MUS - Music

MUS4JE Jazz Ensemble, Instrumental Big Band

Credits 0Fall/Winter/Spring

Participate in a large-ensemble instrumental jazz big band. These ensembles are open to anyone who has high school level playing or above on their instrument and may require an audition for placement. Learn the style of jazz within the context of a large-ensemble performance experience. This ensemble follows the standard big band instrumentation, including saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drum set. Musicians have the opportunity to participate in at least one public performance each term. All are welcome!

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate a quality characteristic sound on one's instrument
  2. Demonstrate a variety of articulations on one's instrument
  3. Explain relationships between composers, eras, and style methods
  4. Listen and discern pitch differences between performer, a standard, and others
  5. Perform successfully in a group setting
  6. Perform with a rhythmically stable sense of time

MUS101 Music Fundamentals

Credits 3Fall

This course is the study of the basic musical elements: melody, rhythm, and harmony, with a focus on basic reading of music notation. It is appropriate for the general student and highly recommended for the education majors.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate performance of note values
  2. Demonstrate performance of pitches
  3. Recognize, write and demonstrate use of the common time signatures
  4. Write and recognize major key signatures
  5. Write and recognize major scales
  6. Write and recognize musical intervals
  7. Write and recognize note values
  8. Write and recognize pitches

MUS103 Jazz History

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: Recommended requisite: Prior knowledge of reading notated music.

This course explores the historical, sociological and artistic development of jazz, America's musical art form. A concise review of the first 100 years of the music from its blues-based roots at the turn of the 20th century to its current eclectic state will constitute the main framework of the course. While the focus will be on the important performers and composers of jazz, key historical and social events that contributed to the evolution of the idiom will also be discussed.

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Describe the place jazz music occupies in American culture and society and how this has evolved over time. How culture influences jazz and how jazz influences culture.
  2. Interpret a jazz composition and be able describe different sections of the music such as melody and improvisation.
  3. Locate prominent people, events, and phenomena within the chronological framework of jazz history and identify the major style(s) of jazz with which they are associated.
  4. Recognize the major defining characteristics of jazz music and relate how these characteristics evolved over time.

MUS104 Music Notation

Credit 1Spring

Registration Requirement: Recommended MUS101 and basic computer skills.

This course is an introduction to music notation software using computers. Students will apply basic music theory to software via hands-on projects in music composition, notation, scoring, MIDI, rhythm, and note entry.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply basic principles of music notation in electronically produced music compositions and/or arrangements
  2. Utilize computer, printer, keyboard controller, and appropriate software for producing score and song data input
  3. Produce and play back original or arranged compositions using a computer

MUS105 History of Rock

Credits 3Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Designed for non-music majors, this course provides an introduction to music terms, forms, and styles. Students listen and respond to American pop, country, and rock music, discussing the development of rock & roll through a societal lens of the mid-20th Century.

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze an American rock song based on elements of music and application of historical and social institutions
  2. Explain basic musical forms and characteristics and give examples of how these interacted musically and societally to form rock & roll
  3. Identify music and major artists from different American historical periods and demographics, and show their influence on later generations of musicians
  4. Identify the basic musical elements of rhythms, harmony and melody
  5. Identify the sounds of various instruments

MUS107 Audio Production 1

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: Recommended requisite: MUS101 and MUS117.

This course is designed to train students seeking the tools to work and function as recording engineers in a recording environment. Students will meet with the instructor in the recording studio. Topics addressed and demonstrated include: sound and hearing, studio acoustics, microphone choice and positioning, mixing board, recording technology, tracking, audio editing, signal processing, monitoring, mixing, mastering, work flow, and professionalism.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Define knowledge of the vocabulary and concepts of Audio Engineering, including studio recording and live sound.
  2. Identify different types of acoustic properties and human hearing.
  3. Experiment with audio equipment, microphones, computers and file management as they relate to recording for vocals, drums, percussion, bass, guitars, piano, and keyboards.
  4. Demonstrate a variety of mixing techniques, session procedures and work flow.

MUS108 Audio Production 2

Credits 4Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS107.

