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Music

Music Courses

Music in the Liberal Arts
MUL courses are designed for non-music majors and require no previous musical experience or prerequisites except as indicated below. Private lessons for non-music majors are available for an additional tuition fee as staffing permits. Auditions are required. See MUS 101F-102F. Participation in Conservatory ensembles is encouraged. Audition required. See MUS 170F, 171F.

MUL

131F

GUITAR CLASS

One credit hour

Instruction in playing primary chords in several keys, strumming patterns to accompany singing, and a repertoire of songs from the folk, popular, and patriotic literature. Use of bass guitar and amplification included. Prior experience in reading music helpful but not required. Use of personally owned instruments advised. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUL

132F

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR CLASS

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUL 131F or consent of instructor

Class instruction to further develop technique and broaden styles introduced in MUS 131F. Barre chords, note reading, accompaniment of singing, playing by ear, transposition, and finger picking are among topics for study. Offered spring semester; may not be offered every year.

MUL

135F,136F

VOICE CLASS 1, 2

One credit hour each

Prerequisite for MUL 136F = MUL 135F

Introduction to the basic elements of singing, including physiological aspects of the singing process, diction principles based on the International Phonetic Alphabet, and expressive techniques. Emphasis on development of individual singing skills. Voice Class 1 offered fall and spring semesters; Voice Class 2 offered spring semester.

MUL

137F

BEGINNING PIANO CLASS

One credit hour

Piano for non-music majors who have had little or no piano experience. Offered fall and spring semesters. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUL

138F

INTERMEDIATE PIANO CLASS

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUL 137F or consent of instructor

Class instruction to further the development of technical and musical skills introduced in MUL 137F. Includes playing in major and minor keys, sight-reading, improvisation, harmonization, and appropriate technical studies and literature. Offered spring semester.

MUL

171IF

THE ART OF LISTENING TO MUSIC

Two credit hours

An introductory course designed for the non-music major, with the goal of becoming familiar with representative masterpieces of classical music. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUL

172IF

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Three credit hours

An introduction to music and its basic elements, focusing on the interaction of these elements in musical styles. Content includes a survey of historical periods with emphasis on stylistic characteristics to inform the knowledgeable listener. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUL

173F

MUSICAL STYLES I:
BAROQUE & CLASSICAL MUSIC

Three credit hours

A survey of the music and composers of the Baroque and Classical style periods with an emphasis on identification of characteristic stylistic elements and modern programming of these works. May not be offered every year.

MUL

174F

MUSICAL STYLES II:
ROMANTIC & 20TH CENTURY MUSIC

Three credit hours

A survey of the music and composers of the Romantic and 20th Century style periods with an emphasis on identification of characteristic stylistic elements and modern programming of these works. May not be offered every year.

MUL

178IF

WORLD MUSIC

Three credit hours

The study of the music of non-Western and Western cultures. Participants study the music of other peoples, thereby gaining an understanding of their culture, mores, and traditions. The different functions music serves in a society are also considered. Study includes music from people of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Students become acquainted with the music of these cultures through listening, reading and other outside assignments, class discussion, and concert attendance. May not be offered every year.

MUL

192

MUSIC IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOM

Three credit hours

Required of all elementary education majors. May not be applied to the humanities requirement.

Students will develop strategies for teaching music to children who are three through eight years of age. Classroom time will be spent exploring child development, learning a wide range of repertoire, and fining developmentally appropriate ways to help young children be expressive with music. Supervised clinical and field experiences and/or lab class required. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUL

212F

JAZZ IMPROVISATION

Two credit hours

Development of basic improvisational skills. Some performance background necessary. Offered spring semester.

MUL

228FD

JAZZ HISTORY

Two credit hours

A survey of jazz from its origins through Dixieland and Ragtime to the present. Offered fall semester.

MUL

417

ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Two credit hours

Survey of the evolution of electro-mechanical means of creating music with a focus on contemporary technology. Topics include hardware, software, MIDI, sequencing, sampling, and multimedia applications. May not be offered every year.

Music as Conservatory Study

MUS courses are designed for music majors and minors only, with the exception of MUS 170F Major Ensembles and MUS 171F Elective Ensembles. Non-music majors may enroll in other MUS courses only by consent of the Conservatory Assistant Director.

MUS

001

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE

Zero credit hours

Attendance of a minimum number of performances each semester. See individual program requirements.

