Course Descriptions

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A music appreciation course. The content is oriented toward classical music which is taught in an historical chronology. Excursions into non-western music and American jazz will supplement the course content. Attending concerts is required. Approved for LAS Humanities area requirement.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Covers the basic building blocks of music, including overtones, rhythm and meter, scales, chords, harmonic progression and beginning four-voice part writing. The development of written and aural skills is the highest priority. Required for the music minor.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

First semester course in a two-semester sequence. Students will develop the skills of sight reading, melodic and harmonic dictation, and rhythm reading,interpretation, and execution.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Designed for students who have little or no musical background and few or no piano skills. Students will learn the fundamentals of piano playing, as well as the basics of music notation, theory and musicianship. Students will also be exposed to a performance environment, and work to develop strong practice habits.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This course investigates the historical frameworks, cultural contexts, social and political influences that have created traditional drumming practices around the world. This course includes both intensive academic inquiry and study as well as applied drumming techniques an ensemble performance.

2 Credits (Minimum) 2 Credits (Maximum)

Study and performance of choral music. Open to all qualified students. May be repeated three times for a total of 6 hours of credit.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Private instrument and voice instruction - for all instruments and voice types - open to all students regardless of musical background. Twelve 45-minute lessons (or the equivalent) are offered with the meeting time and place to be arranged with the instructor. Lessons will cover technique, interpretation and musical style. Students are required to attend music program seminars held the first Friday of each month and must perform before a jury at the end of the semester.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Continuation of Music Theory I. Topics of study are advanced four-part writing, change of key, preparation and resolution of dissonance, chromatic harmonies and working with free rhythmic textures. Advanced Music Theory is required for the minor in music. Prer., MUS 1010 or consent of instructor.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Focuses on advanced sight singing and ear training skills. Continues perfecting solfege using musical examples from the texts that feature modulations, key changes, and enharmonic situations. Students will learn to read compound meter as well as transcribe melodic and harmonic musical examples. Prer., MUS 1030.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Examines the history of Jazz music and culture. Starting with the mid-1800s, this class explores the influences and developments of this American art form throughout the twentieth century. Learn about the main contributors, developing musical styles, and how Jazz engaged with social and political issues throughout the course of history. Approved for LAS Humanities area and Cultural Diversity requirement. GT-AH1.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This introductory level history and music appreciation course will survey the major musical, social and economic trends in Rock and Roll music from its roots in the popular music of the late 1800's to the present. Students will sharpen their musical analysis skills through listening and active participation.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students will explore the history of computer music, including its development, methods, techniques, and applications. Students will then learn a variety of present day widely used software and complete a project of computer music creation which will result in a demonstration/performance.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

A rehearsal and performance based ensemble class whose main objective will be to develop a new repertoire every semester representing different styles and periods from the jazz idiom.

2 Credits (Minimum) 2 Credits (Maximum)

Utilizes any combination of electronic instruments and computer music with any traditional acoustic instrumentation. The process of musical creation is generated through the study of improvised music, composition, and multimedia forms. Is inclusive to all traditional genres and can accommodate musicians from all styles and individuals with solid musical background. Prer., Consent of instructor.

2 Credits (Minimum) 2 Credits (Maximum)

The Ensemble will rehearse and perform literature from western classical chamber music. The repertoire will range from the baroque, classical and 20th century contemporary music periods. All instruments from strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion are welcome.

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Focuses on the developing musical skills and a historical context of the genre of musical theatre. Topics include vocal techniques, music theatre repertoire, audition and rehearsal techniques, role preparation, as well as acting and dancing basics. Meets with THTR 2450.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Private instrument and voice instruction, for all instruments and voice types. Open to all students regardless of major. Ten instructional hours per semester are offered with the meeting time and place to be arranged with the instructor. Lessons will cover more advanced issues of technique, interpretation, and musical style. Students are required to attend music program seminars held the first Friday of each month and must perform before a jury at the end of the semester. Prer., MUS 1600 or instructor permission.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A survey of European art music, including its formal and stylistic developments from Antiquity through the late Baroque/early Classical transition, including Gregorian chant, Medieval and Renaissance development of polyphony, Monteverdi, madrigalists and the development of opera, to the vocal and instrumental of Handel, J.S Bach and his sons. Much attention will be paid to building critical listening skills, assimilating a musical vocabulary, and developing an awareness of how the art of musical performance is realized – composition and interpretation. The course examines relationships between music and culture, based on interpretation and critical analysis through readings, recordings, film and fieldwork projects. Also, developing critical thinking and writing skills by learning, describing, comparing and contrasting cultural artistic aesthetics between various kinds of musical traditions Discussions of musical developments will be situated within social, cultural, and historical contexts. Introduction to research methodologies for the music field. The class will incorporate: lectures, discussion and live performance, and is approved for the LAS Humanities area requirement.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A foundation course that provides an introduction to sound and audio recording principles and techniques. Students will gain an understanding of sound control, room acoustics, microphone, mixing, set-up, recording systems, vocal and instrument recording, and audio and music post-production.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A continuation and complement of MUS 101 and 201. Modes, keys, rhythms, meters, harmonies and non-harmonic tones will be analyzed within the context of forms in music. Content will be presented in and historical context from the medieval period to modernism, including contemporary music, jazz, and song forms throughout the 20th century. Prer., MUS 1010 and MUS 2010.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Focuses on advanced sight singing and ear-training skills, lifting off from Ear Training II with distant modulations, key changes, compound meter, and enharmonic dictation. Prer., MUS 1030 and MUS 2030.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

