Music Commons^™

From Sacred Harp To Byzantine Chant: Inculturation And Formation Of Orthodox Communion In Alaska, Ava Ortwein

Honors Theses

This thesis will explore how Eastern Orthodoxy has been embraced by some native Appalachians, which has led to a convergence of musical trends as a regional phenomenon. It argues that parts of Appalachia are embracing Orthodoxy, especially as noted through converging musical structures. Through an examination of countries which have accepted Orthodoxy, I emphasize inhabitants’ agency and free acceptance of the Eastern Church, especially through convergence of musical traditions. I also analyze lived experience in Sacred Music within this Appalachian Orthodox Context rather than formal music theory. The research incorporates a diverse range of scholars including ethnomusicologists, historians, Orthodox theologians, …

That Song Sounds Familiar: An Analysis Of U.S. Copyright Considerations In Popular Music, Jessica Johnson

Honors Theses

Much of popular music has started to bear resemblance to songs of the past as artists rely on techniques, including sampling and interpolations, to ensure their song is a guaranteed hit. But what are the legal implications behind that, and is the line between inspiration and copying getting blurred? This thesis aims to consider the precedent of copyright law as applied to modern musical works and how the landscape of popular music has evolved over time to raise more copyright concerns. It also looks at two modern case studies of musical inspiration that have resulted in legal claims: the song …

Reimagining The Cadenza: Bluegrass And Mozart, Linna Zheng

Honors Theses

The bluegrass-inspired cadenza for the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 is a parallel with the “Turkish” episode of Mozart’s composition. While introducing the bluegrass idiom into a Classical concerto may not be idiosyncratic, it can be understood and seen as an extension of Mozart’s own practice and approach to stylistic disruption. This approach can be understood through the concepts of Sonata Theory, revealing the cadenza as a site of productive deformation within a normative formal framework. Along with this, Robert S. Hatten’s concept of troping further supports the idea that the interaction between Classical and bluegrass idioms …

Creative Expression Through Worldbuilding: A Study On The Connections Between Literature And Music Through Analysis Of Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive, Lauralei S. Palmer

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the worldbuilding connections visible throughout fantasy literature and musical works. Though their tools seem different, authors, composers, and performers use equivalent techniques to draw in their audiences and produce an immersive, emotional experience. This research focuses on American author Brandon Sanderson’s highly detailed worldbuilding in his epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. The Stormlight Archive exhibits the three pillars of worldbuilding: completeness, invention, and consistency. This research also examines Franz Liszt’s Les Préludes, a symphonic poem based on Alfonse Lamartine’s poem, Ode. Finally, this thesis culminates in the fusion of literary and musical worldbuilding in description …

Utilizing Journaling To Develop A Personalized And Efficient Musical Practice Regimen, Erin Kilpatrick

Honors Theses

Musicians universally agree that practicing consistently is vital to improvement. However, a lot of young musicians do not understand how to practice effectively. There are many factors that influence practice time, focus, and overall learning. For the purpose of this research, I will define “efficient practicing” as any practice that increases development as a player and encourages the player to continue in pursuit of learning music. This encompasses physical aspects like ligature, reed, mouthpiece, and the horn itself, as well as more broad musicianship fundamentals such as developing a characteristic tone, building technique, and learning how to phrase appropriately, must …

Experimenting With Colors In Music: Making And Breaking Rules In The Butterfly Effect, Chloe King

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a culmination of four years of academic and musical development as a percussionist at the University of Mississippi. It offers a discussion and analysis of my original composition, The Butterfly Effect (2021-2023), exploring the compositional process from preliminary sketches to the finalized score. It also discusses the inspiration for composing an original work, the use of different music theory techniques relevant to an analysis of the work, and comparisons to relevant compositions throughout the history of Western music. The Butterfly Effect experiments with compositional techniques that often depart from established rules of harmony and counterpoint, a …

The History And Development Of Solo Tuba Repertoire, Vasilios Tidwell

Honors Theses

The tuba's solo repertoire increased in quantity and quality as a result of developments in the instrument’s design and usage. Following the invention of the tuba in 1835, instrument makers experimented with design concepts to maximize the versatility and potential of the bass brass voice. Composers explored the various uses of the instrument, eventually making the tuba part of the standard orchestral instrumentation by the mid-nineteenth century. Following the instrument's acceptance into bands and orchestras, the first solo works for tuba emerged in the late nineteenth century.

