Note: Courses in music theory include 50:700:125, 161, 162, 205, 206, 225, 226, 321, 325, and 421.
50:700:125Introduction to Music Theory (3) An introduction to the elements of tonal music. Provides students with an understanding of rhythm, pitch, keyboard, scales, key signatures, intervals, and triads. Intended primarily for nonmajors and minors.
50:700:161Basic Musicianship I (2) Provides intensive work in sight singing; dictation of melody, rhythm, and harmony; score reading; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:162Basic Musicianship II (2) A continuation of material learned in Basic Musicianship I. Prerequisite: 50:700:161 or permission of instructor.
50:700:201Facing the Music (G) (3)
Set against the idea of music as a reflection of society, this course introduces and traces the main elements of Western music, and how they develop and change throughout history. Students will examine various aspects of music that define style, genre, and period and develop the vocabulary to discuss them. No prior musical knowledge is required, but an enthusiasm for all kinds of music will be helpful.
50:700:202Introduction to Music (G) (3) An approach toward music appreciation that emphasizes the cultural influences that have determined the varied musical languages throughout the world. No previous musical experience necessary.
50:700:203Introduction to World Music (G) (3) A course designed to develop basic concepts and listening perception of music in non-Western cultures. This includes the elements, forms, and styles of Polynesia, East Asia, India, Latin America, and more. No previous musical experience necessary.
50:700:205Basic Musicianship III (2)A continuation of material learned in Basic Musicianship II. Prerequisite: 50:700:162 or permission of instructor.
50:700:206Basic Musicianship IV (2)A continuation of material learned in Basic Musicianship III. Prerequisite: 50:700:205.
50:700:209History of American Music (3)
This course surveys American music beginning with the sacred music of the 1600s up to and including jazz and rock from the modern period. The course will examine how folk, popular, and classical genres interact while placing them in their cultural, political, and social context.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:210American Popular Song, 1920-1980 (D) (3)
A survey of American popular music, and its influences and reflections on American society. Beginning with the "Roaring 20s" and working up to and including the 1980s, this course examines Broadway and movie musicals, rag, blues, jazz, R&B, rock, and a host of major composers and their contributions to the music industry.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:225Music Theory I (3) Examines the elements of 18th- and 19th-century harmonic practices, including part writing in three and four parts, and harmonic analysis of works. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or passing grade on placement examination, or permission of instructor.
50:700:226Music Theory II (3) A continuation of Music Theory I with emphasis on secondary functions, modulation, linear chords, harmonic analysis, form, and creative writing. Prerequisite: 50:700:225.
50:700:271Introduction to Music Technology I (3)
An
introductory course intended to broaden the understanding of electronic and
computer music, and to explore methods for the making of music with computers.
Emphasis on digital audio theory and electronic/computer-generated music to orient
students to sound design, audio recording, electroacoustic composition, and new
media applications.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or 161, or permission of instructor.
50:700:291History of Music I (G) (3) Historical survey of styles, forms, genres, and composers of Western music from antiquity to the 16th century. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or 225 or permission of instructor. Intended for music majors and minors.
50:700:292History of Music II (G) (3) Historical survey of styles, forms, genres, and composers from the 17th to the 18th centuries. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or 225 or permission of instructor. Intended for music majors and minors.
50:700:293History of Music III (G) (3) Historical survey of styles, forms, genres, and composers from the late 18th to the late 19th centuries. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or 225 or permission of instructor. Intended for music majors and minors. Offered in alternate years.
50:700:294History of Music IV (G) (3)Historical survey of musical styles and genres from the 20th century to the present. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or 225 or permission of instructor. Intended for music majors and minors. Offered in alternate years.
50:700:305Gender in Music (G) (3) Provides an overview of the interactions between women and their
musical environment in Europe from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.
Among the composers studied are Hildegard von Bingen, Francesca
Caccini, Barbara Strozzi, Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Constanze
Mozart, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Ellen Taaffe
Zwillich, and Joan Tower. May require off-campus concerts and operas.
This course may be taken as part of a minor in women's studies.
50:700:306Rock and Roll (D) (3)This course will examine the history of rock and roll and the artists that greatly influenced American culture. Focus will be on the impact rock and roll has had on popular music as it shifted from R & B, folk, and blues and away from Broadway and the Tin Pan Alley spheres. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:309American Music (D) (3) Survey of music in the United States from the time of the earliest settlers to the present, including Shaker hymns, Civil War tunes, the establishment of a distinctive American style, the beginnings of jazz, and current experimental styles.
50:700:310American Music in the 1960s (D) (3)
This course will examine the musical response to a society in political and cultural unrest. The music of artists such as Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, and Janis Joplin will be explored. We will also examine the split between rock and roll and rock itself and the subgenres of rock which include hard rock, soft rock, folk rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, jazz rock, and acid rock. In addition to oral presentations and class assignments, the final project will include a major research paper due at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:311The American Symphony (3)
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the role and function of the American symphony. Comparisons will be made between compositions of American composers and the influence of Western Europe and European composers throughout the history of the symphony. A research paper will be due at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:312Latin American Music (3)This course looks closely at the influences
of Latin American music and Latin American-based traditions on popular music
here in the United States.