This course trains students to work and function as recording engineers in a recording environment. Students will meet with the instructor in the recording studio and will have hands-on assignments using studio equipment. Topics covered include: outboard mic preamps and signal processors, signal flow and setting up various signal paths within the control room, microphone placement and basic multitrack recording of various instruments, using the mixing console, and tracking to different mediums.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Utilize a variety of miking techniques and the use of Direct Input (DI) boxes.
  2. Demonstrate how to engineer and produce multiple performers in a recording environment, including a full band and other assorted ensemble combinations.
  3. Interpret a variety of mixing and mastering techniques to shape the aural sound of the audio.
  4. Effectively edit audio performances by using flex time techniques.

MUS109 Audio Production 3

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS108.

This course provides students advanced training to work and function as recording engineers in a recording environment. Students will meet with the instructor in the recording studio and work on a large-scale recording project. Topics include: studio etiquette, studio preparation, selecting a recording format, rehearsal sessions, console logistics, initial tracking, overdubbing, compression techniques, EQ techniques, signal processing, console automation, mixing, and mastering.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply various mixing techniques, session procedures and work flow at an advanced level
  2. Operate audio equipment, microphones, computers and file management as relates to the course at an advanced level
  3. Work cooperatively and efficiently as part of a professional level audio production team
  4. Apply mastering techniques at a basic level

MUS111 Music Theory I

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

Moving beyond music fundamentals, students apply knowledge of pitches, scales, and intervals toward melody, chords, and beginning-level analysis of Western art music. During week 1, students who enroll in MUS111 will be asked to complete a Music literacy assessment including rhythmic notation and note identification in treble and bass clef to ensure they can be successful in this course. Students wanting to develop these skills may take MUS101: Music Fundamentals in the summer term. Students with questions about this assessment or these classes are encouraged to contact Kevin Lambert: kevin.lambert@mhcc.edu.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Read and write in conventional music notation
  2. Read, write, and recognize basic elements of music, including key signatures, Major and minor scales, intervals, and chords
  3. Analyze chords within musical examples
  4. Explain the basic principals of part writing

MUS112 Music Theory II

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS111 with a grade of "C" or better.

Work in the elements of music science (melodic, harmonic and rhythmic), taught through analysis of the styles of Bach, Haydn, Mozart and other 18th-century composers.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Construct simple logical chord progressions
  2. Harmonize complete chorales including inversions and seventh chords
  3. Harmonize melodic phrases
  4. Read, recognize and write appropriate open and close position harmony
  5. Read, recognize and write non-harmonic tones

MUS113 Music Theory III

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS112 with a grade of "C" or better.

Work in the elements of music science (melodic, harmonic and rhythmic), taught through analysis of the styles of Bach, Haydn, Mozart and other 18th-century composers.

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Recognize key elements of melodic, harmonic and tonal construction and apply them to musical composition.
  2. Analyze musical excerpts containing applied/secondary function chords and/or modulations.
  3. Identify musical forms and compositional devices.
  4. Compose original compositions including modulation to closely related keys.

MUS117 Electronic Music Production I

Credits 3Fall/Winter/Spring

This is introduction to Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) fundamentals of music production through sequencing, synthesis and sampling, and recording. Students manipulate sound and create music using a DAW that consists of a computer, MIDI keyboard and contemporary software.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply fundamental music principles to edit audio and MIDI data
  2. Collect and synthesize digital audio information into editing software for the purpose of arranging and editing
  3. Create musical sequences with software and hardware provided
  4. Diagram the configuration of an audio production studio
  5. Function within current copyright restrictions as applied to digital transmission of music
  6. Identify the steps necessary to record and mix music
  7. Prepare music for recording, editing and publication consistent with new music distribution technologies

MUS118 Electronic Music Production II

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS117 or instructor consent.

This course includes recording and editing of digital audio, MIDI sequencing, audio mixing and effects processing. Both aesthetic and technological approaches to electronic music are addressed. Digital audio file preparation for compact disc and other distribution mediums are discussed.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply basic audio editing techniques
  2. Demonstrate ability to use music to inspire a mood, emotion, atmosphere, environment or action.
  3. Demonstrate audio recording from electronic sources
  4. Demonstrate bouncing of audio to disk
  5. Discuss various methods of combining of MIDI and audio mixing techniques
  6. Identify appropriate use of audio processing plug-ins
  7. Prepare music for digital recording, editing and publication consistent with new music distribution technologies.

MUS119 Electronic Music Production III

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS118 or instructor consent.

