Music Course Descriptions

• MUSC-131 MUSIC APPRECIATION (3)
  Music Appreciation: The Art of Listening (3) Introduction to the fundamentals of music necessary for intelligent listening. Musical terminology and historical data are presented as needed, but central to the course is the development of more perceptive listening habits through guided listening to a variety of works.
• MUSC-146 FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC (3)
  A study of the basics of music notation and its realization. Includes a study of scales, key signatures, intervals, rhythmic notation, and chord construction. Sight-singing of simple melodies and ear training will be a major part of the course. NOTE: This course does not satisfy the humanities requirement.
• MUSC-147 FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC II (3)
  A continuation of MUSC 146. Harmonization of simple melodies, a study of non-harmonic tones, cadences, introduction to figured bass and harmonic analysis. Sight-singing and ear training will be a major part of the course. Prerequisite: MUSC 146. NOTE: This course does not satisfy the humanities requirement.
• MUSC-222 SPECIAL TOPICS FOR NON-MAJORS (3)
  This course is a series of special topics courses designed for the non-music major. Course topics will change from semester to semester and will remain broad so as not to require an extensive background in music. The ability to read music is not required. Like MUSC 131, MUSC 222 is accepted as a humanities credit.
• MUSC-230 MASTERWORKS OF MUSIC LITERATURE (3)
  A study of representative compositions by master composers from 1700 to the present. No technical knowledge of music is required, but some familiarity with classical music is helpful. Prerequisite: MUSC 131 or permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-232 HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC IN THE UNITED STATES (3)
  Beginning with the minstrel shows of the 1840's, the course will outline the history of popular music in the U.S., through the 1960's. The course will identify three revolutions in popular music: 1) Early popular music (1840's- 1900); 2) The modern era of popular music (1900-on) and 3) The Rock and Roll era (mid 1950's-on). The course will examine those cultural traditions which blended together to shape our history of popular music. No prerequisites. Primarily intended for non-music majors.
• MUSC-238 MUSIC THEORY LAB I (1)
  The study of musical scales, intervals, and key signatures utilizing sight singing, ear training, and keyboard exercises. Laboratory, three hours per week. Should usually be taken with MUSC 246.
• MUSC-239 MUSIC THEORY LAB II (1)
  Continuation of MUSC 238 with more ear training and sight-singing, and beginning of four-part harmonic dictation. Laboratory, three hours per week. Should usually be taken with MUSC 247.
• MUSC-240 PHONETICS FOR SINGERS (3)
  The pronunciation of Italian, German, and French through the learning and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students learn to transcribe the orthographic letters of the languages studied into IPA symbols, using these symbols as the key to correct pronunciation.
• MUSC-246 MUSIC THEORY I (3)
  A study of diatonic harmony utilizing traditional four-part exercises. Harmonic and Schenkerian analysis of works of Bach and Mozart. MUSC 238 should be taken concurrently by majors. Prerequisite: A passing grade on a placement examination.
• MUSC-247 MUSIC THEORY II (3)
  A continuation of MUSC 246. Further study of harmonic practice through chromatic and linear harmony, with emphasis on late 18th and 19th century "common practice period." Extensive analysis of both large- and small-scale forms of works of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, and Wagner. Includes several smaller projects and one larger formal analysis presented as a paper. Prerequisites: MUSC 246 and 238
• MUSC-337 OPERA LITERATURE (3)
  A study of selected operas by composers of the 18th to 20th centuries. Prerequisite: MUSC 131, or 230, or permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-338 MUSIC THEORY LAB III (1)
  Consists of keyboard harmony exercises, a review at the keyboard of material presented in Theory I, as well as sight-singing and dictation. Laboratory, three hours per week. Prerequisites: MUSC-247.
• MUSC-339 MUSIC THEORY LAB IV (1)
  Advanced projects in analysis, keyboard skills, diction, and/or ear training. A review of skills from previous theory and theory lab courses, tailored to the needs of the student enrolled. Laboratory, three hours per week. Prerequisites: MUSC-338.
• MUSC-345 JAZZ THEORY (3)
