MUS – Music
MUS 105 Music Apps (3)
An introductory course designed for students who want to learn more about music theory through Popular music. By studying current trends in music, students will synthesize historical and current musical practices. Students will gain a basic knowledge of piano skills as well as the voice, ukulele, and composition practices. This is a course designed for non-majors as well as those considering a Music major, Music Education major, Musical Theatre major, or a Music minor. Effective note-taking strategies, quiz and test study habits, and chunking a final major assignment fulfill the additional EXP requirements. (ART, EXP)
MUS 111 American Pop Since 1960 (3)
This course explores the history of American popular music styles since approximately 1960. Genres included in this exploration are rock, R&B, country, hip-hop, dance, and pop. This course introduces students to critically thinking about music through historical and cultural perspectives as well as addresses foundational academic skills. (ART, EXP)
MUS 114 World Music (3)
Explores the music of world cultures that are not normally addressed in traditional western European-based courses in music. Includes music of India, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and other world cultures. (ART, GPN, EXP)
MUS 120 Theory and Aural Skills I (4)
A study of the relationships of rhythm, harmony and melody. Class activities include writing and performing music, sight singing and exercises in keyboard harmony, score reading and ear training. (ART)
MUS 125 Theory and Aural Skills II (4)
Prerequisite: MUS 120. A continuation of MUS 120.
MUS 149 Instrumental Methods Percussion and String (1)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective vocal music educators. Students learn to play the instruments in the percussion family and string family. Students learn basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. MUS 249 is offered jointly with MUS 149. Both courses cover the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research in MUS 249. Students cannot receive credit for both MUS 149 and MUS 249.
MUS 150 Introduction to Music Education (1)
Prerequisite: Intended for first year students interested in music education. An introductory course to music education for prospective music education majors. Students will learn the historical and philosophical underpinnings to music education in America. Students will become acquainted with methods, tools, language, and literature in the music education profession.
MUS 151 Instrumental Methods Brass and Woodwinds (1)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective vocal music educators. Students learn to play the instruments in the brass family and woodwind family. Students learn basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. MUS 251 is offered jointly with MUS 151. Both courses cover the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions, and expectations for advanced discussion and research in MUS 251. Students cannot receive credit for both MUS 151 and MUS 251.
MUS 211 History of Western Music: Antiquity to 1750 (3)
The development of Western music from pre-Christian antiquity to 1750, with emphasis on the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and pre-Classical periods. Emphasis is also placed on listening to music for form and style. Completion of MUS 125 or equivalent musical preparation is strongly advised before taking this course. (ART, WRT)
MUS 215 Piano for Proficiency I (1)
Develops beginning sight-reading, score-reading, improvisation, accompanying, and harmonization skills necessary for achieving piano proficiency, required of all music and music education majors.
MUS 216 Piano for Proficiency II (1)
Builds upon skills covered in MUS 215, including: more advanced sight-reading, score-reading, improvisation, accompanying, and harmonization skills necessary for achieving piano proficiency, required of all music and music education majors.
MUS 220 Theory and Aural Skills III (4)
Prerequisite: MUS 125. A continuation of MUS 125. Students must concurrently enroll in MUS 215 Piano for Proficiency I unless exempted by proficiency exam.
MUS 228 Diction for Singers (2)
Focuses on the correct song pronunciation of the four major vocal solo and choral classic languages (English, French, German, and Italian). The course incorporates the International Phonetic Alphabet. It is required for all vocal music education majors and encouraged for all vocal performers and conductors.
MUS 231 Conducting (2)
Prerequisite: MUS 125. A study of fundamental conducting techniques, both choral and instrumental.
MUS 235 Theory and Aural Skills IV (4)
Prerequisite: MUS 220. A study of contemporary theory derived from jazz and popular music. Includes composition and improvisation in a variety of styles, as well as basic arranging techniques. Students must concurrently enroll in MUS 216 Piano for Proficiency II unless exempted by proficiency exam.
MUS 236 Show Choir and Jazz Choir Techniques (2)
Prerequisite: MUS 125 and admission to teacher education. Co- or prerequisite of MUS 231. Students will learn the fundamentals in terms of directing and managing both a show choir and a jazz choir. Implementation and observation of both kinds of ensembles will help to further facilitate the learning throughout the semester. Vocal music education students need to be well versed and trained to direct many different kinds of ensembles, including show choir and a jazz choir.