This course includes recording of audio from microphone through a digital interface and synchronization of video and audio. Through lecture and demonstration, advanced MIDI editing, sound editing and mixing techniques are covered and reinforced in an applied group recording project.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compare audio recording from both electronic and live (microphone) sources
  2. Demonstrate proper microphone and audio mixing technique
  3. Differentiate between routing and monitoring in use of the digital audio interface
  4. Discuss the merits of high-level MIDI editing approaches, including region edits, transposition and meter changes
  5. Identify different sound bite editing techniques, from simple snip and trim functions to sample level edits
  6. Identify techniques used to synchronize digital audio and MIDI to film and video
  7. Prepare music for digital recording, editing and publication consistent with new music distribution technologies.
  8. Record and mix music for the final project

MUS121 Aural Skills I

Credit 1Fall

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS111 and MUS131 is required for music majors.

Students develop and apply skills toward audiation, the reading and hearing of melodies, with emphasis applied to major tonalities through extensive sight-singing and dictation.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify: a) all diatonic intervals b) major triads c) major scales
  2. Perform (read at sight) rhythm patterns of common meters 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, etc
  3. Sight sing melodic patterns that are major and diatonic in nature using solfege syllables, scale degree numbers, and Kodaly hand symbols.

MUS122 Aural Skills II

Credit 1Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS112 and MUS132 is required. MUS121 with a grade of "C" or better.

Students develop and apply skills toward audiation, the reading and hearing of melodies, with emphasis applied to minor tonalities through extensive sight-singing and dictation.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify aurally: a) all diatonic and chromatic intervals
  2. b) all triads in root position, 1st and 2nd inversion, all seventh chords in root positions
  3. c) all scales
  4. Perform (read at sight) rhythm patterns including uncommon meters 5/4, 7/8, etc.
  5. Sight sing melodic patterns that are minor and diatonic in nature using solfege syllables, scale degree numbers, and Kodaly hand symbols.

MUS123 Aural Skills III

Credit 1Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS113 and MUS133 is required. MUS122 with a grade of "C" or better.

Students develop and apply skills toward audiation, the reading and hearing of melodies, with emphasis applied to melodies in major and minor tonalities as well chromatic passages, through extensive sight-singing and dictation.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify aurally: a) all intervals - including compound intervals
  2. b) all triads, seventh chords in root position and inversion complex chords in root position (i.e. V13, etc)
  3. c) all scales
  4. d) basic chord progressions
  5. Perform (read at sight) mixed meters and complex syncopations
  6. Sight sing chromatic melodic patterns. Moveable do will be used to sing melodies.

MUS131 Group Piano I

Credits 2Fall

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS111 and MUS121 is required for music majors.

This course is designed to develop intermediate-level keyboard skills essential for all music majors. The resources of the keyboard are applied to a wide variety of musical studies. Instruction is on electronic pianos with additional use of acoustic pianos available.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Correctly associate pitches of the grand staff with their exact counterparts on the keyboard.
  2. Demonstrate and employ appropriate piano techniques
  3. Harmonize and transpose simple melodic patterns
  4. Participate effectively in ensemble performances
  5. Perform Major pentascales in the style of a vocal warm-up, chromatically from C to C
  6. Perform solo pieces from memory
  7. Read simple keyboard music for two hands with correct observance of pitch, meter, phrasing, dynamics and articulation

MUS132 Group Piano II

Credits 2Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS131 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS112 and MUS122.

This course is designed to develop intermediate-level keyboard skills essential for all music majors. The resources of the keyboard are applied to a wide variety of musical studies. Instruction is on electronic pianos with additional use of acoustic pianos available.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate and employ appropriate piano techniques
  2. Harmonize melodies using primary chords
  3. Memorize and perform appropriate solo literature
  4. Participate effectively in ensemble performances
  5. Perform primary-chord progression in selected Major and minor keys
  6. Perform selected Major and minor scales with two hands

MUS133 Group Piano III

Credits 2Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS132 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS113 and MUS123.

