MUS 100 3 Units
Music Appreciation
This course introduces students to music in western civilization and methods of music listening. Included in this course are guidelines for thoughtful music selection, basic musical forms, cross-cultural studies in music, music periods and styles, a discussion of patrons and audiences, careful consideration of the role of women in creating music, history of art music, popular music, world music, and jazz.
MUS 100H 3 Units
Music Appreciation - Honors
This course introduces students to music in western civilization and methods of music listening. Included in this course are guidelines for thoughtful music selection, basic musical forms, cross-cultural studies in music, music periods and styles, a discussion of patrons and audiences, careful consideration of the role of women in creating music, history of art music, popular music, world music, and jazz. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.
MUS 101 3 Units
Music Theory I: Fundamentals
This course studies music terminology, elements of music (pitch, duration, intensity, and timbre), rhythmic analysis, major scales and their key signatures, chromatic scales, intervals, and solfeggio syllables. It is a course designed for the beginning student with a moderate interest in the structure of music. It is also designed for the music major and as such serves as the first in a four-part series of music theory courses.
MUS 101L 1 Unit
Musicianship I
Specifically, this course applies the materials studied in Music Theory I through sight-singing (using solfeggio syllables), keyboard skills (the playing of scales and identification of pitches on the keyboard), recognition and performance of intervals, and some ear-training (melodic dictation). This course is the companion course to MUS 101. MUS 102 3 Units
Music Theory II: Scales and Modes
This course is a foundational discussion of analytical and compositional techniques through a progressive study of the following: four-part chorale composition (in diatonic harmony) including secondary dominants and other applied chordal structures; basic introduction into contrapuntal writing (two part only), voice leading, additional non-harmonic tones and modulation to relative, parallel and distant keys. It is the second in a four-part series of music theory courses designed for the music major.
MUS 102L 1 Unit
Musicianship II
This course continues to focus on the study of musicianship through its components. It explores dictation skills (the notation of aural impressions), the continued use of solfeggio syllables to discern pitches within a tonal framework, keyboard fundamentals, and is designed to elevate the student's level of dictation and musical analysis. It is the companion course to MUS 102. MUS 104 3 Units
History of Rock and Roll
This course is a chronological survey of rock music styles. Included in the course is a study of the origins and the development of Rock and Roll. The major performing artists, composers, lyricists, promoters and arrangers are all studied. A major aspect of the course is the emphasis on how Rock and Roll has impacted Western culture.
MUS 105 3 Units
American Popular Music
This course traces the social history of America through a study of the eras of popular American music. By examining the various styles, the outstanding musicians and the leading composers exemplary of those styles, this class illustrates how the historical era impacts the music and how the music reflects the historical era. The course begins with a discussion of popular music examining the popular songs of the colonies and the schools of singing that developed. The discussion continues through the music of the Civil War and tracks popular music across the great westward expansion. It concludes with studies of Gospel, Blues, Jazz and ultimately Rock and Roll.
MUS 106 3 Units
History of Jazz
This course is a chronological survey of Jazz forms, styles, and movements. Included in the course is a study of the origins and the development of Jazz. The major performing artists, composers, lyricists and arrangers are all studied. An emphasis is placed on the impact of Jazz on Rock and Roll and Pop Music. Another emphasis is placed on the impact of Classical Music on Jazz as well as the impact that Jazz has had in recent years on Classical Music.
MUS 107 3 Units
Music Cultures of the World
This course is a survey of traditional and folk music of global continents and cultures. The course includes live and filmed performances, as well as introductions to various significant indigenous musical instruments. Students are introduced to instrumental and vocal techniques, musical structures, and performance contexts within selected cultures of the world. The impact and influence of global musical cultures on western music is a main focus in this course.
MUS 108 3 Units
History of Hip Hop Music
This course presents the development of Hip hop as a musical style and cultural movement. Students will examine key figures in Hip hop, institutions, and social settings through readings, electronic media, videos, and live performance. Students will also investigate how Hip hop culture is not only a source of entertainment, but also a medium that analyzes and/or provides commentary regarding social, economic, political, and cultural issues dealing with identity, cultural genocide, misogyny, racism, classism, materialism, freedom of speech, and sexuality.
MUS 117A 1 Unit
Elementary Acoustic Guitar
This course is a study of basic guitar emphasizing stringing, tuning and fingering. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
MUS 117B 1 Unit
Intermediate Acoustic Guitar
This course is a study of intermediate guitar emphasizing stringing, tuning and fingering. The development of playing techniques and notation will also be studied. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
MUS 117C 1 Unit
Intermediate/Advanced Acoustic Guitar
This course is a study of intermediate/advanced guitar emphasizing stringing, tuning and more complex fingering. The development of playing techniques, notation, reading guitar music and the playing of melodies will also be studied. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
MUS 117D 1 Unit
Advanced Acoustic Guitar
This course is a study of advanced guitar with an emphasis on stringing, tuning and complex fingering. The development of playing techniques, notation, reading guitar music, playing melodies, chord construction, and accompaniment will also be studied. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
MUS 121 3 Units
Music History and Literature - Middle Ages through Baroque
This course provides an overview of the historical development of music from the Middle Ages (1450) through the Baroque Period (1750). Emphasis is placed on appreciation of musical form, and the role of music in a multicultural society relative to historical events.
