How to Read Music Series

How to Read Music

In this series Leon Harrell covers the basic concepts of reading musical notation.

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Introduction to Music

Introduction to Music with Leon Harrell

This course is a brief introduction to the history of music from the medieval period up to the current century. Topics covered in the course include:

  • The music of major historical periods (Medieval, Baroque, Renaissance, Classical, Romantic & 20th Century)
  • Musical instruments of the orchestra
  • Major composers and their works
  • Study of the basic elements of music (ex. Melody, Rhythm, Harmony, etc.)
Take a 2-minute sneak peek of the course below and a find out little more info about the instructor Leon Harrell.





Read what students are saying about this course:

"This was my first online class, and it was great! The professor was awesome! He was extremely helpful and VERY prepared for the class! Everything was explained thoroughly, and everything ran smoothly. With this class, you could go as fast or slow as you wanted, which was awesome- and perfect for a summer class! I really enjoyed the class! I would definitely recommend it to other students!"

- Katie

"I loved this class. I am taking 3 classes this summer and this class was not overwhelming but was interesting. I learned alot about music I did not know. This is absolutely a class and instructor that I will be recommending to all my friends /classmates. You can just tell that Mr. Harrell has made music his life and he wants others to feel comfortable with music."

- Sara

"I really liked this class and able to learn through the the video’s and book reading. This was my first online class and I enjoyed how I was able to keep my own pace and get the work done. Over all, I enjoyed the set up of the class."

- David Durbin
If you are interested in taking this course for college credit email me at leonharrell@gmail.com.

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About Leon

As winner of the NewMusic@ECU 2004 Composition Competition Leon Harrell holds among his awards the Bomhard Fellowship from the University of Louisville as well as the Mary Shannon Boyd Piano Scholarship and an SGA Outstanding Senior Award in the Area of Keyboard Music from East Carolina University.

Born in Wilson, NC in 1980, Harrell began his musical training at age five when he began playing the piano. He began composing at the age of thirteen and formal composition study during his undergraduate study at East Carolina University.

Harrell continued his education at The University of Louisville where he received a Masters of Music in music composition and is currently working on his doctoral degree at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

His primary composition teachers include Mark Taggart, Ed Jacobs, Steve Rouse, Reynold Tharp, Scott Wyatt, Stephen Taylor, and Erik Lund.

Harrell has also had lessons with such composers as George Tsantakis, Shulamit Ran, and Juila Wolfe.


To see Leon's resume click here.

Learn more about Leon's dissertation in progress.

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Resume - Leon Harrell - Composer, Pianist & Educator

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Faculty, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Versailles, KY 2006-Present

  • Built an Introduction to Music course for Blackboard™ online learning environment.
  • Currently teaching Intro to Music MUS 100 Online.
  • Taught Introduction to Music for the School-to-Work Program, a co-op program between Jefferson Community College and the United Parcel Service for high school seniors.
Adjunct Faculty, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 2007-2008
  • Tutored students in Composition, Theory, Finale, and ProTools
  • Maintained a music lab with 8 workstations

Private Piano & Composition Instructor, Louisville, KY 2006-2008
  • Taught beginner to advanced piano and composition for ages 4 and up.

Adjunct Faculty, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 2006-2007
  • Taught Fundamentals of Music I and II, a four credit hour course encompassing music theory and aural skills.
  • Performing Experience


MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

Accompanist
, Beulah Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY 2006-2008
  • Performing service music on piano and organ as well as accompanying chancel choir during performance and rehearsals.

Director of Music, Farmville Presbyterian Church, Farmville, NC 2001-2004
  • Directed chancel choir and performed service music on piano and organ.
  • Composed original choral music and arranged instrumental parts for service.


EDUCATION

University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 2004-2006
  • Masters of Music in Theory-Composition with Composition Concentration
  • Graduated with Honors (GPA 3.784)

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 1999-2003
  • Bachelors of Music in Theory-Composition with Composition Concentration
  • Graduated Cum Laude (GPA 3.454)


AWARDS

  • Moritz von Bomhard Fellowship from University of Louisville 2004-2006
  • Winner of the NewMusic@ECU Composition Competition 2004
  • SGA Outstanding Senior Award in the Area of Keyboard Music from East Carolina University 2004
  • Research Stipend for the NewMusic@ECU Festival 2001
  • Mary Shannon Boyd Piano Scholarship from East Carolina University 1999-2003
  • Walston Scholarship for Outstanding Performance in Music 1999

RECITALS
  • Polish Piano Music Concert, Louisville, KY 2005
  • Student Composers Recitals (2) Louisville, KY 2004-2005
  • Senior Composition and Piano Recitals Greenville, NC 2003
  • Lessons and Carols Service (Self composed and Arranged) Farmville, NC 2003
  • Student Composers Recitals (8) Greenville, NC 1999-2003


CONTACT INFORMATION


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