This course is designed to develop intermediate-level keyboard skills essential for all music majors. The resources of the keyboard are applied to a wide variety of musical studies. Instruction is on electronic pianos with additional use of acoustic pianos available.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate and employ appropriate piano techniques
  2. Harmonize melodies using primary and secondary chords
  3. Memorize and perform appropriate solo pieces in various styles
  4. Perform all Major and minor scales with two hands
  5. Perform primary-chord progression in all major and minor keys

MUS137 Beginning Guitar Class

Credit 1Fall/Winter

This course is designed for students with little or no experience playing the guitar. Strumming and picking through basic chord progressions and popular songs with steady rhythm is the focus of the course. Reading music on the guitar is introduced.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Fingerpick using classical guitar technique.
  2. Identify the parts of acoustic and electric guitars.
  3. Improvise a blues solo.
  4. Memorize and form open string chords on the guitar.
  5. Memorize and form power chords on the guitar.
  6. Play a blues scale with alternate picking.
  7. Play chord progressions with strumming patterns and fingerpicking techniques.
  8. Play rhythm guitar, accompanying a blues solo.
  9. Tune the guitar by ear and using a guitar tuner.

MUS138 Intermediate Guitar Class

Credit 1Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS137 or permission of the instructor.

This course is designed for students who are comfortable with the skills developed in MUS137. In this class, more challenging skills are presented: scales and modes of the major scale, triads up and down the neck, ear training and transcription, barre chords, improvisation and development of rhythmic confidence.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. 1. Play major, minor, and dominant 7th barre chords with a root on the low E string.2. Play major, minor, and dominant 7th barre chords with a root on the A string.3. Play a C major scale from the first and second position.4. Play a G major scale from the second position.
  2. 5. Identify the names of all seven major scale modes.6. Demonstrate the ability to improvise with at least three separate major scale modes.7. Read simple, easily recognizable melodies in the first position.8. Form major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads in three-string sets in different positions.9. Read songs notated with standard music notation including melodies, chords, and rhythms.

MUS152 Introduction to Music Business

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels, or instructor approval.

This course is designed to provide students with important skills and knowledge that will enhance their abilities for a career in fields combining music with legal and business practices. Basic concepts of how the music industry works and how music is created, marketed, and copyrighted will be presented along with discussions of numerous career options. Topics discussed will provide an overview of the record, radio, video, film, television, and advertising industries and how each uses music.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Articulate a critical perspective on the historical, socio-cultural, political and economic forces that influence the composition, performance, production, and consumption of music in society;
  2. Discuss and utilize new technologies, especially the influence of the Internet, as it relates to the contemporary music industry;
  3. Explain the impact of legal and business practices on the history and development of American and global musical culture;
  4. Assess the ethical implications for the patronage, commodification, and cultural appropriation of music in local communities and global societies;
  5. Explore various career options centered in the music industry

MUS161 Jazz Improvisation

Credits 2Winter

Registration Requirement: Ability to read music and perform at a basic level vocally and/or instrumentally. Understanding of music theory recommended.

Instruction in vocal and instrumental jazz improvisation. Offered at irregular intervals.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply principles of Jazz melodic construction to common harmonic progressions
  2. Demonstrate ability to transcribe Jazz melodies, rhythms, and harmonies
  3. Demonstrate chord/scale relationships on your instrument
  4. Demonstrate competent improvisation concepts over simple chord changes and key centers
  5. Demonstrate time/rhythm/groove manipulation against an established tempo
  6. Demonstrate transposition of melodies and jazz ideas on your instrument
  7. Read, write and perform all forms of Jazz chord symbols

MUS162 Jazz Improvisation

Credits 2Spring - even years

Registration Requirement: None.

Instruction in vocal and instrumental jazz improvisation. Offered at irregular intervals.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply principles of Jazz melodic construction to common harmonic progressions
  2. Demonstrate ability to transcribe Jazz melodies, rhythms, and harmonies.
  3. Demonstrate time/rhythm/groove manipulation against established tempo.
  4. Read, write and perform all forms of Jazz chord symbols

MUS191 Piano Fundamentals

Credits 2Fall/Spring

This class is open to beginners and to those with some previous piano experience. Introductory skills will be emphasized. Class interaction in which students can evaluate, assess and learn from each other is encouraged.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Define harmonization
  2. Demonstrate basic, healthy keyboard techniques
  3. Develop simple improvisations
  4. Harmonize simple melodies
  5. Perform appropriate solo and ensemble pieces
  6. Perform selected major and minor scales
  7. Read simple keyboard music for two hands observing correct pitches and rhythms

MUS198A Independent Studies: Music

Credit 1

Registration Requirement: Consent of instructor and dean. Student must present written proposal for approval.

