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). May be repeated three times for credit. Prerequisite: Declared Music Major. (1 unit; Fall/Spring)

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. May be repeated three times for credit. Prerequisite: MUS 012 or Professor’s approval. (1 unit; Fall/Spring)

Private Instruction is offered with material and performance of increasing difficulty as the student develops. Students must arrange a lesson time before or during the first week of classes in the School of Music office or with the instructor. Twelve (12) half-hour lessons will be offered per unit. Students are expected to perform in Student Recitals and a Jury Exam. May be repeated for credit. Additional private instruction fee. Prerequisite: Declared Music Major or Minor. (1-2 units; As offered)

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. Concurrent requisite: MUS 115. (3 units; Fall)

Introductory experiences in sight-singing and ear-training. Concurrent Requisite: MUS 114. (1 unit; Fall).htm

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. Concurrent Requisite: MUS 125. Prerequisite: MUS 114. Concert attendance requirement. (3 units; Spring)

Continued development of aural skills and introduction to keyboard harmony and improvisation. Prerequisite: MUS 115; Concurrent requisite: MUS 124. (1 unit; Spring)

Emphasis on musical instruments, and be able to describe 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. (2 units; Fall/Spring)

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. Prerequisite: MUS 124; Concurrent Requisite: MUS 215. (3 units; Fall)

Advanced training in ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard harmony involving chromatic exercises. Prerequisite: MUS 125; Concurrent Requisite: MUS 214. (1 unit; Fall)

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. Prerequisite: Declared music major, minor, or concentration. (2 units; Fall/Spring)

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. (3 units; Fall)

Basic conducting skills, principles, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music. Observations of choral and instrumental ensemble rehearsals. Prerequisite: MUS 214. (2 units; Fall)

An examination of Scripture in order to develop a biblical theology of worship and its application in the local church. Students will learn about the development of worship practices from the Old and New Testaments and learn to apply hermeneutical principles to understanding present-day worship applications. (3 units; Fall, even years)

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. Prerequisite: Permission of the Dean and successful completion of Applied Music Proficiency. (1 unit; Fall/Spring)

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. (3 units; Spring)

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. (3 units; Spring)

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. (3 units; As offered)

A general survey course of the history of Western European music and of selecgted non-Western cultures. Includes lectures, readings and a research paper. Ancient through Renaissance. Prerequisites: MUS 124 and 125. (2 units; Fall)

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. Prerequisites: MUS 124 and 125. (3 units; Spring)

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. Prerequisites: MUS 124 and 125. (3 units; Fall)

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. Prerequisites: MUS 124 and 125. (2 units; Spring)

A survey of literature for solo voice from the Baroque to the Twentieth Century. Analysis of scores through recordings and live performances. Prerequisite: MUS 323. (3 units; Spring, odd years)

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. Prerequisite: MUS 323. (2 units; Fall, odd years)

A survey of the piano literature of the Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary periods. Stylistic analysis of individual works through recordings and live performances. Prerequisite: MUS 334. (2 units; Spring, even years)

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. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

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. Prerequisites: MUS 224 and 225. (2 units; Spring)

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. Prerequisite: MUS 256. (2 units; Spring, even years)

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. Prerequisite: MUS 224. (2 units; Fall)

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. Practicum hours required. Prerequisite: MUS 312. (2 units; Spring)

Advanced development of the techniques of choral conducting. Course includes score analysis, verbal and non-verbal gestures, interpretative decisions, and development of choral tone. Practicum hours required. Prerequisite: MUS 312. Concurrent Requisite: MUS 093. (2 units; As offered)

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. (2 units; Spring, even years)

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. Additional instruction fee. Concurrent Requisite: MUS 450. (2 units; Fall, even years)

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. (2 units; Spring, even years)

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. Prerequisite: One (1) year of private voice study. (1 unit; Fall, even years)

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. Prerequisite: One (1) year of private voice study. (1 unit; Spring, odd years)

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. Additional instruction fee. Prerequisite: MUS 418. Concurrent Requisite: MUS 450. (2 units; Spring, odd years)

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. Prerequisites: MUS 214 and 215. (1 unit; Fall, even years)

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. May be repeated for a maximum of four (4) units. Prerequisites: MUS 224, two years of applied music, and successful completion of piano proficiency examination. (1 unit; As offered)

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. Prerequisite: MUS 224. (3 units; Fall)