MUS

002

DEPARTMENTAL RECITAL

Zero credit hours

Attendance of scheduled departmental recitals. See individual program requirements.

MUS

050

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Credit hours to be arranged

See Independent Study Program, Section II

MUS

070

INTERNSHIP

Credit hours to be arranged

See Internship Program, Section II

MUS



101F, 102F, 201F, 202F, 301F, 302F, 401F, 402F

PRIVATE LESSONS



One to four credit hours



Prerequisite: Entry-level audition; for subsequent levels- previous level.

Performance studies, available in all orchestral instruments, keyboard instruments, guitar, or voice. Credit hours and repertoire requirements assigned according to student’s degree program. All levels offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

106,107

HARMONY 1, 2

Two credit hours each

Prerequisite for MUS 106 = successful completion of entering placement examinations;
for MUS 107 = MUS 106

A comprehensive study of tonal harmony, approached through analysis, part writing, and keyboard exercises. Includes use of computerized notation programs. MUS 106 offered fall semester; MUS 107 offered spring semester.

MUS

111,112

INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION 1, 2

One credit hour each

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

An introduction to musical composition, employing the smaller forms in a variety of styles. MUS 111 offered fall semester; MUS 112 offered spring semester.

MUS

116,117

SOLFEGE/EURHYTHMICS 1, 2

Two credit hours each

Prerequisite for MUS 116 = successful completion of entering placement examinations;
for MUS 117 = MUS 106 and MUS 116

A comprehensive study of musical notation, ear training, sight-singing, and the development of musical memory. Skills developed include reading ability in the various clefs and rhythmic, melodic, and contrapuntal dictation. MUS 116 offered fall semester; MUS 117 offered spring semester.

MUS

130

INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC EDUCATION

One credit hour

A survey of American education and music education history, with an emphasis on music teaching and philosophy, school structure and governance, diversity and multicultural education, current approaches, and professional ethics. Supervised clinical and field experiences required. Offered fall semester.

MUS

131F

GUITAR CLASS

One credit hour

Instruction in playing primary chords in several keys, strumming patterns to accompany singing, and a repertoire of songs from the folk, popular, and patriotic literature. Use of bass guitar and amplification included. Use of personally owned instruments advised. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

132F

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR CLASS

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 131F or consent of instructor

Class instruction to further develop technique and broaden styles introduced in MUS 131F. Barre chords, note reading, accompaniment of singing, playing by ear, transposition, and finger picking are among topics for study. Offered spring semester; may not be offered every year.

MUS

135

VOICE CLASS

One credit hour

Introduction to the basic elements of singing, including physiological aspects of the singing process, diction principles based on the International Phonetic Alphabet, and expressive techniques. Emphasis on development of individual singing skills. Offered fall semester.

MUS

136

GROUP VOCAL TECHNIQUES

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 135 or MUS 140

Class instruction in group vocal technique with emphasis on the development of diagnostic and pedagogical skills as appropriate in the choral ensemble. Special focus will be given to the needs of the adolescent singer. Five hours of supervised clinical and field experience required. Offered spring semester.

MUS

137,138

KEYBOARD MUSICIANSHIP 1, 2

One credit hour each

Prerequisite for MUS 138 = MUS 137

Class instruction in sight-reading and other basic keyboard skills for the non-piano music major. Open to music majors only. MUS 137 offered fall semester; MUS 138 offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

140

SINGERS’ PHONETICS

One credit hour

The study of the International Phonetic Alphabet applied to singing in English, Italian, French and German. Offered fall semester.

MUS

141

SINGERS’ DICTION1

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 140

Continued development of the skills acquired in MUS 140, with specialized work in English and Italian. Offered spring semester.

MUS

145

MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF STAGE PERFORMANCE

One credit hour

Students undertake an intensive introduction to techniques for acting for the stage, with a specific objective of creating a language and style for Music Theatre Performance.  Students will explore the fundamental principles of action--objective and obstacle--as well as the idea of given circumstances, and learn to make non-contemporary, hyper-realistic performance choices. 

MUS

146

MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP 2: INTRO TO MUSIC THEATRE TECHNIQUES

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 145 or consent of instructor

Students will apply fundamental skills acquired in the first semester to the performance of Music Theatre repertoire.  Students explore song interpretation, self-presentation and specific performance choices, and begin to create an audition songbook.