This course is designed for unique individual projects of in-depth work not normally covered in an existing course. Topics covered may include composition, arrangement, analysis, orchestration, performance, specialized research, etc. Enrollment requires a written project proposal that must be approved by the instructor and dean. This course may be repeated up to a maximum of nine credits.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply objectives outlined in individual project proposal
  2. Complete assignments on or before the deadline
  3. Demonstrate advanced mastery and/or new skills as outlined in project

MUS201 Music in Cinema (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090 or IECC201R and IECC201 each with a "C" or better or instructor approval.

This course will evaluate how society and representation are reflected in the methodologies and utilization of music in film. Designed with the non-major in mind, this course will analyze how the use of tonality, instrumentation, and technique combine to create cultural meaning. Using works from the genesis of moving pictures through the present, it will examine films of varying content and genre to assess the relationship between music and film. No prior knowledge of music or film terminology or experience is required.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify and delineate the function of music in cinema.
  2. Differentiate meaning created by use of diegetic, non-diegetic and scored music in film through written and verbal analysis.
  3. Evaluate how historical changes in society, culture and representation are reflected in the methodologies and utilization of music in film
  4. Analyze the relationship between various genres of music and how it influenced the ideologies of cultural representation in various genres of film.

MUS211 Music Theory IV (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: MUS113 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS221 and MUS231.

This course examines the music concepts and relationships of sonata form, analysis and composition, and use of chromatic harmonies including diminished seventh chords, Neapolitan chords and augmented sixth chords.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compose an original sonata form composition
  2. Demonstrate use of augmented sixth chords
  3. Demonstrate use of Neapolitan chords
  4. Demonstrate varied uses of diminished seventh chords

MUS212 Music Theory V (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS222 and MUS232 are required. MUS211 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course examines the music concepts and relationships of 16th-century modal polyphony and 18th-century tonal counterpoint.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate competence in reading and writing in all C clefs
  2. Demonstrate use of 16th century modal contrapuntal technique in original work through exercises in species counterpoint
  3. Demonstrate use of 18th century tonal contrapuntal technique in composition of a two part invention
  4. Demonstrate use of chromaticism and large-scale compositional forms through original compositions, including binary, ternary and rondo forms.

MUS213 Music Theory VI (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in MUS223 is required. MUS212 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course examines the music concepts and relationships of 20th-century idioms. Application of theory principles.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate use of Neoclassicism, Expressionism and Primitivism in analyses and original compositions
  2. Demonstrate use of twelve tone and other 20th century techniques in analyses and original compositions

MUS221 Aural Skills IV: Modulation

Credit 1Fall

Registration Requirement: MUS123 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS211 and MUS231.

This course continues the development of aural skills emphasizing performance and transcription of diatonic modulations of shifting rhythmic subdivisions.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate ability to read musical scores
  2. Demonstrate verbal counting of rhythm system
  3. Identify and use musical terminology in context
  4. Perform basic note values within various simple, compound and complex meters
  5. Perform single, alternating, accented and triplet divisions of the beat
  6. Sight sing melodies and dictate melodies and chord progressions that modulate diatonically. Moveable do will be used to sing melodies.

MUS222 Aural Skills V: Polyphony

Credit 1Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS221 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS212 and MUS232.

This course continues the development of aural skills emphasizing score reading and performance and transcription of polyphonic pitch and rhythmic exercises.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate ability to read musical scores
  2. Demonstrate verbal counting of varied rhythm system
  3. Identify and use musical terminology in context
  4. Perform and transcribe basic note values within various meters
  5. Perform and transcribe multi-level rhythmic syncopation
  6. Perform and transcribe single, alternating, accented and triplet subdivisions
  7. Perform two part sight singing exercises by playing one part and singing another and perform two part rhythmic exercises. Moveable do will be used to sing melodies.

MUS223 Aural Skills VI: Chromaticism

Credit 1Spring

Registration Requirement: MUS222 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS213.

This course continues development in aural skills and emphasizes performance and transcription of chromatic melodies and harmonies and of complex rhythmic patterns.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Recognize and duplicate melodies and harmonic dictation containing modulations and chromatic alterations
  2. Recognize compound intervals, triads and 7th chords in inversion; scale patterns in the context of a piece of music; rhythmic patterns of mixed meter; harmonic progressions in the diatonic scale, including secondary dominant, secondary VII 07 chords, borrowed chords, Neapolitan 6th chord, augmented 6th Italian, German and French chords
  3. Sight sing vocal realization of melody of comparable difficulty to the opening melodic line of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and four-part English madrigal. Moveable do will be used to sing melodies.
  4. Write material described in number 2 above, with melodic lines including rhythmic difficulty

MUS231 Keyboard Harmony I

Credits 2Fall

Registration Requirement: MUS133 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS211 and MUS221.

