Bachelor of Arts
Music
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate competency and improvement in music performance.
- Attain and demonstrate knowledge of music theory, music history, and music literature appropriate for individual degree programs.
- Attain and demonstrate knowledge of music technology and music pedagogy appropriate for individual degree programs.
- Demonstrate growth of written and aural communication skills using appropriate music terminology.
- Strengthen and demonstrate skills of critical thinking through musical listening, analysis, and assessment.
- Develop a global awareness of musical diversity as human expression.
Degrees and Certificates
-
Music (Emphasis in Music Theory), -
Music (General), Bachelor of Arts -
Music Performance (Instrumental), Bachelor of Music -
Music Performance (Vocal), Bachelor of Music -
Music Education (Choral), Bachelor of Music Education -
Music Education (Instrumental), Bachelor of Music Education -
Jazz Studies, Minor -
Music, Minor -
Piano Pedagogy, Minor
Classes
MUS 100: Repertory Seminar
Class Program
Weekly performing and listening experiences, including student, faculty, and guest recitals and concerts. Written critiques of selected performances will be required of all students. Eight semesters required of all music majors except music education majors who are required to complete seven semesters.
Semester Offered
Offered every semester.
MUS 101: Fundamentals of Music
Class Program
Required for all incoming music majors and minors with little or no formal musical background or by permission of the Instructor. Introductory course designed to familiarize students with the basic rudiments of Western music through both aural and written practice. Topics include musical notation, rhythm, meter, key signatures, intervals, and solfege.
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 102: Introduction to Music Education
Class Program
Required for all Music Education majors and taken the spring semester of the freshman year. Students beginning their journey as music teachers will explore the many facets involved in public school music education and begin the development of a philosophical stance for teaching children. An historical overview of music education—including key pioneering leaders and symposia--along with realizations and introspection of why one wants to be a music teacher along with why music is required in the public schools will be probed. Requirements for graduation and state licensure will be thoroughly articulated. Requires 8 hours of field experience.
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 141: History of American Music
Class Program
A study of the development of American music beginning with Native American music and then progressing from Colonial music to contemporary American music. The first half of the course will cover classical and folk music, while the second half will examine jazz, rock, and popular music styles. This course may be team taught by faculty within the music department.
Core Tags
HF
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, odd numbered years.
MUS 150: Introduction to Music Appreciation
Class Program
For non-music majors only. A guide for students with limited or no musical experience to gain a greater sensitivity, understanding, and appreciation for a variety of musical styles. Cultural and other artistic influences will be discussed and the students’ listening skills will improve as they learn what musical elements make each style unique. The main emphasis of learning is early to modern classical music, and as time allows will include basic introductions to folk, jazz, and rock. Lecture and listening to recordings are the primary methods of instruction.
Core Tags
HF
Semester Offered
Offered every semester.
MUS 151: Music Literature
Class Program
Survey of musical styles and forms of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. A brief study of early American church, folk, and popular music, as well as an introduction to world music will also be introduced. Analytical listening.
Prerequisites
INQ 101 – Monuments of Music For music majors or by permission of Instructor.
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 171: Ear Training I
Class Program
Sight singing and melodic and harmonic dictation on the elementary level.
Prerequisites
Concurrent enrollment in MUS 173
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 172: Ear Training II
Class Program
Sight singing and melodic and harmonic dictation on the intermediate level.
Prerequisites
MUS 171 & 173; concurrent enrollment in MUS 173
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 173: Theory of Music I
Class Program
An introduction to the basic elements of the musical language, with extensive drilling of keys, scales, triads, seventh chords, Roman numerals, inversions, and voice leading.
Prerequisites
Concurrent enrollment in MUS 171
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 174: Theory of Music II
Class Program
A study of diatonic harmony, with attention to tonal chord progressions, appropriate use of inverted chords, figured bass, voice leading, dominant seventh chord resolutions, and harmonization.
Prerequisites
MUS 171 & 173; concurrent enrollment in MUS 172
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 241: Opera Workshop
This class provides students with the opportunity to study, develop, and improve their dramatic skills outside of their voice studios and gain valuable stage experience through performance of full-staged operatic scenes. As a result of their stage experience, students will have a greater understanding of what it means to be a part of an operatic production and the development of performance practice as it relates to other historical, theoretical, and compositional music studies. Satisfies the chamber music requirements for vocal majors.
Prerequisites
For music majors or by permission of Instructor.
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 261: World Music
Class Program
A study of the music of a wide variety of cultures around the world, including the relationships between music and society. This is primarily a lecture and listening course.
