Music adds an intricate and important dimension to the history of the world. It is often the voice of the people, sharing their ideas, beliefs, and dreams. It also exposes the restrictions and freedoms allowed by the church and state both in the words and structure of the music. Music is affected by the arts, literature, and education of its performers and composers.
In this module, you will learn about how music has changed during different time periods, from the Medieval Era (450 to 1450 C.E.) to the present. Much of the music you will hear in this module originated in Europe and North America. The listening examples are meant to give you a broad overview of the type of music created during these time periods.