  A study of the harmonic practice of jazz music. Investigation of standard harmonic structures and their uses, as well as standard symbols and terminologyHistorical perspective from the bebop era through the present. Discussion of modern trends. Written assignments to augment lectures. Prerequisites: MUSC 246 and MUSC 247 or Instructor Approval
• MUSC-347 HISTORY OF JAZZ (3)
  A study of the historical, cultural, and musical significance of jazz and the major trends and styles of jazz, with attention to the most important performers in this idiom.
• MUSC-351 SEMINAR IN MUSIC COMPOSITION (3)
  Composition with adherence to strict forms and creative writing in various forms and media. Prerequisite: MUSC 247.
• MUSC-352 SEMINAR IN MUSIC COMPOSITION II (3)
  Continuation of creative work begun in Music Composition I, with analysis emphasis on larger 20th century works. The student's final project will be presented in a public performance of the composition. Prerequisite: MUSC 351.
• MUSC-381 MUSIC HISTORY I (3)
  A study of music in Western European society between 400 A.D. and 1700 A.D. Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque styles of music, as seen in representative compositions and composers. Extensive listening to selected compositions and analysis of them, with attention to performance practice and the place of music in the society of the period. Prerequisite: MUSC 247 or the permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-382 MUSIC HISTORY II (3)
  A study of music in Western European society in the 18th and 19th centuries. Music of the late Baroque masters, Classical period, and Romantic period. Extensive listening to selected compositions and analysis of them, with attention to performance practice and the place of music in the society of the period. Prerequisite: MUSC 381 or the permission of the instructor; for minors in music, MUSC 246 is the prerequisite.
• MUSC-399 TUTORIAL (3, repeatable up to 12)
  Individual instruction given by a tutor in regularly scheduled meetings (usually once a week). Prerequisites: Junior standing, plus permission of the tutor and the department chair.
• MUSC-444 SEMINAR: SELECTED TOPICS IN MUSIC HISTORY (3)
  Concentrated investigation in various subjects in music literature as announced each semester. Possible topics are the music of a particular composer; a study of Baroque ornamentation as realized in performance practice; or iconography (visual arts in music research), including a survey of archives or prints, discussion of paintings, etc., on musical subjects, and the use of iconography in research. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-445 SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MUSIC HISTORY (3)
  Students who have taken an appropriate sequence of preparatory courses in one area or problem of music history determine a project in consultation with a department member qualified to guide and judge the work. Prerequisites: Open to juniors or seniors with an overall GPA of at least 2.75 and a music GPA of at least 3.3, and approval of the department chair.
• MUSC-460 SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MUSIC THEORY OR COMPOSITION (3)
  Large-scale project investigating a specific problem in theory, or a significant musical composition. May be repeated for a second semester if the scope of the project warrants it, or if an additional topic is selected. Prerequisites: MUSC 352 or permission of the instructor. An overall GPA of at least 2.75 and permission of the department.
• MUSC-481 MUSIC THEORY III (3)
  Counterpoint as a musical structure. Exercises in writing 16th-century style counterpoint in two, three, and four voices. Analysis of representative works by Palestrina, Victoria, Byrd, etc. Eighteenth-century counterpoint and its basis in major/minor harmony, with analysis of selected inventions and fugues by J.S. Bach. Writing of a shortfour-voice fugue.Prerequisite: MUSC 382.
• MUSC-482 MUSIC THEORY IV (3)
  A study of representative examples of music from theprincipal 20th-century composers, and an introduction to methods of analysisof these compositions. Music by Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg,Webern, and Berg, plus more recent compositions. The theoretical basis of12-tone (serial) music. Analytic skills for other types of 20th-centurymusic.Prerequisite: MUSC 481.
• MUSC-499 BACHELOR'S ESSAY (3)
  Bachelor's Essay (6) A year-long research and writing project done during the senior year under the close supervision of a tutor from the department. Students must take the initiative in seeking a tutor to help in both the design and supervision of their project. A project proposal must be submitted in writing and approved by the department prior to registration for the course.