Evolving from novelty pieces accompanied by wind or brass bands, tuba solo music …

Finding Aid For The Guy Sterling Collection

Archives & Special Collections: Finding Aids (alphabetical)

The Guy Sterling Collection contains blues photographs, posters, newsletters, and festival programs, including a number of autographed items.

Finding My Place In The Piazza: An Exploration Of Learning And Performing A Lead Role During A Pandemic, Emma Johnson

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a reflection of one student’s process as she learns a lead role in a musical amidst a global pandemic. The author begins with why she chose to be a performer and what has led her to this moment. She examines how significantly the pandemic has affected the performing arts job sector. The author explores her first exposure to the musical “The Light in the Piazza” and the role of Clara in a scenes program at the university which took place in the spring semester of 2021. The thesis then follows her journey through the abnormal virtual …

Protest Music And Survival In The Basque Country During The Franco Regime, Michael J. Dodick Jr

Honors Theses

This thesis is an examination of the origins of the Basque Nationalist movement that originated in the late nineteenth century, the Spanish Civil War that followed, and how a dictatorial regime damaged a minority autonomous region, the Basque Country. Within this scope, a singular, unique musical and artistic collective contributed efforts in preserving and growing Basque culture, a culture that had been refined to place focus on nationalistic ideals, unifying traditions, Euskera, and the nation of Euskadi. Ez Dok Amairu, the focus of this thesis, was a short-lived artistic group that concentrated on producing art, literature, and music (among other …

Finding Aid For The Guy Sterling Collection (Mum00147)

Archives & Special Collections: Finding Aids (alphabetical)

No abstract provided.

Understanding German-Turkish Identity In The Context Of Deutschrap, Alena Tien Vu

Honors Theses

Since its emergence in the 1980s, Deutschrap has been used by German-Turkish rap artists as a medium to reflect their views and identity. What is understood as the German-Turkish identity has been put up for debate as to whether it can be labeled as assimilated, integrated or something else entirely. By doing a close reading and analysis of three songs each from German-Turkish rap artists Alpa Gun, Eko Fresh and Mert, it is found that these three artists can be categorized as Ayhan Kaya’s hybrid-, boundaries-, and flows- transmigrant identity, respectively. This also shows that the German-Turkish identity is not …

On The Nature Of Collaboration, John Walker

Honors Theses

The senior recital is in and of itself a Capstone project in the Department of Music—a culmination of one’s undergraduate years. Preparation of such a program, especially a collaborative recital with a peer, demands much of a voice student’s attention. However, the nature of this preparation is a relative unknown among the non-musical spaces of academia. Presented with an opportunity to develop my senior recital with Brittany Parry, a student of the new Master of Music in Collaborative Piano, I chose to reflect upon our novelty recital experience in this Capstone paper. The energy we devoted to our rehearsals and …

Lining-Out And Performance Practice Of The Dr. Watts Hymn- Lining Tradition In Three Selected African American Missionary Baptist Churches In The Northern Mississippi Delta Region, Kelvin K. Towers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study is to analyze the performance practice of lined-hymns that are sung in three selected African American Missionary Baptist churches located in the Northern Mississippi Delta region. ‘Dr. Watts’ lined-hymn singing has survived in some African American church denominations for approximately 150 years without the availability of a standardized printed musical notation source. Focus of the investigation is guided by five questions exploring the historical context, liturgical function, musical characteristics, performance practice, and method of learning of this musical tradition. Further examined are the role of the song leader, and cultural beliefs and philosophical differences …

Explorations Of Timbre In Selected Songs From Schubert’S Winterreise, Samuel Clayton Garner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes five songs from Franz Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise (1828) according to timbre using spectrographic images created with the Sonic Visualizer computer program. The report begins with an introduction to timbre, an explanation of spectrographic technology, and defining to terminology to be used in the analyses. The songs and topics to be covered are “Gute Nacht” and how individual performances can dictate timbre; “Die Wetterfahne” and the motive of wind related to timbre; “Der Lindenbaum” and timbral relationships among strophes; “Frühlingstraum” and how emotions, dream sequences, and weather are conveyed by timbre; and “Der stürmische Morgen” and the …

Producing Thacker Jr. A Guidebook To Production & Reflections Of A Student Director, Ava Street

Honors Theses

This narrative documents a student’s preparation and execution of the children’s music and literature program entitled, Thacker Jr. Radio Hour. The author documents and analyzes experiences over the course of two academic years preparing and producing the program. The author describes the process of production including content creation, marketing, budgeting, fundraising, and casting. The author recounts and reflects upon her experience in the role of Thacker Jr. Executive Director and her desire to create student-centric arts programming. Finally, the author evaluates the immediate impact of the program on the LOU community and predicts how her experience will shape her …

