Ensembles emphasize the study of significant musical
styles and literature through group rehearsal, individual practice and public
performance. Students will have the opportunity to perform in a minimum of two on-campus
concerts per semester and a variety of off-campus performances. Music majors and all
students taking applied music lessons must enroll in a principal ensemble each
semester. Fall and Spring semesters.
1 credit each and are repeatable
MUSI 012 Wind Ensemble*
MUSI 014 Concert Band*
MUSI 015 Chamber Singers*
MUSI 016 Opera Workshop
MUSI 017 Concert Choir*
MUSI 018 Brass Ensemble
MUSI 019 Accompanying
MUSI 020 Vocal Jazz Workshop
MUSI 021 Jazz Ensemble
MUSI 022 Woodwind Ensemble
MUSI 023 Flute Choir
MUSI 024 Clarinet Choir
*denotes principal ensemble
Applied Music Study
Individual applied music lessons are available on a credit-only basis (no audits), and consist of a private lesson each week and a studio performance class. Lessons in each area (voice, brass, piano, etc.) are listed with two course numbers, representing upper and lower division lessons. Students may only register for upper-division numbers following a minimum of four semesters at the lower-division level and successful completion of a comprehensive performance exam.
Students taking music lessons must also register concurrently for a principal ensemble: MUSI 012, MUSI 014, MUSI 015, or MUSI 017. Students participating in these ensembles are required to perform on their lesson instrument unless specifically directed by the applied Instructor.
MUSI 051, MUSI 061 Voice (2 credits) The study of vocal production, literature and performance techniques consisting of one lesson per week and participation in a voice studio class. MUSI 061 culminates in a recital performance. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and spring semesters.
MUSI 052, MUSI 062 Piano (2 credits) Lower division lessons emphasize the development of technical facility and knowledge of various styles of keyboard literature. Upper division lessons will concentrate on the preparation of specific selections for performance. For keyboard and piano pedagogy majors, MUSI 062 will culminate in a recital performance. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and spring semesters.
MUSI 053, MUSI 063 Brass (2 credits) One lesson per week on a brass instrument and participation in an instrumental studio class. Lesson material is designed to give students a solid foundation in the areas of performance, literature and pedagogy. MUSI 063 culminates in a recital. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and spring semesters.
MUSI 054, MUSI 064 Woodwinds (2 credits) One lesson per week on a woodwind instrument and participation in an instrumental studio class. Lesson material is designed to give students a solid foundation in the areas of performance, literature and pedagogy. MUSI 064 culminates in a recital. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and Spring semesters.
MUSI 055, MUSI 065 Organ (2 credits) One lesson per week on the organ. Lesson material is designed to give students a solid foundation in the areas of performance, literature and pedagogy. MUSI 065 culminates in a recital performance. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and spring semesters.
MUSI 058, MUSI 068 Percussion (2 credits) One lesson per week on percussion instruments and participation in an instrumental studio class. Lesson material is designed to give students a solid foundation in the areas of performance, literature and pedagogy. MUSI 068 culminates in a recital performance. Ensemble participation required. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall and spring semesters.
Lessons on other instruments available by special request.
Methods/Theory/History
MUSI 150 Survey of World Musics - GS 5 This course provides a basic introduction of world music methods and problems, and surveys several non-Western musical cultures including the cultures of Africa, the Middle East, Japan, Southeastern Europe, Latin America, India and Native America. Students will listen to, analyze representative works, and do independent research on a pertinent topic.
MUSI 167 Comprehensive Musicianship 1 This is the first of a sequence of courses in which students will learn the elements of music and standard notation, aural and score analysis of compositions, and style characteristics within their musical and historical contexts, and the development of composition, appreciation, and interpretive skills. Basic music theory skills emphasized. Ear training, sight singing, computer skills and keyboard labs are included. Fall semester.
MUSI 168 Comprehensive Musicianship 2 This course emphasizes part writing, and harmonic and formal analysis of Western music from ancient times through the Renaissance. Ear training, sight singing, computer skills and keyboard labs are included. Prerequisite: MUSI 167 or Instructor’s consent. Spring semester.
MUSI 176 Music Appreciation – GS 5 Designed for minors and non-majors, this course is concerned with the art of intelligent and perceptive music listening for those interested in increasing their knowledge and enjoyment of music. The course traces the development of music up to the present day. Various media are employed. Note: Course does not satisfy requirements for Music majors.
MUSI 267 Comprehensive Musicianship 3 The study of Western music of the Baroque era, including theoretical and formal analysis, stylistic development of compositional genres, and significant works examined in historical context. Ear training, sight singing, computer skills and keyboard labs are included. Prerequisite: MUSI 168 or Instructor’s consent. Fall semester. MUSI 268 Comprehensive Musicianship 4 The study of Western music of the Classic Era, including theoretical and formal analysis, stylistic characteristics and significant works examined in their historical context. Ear training, sight singing, computer skills and keyboard skills are included. Prerequisite: MUSI 267 or Instructor’s consent. Spring semester.
MUSI 289 Special Topics (2 credit) A course that is offered whenever a mutual interest in a more specialized topic in music exists for a member of the faculty and a sufficient number of students. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 290 Independent Study (2 credit) Individual study of an approved topic in music under the supervision of a music faculty member. This course permits faculty and students to explore together a subject of special or personal interest. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 315 Introduction to Opera – GS 10 This course is designed to meet the needs and interests of the general student rather than the music major. The class will view selected operas on videotape and study the development of opera from Monteverdi to the present, exploring the opera as a social and cultural phenomenon and as an expression of national musical styles. The course attempts to make the student aware not only of the history of opera in its many forms, but also to appreciate the extent to which modern music, including popular musical drama, is indebted to the success and popularity of opera. Note: Course not open to music majors.
