“How do you color a sound?”: Hearing Afrofuturism in The 5th Dimension’s “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969) - Alejandro Cueto

In this episode, Olivia Lucas and Mazbou Q discuss ways to use techniques from hip hop to build skills in the music theory and aural skills classroom. This episode was produced by Jose Garza along with Team Lead Jennifer Weaver. Special thanks to peer reviewers Leah Frederick and Danny Jenkins.SMT-Pod’s theme music was written by Maria Tartaglia, with closing music by Yike Zhang. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/

In this week’s episode, Anna Stephan-Robinson examines Katherine Ruth Heyman's 1920 song, "Tortie-Tortue," considering how the unjustly neglected composer's subtle changes transform a simple poem into a brief but compelling musical drama. This episode was produced by Zach Lloyd along with Team Lead Leah Frederick. Special thanks to peer reviewers Hilary Poriss and Joseph Straus.SMT-Pod’s theme music was written by Maria Tartaglia, with closing music by Yike Zhang. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/

In this week’s episode, Joon Park presents an interpretive strategy for melodic closure that occurs at the start of a song, which he terms a "terminal opening."This episode was produced by Jose Garza along with Team Lead Anna Rose Nelson. Special thanks to peer reviewers Cara Stroud and Shersten Johnson.SMT-Pod’s theme music was written by Maria Tartaglia, with closing music by Yike Zhang. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/

In this week’s episode, Leah Amarosa explores the unique structural and textural features of contemporary worship music, demonstrating how its formal processes are shaped to enhance spiritual and communal engagement.This episode was produced by Katrina Roush along with Team Lead Matthew Ferrandino. Special thanks to peer reviewers Joshua Busman and Shersten Johnson.SMT-Pod’s theme music was written by Maria Tartaglia, with closing music by Yike Zhang. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/

In this week’s episode, Zach Lloyd and John Combs demonstrate a need for a broader definition of reprise in musical theater by examining reprises in two contrasting versions of Shrek the Musical, the original 2008 Broadway production, and the recently revised 2024 National Tour.This episode was produced by Zachary Lloyd along with Team Lead Jennifer Weaver. Special thanks to peer reviewers Gregory Decker and Shersten Johnson, along with Michael Buchler for his early feedback and Jeanine Tesori for her support.SMT-Pod’s theme music was written by Maria Tartaglia, with closing music by Yike Zhang. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/

In this week's episode, Stefanie Bilidas and Grace Gollmar discuss the role of timbre in the listener's perception of genre, focusing on cover songs and Massive Attack's discography as two case studies.This episode was produced by Jose Garza along with Team Lead Thomas Yee. SMT-Pod Theme music by Zhangcheng Lu; Closing music "hnna" by David Voss. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/season03/

In this week's episode, Brent Ferguson talks about a pedagogical approach he implemented with his undergraduate students, an approach he calls the "buffet-style grading system." Let's begin with a student composition from this class.This episode was produced by Jennifer Beavers along with Team Lead Lydia Bangura. SMT-Pod Theme music by Zhangcheng Lu; Closing music "hnna" by David Voss. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/season03/

In this week's episode, Jeremy Orosz discusses a formal trend that's been emerging in pop and rock songs. In the last decade or so, a surprisingly high number of songs in verse-chorus form contain only two statements of the chorus as opposed to the typical three. Over the course of the episode, Orosz walks us through his detailed corpus-based study, discussing nuances of this trend and the impact that this form, what he calls "2C" for short, has on the organization and sound of this music.This episode was produced by Zach Lloyd along with Team Lead Anna Rose Nelson. SMT-Pod Theme music by Zhangcheng Lu; Closing music "hnna" by David Voss. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/season03/

In this week’s episode, Tori Vilches delves into various adaptations of the Italian folk song “Bella Ciao” in Netflix’s La Casa de Papel, demonstrating its role in symbolizing resistance against oppressive structures and contributing to the humanization of the show’s anti-hero characters, ultimately fostering emotional connections between viewers and the show.This episode was produced by Zach Lloyd along with Team Lead Megan Lyons. SMT-Pod Theme music by Zhangcheng Lu; Closing music "hnna" by David Voss. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/season03/

This week’s episode will consider The 5th Dimension’s medley, “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969) in relation to its Vietnam War Era context and through the lens of Afrofuturism.This episode was produced by David Thurmaier along with Team Lead Richard Desinord. SMT-Pod Theme music by Zhangcheng Lu; Closing music "hnna" by David Voss. For supplementary materials on this episode and more information on our authors and composers, check out our website: https://smt-pod.org/episodes/season03/