MENAME assignments and class schedule 2012

Assignments for Fall 2012 credit students

This term assignments for credit students center on music of Egypt and environs.

Please complete readings, watch films, and study maqamat and durub prior to each class. Submit a 1-2 paragraph report on each reading and each film via email to the instructor using the subject line: MENAME report

The midterm quiz will cover all readings through Oct 4, in short answer format. The midterm practicum will cover your abilities in modes, rhythms, instrumental pieces, and songs introduced through Oct 18. The final exam will cover the same over the entire term.

Week 1: Sep 6

Maqam: hijaz Durub: wahda, maqsum, bamb

Lecture segment: Introduction to the course

Rehearsal segment:

Piece: Hijaz Songs: Ah Ya Zayn, il-hilwa di, Ana fintizarak

Week 2: Sep 13

Homework due today:

• Hearing the Music of the Middle East
• Performance of Arab Music in Twentieth-Century Egypt: Reconciling Authenticity and Contemporaneity

In class: overview of maqam and iqa` theory

Week 3: Sep 20

Musical Instruments in the Arab World

- Arab art of living

Overview of Music in the Mashriq

In class: Film: Umm Kulthum, a voice like Egypt (part 1)

Week 4: Sep 27

Musical Life in Aleppo, Syria

Snapshot: Sabah Fakhri

Week 5: Oct 4

The Eastern Arab System of Melodic Modes in Theory and Practice: A Case Study of Maqam Bayyati

Rhythmic modes in Middle Eastern Music

Music in Performance: 'ud Lessons with George Michel

Week 7: Oct 18

Institutionalization of Learning in Egypt

Western Music, Colonialism, Cosmopolitanism, and Modernity in Egypt

Music in Performance: A Rehearsal with Firqat al-Musiqa al-'Arabiyya

Week 8: Oct 25 (Midterm practicum, 6:30 - 7:00)

Islamic Hymnody in Egypt: Al-lnshad al-Dini

The Qur'an Recited

Week 9: Nov 1

The Performers of Muhammad 'Ali Street in Cairo, Egypt

Dance in Egypt

Week 10: Nov 8

Learning Epic Traditions

Nubian music in Cairo

Week 11: Nov 15 (with Ethiopian music courtesy of special guest artists from the Either Orchestra)

Stardom in Egyptian Music: Four Case Studies

Snapshot: Opening Night for a Star Performer—Umm Kulthum and Inta 'Umri

The Impact of the Media on Egyptian Music

Week 12: Nov 22, Nov 24 (Concert)

Historical Issues of Gender and Music

Snapshot: Sallama al-Qass

Salama, film starring Umm Kulthum

Contemporary Issues of Gender and Music

Optional readings

Music in Ancient Arabia

Classification of Musical Instruments in the Medieval Middle East

Arabic writings on music, 8th to 19th centuries

Theories of Rhythm and Meter in the Medieval Middle East

The Kitab al-Aghani