Courses

Designed for the music major whose primary instrument is other than piano. The course material will focus on the rudiments of piano playing, including acquisition of the Technical Skills (Items 1-10) of Piano Proficiency (i.e. scales, arpeggios, and chords).

Designed for the music major whose primary instrument is other than piano. The course material will focus primarily on the Functional Skills (Items 11-15) of Piano Proficiency (i.e. solo repertoire, harmonization, transposition, score-reading, and sight-reading) with review of the Technical Skills.

A review of music fundamentals, intensive study of basic concepts of music theory for the music major, introduction to music notation software. Concert attendance requirement.

Introductory experiences in sight-singing and ear-training.

Development of skills in analyzing and writing music involving diatonic voice leading principles and harmonic progressions. Examples are drawn from art, sacred and popular music. Concert attendance requirement.

Continued development of aural skills and introduction to keyboard harmony and improvisation.

Emphasis on musical instruments, and their significance in a culture's folklore, religion and history; fundamental elements of music and how they vary in different traditions; the effects of cultural influences such as gender and ethnically on the perception, interpretations and performance of music; forces of nationalism, acculturation, and westernization and their effect on musical traditions.

Advanced writing and analysis of music involving chromatic and extended harmonies, and an introduction to 16th century polyphony and 18th century counterpoint. Examples are drawn from art, sacred and popular music.

Advanced training in ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard harmony involving chromatic exercises.

Introduction to a broad perspective of the many ways musicians use computers. Emphasis on historic milestones, current issues, and practical skill in using software and hardware in music technology.

This course is a study of the development of musical styles and idioms in the context of selected historical periods and their connection with the cultural evolution of Western civilization.

Basic conducting skills, principles, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music. Observations of choral and instrumental ensemble rehearsals.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Music or Bachelor of Music degree must enroll in Senior Recital and Project in the semester they intend to perform their Senior Recital, typically the last semester of their senior year. Students may enroll in the course after successfully completing the Applied Music Proficiency and meeting the performance expectations described in the Undergraduate Handbook for their specific course of study. Piano Proficiency completion required. Requirements for recital length are determined by the student's major. See School of Performing Arts Undergraduate Student Handbook for recital length and repertoire requirements.

This class provides a theological and philosophical foundation for studying the performing arts. This course examines the relationship between beauty, the arts, and the Christian life and worship. It is primarily designed as an examination of the aesthetic, cultural, and creative components of the performing arts, but it will also explore other art forms, philosophies of culture, and the arts' capacities for spiritual formation. Giving particular attention to music and theatre, this course will examine the role that the arts play in society, in the church, and in Christian worship.

Survey of the history and development of popular music in the 20th and 21st centuries. Emphasis is placed on recorded music history and the socio-musical aspects of music.

The course provides the students with an appreciation and understanding of the cultural history of Jazz. Through critical listening students will learn to identify the various styles and performers associated with the traditions of Jazz.

This course will examine film music, primarily American, from its origins in the "silent" film era, through the Golden Age of Hollywood, to the present day. An emphasis will be placed upon the study of individual composers and their contributions to the genre. In the belief that "music is a mirror of the society that created it," historical trends of the 20th and 21st century will also be examined.

A general survey course of the history of Western European music and of selected non-Western cultures. Includes lectures, readings, and a research paper. Ancient through Renaissance.

Following the scope and format of the music history courses, this course is a general survey of musical styles and history of the Baroque and Classical periods.

Following the scope and format of the music history courses, this course is a general survey of musical styles and history of the Baroque and Classical periods, with emphasis on the Romantic period.

Course content provides a continuation of Music History III with emphasis on the 20th century period. American music and implications of recent developments, including electronic and experimental music, are also included.

A survey of literature for solo voice from the Baroque to the Twentieth Century. Analysis of scores through recordings and live performances.

A survey of the piano literature from the Baroque period through the end of the Classical Period. Stylistic analysis of individual works through recordings and live performances.

A survey of the piano literature of the Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods. Stylistic analysis of individual works through recordings and live performances.

A historic survey of the song, opera, and instrumental literature from approximately 1600 through the 20th century. Includes stylistic analysis of individual works through recordings and live performances.

Continued study of composers' methods of organizing music. Focuses on analysis of music and writing music using contrapuntal techniques. Emphasis on forms of Baroque era and their current application.

Introduction to performance practice for accompanists with emphasis on stylistic playing. Accompaniments for art song, operatic and instrumental literature, choral literature, gospel and jazz styles will be studied through discussion and performance.

This course is designed to prepare students to teach jazz music. Students will receive a fundamental background in aspects of administration, preparation, directing, rehearsal, teaching, and evaluation of the various types of jazz ensembles: big bands, combos, and vocal jazz groups. Required of all Music Education majors and those completing the Jazz Studies Concentration.

Advanced development of the specific skills and techniques of conducting instrumental ensembles, including orchestra and wind band. Course includes score analysis, interpretive decisions, baton technique, verbal and non-verbal communication, and development of a conductor's knowledge of relevant instruments and transpositions.

Advanced development of the techniques of choral conducting. Course includes score analysis, verbal and non-verbal gestures, interpretative decisions, and development of choral tone.

Scientific exploration into the workings of the vocal mechanism and the technique of voice production. A survey of common vocal faults with appropriate correction exercises will be discovered. Successful voice studio procedures are included. Students will demonstrate knowledge learned by privately teaching a student for one month, then once before the class.

A survey of the methods and materials available to the private piano teacher. Private studio procedures (teacher-student relationship, billing procedures, recruitment, etc.) will be explored.

Students study the methods and materials used in teaching brass, woodwind, string, or percussion instruments. The area of emphasis is determined by the student's primary instrument.

The course encompasses proper diction for the Latin, Italian, and Spanish solo song and choral literature. Development of correct pronunciation methods through the use of language drills, listening to recordings, and reading of phonetic transcriptions of the texts in musical literature.

The course encompasses proper diction for the English, German and French solo song and choral literature. Development of correct pronunciation methods through the use of language drills, listening to recordings, and reading of phonetic transcriptions of the texts in musical literature.

A survey of intermediate and early-advanced methods and materials available to the private piano teacher. Private studio procedures (teacher-student relationship, billing procedures, recruitment, etc.) will be explored.

Instruction for Music Education majors in the fundamentals of vocal tone production, breathing, breath control, and posture, and approaches for working with groups of singers in classroom teaching. Topics will include proper vowel formation, vocal warm-ups, register phenomena, diction and vocal health. Students will learn songs as examples for class topics, with the possible opportunity for individual performance and attention to individual problems.

Practical experience in observing and teaching music in individual and group learning environments under faculty supervision. Regularly scheduled conferences for evaluation and planning. Open to selected Music Majors only.

A study of the orchestral instruments; scoring for full orchestration or small ensembles. Students do extensive work in the computer lab working with notation software.