Students will explore the characteristic
elements of Latin American music and how these elements are used in American
pop music.A research paper is required
at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:321Counterpoint (3) A detailed study of basic voice-leading principles that includes extensive writing in two- and three-part species counterpoint. Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.
50:700:325Music Theory III (3) A continuation of 50:700:226 with an introduction to post-tonal music. Provides the student with a basic analytic technique for the study of 20th-century practices, including atonal and 12-tone works. Prerequisite: 50:700:226.
50:700:329Introduction to Conducting (2) A course designed to introduce the fundamentals of conducting school choruses and orchestras. Prerequisite: 50:700:225. Intended primarily for majors in the Institute for Effective Education.
50:700:332Music Theory and Analysis (3) A course designed to provide students with essential analytical skills for comprehensive analysis of music from various periods. Prerequisite: 50:700:225. May be repeated for credit.
50:700:337Opera (G) (3) A critical survey of the continuing tradition of opera emphasizing the relationship of music and drama through selected works of varied composers. Prerequisite: 50:700:225.
50:700:373Introduction to Composition (3)Introduction to the principles of musical composition. The course is designed to expose the student to the basic principles of music composition. Students are encouraged to
develop music in their own styles while exploring a variety of compositional
techniques. Prerequisite: 50:700:325 or permission of instructor.
50:700:375Electroacoustic Music I (3)
Music composition using the computer for recording, sequencing, and sound
design. Concentration on strategies for the development of large-scale works
using DSP and MIDI, and investigation of computer-aided composition and
performance practices. Final project includes public performance at the end of
the semester.
Prerequisite: 50:700:271 or permission of instructor.
50:700:376Electroacoustic Music II (3)Study of artistic issues and programming techniques involved in the
creation of interactive and performative computer-aided music. Examination of
current trends in new media performance, particularly those practices that
involve proprietary, alternative, and/or software-based controllers. Final
project includes public performance at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 50:700:375 or permission of instructor.
50:700:385Composition I (3)Driven by the student's own independent project work, topics covered may include advanced notational techniques, creating a score and parts, detailed exploration of pitch relationships, organizational and hierarchical principles, orchestration, and musical aesthetics. May include both traditional and
electroacoustic composition. Final project includes public performance at the end of the semester.Prerequisite: 50:700:373 or permission of instructor.
50:700:386Composition II (3)
Original project
work. Emphasis is on strategies and implementation of larger-scale designs and
refinement of individual style. May include both traditional and
electroacoustic composition. Final project includes public performance at the
end of the semester. Prerequisite: 50:700:385 or permission of instructor.
50:700:390Electronic Music (3)This course is an electronic music history survey, including the basics of digital audio. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
50:700:391Music And Computers (3)Introduction to direct-digital software synthesis systems through flowcharting, programming, and instrument design focusing on the use of Csound. Prerequisite: 50:700:390 or permission of instructor.
50:700:392Topics in Electroacoustic Music (3)
Study of significant issues and recent developments in computer music
and music technology. Driven by the students' interests in electroacoustic
music, the course explores the use of technology in interactive performance and
composition, computer music, and performative intermedia. Final project
includes public performance at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: 50:700:376 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
50:700:412History of Jazz (D) (3)A historic
overview of jazz from its early 20th-century roots to its present dissemination
around the globe. Students will be introduced to the careers of the major figures
in jazz, as well as to stylistic trends. Lectures will be supported by recordings, transcriptions, and video performances.Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:413World Music (G) (3) An extensive multicultural survey that examines the elements, forms, and styles of non-Western music. Prerequisite: 50:700:125. Intended primarily for majors and minors.
50:700:414American Contemporary Composers (3)
This course will provide a close look into the compositional
ideas and practices of major American composers in the 20th and
21st centuries. Concepts such as neotonality, atonality, ametric
music, harmony, rhythm, serialism, and formal structure will be introduced.
Students will also explore characteristics of the Western European tradition
that have influenced American music. A research paper will be
required at the end of the semester.Prerequisite: 50:700:125 or permission of instructor.
50:700:415Senior Seminar in Music (3) A course designed for senior music majors with emphasis on reading, discussion, independent research, oral presentations, and written reports on selected topics in music history. Prerequisite: 50:700:292, 293, or 294.
50:700:421Advanced Theory and Analysis (3) Introduction to post-tonal theory and analysis of works by Schoenberg, Webern, Berg, and their contemporaries. Prerequisite: 50:700:325.
50:700:490Music Internship (BA)An internship in some area of music, which may involve working with a performing arts organization, or in some other activity that advances the student's knowledge of music (40 hours of internship per credit). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
50:700:491Electronic Music Internship (BA)An internship with an agency or music studio. The student qualifies by presenting a portfolio of works and performs those duties required by the studio; learns new concepts and techniques through in-house production and postproduction (40 hours of internship per credit). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
50:700:495-496Honors in Music I,II (3,3)Requires independent research on an approved topic in music history or
theory leading to an honors thesis written under the supervision of a
professor in music. Candidates for honors in music must at the end of their junior year have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better and an average of 3.5 or better in the major. Both semesters must be completed to receive credit.
50:700:498Special Topics in Music (3) A variety of topics, such as music in film, offered on a rotating basis.
50:700:499Individual Study in Music (BA) Independent study, guided by a member of the faculty, intended to provide an opportunity to investigate areas not covered in regular courses of instruction.
