Renaissance Polyphony
This course covers the analysis and stylistic composition of Renaissance polyphony.
Summary
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2023: 3.87 GPA, 93.3% A/AB (n=15 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.69 GPA, 84.6% A/AB (n=13 letter grades); Fall 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=10 letter grades).
What you’ll be able to do
Write short (10–16 mm.) species counterpoint exercises in a variety of modes.
Identify and systematically explain the stylistic characteristics of European Renaissance polyphonic music.
Analyze, synthesize, and discuss (in oral and written formats) contrapuntal techniques in a variety of music, primarily vocal, from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Elaborate on the role of canon and imitation in the composition of music in this style.
Apply characteristics of Renaissance polyphonic repertoire to an original composition for three (3) voices.
Research and present on lesser-known composers from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Source: UW Guide
Grade history
↗All recorded terms · compare terms & instructors
Prerequisites
Course mapSenior standing
- Senior standing
This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Prerequisite text tree
- Senior standing
Professors
Spring 2027No instructors recorded for this selection.
Historical instructors & teaching patterns
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Calendar & sections
Spring 2027Schedule loads here as you scroll.
| Section | Mode | Enrolled / capacity | Waitlist |
|---|
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections.
Meeting source records
Student experience
the class
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2023: 3.87 GPA, 93.3% A/AB (n=15 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.69 GPA, 84.6% A/AB (n=13 letter grades); Fall 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=10 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
No workload feedback recorded.
Topics
- Species counterpoint in various modes
- Stylistic characteristics of European Renaissance polyphonic music
- Role of canon and imitation in composition
- Original composition for three voices
Skills
- Writing species counterpoint exercises
- Identifying and explaining Renaissance stylistic characteristics
- Analyzing and discussing contrapuntal techniques
- Composing original three-voice pieces in Renaissance style
Grades
Latest available · Fall 2025— not enough history to project Spring 2027.
Grade distribution · % of letter grades
Grades over time
Through Fall 2025
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Not enough comparable courses for Spring 2027 in UW–Madison.
Sources & history
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
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Raw records
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Student reviews
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Read original reviews
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Grade history
Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.
Explore recorded gradesRecorded 2026-10-14
Model outputs & technical records
LLM outputs across runs
Full model traces
Recorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.
Model & dataset provenance
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"requirements_status": "valid",
"dataset_revision": "fc1811fa52e581ea57a35c0cf3343f8740a8ffbf",
"observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00"
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