An exploration of the music and culture of Western civilization from the late 16th century to the mid 18th century. Students will study both the sacred and secular music of the late renaissance and baroque periods, including (but not limited to) the late renaissance madrigal, the Venetian polychoral tradition, monody, opera, oratorio, cantata, suite, sonata, and concerto. Each musical genre will be examined on the basis of its intrinsic characteristics as well as in connection with the aesthetic, social, philosophical, political, and economic environment in which it was created. Students will be expected to have a basic understanding of standard musical notation.