Music (MUSX)

This course surveys western art music from the Medieval period to the Baroque period with a special focus on cultural and artistic developments and musical developments in sound, harmony, melody, interpretation, rhythm, and form.

This course surveys western art music from the Classical period to the Contemporary music of the present with a special focus on cultural and artistic developments and musical developments in sound, harmony, melody, interpretation, rhythm, and form.

World Music is an entry-level music class that surveys the trends and practices of traditional and popular music throughout the world. This course will help the student understand the basic components to music, increase awareness of and gain appreciation for music, and better understand the rich cultural diversity, relevance, and variety of musical traditions and tastes.

This course is the first of a four-semester series that introduces the rudiments of music theory and analysis. Students will strengthen the skills needed to read, write, and understand music nomenclature, symbols, notation, and practices. Topics include: pitch, rhythm, meter, scale construction, keys, intervals, triads and seventh chords, chord inversions, basic counterpoint, voice leading, chorale part writing, and figured bass.

This course is the second in the four-semester sequence of music theory courses and continues with the topics discussed in MUSX 1101 as well as new music theory topics. Topics include: seventh chords, two-part counterpoint, four-part chorale writing, the five cadences found in four-part writing, voice-leading, non-chord tones, secondary function chords, modulation, and basic form.

The purpose of Ear Training I is to acquire the musicianship skills necessary to develop high-functioning musicians. This course will focus on the following areas: sight singing, rhythmic reading, dictation, melodic dictation, and interval identification. Students are introduced to solfege and moveable “do” in major and minor keys. Fixed "do" may also be introduced. Score reading and conducting will also be emphasized. Students will also develop their aural skills with rhythm exercises, music dictations, interval singing, and scale singing.

This course explores more advanced materials using soflege and moveable "do" (and Fixed "do") in major and minor keys, all intervals (ascending and descending), scales (major, minor in all 3 types, chromatic), triads (MmdA) in all inversions, and 7th chords are sung and identified. Practice singing in two and three parts in treble and bass clefs included as well as conducting and "Sing and Play." This course also includes singing and dictation of one part and two-part melodies in major and minor (all 3 types). Sight-singing in compound triple meter, keyboard harmony, and simple chord progressions with few inversions are introduced (aural identification of diatonic harmonic functions).

This course provides beginning piano instruction and application/reinforcement of music theory; on the keyboard: read music in treble and bass clef, and play: intervals up to an octave; chords of all qualities (major, minor, augmented, diminished: blocked and broken); 8-notes scales in major and minor of Group 1 (up to 2 octaves in parallel & one in contrary motion); chord progressions; and repertoire of varied eras. Students will also work on: transposition, melodic harmonization, improvisation, and harmonic analysis.

This class is the continuation of MUSX 1301 (Group Piano I) and it concentrates on performance of advanced beginning repertoire and piano technique, as well as sight-reading, transposing improvisation, harmonic analysis, and harmonization of short melodies.

This course is the first in a sequence of four required semesters of one-on-one vocal, instrumental, and compositional lessons to develop the skills necessary to be a competent performer and music creator. Students will engage in weekly one-hour lessons with their instructors and semi-regular studio recital classes throughout the semester. Brass (MUSX 1405B), Composition (MUSX 1405C), Guitar (MUSX 1405G), Piano (MUSX 1405P), Percussion (MUSX 1405R), Strings 1405 (MUSX 1405S), Voice (MUSX 1405V), Woodwinds (MUSX 1405W), Production (MUSX 1405PR)

This course is the second in a sequence of four required semesters of one-on-one vocal, instrumental, and compositional lessons to develop the skills necessary to be a confident performer and music creator. Students will engage in weekly one-hour lessons with their instructors and semi-regular studio recital classes throughout the semester. Brass (MUSX 1406B), Composition (MUSX 1406C), Guitar (MUSX 1406G), Piano (MUSX 1406P), Percussion (MUSX 1406R), Strings 1405 (MUSX 1406S), Voice (MUSX 1406V), Woodwinds (MUSX 1406W), Production (MUSX 1406PR)

This course is a performance ensemble in which students will study and perform choral repertoire representing a variety of styles and historical periods, from the renaissance to the postmodern age. In addition to regular rehearsals, students will participate in at least one performance each semester. This course exposes students to a “hands-on” quality experience in the arts.

This course is the second in a sequence of a performance ensembles in which students will study and perform choral repertoire representing a variety of styles, genres, and historical periods. In addition to regular rehearsals, students will participate in at least one performance each semester. This course exposes students to a “hands-on” quality experience in the arts.

