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Department of Academic Studies in Music

Commercial Music Courses (MUC)

MUC 111. Introduction to Music Technology (1). Keyboard reading skills highly recommended. A one-semester requirement for the commercial music major providing an introduction to the various aspects of Music Technology, including MIDI, sequencing, synth sound editing and simple control of synthesizers. Meets 2 hours per week. ($90.00 course fee)

MUC 216. Commercial Song Writing (3). Instruction and guidance in the creation of songs in various popular styles, including the commercial jingle.

MUC 217. Commercial Song Writing Workshop (3). Prerequisite: MUC 216. Instruction in writing lyrics and original music, creation of various popular styles, commercial jingles, demonstration recordings and placement of songs to be recorded professionally.

MUC 218. Computer Assisted Music Notation (3). Prerequisite: MUT 131 or MUT 138. Techniques of music manuscript preparation for professional performance, including vocal and instrumental scores for studio recordings, printed educational music, live performance and lead sheet preparation. Includes both music calligraphy and notation by computer.

MUC 221. Music Technology I (3). Prerequisite: MUC 111 or permission of instructor. A practical study of the use of synthesizers, computers and related software and other MIDI-controlled devices in a variety of non real-time musical situations, including composition and arranging. Emphasis will be on the understanding of MIDI, sequencing techniques, sound editing and design, practical uses of varieties of synthesizers and other MIDI-controlled equipment.

MUC 222. Music Technology II (3). Prerequisite: MUC 221 or permission of instructor. This course provides advanced study of the use of synthesizers, computers and related software, and other MIDI-controlled devices in a variety of non real-time musical situations including composition and arranging. Emphasis will be on advanced concepts of MIDI, including controllers and system exclusive. In addition, other topics will be covered, including advanced sequencing techniques, various synthesis and sampling techniques, advanced sound editing and design, and the use of varieties of synthesizers and other MIDI-controlled equipment.

MUC 317. Studio Instrumentalist (3, even years). Prerequisite: MUT 132. The study of musical and technical knowledge and skills needed by the performing studio instrumentalist, including sessions in all styles of commercial music in the Belmont Studio. ($30.00 course fee)

MUC 318. Studio Singers (3). Prerequisite: MUBA 306, or permission of instructor. The study of musical and technical knowledge and skills needed by the professional studio singer, including sessions in the Belmont Studio. ($30.00 course fee)

MUC 340. Composing Music for Media (3). Prerequisite: MUC 221 or permission of instructor. Introduction to music for film and video media, including techniques, logistics, and artistic considerations.

MUC 499. Special Studies in Commercial Music (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Opportunity for upper-level music students to pursue a special area of interest under faculty supervision. May be repeated. For 1-hour credit, course meets 25 minutes per week with a fee of $150. For 2- or 3-hours credit, course meets 50 minutes per week with a fee of $300.

Music Education Courses(MUE)

MUE 221. Brass Class Methods (1). A study of brass instruments to acquaint students with basic techniques and pedagogical principals. Meets 2 hours per week. ($90.00 course fee)

MUE 222. Woodwind Class Methods (1). A study of woodwind instruments to acquaint students with basic techniques and pedagogical principles. Meets 2 hours per week. ($90.00 course fee)

MUE 223. Introduction to Music Education (3). Introduction to music education is an overview of historical and philosophical issues in education as they specifically relate to the teaching of music.

MUE 321. String Class Methods (1, odd years). A study of string instruments to acquaint students with basic techniques and pedagogical principles. Meets 2 hours per week. ($90.00 course fee)

MUE 322. Percussion Class Methods (1, odd years). A study of percussion instruments to acquaint students with basic techniques and pedagogical principles. Meets 2 hours per week. ($90.00 course fee)

MUE 323. Basic Conducting Techniques (3). Prerequisites: MUT 132, MUT 134. The study of a basic set of physical and musical skills vital to the practice of the conductor.

MUE 324. Choral Conducting (3). Prerequisite: MUE 323. The application of the basic techniques of conducting to the specific area of choral work and a survey of materials for various types of choral groups. Participation in MUE 327 for 2 semesters required as a laboratory for this course.

MUE 326. Instrumental Conducting (3, even years). Prerequisite: MUE 323. The application of the basic techniques of conducting to the specific area of instrumental work and a survey of materials for various types instrumental groups. Participation in MUN 490 or MUN 493 required as a laboratory for this course.

MUE 327. Conducting Lab (0). This lab is taken concurrently with MUE 324 Choral Conducting, providing a choral group for the conducting class. Required for two semesters for students in Music Education, Church Music and Vocal Performance.

