Music Studies papers

This paper examines the relationship between rock music of the 1960's and the use of drugs among Americans, particularly young Americans.

This paper discusses how drums are made, how they produce sounds and how they are integrated into music composition.

This paper discusses the presentation of rock and roll on film, from the 1956 dramatic film "Don't Knock the Rock" through later documentaries like "Woodstock", "D.O.A." and "The Decline of Western Civilization".

This paper examines the Rock and Roll film genre and the correlation between movie outlaws and Rock and Roll music by looking at films: "The Wild One", "Rock around the Clock", "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Hot Rod Gang",

This paper discusses the composition form of the motet in England from the late 12th Century to the early 15th Century: Relgious andsecular uses in England; eclectic nature; uses by composers in Gothic & Gregorian forms.

This paper analyzes in detail each movement of Beethoven's "Piano Concerto #1 in C-Major" including exposition, development study and recapitulation.

This paper presents a detailed, technical analysis of all four movements of Mozart's Symphony K-550: Exposition, development, style, melody, form, phrasing. Extensive manuscript references.

This paper examines the changes that occurred in society and the Church because of, or as a reflection of, changes in music and art during the transitional period between late Gothic and Renaissance Period.

This paper discusses the career and emotional problems of the musician Charlie Parker and contends that Parker's musical achievements were extremely influential.

This compares the music of Rock with Bach.

This paper discusses the impact of the Blues on the Record market by Focusing on black singers and race releases of recording companies.

This paper discusses each composer's major works and compares Beethoven's and Mahler's Second Symphonies Discusses.

This paper discusses the development of the youth culture through its music and its relationship to the emerging social consciousness within the context of capitalism and 20th Century history. The author illustrates with various musicians: Little Richar

This paper discusses tje outer, inner, rhythmic structure and style of the first movement of Mozart's "Sonata In F Major" ( K#322 ) and ilustrates how it outlines the classical sonata form.

An analyisis of the similarities and differences between traditional Brazilian and Egyptian music.

This paper examines the history of the popular dance and music style in Brazil, the Samba.

This paper examines Mariachi music throughout the ages.

A study of the American recording industry's marketing violence to its youth.

This paper examines the forgotten black roots of rock music in America, its influence on rebelling youth, and the evolution of new popular musical genres.

A review of the works of the composer Johan Sebastian Bach.

This paper examines whether rock 'n roll was a reflection of American culture.

A discussion of Madonna and her controversial statements about the role of women.

An investigation into the world of women's music.

A review of the opera "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

An analysis of the history of Russian music, including a focus on its impact on present day Russian society.

A general overview of the history of Baroque music.

Analysis of the hit song "Let it Be" by the Beatles.

A comparative analysis of the poetry of Allen Ginsberg and Marshall Mathers.

A paper which evaluates contemporary music and what constitutes good and bad contemporary music.

A look at the issues of punk politics versus mainstream American ideology in the film "SLC Punk".

A paper listing short biographies of the most famous musical arrangers in history.

An insight into the musical group "Heavenly" who recorded Twee pop albums in the early 90's.

A review of the new album "Return of the Headhunters" by the jazz band "The Headhunters".

A paper which compares baroque music to the rock music of the 1970s.

This paper reviews a live jazz recording, "Tonic" by Medeski, Martin, and Wood.

An analysis of Jackie Kay's novel "Trumpet".

An analysis of the 1941 opera, with subject, songs and text, composer's career, dramatic action, revisions, performances and collaboration.

The life and career of the American dancer and choreographer. Includes influences, personality, innovations, development, teaching and major works ("Night Journey" and "Errand into the Maze").

The Life and career of the 19th-20th centuty Italian composer, focusing on the plot and themes of opera "Tosca."

The life, career, influences, major works, style and forms of the18th century Italian composer.

An examination of their careers, lives, professional bands, innovations, popularity and compositions.

Examines the rise of this form of vocal music in the 14th Century, in works of Guillaume de Machaut and John Dunstable and related to Ars Antiqua and Ars Nova eras.

Examines the life and career of this legendary jazz saxophonist and his impact on the Bebop style.

Discusses its history and evolution, organization, editorial and publishing process, problems and challenges, an example ("Zomba Company") and the impact of the Internet.

Examines history, appeal, success, major musicals past and present ("Grease", "Titanic", "Beauty and the Beast").

Examines dance as a divine activity. Discusses the Shinto influence, forms (Noh and Butoh), origins and characters.

Critiques this 1944 opera, compared to Georges Bizet's 1875 "Carmen". Examines settings, time, characters, plot, themes (sexuality, race and romance) and music.

Examines the life and career of this 17th Century English composer of operas.

Examines the first and last works of this early 19th Century song-cycle. Discusses plot, music, poetry, tone and melody.

