Course Descriptions

To find a listing of classes under a certain subject, please select from the drop-down list below and click on the "Go" button.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Note: All music ensemble credits are transferable and can be used as elective credits up to 12 credits. Most music programs require 12 ensemble credits.

MUP105 Jazz Band
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
The sounds of the "Big Band" era. This group performs regularly both locally and throughout the state. Students may be asked to audition.

MUP114 Stage Band
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
A performance ensemble which rehearses and performs the appropriate musical
literature chosen by the instructor. Instruction will be given to individuals as well as the ensemble on how to improve the overall musical effect. Pop ballads to jazz, both traditional and non-traditional. Intermediate and advanced musicians are admitted. Instructor consent is not required for the student to register for the class, but the student may be asked by the instructor to demonstrate their ability.

MUP121 Symphonic Choir
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
A large choral ensemble performing the works of major composers, encompassing all musical periods and styles. Students may be asked to audition.

MUP123 Opera
1-3 credits (2-6 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Operas, opera selections, operatic arias or operettas done in costumes, staging and concert style. Students may be asked to audition.

MUP125 Vocal Jazz (Southwesters)
2 credits (4 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Pop ballads, early rock and roll, traditional jazz, and blues will be the material rehearsed and performed by this ensemble. Emphasis will be placed upon the dynamics of live performance. Students may be asked to audition.

MUP131 Chamber Choir
2 credits (4 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Small choral ensemble performing the major works and the octavo literature of prominent composers of every musical period. Student may be asked to audition.

MUP142 Orchestra
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion performing the works of composers from every musical period. Intermediate and advanced musicians admitted. Student may be asked to audition.

MUP202A Concert Band
2 credits (4 lec-lab hrs/wk)
A performance ensemble which rehearses and performs the appropriate musical
literature chosen by the instructor. Instruction will be given to individuals as well as the ensemble on how to improve the overall musical effect. A college ensemble performing marches, traditional band literature, classical literature arranged for concert band. Intermediate and advanced musicians are admitted. Students may be asked to audition.

MUP202B Community Band
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
A performance ensemble which rehearses and performs marches, traditional band literature, classical literature arranged for concert band. Intermediate and advanced musicians are admitted. Students may be asked to audition.

Individual Lessons
1-2 credits (2-4 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Individual lessons are arranged with the instructor, based upon available time and space. Instructor consent is required for all private lessons. All credits for private lessons are transferable. Music majors are expected to have a primary instrument of performance and be enrolled for individual instruction.

Lessons are given for all levels of musicianship: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.
MUP171/271 Piano MUP174/274 Voice
MUP175/275 Violin/Fiddle MUP178/278 Bass Guitar
MUP180/280 Guitar
MUP 181/281 Flute
MUP183/283 Clarinet MUP184/284 Saxophone
MUP186/286 Trumpet
MUP187/287 French Horn
MUP188/288 Trombone MUP191/291 Percussion

MUSIC

Lecture Courses
Many music courses can be used for Distribution and Elective requirements for degree programs.

MUS101/102/103 Music Fundamentals
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A preparatory course for private instruction, for ensemble participation, and for a better understanding of music and music history. Music fundamentals, scales, key signatures, meter, notation, chords, non-harmonics, introduction to piano, and sight-singing. Recommended for music minors, beginning musicians, and preparatory for some music majors. (Contact music advisor for proper placement.)

MUS111/112/113 Music Theory I
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A course to instruct in the fundamentals of music, figured bass analysis, four part composition, chords with sevenths, secondary dominants, modulation, and basic musical form. This is a preparatory course for private instruction, for ensemble participation, and for a better understanding of music and music history. Required for music majors and minors, recommended for beginning and intermediate musicians.
Prerequisites: For MUS112; MUS111. For MUS113; MUS112.
Concurrent: For MUS111; MUS131. MUS112; MUS132. MUS113; MUS133.

MUS114/115/116 Sight Reading and Ear Training
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hr/wk)
Learn to hear music and identify tones and chords, transfer music notation and communicate notation by voice.
Prerequisites: For MUS115; MUS114. For MUS116; MUS115.

MUS120 FINALE: Music Printing
(Computer Composition)
2 credits (1 lec, 1 lec-lab hr/wk)
Learn to use Finale, a music printing program and secondarily a sequencing program. A wide range of musical capabilities will be put at the disposal of the student. This program will benefit every musician from the elementary to the most advanced. Students will learn to enter both vocal and instrumental music into the computer, how to use musical markings and terminology, how to transpose and arrange and how to
prepare a musical composition to be a professional-looking sheet of music. Students will be expected to schedule computer time outside of the class and to maintain personal disks with all of their assignments.