MUE 328. Marching Band Lab (0, even years). A two-semester requirement for Instrumental Music Education majors providing direct experience with a high school and/or university marching band. Receiving zero credit hours, this lab offers a variety of experiences to enhance the student's ability to effectively direct and organize marching bands. Students have options of either participation in a university marching band or an internship with a high school marching band director.

MUE 420. Seminar in Music Education (0). A seminar dealing with practical and philosophical issues in current music education. Content of this course grows out of the student-teaching experience, MUE 440, which is taken concurrently. Students receiving 4 credit hours will be required to submit projects related to their teaching which will augment their teaching portfolio.

MUE 421. Elementary School Music Methods (2, even years). A course designed to acquaint the music specialist with the content, methodology, and materials of an elementary school music curriculum. Required of all Music Education majors. Lab required involving classroom observations and introduction to classroom instruments including pitched and unpitched percussion, recorder, and fretted instruments. Meets 3 hours per week.

MUE 422. Middle School Music Methods (2, even years). Recommended prerequisite: MUE 421. Materials and methods for the organization and implementation of a comprehensive music program in the middle school or junior high school. Required of all music education majors. Lab required involving classroom observations and introduction to classroom instruments including pitched and unpitched percussion, recorder, and fretted instruments. Meets 3 hours per week.

MUE 423. Secondary Instrumental Music Methods (2, odd years). Prerequisite: MUE 323. Recommended prerequisites: MUE 326, MUE 421, MUE 422. Materials and methods for the organization, development, and implementation of an instrumental program in the schools. Required of all instrumental music education majors. Lab required. Meets 3 hours per week.

MUE 424. Teaching Music in the Elementary Classroom (2). (Same as EDU 424E). A course designed to meet the needs of the classroom teacher, including content, techniques, and materials to integrate music into the daily activity of the elementary classroom. Lab required.

MUE 425. Psychology of Music (3). The study of the psychological basis of music in its performance and structures including theories of hearing and learning music, tests of musicality, the effect of music on audiences and programming strategies.

MUE 426. Secondary Choral Music Methods (2, odd years). Prerequisite: MUE 323. Recommended prerequisites: MUE 324, MUE 421, MUE 422. Materials and methods for the organization, development, and implementation of a secondary school choral program. Required of all vocal music education majors. Lab required. Meets 3 hours per week.

MUE 428. Advanced Seminar in Choral Conducting (1). Prerequisites: MUE 323, MUE 324. Advanced Seminar in Choral Conducting offers the student opportunity for advanced instruction in choral conducting. Graded Pass/Fail, this elective meets two times a week and provides experience in conducting with a variety of traditional choral styles.

MUE 429. Special Studies in Conducting (3). Prerequisites: MUE 323, MUE 324, and/or MUE 326, and permission of professor. May be repeated once. Opportunities of selected upper-level students to pursue advanced conducting projects under faculty supervision.

MUE 440. Student Teaching in Music (8). A laboratory course giving student teacher experience in music education. This full-semester course allows for teaching experience on both elementary and secondary levels with either an instrumental or vocal emphasis. This course includes a seminar which meets once a week for the entire semester (MUE 420). ($150.00 course fee)

MUE 499. Special Studies in Music Education (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Opportunity for upper-level music students to pursue a special area of interest under faculty supervision. May be repeated. For 1-hour credit, course meets 25 minutes per week with a fee of $150. For 2- or 3-hours credit, course meets 50 minutes per week with a fee of $300.

Music History and Literature Courses (MUH/MUL)

MUH 200. The Musical Experience (3). An introduction to experiencing and understanding our heritage of music through a study of musical style and music from a variety of periods and cultures. Emphasis will be placed on listening techniques. Students should gain a heightened appreciation for the beauty, variety and complexity of music which will enable them to more fully experience music in today’s culture.

MUH 211. Survey of Music History and Literature I (3). Prerequisite: MUT 131 or permission of instructor. A general survey of the forms, styles, and composers of Western classical music through the Baroque era using directed listening to develop basic criteria for understanding music. An introduction to music from non-Western cultures is included in this semester of survey.

MUH 212. Survey of Music History and Literature II (3). Prerequisite: MUT 131 or permission of instructor. A survey of the forms, styles, and composers of the Classical Era to the present. Required of all music majors and minors.

MUH 213. Today's Music (3). Each semester, a specific topic in “Today’s Music” will be studied in depth, i.e., “Roots of Country Music,” “Jazz-America’s Music,” “The Development of Music Theatre,” etc. Each topic will be organized around major figures and compositions of the area. May be repeated for additional credit if topic is different.

MUH 214. The Arts for Education: Appreciation and Application (4). A broad overview of the arts designed for students who plan to work as educators in schools, churches, and other community agencies. (Required of all certification students to substitute for the requirement of MUH 210 or ART 200. Open to all students as an elective.) ($50.00 course fee)

MUH 215. The History of Rock Music (3, odd years). This course will trace the development of "rock and roll" (and then, "rock") from its blues, country, gospel, soul and jazz roots to recent developments. The course will also analyze the social criticism and functional significance of these musics, as well as their influence on contemporary American life.