An introduction to the music of various non-western cultures, including those of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Examines relationships between music and culture, based on interpretation and critical analysis through readings, recordings, and film. Beginning fieldwork projects. Approved for LAS Global Awareness requirement.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A continuation of MUS 2150 - the Computer in Music. Covers more specialized software and computer music applications. Prer., MUS 2150.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

MUS 3600 should be taken in the junior year. Ten instructional hours per semester are offered with the meeting time and place to be arranged with the instructor .The main requirement is for the student to develop the junior recital repertoire, creative work, and/or compositions/sound designs. Students are required to perform 30 minutes of music. Students are required to attend music program seminars held the first Friday of each month and must perform before a jury at the end of the semester. Prer., MUS 2600 or instructor permission.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This course will provide students with an understanding of the tools, crafts, methods and history of the art of film music scoring and composition. Prer., MUS 1010, MUS 2010, and MUS 2150. Meets with FILM 3700.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This course continues the survey of European art music, including its formal and stylistic developments from the early Classical period (ca. 1760) through the end of World War II, including Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, the development of the string quartet and the symphony, Schubert, Berlioz and early Romanticism, through the mid-nineteenth century influences of philosophy and politics, Wagner and Mahler, to the appearance of modernism and the developments of the first half of the twentieth century. Much attention will be paid to building critical listening skills, assimilating a musical vocabulary, and developing an awareness of how the art of musical performance is realized – composition and interpretation. The course examines relationships between music and culture, based on interpretation and critical analysis through readings, recordings, film and fieldwork projects. Discussions of musical developments will be situated within social, cultural, and historical contexts. Introduction to research methodologies for the music field. The class will incorporate: lectures, discussion and live performance, and is approved for the LAS Humanities area requirement. Discussions of musical developments will be situated within social, cultural, and historical contexts. The class will incorporate: lectures, discussion and live performance. Prerequisite: MUS 2850 or instructor permission.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Covers the developments of theory and harmony that bridge classical western music theory to contemporary styles of jazz, contemporary classical and popular music traditions. Prer., MUS 1010, MUS 2010, and MUS 3010.

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Designed musical experience involving specific application of relevant concepts and skills in supervised professional situations. Pass/Fail only. Prer., Permission of Program Director.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This course partners musicians with individuals from other disciplines towards a real-world model that is essential for artistic and business success. Via engaging in long-term and meaningful group projects, students address industry-specific topics as well as crucial "soft" skills. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Navigate.

2 Credits (Minimum) 2 Credits (Maximum)

The Creative Music Ensemble will rehearse and perform repertoire from a range of contemporary music and participate in an in-depth study and analysis of scores and extended musical notation. In addition, students will rehearse and perform student compositions. Prer., MUS 2300, VAPA 3950.

1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

MUS 4600 should be taken in the senior year, and students should be concurrently enrolled in MUS 4980 Music Capstone. Ten instructional hours per semester are offered with the meeting time and place to be arranged with the instructor .The main requirement is for the student to work with the private instructor to develop, rehearse, and prepare the senior recital. This work will overlap somewhat with the Capstone course as the senior Thesis will be required to address senior recital material, repertoire, creative work, and composition/sound design. Students are required to attend music program seminars held the first Friday of each month. Prer., MUS 3600 or instructor permission.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This online course will focus on the history of contemporary "art" music from the Western-European classical music traditions and highlight how sound, environment, politics, technology and aesthetics play an important role in the development of many exciting musical genres from the second half of the twentieth century to the present. Prer., MUS 2850 or consent of instructor. Meets with MUS 5750.

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Special topics are usually taught on a one-time basis. Subjects offered will respond to special interest or rapidly changing topics.

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Special topics usually taught on a one-time basis. Subjects offered will respond to special interest or rapidly changing topics. Can be taken twice for credit but not more than 6 hours may apply toward graduation. Prer., MUS 1010 or consent of instructor.

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A lecture and practicum in the development of music creation skills that integrates current trends in composition, improvisation, and performance practices in acoustic, electro acoustic, and interdisciplinary settings. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit. Prer., VAPA 3900 or VAPA 3950, Senior standing.

1 Credits (Minimum) 4 Credits (Maximum)

Undergraduate independent study in music with a full time professor by arrangement.