MUS131 Piano Class
1 credit (2 lec-lab hr/wk)
Piano basics and music fundamentals. Learn to read notes, basic music symbols, perform simple chords, proper finger techniques and major and minor scale performance.
Concurrent: MUS111

MUS132 Piano Class
1 credit (2 lec-lab hr/wk)
Based upon continuing the work in MUS131, all major keys - introduction to minor keys. Performance of chord progressions in major & minor keys, transposition, simple modulations using Deceptive Cadences, Sight Reading, and repertoire. This course is taught in conjunction with MUS112.
Prerequisite: MUS131.
Concurrent: MUS112.

MUS133 Piano Class:
(Introduction to Finale)
1 credit (2 lec-lab hr/wk)
Learn to use Finale, a music printing program and secondarily a sequencing program. A wide range of musical exposure will be at the disposal of the student. The Finale program will benefit every musician from the elementary to the most advanced. Students will learn to enter both vocal and instrumental music into the computer, how to use musical markers and technology, how to transpose and arrange, how to prepare a musical composition to be a professional looking sheet of music. Students will be expected to schedule computer time outside of the class. Students are expected to maintain personal disks with all of their assignments.
Prerequisite: MUS132.
Concurrent: MUS113.

MUS134/135/136 Voice Class
1 credit/term (1 lec hr/wk)
A study of vocal basics. An introduction to music fundamentals, tone production, abdominal breathing, vowel-consonant clarity, and relaxation techniques.

MUS137 Guitar Class
1 credit/term (1 lec hr/wk)
Guitar basics and music fundamentals. Learn to read notes, basic music symbols, perform simple to advanced chords, strumming-picking techniques, and “barring.” Introduction to Classical Guitar Methods.

MUS161 Jazz Improvisation
(Blues and Beginnings)
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Blues and beginning improvisation. Listening, theory demonstration, explanation and using improvisation in performance.
Concurrent: MUP105.

MUS198/298 Independent Study in Music
1-3 credits/term (hr to be arranged)
This course allows students to independently increase their knowledge and skills in the discipline of music by studying specific topics which are not part of other 100/200-level music courses or which may not be offered in depth in other 100-level music courses. Instructor supervision and division approval required.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

MUS205 Introduction to Jazz History
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
An introduction to the one true American Music Genre. Exploring the beginning of Jazz, Early Blue, Dixieland, the Big Band Era, BeBop, Fusion, Impressionism, Serialism and Classical Forms. Students will be taken through Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Early Rock and Roll.

MUS211 Music Theory II
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A study of polyphony, counterpoint, extended chromatically altered chords, and 20th century composition.
Prerequisite: MUS113.
Concurrent: MUS114.

MUS212 Music Theory II
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A study of polyphony, counterpoint, chromatic chords, and 20th century composition.
Prerequisite: MUS211.
Concurrent: MUS115.

MUS213 Music Theory II
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A study of polyphony, counterpoint, extended and chromatically altered chords, and 20th century composition.
Prerequisite: MUS212.
Concurrent: MUS116.

MUS221 Arranging I
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Basic arranging techniques, instrumentation and notation practices for live rhythm section, lead vocal, score preparation, parts preparation, notation and nomenclature in contemporary styles.
Prerequisite: MUS113.

MUS222 Arranging II
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
A continuation of rhythm section arranging with the addition of one or two horns; saxophone and trumpet. Discussion of transposition and range on contemporary music styles.
Prerequisite: MUS221.

MUS223 Arranging III
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
The third level of this series focuses on various contemporary applications of small horn section writing with rhythm section. Voicings and styles is discussed.
Prerequisite: MUS222.

MUS224/225/226 Sight Singing, Ear Training II
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
This class is designed to teach the student to hear, identify, write and sing melodies, chords and rhythm from sight and by listening to melodic and harmonic material played for the student. Music majors take three terms.
Prerequisites: For MUS224; MUS116. For MUS225; MUS224. For MUS226; MUS225.
Concurrent: For MUS224; MUS212 and MUS231. For MUS225; MUS212 and MUS232. For MUS226; MUS 213 and MUS233.

MUS231/232/233 Piano Class
1 credit/term (2 lec-lab hr/wk)
Second year of music and piano skills. Proficiency in major and minor scales and corresponding chord progressions, transposition harmonization, sight reading and late beginning reperatoire.
Prerequisite: For MUS 232; MUS231. For MUS233; MUS232.

MUS261/262/263 Music History I, II, III
3 credits/term (3 lec hrs/wk)
A study of history concentrating on the life and times of composers and their music. Attention will be given to the change forms and styles of music combined with a wide range of listening. History will be divided into three sections: 1) Early Music, Renaissance, Baroque-350 to 1750; 2) Classical and Romantic-1750 to 1900; 3) Contemporary-1990 to present.

MUS299B Musical Conducting and Directing
1 credit (2 lec-lab hrs/wk)
Fundamentals of conducting including beat patterns, posture, arm and hand position, articulations, dynamics, left hand functions, incomplete beats and fermatas will be covered, as well as basic score reading and application of skills to commercial music. Students will be videotaped for study.
Prerequisite: MUS113.

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