MUS 121H 3 Units
Music History and Literature - Middle Ages through Baroque - Honors
This course provides an overview of the historical development of music from the Middle Ages (1450) through the Baroque Period (1750). Emphasis is placed on appreciation of musical form, and the role of music in a multicultural society relative to historical events. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.
MUS 122 3 Units
Music History and Literature - Classic through Contemporary
This course provides an overview of the historical development of music from Classicism (1750) to the present. Emphasis is placed on appreciation of musical form, and the role of music in a multicultural society relative to political and artistic events.
MUS 122H 3 Units
Music History and Literature - Classic through Contemporary - Honors
This course provides an overview of the historical development of music from Classicism (1750) to the present. Emphasis is placed on appreciation of musical form, and the role of music in a multicultural society relative to political and artistic events. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.
MUS 123 3 Units
Electronic Music I
This course is an introduction to computer-based music recording techniques using electronic and digital interfaces. Course topics include electronic sequencing software, notation software, basic digital audio, microphones, interfaces, and other hardware used in recording studios.
MUS 124 3 Units
Electronic Music II
This course will cover advanced uses of sequencing software, notation software, digital audio, microphones, interfaces, and other hardware used in recording studios.
MUS 130 3 Units
Elementary Voice
This course is an introduction and progressive study of vocal techniques including muscular aspects and sound of producing properties of the vocal mechanism with emphasis on singing and vocal projection used in speech, drama, and standard vocal literature.
MUS 131 3 Units
Intermediate Voice
This course is designed for the singer who has had formal vocal training and wishes to pursue additional training for a career in the vocal arts. Emphasis is on vocal technique, voice quality, expression, style, interpretation, stage presence, and multi-language diction.
MUS 133 1 Unit
Elementary Piano
This course teaches practical keyboard facility that is applicable for the piano, organ, and electronic keyboard. It emphasizes sight reading, elementary improvisation, harmonization of folk and pop melodies, and leads to performance of simple piano selections.
MUS 134 1 Unit
Intermediate Piano
This course focuses on the improvement of keyboard facility and sight reading abilities, utilizing improvisation and harmonization skills through simplified arrangements and original composition. This course will be useful for those desiring to strengthen keyboard skills.
MUS 135 1 Unit
Advanced Piano
This course focuses on the improvement of keyboard facility and sight-reading abilities. It advances improvisation and harmonization skills. It is primarily concerned with more advanced complex piano works by the master composers: Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms and others.
MUS 141X2 0.5 Units
Applied Music I
Students receive credit for a minimum of one-half hour of weekly private instruction on a musical instrument or voice. Daily laboratory practice, concert and ensemble participation are required. The course is open to all students in the college, with enrollment priority given to music majors. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this course. Public performances are mandatory.
MUS 150X4 1 Unit
Mixed Chorus
This course develops foundational techniques in such aspects of choral music as breathing, posture, tone production, enunciation and musicianship. This ensemble focuses on choral music from a variety of stylistic periods including classical, spiritual, folk and musical theatre. Neither experience nor an audition is necessary. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 152X4 1 Unit
Chamber Singers
In this course, students will study and perform a wide variety of outstanding music literature from all periods suitable to a chamber group, including classical genres and contemporary art music as well as musical theater and opera excerpts. An audition with the director is mandatory. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 153X4 1 Unit
Chamber Chorale
This is a small (20) ensemble of singers, each with considerable solo and choral classical music experience. Students will train as both classical vocal soloists and choral musicians. Students will study intonation, sectional balance and choral blending. Repertoire will be entirely classical in nature, in multiple languages and composed specifically with a small intimate sound in mind. An audition with the director is mandatory. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 154X4 1 Unit
College Singers
In this course, students will study and perform a wide variety of outstanding music literature from all periods suitable to a large sized choral ensemble, including music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic eras. Neither experience nor an audition is necessary. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 156X4 1 Unit
Concert Choir
In the course, students will study and perform a wide variety of outstanding music literature from all periods suitable to a medium to large size chorale, including music of a classical nature from the Renaissance Period to the Twentieth Century. Neither experience nor an audition is necessary. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 158X4 1 Unit
Gospel Choir
Repertoire in the course focuses on the African-American gospel traditions. Historical analysis of the spirituals, as well as vocal and performing techniques are emphasized. An audition with the director is mandatory. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 159X4 1 Unit
Theatrical Music Workshop
In this course, students study the art of stage movement as it is paired with acoustical song (singing without amplification). Repertoire for this class consists of Opera, Oratorio, Operetta and Operatics excerpts. Students study characterization and stage movement in both principal and chorus parts. Students participate in costuming, makeup and stagecraft. Students are strongly advised to have some classical vocal training prior to enrollment in this course. This course may be taken four times.