Core Tags
GL
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 265: Beginning/Intermediate Foreign Language Diction for Singers
Class Program
Required for all B.M. vocal majors. Highly recommended for all voice majors. An introductory study of proper diction in English, German, French, and Italian for singing. The use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and transliteration skills will be the central focus of the course of study.
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester, even numbered years.
MUS 271: Ear Training III
Class Program
Intermediate sight-singing and melodic and harmonic dictation corresponding to the vocabulary of the harmonic materials in MUS 273.
Prerequisites
MUS 172 & 174; concurrent enrollment in MUS 273
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 272: Ear Training IV
Class Program
Advanced sight-singing and melodic and harmonic dictation corresponding to the vocabulary of the harmonic materials in MUS 274.
Prerequisites
MUS 271 & 273; concurrent enrollment in MUS 274
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 273: Theory of Music III
Class Program
Modulation and chromatic harmonies, including secondary dominant and leading tone chords, mode mixture, Neapolitan chords, and augmented sixth chords. Special attention is given to music of the Romantic Era. Analysis and composition are included as major assignments.
Prerequisites
MUS 172 & 174; concurrent enrollment in MUS 271
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 274: Theory of Music IV
Class Program
Continued study of chromatic harmonies. Major forms are discussed and analyzed, including binary, ternary, rounded binary, rondo and sonata. An introduction to serialism and a final composition project will involve generating a twelve-tone matrix and composition.
Prerequisites
MUS 273 & 271; concurrent enrollment in MUS 272
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 280: Music and Technology
Class Program
A study of instructional design principles, multi-media tools, and their use in the PK-12 music education classroom. Students will use electronic keyboards, midi-equipped personal computers, and appropriate software to integrate and assess teaching and learning with technology in the PK-12 music education curriculum.
Prerequisites
For B.M.E. music majors or by permission of the Instructor.
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 281: Music Teaching in Practice
Class Program
Required for all music education majors and taken the fall semester of the sophomore year. Exposure and practice in planning, teaching, and assessing musical concepts and literacy will be initiated. The course also includes extensive readings, discussions, and practice of effective teaching strategies, along with continued building of a knowledge base for educating the secondary student in general music, music appreciation and (to a lesser degree) performance group classes. Curriculum design and utilization of classroom technologies for instruction will be explored. Management and other issues affecting the success of these music classes will also be addressed. Requires 12 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
MUS 201 & EDU 224
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 290: Basic Conducting
Class Program
Required for all general music, music theory and music education majors. This course is a fundamentals course for both choral and instrumental music majors. It will address the basic patterns and gestures of conducting, score study, and learning the basic techniques for general ensemble rehearsals.
Prerequisites
MUS 171 & 173
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 311: History of Jazz
Class Program
A study of the history of jazz from ragtime to the present and the influence of jazz musicians on current trends in jazz.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester, odd numbered years.
MUS 312: Jazz Theory and Arranging
Class Program
A study of music theory as it is used in jazz and how it relates to musical composition. There is an emphasis on arranging music for performance in jazz settings.
Prerequisites
MUS 173 & 174
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, even numbered years.
MUS 322: Marching Band Techniques
Class Program
Elective for music majors and non-music majors. This course introduces future educators to the fundamental methods and procedures of the contemporary marching band. The student will gain greater knowledge of the role of the marching band in music education. This course introduces the future educator to the terminology, pedagogy, structure, and practical application of marching band education. A large portion of this course is spent on utilizing computer software to realize marching band drill charts.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion, spring semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 331: Improvisation I
Class Program
A study of the art and techniques of jazz improvisation at the beginning to intermediate level. The class will include practical application of these techniques in a lab band setting.
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester, even numbered years,
MUS 332: Improvisation II
Class Program
A study of the art and techniques of jazz improvisation at the intermediate to advanced level. The class will include practical application of these techniques in a lab band setting. Also included will be study of improvisational styles of specific jazz performers.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, odd numbered years.
MUS 341: History of Music I: Early and Religious Music
Class Program
A study of the development of music from ancient times through the middle Baroque period, emphasizing sacred music.
Core Tags
GL
Prerequisites
For music majors or by permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 342: History of Music II
Class Program
A study of the development of music from the late Baroque period through the present.
Core Tags
WI
Prerequisites
For music majors or by permission of Instructor.