The Making Of When We Say Goodnight, Andrew Newman

Honors Theses

The following thesis documents the writing and recording of When We Say Goodnight, an album by Lo Noom. The author discusses the various influences that led to the development of the album’s concept. The album is meant to explore the feelings the author associates with summer nights in Mississippi. He attempts to create a world in which the songs and feelings live. He discusses the album’s song development and various recording processes. As he brings the album to completion, a struggle emerges between the author’s desire to please his audience and his desire to create for his own personal enjoyment. …

Preparing And Performing A Trumpet Recital, Jesse Gibens

Honors Theses

The pieces are examined based on historical context and explained based on the practice notes that I journaled and reflected upon by comparing and contrasting standard recordings of each work. This thesis is divided into nine sections that explore the pieces that are performed, as well as the instruments used to perform them. The thesis also explores my repertoire choices based on instrumentation, style, composer, and genre, as well as how to deal with the challenges of approaching a diverse program. Historical information has been taken from articles, books, and other scholarly writings produced by experts within their fields of …

Finding Aid For The Blues Archive Poster Collection (Mum01783)

Archives & Special Collections: Finding Aids (alphabetical)

These blues posters, broadsides, and oversize printings, collected by various individuals and institutions, document the world of blues advertising.

Uncle Tom's Cabin, Author Unknown, Howley Haviland And Dresser (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: photo of African American couples performing a dance with traditional costumes; a photo inset of Leon W. Washburn; Publisher: Howley Haviland and Dresser (New York)

Swanee / Music By George Gershwin; Words By I. Caesar, George Gershwin, I. Caesar, T.B. Harms Francis Day And Hunter (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

No abstract provided.

The Nation's Song / Words By J.M. Munyon And L.L.D., J. M. Munyon And L.L.D.

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: scenes of patriotic drawings, in the middle a photo inset of; Publisher: M.D. Swisher (Philadelphia)

My Mother's Eyes / Music By Abel Baer; Words By Wolfe Gilbert, Abel Baer, Wolfe Gilbert, Leo Feist Inc. (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover Only. Cover: Photo of George Jessel; Publisher: Leo Feist Inc. (New York)

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble's A Bubble) / Music By Lewis Gesler; Words By Al Jolnson And B.G. De Sylva, Lewis Gesler, Al Jolnson, B. G. Desylva, Harms Incorporated (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

photo of Al Jolson; Publisher: Harms Incorporated (New York)

The Invitation Rag / Words By Les Copland, Les Copland, Jerome H. Remick And Co. (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover Only. Cover: photo of Les Copeland; Publisher: Jerome H. Remick and Co. (New York)

I Don't Care What You Used To Be (I Know What You Are Today) / Words By Dubin Al And Jimmy Mc Hugh, Dubin Al, Jimmy Mchugh, Jack Mills Inc. (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: drawing of a Caucasian couple; photo inset of Ruth Wales and Doris Relyea; Publisher: Jack Mills Inc. (New York)

Home Sweet Home / Words By G.J. Webb, G. J. Webb

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: drawing of a woman playing piano; text reads The Bromo-Seltzer Collection of 54 Popular Songs; Publisher: x

First Heart Throbs / Words By Richard Eilenberg, Richard Eilenberg, Deluxe Music Co. (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: drawing of a girl and a boy sitting in the garden, holding hands; Publisher: DeLuxe Music Co. (New York)

Don't You Remember Or Ben Bolt / Music By Nelson Kneass; Words By Thomas Dunn English, Nelson Kneass, Thomas Dunn English, Dana T. Bennett Co. (New York)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: Photos of Gecko, Svengali and Trilby, Mme. Vinard, Little Billee- Taffy- The Laird, Angele and Zou-Zou; Text reads: as sung by Miss Phyllis Neilson-Terry in the play of TRILBY; Publisher: Dana T. Bennett Co. (New York)

Don't Be Too Sure / Music By Henry R. Cohen; Words By Hal Billings, Henry R. Cohen, Hal Billings, Ell And Ell Publishing Co. (Los Angeles)

Sheet Music, Undated

Cover: Couple strolling arm in arm past a cupid figure sitting on a sign reading stop look listen; Publisher: Ell and Ell Publishing Co. (Los Angeles)