MUS 162X4 1 Unit
Wind Ensemble
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of musical literature, with an emphasis on the development of skills needed to perform within an ensemble and be emulated by future teachers. This group is the premier classical instrumental ensemble featuring wind, brass, and percussion instruments. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this ensemble. Public performances are mandatory.
MUS 166X4 1 Unit
Concert Band
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of musical literature, with an emphasis on the development of skills needed to both perform within an ensemble, and be emulated by future teachers. This group features wind, brass, and percussion instruments; and will rehearse and perform standard band literature. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this ensemble.
MUS 167X4 1 Unit
Jazz Combo
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of classic jazz small group repertoire. The group will feature 1-3 horns (saxophone, trumpet, trombone) and rhythm section selected through a mandatory audition process. Special emphasis is placed on learning tunes from recordings and playing improvised solos.
MUS 168X4 1 Unit
Jazz Band
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of music literature within the jazz big band idiom. The group will feature saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and rhythm sections selected through a mandatory audition process. Special emphasis is placed on the development of sight reading, jazz style and phrasing, and improvisation.
MUS 170X2 1 Unit
Jazz Improvisation and Theory I
This course presents the beginning concepts of Jazz improvisation skills and Jazz theory. Emphasis is placed on swing, bebop, and blues. This course is open to instrumentalists and vocalists. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this ensemble.
MUS 171X2 1 Unit
Jazz Improvisation and Theory II
This course presents the intermediate to advanced concepts of Jazz improvisation skills and Jazz theory. This is an ensemble with emphasis placed on modal and pentatonic scales, hard bop style, and modern jazz. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this ensemble.
MUS 180X4 1 Unit
Instrumental Chamber Music
This course covers the study and performance of instrumental chamber literature. Students will be organized into various chamber music ensembles to prepare, perform, and record assigned literature. An audition with the director is mandatory for participation in this ensemble. (Formerly MUS 180)
MUS 201 3 Units
Music Theory III: Basic Harmony
This course represents a complete study of the diatonic harmonies from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It includes a review of triad formations and the principles of voice-leading. Included in the course is a review study of seventh chords, secondary dominants, non-harmonic tones, realization of figured bass lines and rudimentary formal analysis. It also includes an introduction of augmented-sixth chords, secondary/applied chords, modulation to more remote keys, Neapolitan sixth chords and some chromatic harmony. An important part of this class is the analysis of chorales by J.S. Bach. This course is the third of a four-part series of theory courses and is primarily designed for the music major.
MUS 201L 1 Unit
Musicianship III
This course emphasizes the further development of skills in sight-singing melodies of simple and compound meter, sight singing of multiple part compositions in both major and minor modes, phrases with an anacrusis and intervals beyond the third. The course includes the study of modulating melodies, two-part melodic dictation, the dictation of triads (in all positions) as well as diatonic seventh chords and simple chord progressions. The course will include the study of all existent triads from the major and minor scales and all church modes as they are performed at the keyboard. It is the companion course to MUS 201. MUS 202 3 Units
Music Theory IV: Harmony
The course is a conclusive study of diatonic harmonies, including further work with secondary dominant chord structures, and figured bass line realizations. It also includes an extensive study of ninth chords: complete, incomplete, and dominant ninth. A study of Neapolitan and augmented sixth chords, 9th, 11th, 13th chords as well as a study of 20th century techniques and Impressionism will be undertaken. The class will conclude its study of Bach chorales and other brief forms. This course is the fourth in a four-part series of theory courses designed for the music major and incorporates the concepts from MUS 201. MUS 202L 1 Unit
Musicianship IV
This course emphasizes further development of skills in sight-singing by the singing of modal melodies, melodies with non-diatonic tones and melodies containing larger intervals. The course includes dictation of melodies with non-diatonic tones as well as modal melodies. Further, dictation of secondary dominants, augmented and Neapolitan sixth chords and modulations to distantly-related keys are included. Rhythmic dictation with changing meters and mini and maxi triplets are studied. This course is the companion course to MUS 202. MUS 210 3 Units
Conducting
This course is an introduction to basic conducting techniques including the practice of basic beat patterns, score reading, and rehearsal techniques. It offers an opportunity to learn and apply the techniques needed for group direction and leadership. Also included are sessions in problem solving and decision making with regard to tempo, dynamics, instrumentation, blend, balance, rhythmic and pitch accuracy.
MUS 222 1-3 Units
Independent Study in Music
Students with previous course work in music may do assigned projects involving research and analysis of selected topics. This independent study is for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge of music. Prior to registration, a written contract must be prepared. See instructor for details.
MUS 241X2 0.5 Units
Applied Music II
Students receive credit for a minimum of one-half hour of weekly private instruction on a musical instrument or voice. Daily laboratory practice, concert and ensemble participation are required. The course is open to all students in the college, with enrollment priority given to music majors.