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 350: Vocal Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 351: Woodwind Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 352: Brass Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 353: Keyboard Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 354: Percussion Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 355: Guitar/Bass Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 356: String Literature
Class Program
A survey of materials utilized in teaching and performance from all periods. The type of literature studied (high or low strings) is determined by each student’s primary instrument.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 365: Advanced Foreign Language Diction for Singers
Class Program
Required for all B.M. vocal majors. A continual and advanced study of proper diction in English, German, French and Italian for singing. The use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and transliteration skills will be the central focus of the course of study.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered, as needed, at departmental discretion.
MUS 366: Composition
Class Program
Composition of 17th-20th century music, incorporating major forms and formal analysis of Western classical music.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, odd numbered years.
MUS 367: Form and Analysis
Class Program
Analysis of 17th-20th century music, incorporating major forms and formal analysis of Western classical music.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester, even numbered years.
MUS 368: 20th Century Music
Class Program
A study of materials used in 20th century compositions, including non-diatonic scales, harmonic constructions, rhythms, pitch set theory, and twelve-tone music. Emphasis will be placed on the quantitative procedures involved in set theory and twelve-tone composition. A variety of post-tonal repertoire will be analyzed throughout the semester.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, even numbered years.
MUS 371: Vocal Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of the voice as a musical instrument and vocal teaching methods. Requires 8 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
Sophomore class standing
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 372: Woodwind Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of woodwind teaching methods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 373: Keyboard Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of piano or organ teaching methods.
Prerequisites
Sophomore class standing
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 374: Brass Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of brass teaching methods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 375: Percussion Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of percussion teaching methods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 376: Guitar/Bass Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of guitar or bass teaching methods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 377: String Pedagogy
Class Program
A study of string teaching methods.
Semester Offered
Offered at departmental discretion.
MUS 381: Elementary School Music Methods and Materials
Class Program
This class concentrates on the total development of the younger child through teaching music. A more substantial understanding of music technique and methods, such as Kodaly, Orff, Dalcroze, and Gordon will be acquired. A great amount of time will be devoted to teaching practices using a variety of methods and strategies. The importance of promoting aesthetic experiences and a re-enforcement of philosophy and technique will be paramount. A continuation and expansion of planning, assessment, and management skills will be exercised, and studies of curriculum and various approaches will be addressed. Required for teacher certification for choral and instrumental music education majors and taken the fall semester of the senior year. Requires 12 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
MUS 281; admission into the Teacher Education program
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 390: Advanced Conducting
Class Program
Required for all performance and music education majors. This course is designed to teach both choral and instrumental music majors more advanced techniques of conducting to include learning choral and instrumental ensemble rehearsals techniques, score study, and interpretation of music from various style periods. Will be team taught by both a member of the choral faculty and instrumental faculty.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester.
MUS 463: Orchestration
Class Program
A study of the characteristics of the individual instruments of the orchestra and band; orchestra and band arranging.
Prerequisite Courses
Semester Offered
Offered spring semester, even numbered years.
MUS 471: Instrumental Methods and Materials
Class Program
Materials and methods of teaching public school instrumental music at all levels. Required for teacher certification for instrumental music education majors. Requires 8 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
MUS 390; junior class standing; admission into the Teacher Education program
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 472: Choral Methods and Materials
Class Program
Materials and methods of teaching public school choral music at all levels. Required for teacher certification for choral music education majors. Requires 24 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
MUS 390; junior class standing; passing piano proficiency, admission into the Teacher Education program
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
Notes
Class Fee
MUS 473: Instrumental Methods Lab
Class Program
Students will experience a variety of music and ensembles-instruction pedagogies for mixed classes of beginning and intermediate instrumentalists while participating on a least one secondary instrument. In additions to performing, students are given the opportunity to practice effective rehearsal techniques and teaching methods through coached peer-teaching sessions. These sessions will also include a topical discussion of key administrative and pedagogical considerations for a beginning instrumental class. Required for teacher certification for instrumental music education majors. Requires 16 hours of field experience.
Prerequisites
Concurrent enrollment in MUS 471; junior class standing; admission into the Teacher Education program
Semester Offered
Offered fall semester.
MUS 491: Independent Study
Independent study in a selected field of music. The topic to be chosen will be in consultation with the Department of Music staff member under whose guidance the study will be conducted. Subject to Independent Study rules and regulations.
MUS 492: Independent Study
Independent study in a selected field of music. The topic to be chosen will be in consultation with the Department of Music staff member under whose guidance the study will be conducted. Subject to Independent Study rules and regulations.
MUS 495: Internship
Internships or practical experience in an approved program of study. Limited to majors in the department. Subject to Internship regulations and restrictions.
MUS 499: Senior Essay
A project requiring scholarly research. Subject to Senior Essay rules and regulations.