Music Senior Project Showcase

8:00 – 8:30 p.m. Michael Van Meter, “Rocks in My Life”

This presentation will explain the compositional process behind my song “Rocks in My Life,” which I will officially release at commencement on my upcoming album, Rocks and Words. I will discuss my creative process, the sound equipment and techniques that I used, and the influence of samba on my work. The presentation will include a walkthrough of my digital audio workstation, as well as demonstrations of how to play Brazilian percussion instruments.

8:30 – 9:00 p.m. Sophie Klein, “Enrique Granados’ Goyescas: How Madrid’s Eighteenth-Century Majismo Became A Narrative Piano Suite”

This presentation will examine Enrique Granados’(1867-1916) synthesis of some of the artworks of Francisco de Goya (1746-1828), as well as majismo in the piano suite Goyescas. Majismo was a culture present in the lower classes in eighteenth-century Madrid, featuring performative courtships between men (majos) and women (majas). This cultural phenomenon has been subject to romanticization due to the gallant and underhanded nature of majismo relationships. I will analyze Granados’ constructed majismo narrative through Spanish musical traits, leitmotifs, and careful musical illustrations. I will demonstrate this narrative by playing recordings of various musical examples from the suite.

This event is free. Music majors and music minors are eligible for 1 music event attendance for attending this event.