Students participating in the Chamber Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard classical repertoire as part of a classical chamber ensemble as well as sundry contemporary music styles, including but not limited to contemporary experimental music, jazz, and popular music. Students will be expected to rehearse their music outside of their weekly rehearsals. Students will be encouraged to listed to recordings of works by composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will be expected to perform at least one public performance per semester.

This course is the first level of a college jazz combo. Students participating in this Jazz Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard jazz repertoire as a part of a jazz combo ensemble (e.g., the "Real Book") and representing various periods and styles in jazz history (New Orleans, swing, bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, blues). During preparation of the musical selections, students will be required to listen to recordings of works by the composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will develop jazz improvisation skills and ensemble techniques and will be required to practice assigned musical selections outside of class in order to be prepared to perform these pieces with the ensemble.

This course is the second in a sequence of college jazz combo. Students participating in the Jazz Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard jazz repertoire as part of a jazz combo ensemble (e.g., the "Real Book") and representing various periods and styles in jazz history (New Orleans, swing, bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, blues). During preparation of the musical selections, students will be required to listen to recordings of works by the composers and professional performers to gain and understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will develop jazz improvisation skills and ensemble techniques and will be required to practice assigned musical selections outside of class in order to be prepared to perform these pieces with the ensemble.

This course is the second in a sequence of a chamber performance ensemble. Students participating in the Chamber Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard classical repertoire as part of a classical chamber ensemble as well as sundry contemporary music styles, including but not limited to contemporary experimental music, jazz, and popular music. Students will be expected to rehearse their music outside of their weekly rehearsals. Students will be encouraged to listen to recordings of works by composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will be expected to perform at least one public performance per semester.

This course explores the basics of composing electronic music using a digital audio workstation.

This course is the third in a required sequence of four music theory classes for music majors. Students will continue the study of harmony and voice leading through writing and analysis. In addition to secondary dominant and leading tone chords, students will learn to recognize and write Neapolitan chords, augmented 6thchords, modal mixture, and the beginning elements of late romantic harmonic vocabulary. Additionally, students will study forms including binary, ternary, sonata, and fugue.

This course is the fourth in a required sequence of four music theory classes for music majors. Students will study repertoire from the romantic/ impressionist idiom, as well as 20th century repertoire covering a broad spectrum of styles from jazz to dodecaphonic music. Students will continue to analyze and compose using Neapolitan sixth and augmented sixth chords, as well as secondary dominant and leading tone chords. Advanced chords, such as 9th, 11th and 13th as well as polychords will be covered. Students will also continue their study of form and see how older styles (sonata, fugue) are applied in later periods.

This course is a continuation of MUSX 1202. This course explores more advanced materials using solfege (moveable “do” and modified “do” in major and minor keys) and Curwen hand signs. Solfege singing is honed and students will be expected to demonstrate strong sight- singing of diatonic harmony. In addition to reinforcing previous material, this course introduces the whole tone scale, complex rhythmic exercises (subdivision of simple and compound meters), atonal melodies, modes and their transpositions, “C” clefs, Bach Chorales, and more complex harmonic progressions which include secondary dominants, leading tone chords, the Neapolitan chord and augmented sixth chords in major and minor keys. Individual and ensemble singing up to 5 parts are required in this course, as well as ‘Sing and Play” and Dictation exercises. Melodies for singing and dictation gradually incorporate chromatic alterations, and Chorale in four-parts need to include Roman numerals and the soprano and bass parts notated.

This course is a continuation of MUSX 2201. This course explores advanced materials using solfege (moveable “do” and modified “do” in major and minor keys). In addition to reinforcing previous material, this course introduces the interval of a 9th, the blues and octatonic scales, complex rhythmic exercises (mixed meters, using values up to the 32nd note/rest and including dotted rhythms, triplets, duplets, quintuplets, sextuplets, syncopations, hemiolas); more complex atonal melodies and harmonic progressions which include secondary dominants, leading tone chords, leading-tone and borrowed chords, the Neapolitan chord and augmented sixth chords in major and minor keys, and modulations. Individual and ensemble singing up to 6 parts are required in this course, as well as ‘Sing and Play” and Dictation exercises. Melodies for singing and dictation incorporate chromatic alterations and modulations, and Chorale in four-parts are notated including Roman numerals.

This course is a continuation of MUSX 1302 (Group Piano II). Concentration is on scales, chord progressions, and beginning intermediate level solo piano repertoire. Sight-reading, score reading, ensemble playing, improvisation, and transposition are included.