Discusses its origins in Seattle in the late 1980s, examples (Nirvana, Pearl Jam), rise and fall, musical and cultural styles, drugs and the role of the media.

Discusses history, description, types, uses, tone, composers, tuning and technique of this musical instrument.

Examines the life, career, style, collaborations and major songs of this American jazz singer.

Analyzes structures, movements, forms, tonality, innovations, key shifts and instruments; compared to other composers' works.

Examines friendship & mutual musical influences of 18th Cent. composers.

Life, career, personality, songs, performances & death of rock musician.

Reviews jazz musician's autobiography.

Examines their relationship & musical influences of Clementi on Beethoven (compositional techniques, chord progressions, harmonies, dynamics).

Examines career of 17th Cent. Venetian composer,focusing on his major works, techniques, style, themes and impact on his culture.

Examines content, style & innovation of 16th Cent. composer's dramatic madrigal & his relationship with his patron & major rival.

Examines rock's impact on film, social & family relations, threat to conformity, sexuality, sources in black music and the role of media.

Examines how music provides a common experience, shapes social structure, theory, aesthetics, cultural differences and examples.

Types, forms & purpose of music played, religious & secular music, theory and vocalization.

Life, career & critical views of American singer/actress/sociopolitical activist.

Play's characters, plot and themes, focusing on the influence of Puccini's opera [Madame Butterfly].

Methods & concepts used in junior & senior high school music programs.

Examines depictions in sculpture, manuscripts & paintings & what they reveal about the era's musical life & religious concerns.

Life & career of African-American blues singer.

Controversy over sexism & violence, protests, free speech, economics, life vs. art and media coverage.

Examines 19th Cent. German composer as transitional figure between classical & romantic periods. Form, structure, style, musical philosophy, focusing on [Eroica] symphony.

Analyzes hip hop & impact of Jamaican culture. Reggae, language, rap, style, social criticism, Rastafarianism, performance, dance, ethnic roots, misogyny & homophobia.

Critical review of jazz trumpeter's autobiography, his views on history of jazz & its importance in Amer. culture.

Discusses the life and career of the African-American soul singer who blended gospel and popular styles.

Evolution of philosopher's views on composer (from favorable to critical) as symbolic of his critique of modernist German music, art & culture.

History & development, materials, types, uses, valves.

Analyzes Symphony No. 3 as example of composer's power, structural innovations, use of scherzo, melody, chords.

Effects & rejection of romantic style, form, philosophy by late 19th & early 20th Cent. composers. Major works, impressionism, atonality, innovations.

Definition, major composers & works from 1820 to 1890, compared to classicism, styles & forms, innovations, orchestration, opera.

Development of blues musical form & use & signigicance of train symbolism in lyrics, focusing on 1950s song "Night Train."

Examines historical, technical & sociocultural significance of the bipolar siku (panpipe).

Compares late 19th Cent. composers' interpretations of "Mass for the Dead."

Origins, evolution & impact of musical form associated with Southern black musicians & singers. Major artists & songs, styles, themes, forms (classic & rural), social functions, blues culture, exploitation.

Conductor's style, musical philosophy, excesses, critical reception, focusing on works of Beethoven.

Examines influences of Greek Dimitri Mitropoulos, Pole Artur Rodzinski, Hungarian Fritz Reiner & Russian Serge Koussevitsky on conductor's musical vision & style.

Reviews the growth & development of Music Television, or MTV, one of the most successful cable broadcasters in history.

A biography of the life and works of the trumpet player, Maynard Ferguson.

A comparitive study of Pink Floyd's album, "The Dark Side of the Moon" and of the classic movie, "The Wizard of Oz".

Examines cultural & historical background, belief system, role of music in Native American cultures, attributes of music of the Sioux.

Impact of slavery, black rebellion and spiritual inspiration. Music as a political act. Civil Rights Movement protests, WWII & Vietnam, Woodstock, drug use.

Discusses six reasons why free music service should continue. Copyright infringement issue. Cites reports.

Her life & career as a blues performer; singing style.

Origins, differences between jazz & ragtime.

Development as a musical form. Revitilization of genre by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Impact on American culture & teenagers. Growth of music's popularity & reaction against it. Focus on 1950s & 60s.

Similarities & differences; artistic responses to social problems; subjects of lyrics; overview of lives.

His career as a national composer. Analysis of symphony "From the New World," & its inspirations, themes, movements.

Discusses controversy over his shift from cool jazz & hard bop to jazz/rock fusion & electronic instruments in 1969. Analysis of "Bitches Bew" recording.

Critique of Oscar Hijuelas' novel about Cuban immigrant musicians in New York. Issues facing immigrants.

Discusses differences between the 2 styles; socio-cultural context.

Development; musical disputes. Vision & influence of composer/condoctor Louis Spohr.

A paper which examines the role computers play in the music industry.