GEN1000 for students admitted to Year 1 before AY2025/26, Year 2 before AY2026/27, or Year 3 before AY2027/28, except with the permission of the Module Coordinator
GEN2005
This module explores the evolution of western music from the Baroque era to contemporary pop music. Designed as a music appreciation module for non-music majors, it develops students’ ability to listen actively and critically, understand musical meaning, and derive deeper enjoyment from a wide range of musical genres.
Through an integrated approach, students examine how technological innovations, creative processes, and cultural contexts have shaped musical genres and expressions over time. By engaging with the musical elements, students build essential skills in musical analysis, critical listening, and appreciation. The module highlights the dynamic interplay between artistry and technology, enabling students to evaluate the impact of innovation on music creativity, performance, dissemination, and global influence across diverse traditions.
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. apply musical elements to listen, analyse and identify key characteristics and historical developments of classical and pop music genres
b. explain the role of technological advancements in shaping music performance from Baroque to pop
c. analyse the creative process of composers and artists in integrating technology and musical ideas to innovate within their genres
d. evaluate the impact of technological innovation on the evolution, dissemination, and cultural significance among different genres in western and/or Asian contexts.
1. Introduction
1.1 Definition; music as multifaceted human phenomenon such as music vs. language expression, personal stories, etc.
2. The building blocks of sound
2.1. Musical elements such as melody, rhythm, texture, form, timbre, etc.
3. Baroque period: structure, music theory and sound craft
3.1. Interdisciplinary relationships: art, science, and music
3.2. Music theory and forms: scale, dynamics and structure
3.3. Notable Baroque composers and their work: Bach, Vivaldi, Handel
4. Classical period: clarity and form
4.1. Clarity and balance in musical form
4.2. Development of sonata-allegro form and symphony
4.3. Use of dynamics and expressive contrasts
4.4. Prominent composers: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
5. Romantic period: emotional expression, innovation and Industrial influence
5.1. Emotional expression and individualism
5.2. Expansion of piano repertoire and improvements in piano technology
5.3. Influence of industrialization on instruments manufacturing
5.4. Growth of large orchestras and rich orchestration
5.5. Expansion of grand opera with dramatic storytelling and orchestration
5.6. Prominent composers: Dvorak, Chopin, Bizet, Tchaikovsky
6. Jazz: creativity, improvisation and musical innovation
6.1. Improvisation as a core of jazz creativity
6.2. Development of new sounds and playing techniques
6.3. Evolution of jazz styles: from New Orleans to Bebop and Beyond
7. Broadway Musical: creativity, innovation and multimedia storytelling
7.1. Integration of music, acting, dance in storytelling
7.2. Application of stage technology and digital effects
7.3. Modern adaption of classic works
7.4. Representative works: Porgy and Bess, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, etc.
8. Film Music: scientific approaches, techno applications, and creative innovation
8.1. Techniques for developing thematic motifs using technology
8.2. Collaboration between composers, directors and sound engineers
8.3. Use of electronic instruments in modern film music
8.4. Analysing John Williams’ creative process and technological applications in film scoring
8.5. Representative works: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, La La Land, etc.
9. Rock and Roll, Asian Rock and Cantopop: Technological Innovation and Creative Expression
9.1. Technological advancements in electronic instruments and recording techniques in shaping rock music
9.2. Development for Asian Rock; fusion with traditions and technologies
9.3. Role of music production technology in the creativity and dissemination of Cantopop
1. Group presentation (25%)
2. Test (25%)
3. Individual Project (50%)
