worship. The totalitarian stance on musical instruments in sacred worship began to loosen as the organ increased in …

An Unusual Success: A Study Of Modern Pop Music, Nate Chester

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This research paper explores modern pop music’s ability to quickly capture the attention of listeners. Its purpose is to provide evidence that explains the success of pop songs through the recording industry’s advanced methods of production. This paper discusses the perfected ability of these methods to quickly “hook” the listener and potentially result in a viral dissemination of the music through a combined use of modern technology. Evidence is shown both through the study of these methods and through the examination of specific examples in seeking to identify the reasons behind the success of this music. An emphasis is placed …

Coursing With Coils: The Only Orchestral Instrument Harder Than The French Horn, Sarah R. Plumley

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Playing the horn has become not only more sophisticated and accurate, but simpler and more efficient for the horn player than what it was three hundred years ago. The natural horn, used in a variety ways in early history, demanded an incredible level of skill and precision, more than our valved horn today in some ways because it required a more accurate ear, more embouchure dexterity, and the necessity of wrangling crooks for different keys. Thus, it required many practiced skills of the player that are no longer as necessary as they once were. This paper discusses each of these …