MUS

147

OPERA WORKSHOP 1

One credit hour

Students will learn fundamental aspects of the craft of acting for the stage, and apply them to practical acting assignments.  Special emphasis will be placed on developing a physical understanding of how to use the performance space.   The semester will culminate in a fully staged program of scenes, which will allow the students to showcase their talents and put their workshop skills into practical performance application. 

MUS

148

OPERA WORKSHOP 2

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 147 or consent of instructor

Building on the principles explored in the first semester, students will deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of acting for the stage, and will engage in performance projects of a more complex nature.  Self-revelatory performance work, scripted scene-work, contact improvisation, and detailed character research and analysis will serve to build a foundation for future performance endeavors within the degree program.  The semester will culminate in a fully staged program of scenes, which will allow the students to showcase their talents and put their workshop skills into practical performance application.

MUS

151

INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THERAPY

Two credit hours

Provides an overview of the profession including terminology, history, and practical application of music therapy for various client populations. Assessment of personal qualities necessary to become a music therapist is an ongoing process of the class. Observations of music therapists and those in related fields are required in addition to class work. Offered spring semester.

MUS

170F

MAJOR ENSEMBLES

One credit hour

                              B-W SINGERS

                              COLLEGE CHOIR

                              CONCERT WIND ENSEMBLE

                              GUITAR ENSEMBLE

                              SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE

                              SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

                              WOMEN’S CHOIR

                              May be repeated for credit. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

171F

ELECTIVE ENSEMBLES

One credit hour

                              BRASS CHOIR

                              COLLEGIUM MUSICUM

                              JAZZ BAND

                              JAZZ COMBO

                              MOTET CHOIR

                              PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

May be repeated for credit. May not be used to fulfill major ensemble requirement. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

181,182

SIGHT-READING 1, 2

One credit hour each

Prerequisite for MUS 182 = MUS 181

Required of piano performance majors in the first year; piano minors may enroll with consent of the instructor. Development of fundamental prima-vista and quick-preparation reading skills for pianists. MUS 181 offered fall semester; MUS 182 offered spring semester.

MUS

206, 207

HARMONY 3, 4

Two credit hour each

Prerequisite for MUS 206 = MUS 107; for MUS 207 = MUS 206

A continuation of MUS 107, with emphasis on harmonic and melodic chromatics. Non-functional harmonic concepts, advanced aspects of popular music chord symbols, and jazz harmonic practices are introduced. The final segment emphasizes 20th century musical practices. MUS 206 offered fall semester; MUS 207 offered spring semester.

MUS

208

MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES OF THE MUSICAL THEATRE REPERTOIRE

Four credit hours

Prerequisite: MUS-206 and MUS-216

An exploration of the compositional styles, techniques, and processes commonly used in musical theatre scores and their relation to similar techniques found in contemporary and past art music through examination of conceptual theory, performance, and recognition.

MUS

212

JAZZ IMPROVISATION

Two credit hours

The development of basic improvisational skills. Some performance background necessary. Offered spring semester.

MUS

213

JAZZ ARRANGING/COMPOSITION

Two credit hours

Fundamental techniques in arranging and composition for the jazz idiom. Analysis of stylistic approaches, compositional devices, and instrumentation. Weekly compositional and/or arranging projects required. Offered in alternate years.

MUS

216, 217

SOLFEGE 3, 4

Two credit hours each

Prerequisite for MUS 216 = MUS 107 and MUS 117; for MUS 217 = MUS 206 and MUS 216

A continuation of MUS 117. Dictation includes four-part counterpoint. The final segment emphasizes 20th century techniques. MUS 216 offered fall semester; MUS 217 offered spring semester.

MUS

221I

LISTENING TO MUSICS OF THE WORLD

Two credit hours

Prerequisite: Music majors and minors only

The art of listening through an introduction to the music of Western and non-Western cultures. Study includes music from the people of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. The study of timbre, rhythm, form, and melody is used to develop and refine the listening skills of class participants. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

222I

MUSIC HISTORY & LITERATURE 1 
Music of the Medieval and Renaissance Eras

Three credit hours

Prerequisite: MUS 221I or the ability to read music and consent of instructor

A study of stylistic developments and representative masterworks of the Medieval and Renaissance eras in the Western world. Music is studied in its cultural and historical contexts. Includes significant listening, score study, and written work. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

228D

HISTORY OF JAZZ

Two credit hours

A survey of jazz from its origins through Dixieland and Ragtime to the present. Offered fall semester.

