Musics of Asia
F06
Nicholas Brooke
This course will explore modern musical culture across Asia, focusing on India, Indonesia, China, and Japan. Students will hear, see, and sometimes perform a variety of musics, including Indonesian gamelan, Japanese gagaku, Chinese rock, and Indian classical music, as well as more recent, technology-driven creations such as Bollywood musicals, bhangra, and dangdut. Throughout this journey, we’ll examine how intercultural influences and modern media can engender new syncretic styles. Classes will include in-class practicums with performers of diverse Asian traditions, and field trips to performances. Students will be expected to respond to concerts and classes with written research projects, comparative essays, and a class journal.