MUH 216. Music for Education: Appreciation and Application (2). This course provides a broad overview of music for students who plan to work as educators in schools, churches, and other community agencies. Completes music component of MUH 214 for those who have completed ART 200. ($20.00 course fee)

MUH 311. Studies in Early Music (3). Prerequisites: MUH 211, MUH 212. An in-depth study of musical style, form, and composers of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

MUH 312. Studies in Baroque and Classical Music (3). Prerequisites: MUH 211, MUH 212. An in-depth study of musical style, form, and composers of the Baroque and Classical Eras.

MUH 313. Studies in Nineteenth-Century Music (3). Prerequisites: MUH 211, MUH 212. An in-depth study of musical style, form and composers of the Romantic Era.

MUH 314. Studies in Twentieth-Century Music (3). Prerequisites: MUH 211, MUH 212. An in-depth look at the development of classical music from 1900 to the present.

MUH 411. History of Commercial Music (3). The study of commercial music through the sentimental ballad and popular song, including music industry development and the socio-musical influence of the commercial song.

MUH 412. World Music (3, even years). This course will introduce the student to the study of the popular, classical and hybrid musics of the non-Western world and examine their influences upon Western classical, jazz and popular music.

MUH 413. History of Musical Theatre (3, odd years). Prerequisite: MUT 131. This course will review the history of musical theatre from its European beginnings to current activities in America and Britain. Required for Musical Theatre majors.

MUH 499. Special Studies in Music History and Literature (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Opportunity for upper-level music students to pursue a special area of interest under faculty supervision. May be repeated. For 1-hour credit, course meets 25 minutes per week with a fee of $150. For 2- or 3-hours credit, course meets 50 minutes per week with a fee of $300.

MUL 396. Opera Staged Reading (0 or 1). Scenes from operas or complete operas performed in minimally staged readings. Open auditions are held for all roles. If taken for 0 credit, there is a $300 fee. This course does not satisfy requirements for ensemble participation.

MUL 397. Musical Theatre Readers Workshop (1). Scenes from musicals and complete musicals performed in minimally staged readings. Open auditions are held for all roles. Required for Musical Theatre majors. This course does not satisfy requirements for ensemble participation.

Piano Pedagogy Courses (MUP)

MUP 345. Piano Pedagogy and Literature for Beginners (3, odd years). A survey of materials and methods of teaching beginning piano students.

MUP 346. Piano Pedagogy and Literature for Intermediates (3, odd years). A survey of materials and methods of teaching intermediate-level piano students.

MUP 349. Accompanying (2, even years). A study of the principles and philosophy of accompanying along with supervised experiences.

MUP 445. Supervised Piano Teaching (2). Teaching of beginning and intermediate-level students under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for additional credit.

MUP 447. Group Piano Pedagogy (2, even years). The study of the philosophy, organization, and curriculum for group piano studies as a part of the private piano studio.

Church Music Courses (MUR)

MUR 341. Church Music Education I (3, odd years). A study of philosophy, organization and implementation of the church's music program for children, preschool through grade 6.

MUR 342. Church Music Education II (3, odd years). A study of philosophy, organization, and implementation of the church's music program for youth and adults.

MUR 343. Introduction to the Organ (1, odd years). This course will focus on: a) fundamentals of organ registration, b) aspects of maintenance and purchase including a comparison of pipe and electronic instruments, c) brief historical overview; and d) playing as determined by backgrounds of individual class members. Meets 2 hours per week.

MUR 441. Church Music Administration (3, even years). The study of the church-wide program of music, its basic organization, philosophies, and objectives.

MUR 442. Hymnology (3, even years). A study of hymnody is made from earliest Old Testament references to the present.

MUR 443. Church Music Fieldwork (1). Practical experience in the church music program under faculty guidance; critical analysis and discussion of problems. Weekly seminar. May be repeated for credit once.

MUR 499. Special Studies in Church Music (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Opportunity for upper-level music students to pursue a special area of interest under faculty supervision. May be repeated. For 1-hour credit, course meets 25 minutes per week with a fee of $150. For 2- or 3-hours credit, course meets 50 minutes per week with a fee of $300.

Studies Abroad Music Courses (MUS)

MUS 396. Music Studies in Italy (16). Prerequisite: Music Studies Abroad Committee approval. An exchange/direct studies program with the Medici Institute and the Fiesole Conservatory of Florence which spans 2 semesters, to include applied study, academic courses, ensemble, recital and Italian language. It is to be taken for 2 semesters, for a total of 32 hours credit.