MUS

230

CLASSROOM INSTRUMENTS

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 130; PSY 110, 205; EDU 103

Class instruction in guitar, lap dulcimer, autoharp, recorder (soprano, alto, and tenor), and pitched and non-pitched small percussion instruments with emphasis on the development of playing skills, the understanding of pedagogical techniques and materials, and the ability to play and teach these instruments in a group setting. Offered fall semester.

MUS

231

BRASS CLASS

Two credit hours

Class instruction in trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone horn, and tuba, with emphasis on the development of individual performance skills and diagnostic pedagogical techniques and materials. Supervised clinical and field experiences and lab class required. Offered spring semester.

MUS

232

WOODWIND CLASS

Two credit hours

Class instruction in flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon, with emphasis on the development of individual performance skills and diagnostic pedagogical techniques and materials. Supervised clinical and field experiences and lab class required. Offered fall semester.

MUS

233

STRING CLASS

Two credit hours

Class instruction in violin, viola, cello, and bass, with emphasis on the development of individual performance skills and diagnostic pedagogical techniques and materials. Supervised clinical and field experiences and lab class required. Offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

234

PERCUSSION CLASS

One or two credit hours

Class instruction in percussion instruments, with emphasis on the development of individual playing skills and the understanding of pedagogical techniques and materials. Supervised clinical and field experiences and lab class required. Vocal-emphasis music education majors enroll for one credit hour. Offered in spring semester for music education; Offered in alternate years for music therapy majors.

MUS

235

GENERAL MUSIC METHODS

Three credit hours

Prerequisite: EDU 201; MUS  230; PSY 205

The study of methods and materials for teaching music to children, pre-K through high school. Includes child development, music behaviors (performing, creating, listening, analyzing), music teaching philosophies and approaches, planning and assessment, and the use of technology, and the sequencing of skills in general music settings across various populations. Supervised clinical and field experiences, 15 hours of field experiences, and lab class required. Offered spring semester.

MUS

237, 238

KEYBOARD MUSICIANSHIP 3, 4

One credit hour each

Prerequisite for MUS 237 = MUS 138; for MUS 238 = MUS 237

Class instruction in functional piano skills including melody harmonization, figured-bass realization, improvisation, score reading, sight-reading, and transposition. Emphasis on spontaneous music making and ensemble playing. Both courses offered fall and spring semesters.

MUS

240

SINGERS’ DICTION 2

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 140

Continued development of skills acquired in MUS 140, with specialized work in French. Offered fall semester.

MUS

241

SINGERS’ DICTION 3

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 140

Continued development of skills acquired in MUS 140, with specialized work in German. Offered spring semester.

MUS

245

MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP 3: ACTING FOR MUSIC THEATRE

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 146 or consent of instructor

Students work with scripts, and learn how to use language intentionally to create the world of the play.  Students write weekly analytical assignments and work closely and actively with text. Course work culminates in the performance of classical scene work.

MUS

246

MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP 4: AUDITION TECHNIQUES

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 245 or consent of instructor

Students master the art of the music theatre audition under professional conditions.  Students audition for shows currently touring or running on Broadway learning how to prepare, choose material, dress, and comport themselves in a professional audition environment. 

MUS

247

OPERA WORKSHOP 3

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 148 or consent of instructor

Students will learn the fundamentals of score preparation, language idioms and accents, music learning and memorization techniques, and rehearsal expectations and etiquette.  Students will discover the impact and effectiveness that various styles of clothing and footwear have on body posture, alignment and character deportment.  Special attention will be given to the process of learning and performing arias through numerous in-class workshops.

MUS

248

OPERA WORKSHOP 4

One credit hour

Prerequisite: MUS 247 or consent of instructor

Students will continue the development of operatic stagecraft. This semester will focus on more detailed scene work, score analysis and character building.  Special attention will be given to the process of learning and performing recitative and ensembles through numerous in-class workshops and scene work.  This semester will culminate in a fully staged program of opera scenes appropriate to the level of the students, which will allow the students to showcase their talents and put their workshop skills into practical performance application. 

MUS