MUS - Music

Registration required for music majors each semester. Successful completion required for graduation. Course is graded P/NP.

An introduction to musical language through the study of theory, notation, and composition of music, including notation, clefs, key signatures, scales, time signatures, meter, rhythm, intervals, chords and basic keyboard harmony and harmonic progressions. Knowledge of this material is a prerequisite to more advanced music theory courses, such as MUS 101.

Detailed study of musical concepts and elements, with an emphasis on foundations.

Continued study of concepts of music emphasizing the diatonic vocabulary.

Direct and computerized instruction in the development of pitch, interval, chord, and rhythm discrimination. This class is coordinated with MUS 101 through simultaneous enrollment. Open to all students. Required of music majors and minors.

This course continues to a more advanced level of the training begun in MUS 103. It is coordinated with MUS 102.

Beginning piano level course open to all students regardless of major.  Basic class instruction at the piano emphasizing keyboard facility through literature, harmonizing melodies, sight reading and improvising.

For music majors and minors. Basic class introduction to piano emphasizing keyboard facility through literature, harmonizing melodies, sight reading and improvising.

Emphasis on chromatic harmony, analysis, listening, and creative work.

Extensions of the common practice period. Introduction to twentieth century practice.

Survey of music history from Bach to Beethoven. (Salzburg only.)

Continuation of beginning piano level instruction open to all students, regardless of major, who have completed MUS 130 or who have recent, previous piano experience.  The class will emphasize keyboard facility through literature, harmonizing melodies, sight reading and improvising.

For music majors and minors. Development of focused skills in accompanying and score reading.

Students will engage in meditative breathing practices for wellness that ease anxiety and energize the body, learn how breathing connects to efficient and expressive use of the speaking voice and finally connect these techniques of efficient breathing and speaking to singing which releases stress, boosts your immune system, increases your energy, improves your memory and benefits your cardio-vascular endurance. Class will include both applied methods and the science/theory behind these methods.

Emphasis upon fundamental classical techniques, basic chords, strums and varied accompaniments, notation. Literature drawn from all historical periods including contemporary, folk, and flamenco sources.

This course is designed to be a continuation of the beginning level of guitar. Emphasis will build up on those fundamental classical techniques, accompaniments and notations of the beginning level. Literature will come from modern, folk and flamenco sources.

Continuing study of basic methods, principles, and techniques of singing both solo and as a group in a safe environment. Open to all students. Required of music education majors.

Individual instruction in music performance and literature. For students who are not majoring or minoring in music. May be repeated four times for credit. Fee: $375

In Music History I, we study the historical and cultural contexts of Western music from the Medieval era through the mid-19th Century. Music is not composed in a vacuum, so it is imperative that we explore the influence of art, cultural, and sociopolitical conditions. How do literature, humanism, war, and religion impact music? Required of music majors. Open to all students.

In Music History II, we study the historical and cultural contexts of Western music from the 19th Century through today. Music is not composed in a vacuum, so it is imperative that we explore the influence of art, cultural, and sociopolitical conditions. How do war, protest, peace, and religion impact music? This course includes classical, jazz, theater, opera, movie music, and contemporary works. Required of music majors. Open to all students.

A survey of classical music, from the Middle Ages to the present, that examines landmark styles, genres, and composers. Class includes live performance attendance. Fee: $100

Survey of music history from Beethoven to the present (Salzburg only.)

A study of the basic techniques in effective scoring and arranging for various instrumental and vocal ensembles.

A study of the music and musical idioms of a variety of non-Western cultures. With use of aural and visual examples, the student will develop both an understanding and an appreciation of the enriching role of music in diverse cultures of the world. Required of music majors. Open to all students.

Complete basic course in the understanding of electronic music. Topics include history, analog theory, methods of synthesis, digital theory, music instrument digital interface (MIDI), computers, audio recording, and digital sampling. Lab activities to be completed weekly. Open to all students with instructor approval. Fee: $30.

Techniques of conducting choral and instrumental ensembles with practical experience in laboratory situations. Required of all music majors. Open to all students by permission of instructor.

Study of the basic methods, principles, and techniques of playing brass and percussion instruments. Open to all students with instructor approval, and as a component of the Pre-Music Education track within the Bachelor of Arts in Music program.

Study of the basic methods, principles, and techniques of playing woodwind instruments. Open to all students with instructor approval, and as a component of the Pre-Music Education track within the Bachelor of Arts in Music program.

Study of the basic methods, principles, and techniques of playing string instruments. Open to all students with instructor approval, as a component of the Pre-Music Education track within the Bachelor of Arts in Music program.