Practice and Performance Courses

Applied Music (MUSP) Course Number Breakdown

• MUSC-121 CLASS PIANO I (1)
  Class instruction for beginning piano students with an emphasis on note reading and use of functional (chordal) harmony. Limited enrollment by audition.
• MUSC-122 CLASS PIANO II (1)
  Continuation of MUSC 121. Prerequisite: MUSC 121 or permission of instructor.
• MUSC-123 CLASS VOICE (1)
  The study of the voice for those with little or no previous vocal or musical training. Instruction dealing with interpretation, and vocal technique in English and foreign languages.
• MUSC-161 CONCERT CHOIR (1)
  The study and performance of choral music, both sacred and secular, from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Laboratory three hours per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-292-298 REPERTORY CLASS (1)
  A master class format in which students and faculty perform, critique, and discuss various aspects of musical performance such as technique, interpretation, and performance practice. Individual classes for Voice (292), Brass (293), Woodwinds (294), Jazz (295), Strings (296), Guitar (297), and Piano (298).
• MUSC-354 ORCHESTRA (1)
  The study and performance of orchestral literature. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-355 ENSEMBLE: CHAMBER MUSIC (1)
  The study and performance of chamber ensemble literature written for various combinations of voices and/or instruments. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-356 ENSEMBLE: EARLY MUSIC (1)
  The study and performance of ensemble literature for the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-357 ENSEMBLE: GUITAR (1)
  The study and performance of chamber ensemble literature written for various combinations of voices and/or instruments with guitar. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-358 PEP BAND (1)
  A 30 member ensemble which provides entertainment at basketball games and other college functions. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-359 ENSEMBLE: JAZZ COMBO (1)
  The study and performance of improvisation in a 7-piece combo, graded from beginning to advanced. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-360 READING BAND (1)
  The study and performance of large ensemble jazz workswith an emphasis on developingsight-reading skills. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-364 ENSEMBLE: MADRIGAL SINGERS (1)
  The study and performance of choral literature from the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well as modern works written for chamber choir. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-365 ENSEMBLE: GOSPEL CHOIR (1)
  The study and performance of traditional hymns, spirituals and popular contemporary gospel literature.
• MUSC-366 MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP (1)
  The study and performance of musical theatre literature. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-367 OPERA/MUSC THTR WORKSHOP (1)
  The study and performance of scenes from opera and musical theatre. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
• MUSC-370 CONDUCTING I (2)
  The study of fundamental principles of conducting, both choral and instrumental, including basic beat patterns, hand and baton technique, interpretation, score reading, and rehearsal techniques. Lectures two hours per week. Prerequisite: MUSC 246
• MUSC-371 CONDUCTING II (2)
  The study of fundamental principles of conducting, both choral and instrumental, including basic beat patterns hand and baton technique, interpretation, score reading, and rehearsal techniques. Lectures two hours per week. Prerequisites: MUSC 246 and MUSC 370
• MUSC-475 SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE (3-6)
  Students who have taken an appropriate sequence of preparatory courses in one area or problem of music performance determine a project in consultation with a department member qualified to guide and judge the work. Prerequisites: Students must be juniors or seniors, with overall GPAs of at least 2.75 and music GPAs of at least 3.3, and must have permission of the department. For the student planning a recital, a preliminary jury must be passed. This jury can be arranged any time during the semester prior to the recital.
• MUSP-201-299 Applied Music (1 or 2, repeatable up to 8 credits in any one area)
  Individual lessons in voice or instrumental music for beginning students. Private lessons are 30 minutes (1 credit hour) or 60 minutes (2 credit hours) per week. The fee for this course is $225 per credit hour in addition to regular tuition charges. Prerequisite: An audition is held at the beginning of each term.
• MUSP-301-399 Applied Music (1 or 2, repeatable up to 8 credits in any one area)
  Individual lessons in voice or instrumental music for students who have completed 8 hours of applied music at the 200 level and who have not passed a junior-standing jury. Private lessons are 30 minutes (1 credit hour) or 60 minutes (2 credit hours) per week. The fee for this course is $225 per credit hour in addition to regular tuition charges. Prerequisite: An audition is held at the beginning of each term.
• MUSP-401-499 Applied Music(2, repeatable up to 8 credits in any one area)
  Individual lessons in voice or instrumental music for advanced students who have passed a junior-standing jury. Private lessons are one hour per week. The fee for this course is $450 in addition to regular tuition charges. Prerequisite: A junior- standing jury (normally taken at the end of the fourth term in MUSP 2xx)

Applied Music (MUSP) Course Numbers