MUS 397. Music Studies in Germany (15). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and audition. An exchange program with the Hochschule fur Musik, Dresden, which covers two semesters. It includes applied study, academic courses, ensemble, recital and German language study. It is to be taken for two semesters, for a total of 30 hours credit.

MUS 398. Music Studies in Russia (15). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and audition. An exchange program with the Russian Academy of Music, Moscow, which covers two semesters. It includes applied study, academic courses, ensemble, recital and Russian language. It is to be taken for two semesters, for a total of 30 hours credit.

MUS 399. Music Studies in France (15). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and audition. An exchange program with the University of Angers and the Conservatory, Angers, which covers two semesters. It includes applied study, academic courses, ensemble, recital and French language and literature. It is to be taken for two semesters, for a total of 30 hours credit.

Theory Courses (MUT)

MUT 130. Fundamentals of Music (3). A basic course in music fundamentals for the non-music major, including keyboard, aural and written elements of music. May be required for music majors with insufficient background to take MUT 131.

MUT 131, 132. Harmony I & II (3, 3). Prerequisite for MUT 132: MUT 131. A study of music theory limited primarily to diatonic harmony and related materials including secondary dominants and simple modulation. Taken concurrently with MUT 133-134.

MUT 133, 134. Ear Training I & II (1, 1). Prerequisite for MUT 134: MUT 133. Intensive training to develop music reading and related aural skills through sight-singing and dictation. Taken concurrently with MUT 131-132. Meets 2 hours per week.

MUT 138. Music Theory for Music Business (3). Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on Theory Placement Test. An integrated study of Music Theory with an emphasis on popular and jazz harmonies.

MUT 231. Harmony III (3). Prerequisite: MUT 132. A continuation of MUT 132, carrying the study of harmony through chromatic and including popular jazz techniques. Taken concurrently with MUT 233.

MUT 232. Harmony IV (3). Prerequisite: MUT 231. The study of the composition techniques and approaches in music since 1900. Taken concurrently with MUT 234 or MUT 235.

MUT 233. Ear Training III (1). Prerequisite: MUT 134. Continuation of MUT 133 and MUT 134. Meets 2 hours per week.

MUT 234. Ear Training IV Classical (1). Prerequisite: MUT 233. Continuation of MUT 233 including the study of advanced chromatic vocabulary and modulation. Meets 2 hours per week.

MUT 235. Ear Training IV Commercial (1). Prerequisite: MUT 233. Continuation of MUT 233 with emphasis on harmonic vocabulary, harmonic function, and notation specific to commercial styles. Meets 2 hours per week.

MUT 331. Form and Analysis (3). Prerequisite: MUT 231. A study of the principles and techniques of harmonic, structural, and stylistic analysis of homophonic and contrapuntal forms of all periods.

MUT 332. Orchestration and Instrumentation (3). Prerequisite: MUT 231. An approach to scoring through knowledge of each instrument's timbre and range. Provides an opportunity to study scoring for like and mixed groups as well as full band and orchestra.

MUT 333. Improvisational Theory and Analysis (3). Prerequisite: MUT 231. Basic improvisational techniques–melodic paraphrasing, blues, rhythmic independence, etc. – employed in applying principles of theory to improvisation.

MUT 431, 432. Counterpoint I, II (2, 2, even years). Prerequisite: MUT 231. I: A study of contrapuntal techniques of the 16th century through writing in two, three and four parts. II: Study of 18th century techniques with the writing of inventions and chorale preludes in two and three parts. I must be taken before II.

MUT 433. Contemporary Arranging (3). Prerequisite: MUT 332 or permission of instructor. Instrumental and musical technical information, melodic and harmonic development, musical density, ensemble combination, arranging styles, and the procedure of writing a contemporary arrangement are studied in detail. Preparation of arrangements for the recording studio is included.

MUT 434. Advanced Contemporary Arranging (3, even years). Prerequisite: MUT 433 or permission of instructor. A continuation of MUT 433, Contemporary Arranging. An in-depth study of commercial arranging with emphasis on scoring for strings, woodwinds, brass and studio orchestra.

MUT 435. Twentieth Century Analysis Techniques (2, odd years). Prerequisite: MUT 232. An overview of a variety of analytic techniques applicable to music since 1900 with focus on pitch structure and other parameters.

MUT 449. Senior Theory Project (3). An independent study for the Theory Major culminating in the writing and presentation of a paper or project on a theoretical or analytical subject. Strongly recommended to be taken in the first semester of the senior year.

MUT 499. Special Studies in Music Theory (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Opportunity for upper-level music students to pursue a special area of interest under faculty supervision. May be repeated. For 1-hour credit, course meets 25 minutes per week with a fee of $150. For 2- or 3- hours credit, course meets 50 minutes per week with a fee of $300.