HISTORY OF FILM MUSIC

Catalog description

This course offers a historical survey of film music from the silent era to the present day. Students will explore the unique language of music for motion pictures, studying how composers use melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation to shape audience experience. The course includes analysis of major films and their scores, highlighting influential composers and the evolution of musical styles across cinematic history. Attention will also be given to film genres and the specific musical techniques used to support them, from the sweeping orchestrations of Hollywood epics to the innovative soundscapes of contemporary cinema. By examining both historical context and practical compositional methods, students will gain a deeper understanding of how music defines, enhances, and transforms the art of film.