This course covers keyboard application of harmonic principles that are studied in first-year music theory. This course is designed to improve a student's skills in playing, hearing and harmonic analysis. Emphasis is placed on modern/popular harmony and voicing.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Develop comping styles
  2. Harmonize melodies using primary and secondary chords
  3. Improvise melodies using appropriate chord scales.
  4. Perform dorian and mixolydian scales and arpeggios
  5. Perform IIm7, V7, I Maj7 progressions in all keys
  6. Perform major scale arpeggios
  7. Perform standard chord progressions including applied chords, Neapolitan chords, and augmented sixth chords.

MUS232 Keyboard Harmony II

Credits 2Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS231 with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisite: MUS212 and MUS222.

This course covers keyboard application of harmonic principles that are studied in first-year music theory. This course is designed to improve a student's skills in playing, hearing and harmonic analysis. Emphasis is placed on modern/popular harmony and voicing.

Additional Course Fee: $10.00

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Construct and perform walking bass lines
  2. Embellishment static harmonic structures using planing and chromatic embelishments.
  3. Harmonize melodies using major and minor II-V-I progressions
  4. Perform aeolian, phrygian and lydian scales and arpeggios
  5. Perform progressions containing tritone substitutions
  6. Perform voicings with extensions and alterations
  7. Recognize and perform all II-V-Is in minor keys

MUS268 Music History: Baroque to Romantic (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course provides an introduction to and survey of Western music during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries covering the music and cultures of the high Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Students examine the emergence of music as a metaphor for psychological structure. Focus is on musical works, compositional materials, musical instruments, performance practices, social contexts and cross-cultural influences from non-European sources including Moorish African and central Asian cultures. In addition to reading and listening, emphasis is placed on high-quality academic research, writing, and citation. While designed for both music majors and non-majors, please note this course requires the ability to read and notate music.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Correctly aurally identify compositions studied during the term from major composers and correctly categorize unknown compositions by region and approximate date
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of musical and cultural characteristics of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras in both verbal and written form
  3. Demonstrate the ability to do scholarly research using high-quality source material and cite these materials using a discipline-appropriate style guide as part of research papers
  4. Demonstrate their ability to compare important musical events with corresponding events in world history
  5. Identify cross-cultural influences on Western music from non-Western cultures and draw parallels to contemporary multi-culturalism

MUS279 Popular Songwriting

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: MUS101 or instructor approval.

The study of songs and songwriting will be introduced, with special attention paid to the art of lyrics, melody, harmony, and structure to create songs. Songs will be analyzed and composed, and students will listen to popular songwriting throughout modern history. This course presents opportunities to analyze historical musical examples, study the craft of songwriting, and engage in hands-on work to compose and produce songs. Students are expected to listen critically and create and collaborate on original song lyrics and music.

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Examine the technical construction of the music itself, including but not limited to: tempo, meter, key structure, form, melodic contour and simple harmonic analysis;
  2. Compare the societal and cultural context that produces musical style, and the resulting ideas that music expresses;
  3. Articulate a variety of musical and lyrical approaches and thematic material that great songwriters have utilized in their songs.

MUS282 Fundamentals of Conducting

Credits 2Winter - even years

Registration Requirement: MUS111 or instructor approval.

This course covers the fundamental techniques of rehearsing, conducting and interpreting vocal and instrumental music. Emphasis is placed upon the mastery of simple conducting patterns, cues, expressive gestures, and on common problems in leading and directing musical ensembles.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create an interpretation based on analysis of a score
  2. Demonstrate skills in applying cues, dynamics, and tempo changes while conducting an ensemble
  3. Demonstrate the following beat patterns while conducting musicians and/or recorded music: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 12/8, 9/9, 6/8, 3/8
  4. Mark appropriate bowings, phrase marks, and breath marks in scores
  5. Read and evaluate scores: analyze time signature, orchestration, problem solve potential errors

Course fees are subject to change. Additional section fees (web, hybrid, etc.) may apply.

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course