MUS 240 Music Technology (1)
An introduction to computer software available for the music idiom.
MUS 249 Instrumental Methods Percussion and String (2)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective instrumental music educators. Students learn to play the instruments in the percussion family and string family. Student learn basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. MUS 249 is offered jointly with MUS 149. Both courses cover the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research in MUS 249. Students cannot receive credit for both MUS 149 and MUS 249.
MUS 250 Instrumental Methods: Woodwinds (1)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective instrumental music teachers. Students learn to play the instruments in the woodwind family and basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
MUS 251 Instrumental Methods Brass and Woodwinds (2)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective instrumental and vocal music educators. Students learn to play the instruments in the brass family and woodwind family. Students learn basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. MUS 251 is offered jointly with MUS 151. Both courses cover the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research in MUS 251. Students cannot receive credit for both MUS 151 and MUS 251.
MUS 252 Instrumental Methods: Strings (1)
Prerequisite: second year standing. A basic methods course for prospective instrumental music teachers. Students learn to play the instruments in the string family and basic techniques for teaching the instruments. Other information relating to effective teaching (e.g., history of the instruments, selection of instruments, repertoire) is also addressed. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
MUS 255 Voice for Instrumental Music Majors (2)
Prerequisites: MUS 125 and admission to the Teacher Education Program. An introduction for instrumental music education majors to the teaching of singing. Topics include movement and the body; structure and function of the larynx and breathing apparatus; resonance and style; developmental factors; techniques for teaching good vocal production; guidelines for choosing repertoire at each point in the developmental spectrum. In class singing and role playing are integral. During the final six weeks of the course, students will take lessons from their counterparts in Voice Pedagogy with supervision and feedback.
MUS 258 Marching Band and Jazz Band Techniques (2)
Prerequisite: second year standing. Studies the materials, organization and methods for charting marching band shows and teaching improvisation to musicians in jazz programs. Offered fall or even- numbered years.
MUS 312 History of Western Music: Pre-Classical to Present (3)
The development of Western music from the pre-Classical era to the present day, including the Classical, Romantic, Late Romantic, and Modern eras. Emphasis is also placed on listening to music for form and style. This course provides the opportunity for students to research and present on selected topics from music of the 20th or 21st centuries. Completion of MUS 125 or equivalent musical preparation is strongly advised before taking this course. (ART, WRT)
MUS 313 Music History: 1940-Present (3)
Prerequisite: MUS 312. The development of Western music from 1940- present, with an emphasis on Modernist and Postmodernist approaches to musical composition. This course also provides the opportunity for upper-level music students to research and present on selected topics from the literature of genres such as orchestral, chamber, symphonic, concerto, art song, opera and oratorio. Completion of MUS 125 or equivalent musical preparation is strongly advised before taking this course.
MUS 332 Advanced Conducting (4)
Prerequisite MUS 231. Advanced Conducting focuses on four major pillars: 1. The art of conducting- expressive visual communication of musical ideas, 2. Leadership- effectively developing and maintaining a music program, 3. Rehearsal Methods, and 4. Music Ensemble Repertoire.
MUS 333 Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Methods (4)
Prerequisite: MUS 231. Examines the artistic nature of instrumental conducting and the methods for leading an effective band or orchestra programs. Emphasis is given to repertoire and stylistic considerations.
MUS 341 Voice Pedagogy (3)
Prerequisite: two semesters of MUSL 120, MUSL 220 or MUSL 320. An introduction for voice majors to the teaching of singing. Topics include movement and the body; structure and function of the larynx and breathing apparatus; resonance and style; developmental factors; techniques for teaching good vocal production; guidelines for choosing repertoire at each point in the developmental spectrum. In class singing and role playing are integral. During the final six weeks of the semester, students will give lessons to their counterparts in Vocal Methods with supervision and feedback. Offered spring semester of even-numbered years.
MUS 397/497 Internship (Arr)
Prerequisite: Departmental approval and instructor’s approval. An applied experience in the major, requiring a minimum number of hours of work per credit hour. Includes conferences with the on-campus instructor and an evaluation by the job supervisor. Pass/No Credit basis. Offered on request.
MUS 499 Independent Study (Arr)
Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. Research in approved topics. May be repeated on demand. Offered on request.