This course is a continuation of MUSX 2303 (Group Piano III). Concentration is on scales, chord progressions, and intermediate level solo piano repertoire. Sight-reading, score reading, ensemble playing, improvisation, and transposition are included.

This course is the third in a sequence of four required semesters of one-on-one vocal, instrumental, and composition lessons to reinforce the advanced elements of music performance and creation. Students will continue their instruction through weekly lessons and semi-regular studio recital classes. Brass (MUSX 1406B), Composition (MUSX 1406C), Guitar (MUSX 1406G), Piano (MUSX 1406P), Percussion (MUSX 1406R), Strings 1405 (MUSX 1406S), Voice (MUSX 1406V), Woodwinds (MUSX 1406W), Production (MUSX 1406PR)

This course is the fourth and last in a four-semester sequence of required private vocal, instrumental, and composition lessons to begin approaching high levels of music performance and creative achievements. Students will continue their instruction through weekly one-on-one instrumental and composition lessons and semi-regular studio recital classes. In place of a Final Jury, students may choose to give a half recital or a complete lecture recital, or they may choose to participate in their usual Final Jury. Composers are encouraged to participate in collaborative concerts where multiple pieces of their creation will be performed. Again, composers are exempt from Final Juries. Brass (MUSX 1406B), Composition (MUSX 1406C), Guitar (MUSX 1406G), Piano (MUSX 1406P), Percussion (MUSX 1406R), Strings 1405 (MUSX 1406S), Voice (MUSX 1406V), Woodwinds (MUSX 1406W), Production (MUSX 1406PR)

This course is the third in a sequence of performance ensemble in which students will study and perform choral repertoire representing a variety of styles, genres, and historical periods. In addition to regular rehearsals, students will participate in at least one performance each semester. This course exposes students to a “hands-on” quality experience in the arts.

This course is a performance ensemble in which students will study and perform choral repertoire representing a variety of styles, genres, and historical periods. In addition to regular rehearsals, students will participate in at least one performance each semester. This course exposes students to a “hands-on” quality experience in the arts.

This course is the third in a sequence of a chamber performance ensemble. Students participating in the Chamber Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard classical repertoire as part of a classical chamber ensemble as well as sundry contemporary music styles, including but not limited to contemporary experimental music, jazz, and popular music. Students will be expected to rehearse their music outside of their weekly rehearsals. Students will be encouraged to listen to recordings of works by composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will be expected to perform at least one public performance per semester.

This course is the fourth in a sequence of a chamber performance ensemble. Students participating in the Chamber Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard classical repertoire as part of a classical chamber ensemble as well as sundry contemporary music styles, including but not limited to contemporary experimental music, jazz, and popular music. Students will be expected to rehearse their music outside of their weekly rehearsals. Students will be encouraged to listen to recordings of works by composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will be expected to perform at least one public performance per semester.

This course is the third in a sequence of a four-semester college jazz combo. Students participating in the Jazz Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard jazz repertoire as part of a jazz combo ensemble (e.g., the “Real Book”) and representing various periods and styles in jazz history (New Orleans, swing, bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, blues). During the preparation of the musical selections, students will be required to listen to recordings of works by the composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will develop jazz improvisation skills and ensemble techniques and will be required to practice assigned musical selections outside of class to be prepared to perform these pieces with the ensemble.

This course is the fourth and last in a four-semester sequence of college jazz combo. Students participating in the Jazz Ensemble course will gain exposure and experience in performing standard jazz repertoire as part of a jazz combo ensemble (e.g., the “Real Book”) and representing various periods and styles in jazz history (New Orleans, swing, bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, blues). During the preparation of the musical selections, students will be required to listen to recordings of works by the composers and professional performers to gain an understanding of the historical significance and stylistic approach of selected performance repertoire. Students will develop jazz improvisation skills and ensemble techniques and will be required to practice assigned musical selections outside of class to be prepared to perform these pieces with the ensemble.

A continuation of MUSX 1602 - Electronic Music Composition I. This course further explores composing electronic music using a digital audio workstation.

This is an advanced-level course in audio and music mixing and signal processing. Students will be expected to take pre-recorded multi-track audio and music production files and mix and master them at a professional level.

This course is an advanced study of the techniques and methodologies used in studio and live recording of sound and music. Students will be expected to work both individually and collaboratively in the recording and editing of live or studio music recording projects.

A practical course that focuses on music composition for various media genres like film, television, commercials, documentaries, and video games.