MUSI 317 Evolution of Jazz – GS 10 The study of jazz from its origins in New Orleans to the present day. The course will focus on important performers and songwriters, types of literature, an appreciation of jazz improvisation, as well as the interaction of social, political, and economic elements that strongly influenced the genre. Audio and video presentations will be used extensively.
MUSI 321 Piano Pedagogy 1 (2 credit) Piano pedagogy explores the various theories of teaching the piano and technical analysis of the playing mechanism. Teaching methods and procedures are developed for establishing efficient practice and working with individual learning styles. Students will survey and evaluate teaching materials and learn to analyze the technical requirements of keyboard music. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall semester.
MUSI 322 Piano Pedagogy 2 (2 credit) This course is designed to give students experience in the practical application of piano teaching skills and concepts of the mechanism. Prerequisite: MUSI 321 and Instructor’s consent. Spring semester.
MUSI 328 Piano Practicum 2 (2 credit) This course is designed to give the elementary, middle and high school teacher practical application of the skills studied in the music theory piano lab. Material to be covered includes warm-up exercises, part reading, and a comprehensive survey of the WSMA festival solo and ensemble list. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent. Fall semester.
MUSI 329 Piano Literature(2 credit) This class is designed to provide the piano major with an understanding of significant forms in the history of piano music, the important compositions within these genres, and a functional and practical literature library of compositions for use in a variety of settings.
MUSI 345 Vocal Literature (2 credits) This class is designed to provide the vocal major with an understanding of significant forms in the history of vocal music, the important compositions within these genres, and a functional and practical literature library of compositions for use in a variety of settings.
MUSI 346 Vocal Diction & Pedagogy (2 credits) Vocal diction study will include the International Phonetic Alphabet for learning pronunciation of English, Italian, German and French. Students will recite song texts and sing songs in foreign languages with attention to translation, pronunciation, accent and inflection; learn the differences between the spoken and sung language; and will combine performance with song study and preparation. In pedagogy, singers will be trained in the anatomy, physiology, and physics of singing and song production, and involve students in teaching voice under the supervision of the instructor. Prerequisite: Music majors and minors and others with Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 347 Choral Repertoire (2 credits) This class is designed to provide the emerging choral conductor with an understanding of significant forms in the history of choral music, the compositions that hold pre eminence within those genres, and a functional and practical repertoire library of compositions for use in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: Junior standing
MUSI 362 Woodwind Methods (2 credits) Basic principles of teaching and performing on woodwind instruments. Fall semester, odd years.
MUSI 363 String Methods (2 credits) Basic principles of teaching and performing on string instruments. Fall semester, even years.
MUSI 365 Brass Methods (2 credits) Basic principles of teaching and performing on brass instruments. Spring semester, alternate years.
MUSI 366 Percussion Methods (2 credits) Basic principles of teaching and performing on percussion instruments. Spring semester, alternate years.
MUSI 367 Comprehensive Musicianship 5 Romantic and Nationalistic music will be examined through the study of significant composers and their compositions. Emphasis will be given to chromaticism, advanced harmonic analysis and extended forms within the historical context of the era. Keyboard labs are included. Prerequisite: MUSI 268 or Instructor’s consent. Fall semester.
MUSI 368 Comprehensive Musicianship 6 The concluding course of the sequence, MUSI 368 examines significant works from Impressionism through the musical experiments of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will compose, write about music and learn advanced analytical techniques.
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting (2 credits) Baton techniques and conducting problems utilizing a cross section of instrumental and choral music from all periods. Students practice with live performers and are videotaped. Required of all music majors and minors. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent. Spring semester.
MUSI 382 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 credits) Development of the ability to interpret the varied forms of choral literature. Conducting projects with Choral Ensembles are required. Prerequisite: MUSI 381. Fall semester.
MUSI 383 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (2 credits) Development of the ability to interpret the varied forms of instrumental literature and to read from a full score. Conducting projects with instrumental ensembles are required. Prerequisite: MUSI 381. Fall semester.
MUSI 384 Orchestration (2 credits) A study of the instruments of the concert band and orchestra, their tonal characteristics and transpositions. Assignments involve scoring for orchestra, concert band and various small ensembles. Classwork includes score analysis, listening and computer generation of assignments. Prerequisite: Junior standing or Instructor’s consent. Spring semester, alternate years.
MUSI 389 Special Topics (2 credits) A course that is offered whenever a mutual interest in a more specialized topic in music exists for a member of the faculty and a sufficient number of students. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 420 Merit Recital A full recital with research paper for exceptional students in performance. Contingent upon completion of junior and senior recitals. Results in an automatic waiver of the eighth applied half-course during that semester. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 489 Special Topics A course that is offered whenever a mutual interest in a more specialized topic in music exists for a member of the faculty and a sufficient number of students. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.
MUSI 490 Independent Study Individual study of an approved topic in music under the supervision of a music faculty member. This course permits faculty and students to explore together a subject of special or personal interest. Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent and approval of the Associate Dean for Humanities and Fine Arts.
