Performance Laboratories provide weekly coaching and instruction in diverse forms of music-making, and are open by audition to all Dartmouth students. Course work centers on musical readings, discussion, and informal performance of selected repertory chosen both for its intrinsic interest and for its relevance to the contents of course syllabi within the Music Department. Performance laboratories may be taken for credit (three terms equals one credit) or on a not-for-credit basis. Music majors and minors are required to take at least three terms of Performance Laboratory for credit. Subject to space availability, students may enroll in different laboratories during different terms. Terms of enrollment need not be consecutive.
The following performance laboratories are offered in 2009-2010:
Chamber Music (section 1). Depending on enrollment and distribution of instruments, this laboratory may be broken down into several configurations, e.g., quartet, piano quintet, wind octet, string trio, etc. Repertory focuses on chamber music from the eighteenth century through the first half of the twentieth. Dist: ART; WCult: W.
Contemporary Music (section 2). The contemporary music laboratory will read through and study works appropriate to the participants’ skill level, and where possible, collaborate with Dartmouth’s compositional community in informal performances of newly composed works. Dist: ART; WCult: W.
Jazz Improvisation (section 3). This course serves as a laboratory for students with some preparation in jazz to develop skills in composition, arranging, and performance. Ensemble configurations will be determined each term on the basis of enrollment. Dist: ART; WCult: W.
Indonesian Gamelan (section 4). An introduction to performing music for gamelan, the orchestra of gongs, xylophones, and other percussion instruments indigenous to Indonesia but now found in many parts of the world. No previous experience on gamelan instruments is necessary. Priority given to music majors and minors. Dist: ART; WCult: NW.