Study of Italian, French and German as it relates to pronunciation in singing.  Study will employ the use of International Phonetic Alphabet.  Class is required for Music Majors with Voice Performance Emphasis and recommended for Pre-Music Education track students who wish to conduct choirs. 

Explores the anatomy and physiology of the vocal instrument and how to teach singing in both choral and solo settings. This course is for Music Majors with Voice Performance Emphasis or Pre-Music Education track students.

Examines the role of the music educator within a K-12 framework, with individual units and field observations at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The course is designed to help students understand the needs and expectations of a music-specific classroom.

Contemporary techniques of composition as applied to vocal and instrumental media.

A survey of Rock and Roll from its roots to the present day, including styles, performers, composers, and culture. Open to all students.

An exploration of this American art form, from operetta and music comedy to contemporary musical theatre. Open to all students.

A study of Catholic liturgical music, including Church documents and liturgical books, music repertoire and liturgical performance and historical context.

A study of Jazz from its roots to the present day, including styles, performers, composers, and culture. Open to all students.

An ensemble experience for guitar players of sufficient skill. Literature of all style periods will be performed. Enrollment by permission of instructor.

Ensemble for the reading and performing of all styles of band literature. Open to all University students by audition. May be taken 8 times for credit.

The University Singers is a premiere mixed-voice choral ensemble open to all students via audition. The group is dedicated to exploring the choral art with diverse repertoire from a wide range of time periods, styles and cultures, performed at the highest artistic level.

The UP Orchestra is an inclusive community of musicians seeking opportunities to inspire and enrich lives through a diverse selection of works. The Orchestra performs pieces from all over the world, including repertoire for string, chamber, and symphony orchestra. We encourage students to become leaders, giving them the tools to experience, explore, and expand their technical and musical skills. Open to all University students by audition.

The ensemble of singers and players meets once per week with the express purpose of preparing music for the chapel services. It is open without audition to any University student regardless of major. May be taken 8 times for credit. Does not fulfill ensemble requirement for music majors/minors.

Small groups that rehearse and perform music in a variety of styles. May be repeated 8 times for credit. Registration by permission of instructor.

A women's choir, open to all students by audition. Participants need not be music majors. Repertoire drawn from wide variety of musical styles. May be taken 8 times for credit.

Performance of contemporary literature for this medium. Open to all University students with permission of the director. May be taken 8 times for credit.

Study of theatrical singing and acting techniques as applicable to all varieties of theatrical music, including cabaret, music-theater, and opera. Students are expected to participate in various performances prepared by the class. Open to all students with instructor's permission. Email for an audition.

Individual, advanced study in collaborative piano, including chamber music, art song, opera, choral, and/or orchestral repertoire. Students will gain skills including, but not limited to sight reading, orchestral reduction/open score/lead sheet reading, continuo playing, etc. Students may be assigned to one of the major ensembles, accompanying for pre-assigned repertoire in rehearsal and in concert. May be repeated for a max of 4 credits. 

This course is an optional addition for those concurrently enrolled in MUS 486.  Students will perform repertoire being learned in their private lessons in front of their peers and instructor with the goal of improving their stage presence and learning to better convey text through music to an audience.

This course is designed reinforce concepts introduced in private voice/instrumental lessons; to practice correct pitch, rhythm, style, diction, phrasing, expression, memorization, and other elements of a successful musical performance; to gain experience working with a pianist and/or other collaborative musicians. Fee: $300

Individual instruction, performance, and literature. Sections differentiated by particular instrument, voice, or instructor. May be repeated eight times for credit. See Music Study Handbook for specific requirements. Fee: $500

Individual, advanced conducting study, including score preparation, rehearsal techniques, stylistic interpretation, gesture and development of a pedagogical and philosophical approach to conducting. Students will be assigned as a student conducting associate to one of the major ensembles and will conduct pre-assigned repertoire with that ensemble in rehearsal and in concert. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

Individual, advanced study in music composition, including advanced exploration of compositional styles, form and expression, advanced analysis of existing works and advanced study of notational software in order to produce performance-ready musical scores and parts. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

For the student who demonstrates the ability to do individual study and research in selected areas of the curriculum. Selection of the area must be made in consultation with and approval of the appropriate faculty to be involved.

Credit arranged.

All music majors are required to prepare and present a project during the last semester of their residence. Projects include a research or creative component. Examples include recitals, lecture recitals, performances of compositions, conducting etc. Guidance will be provided by various faculty members as assigned.