Music (MUS)
This course provides an introduction to the elements and nature of music and musical expression in Western and non-Western traditions, including examples from the classical repertoire, sacred and ceremonial music of various cultures, and music by both female and male composers; assessment of artistic content and the role of music in society will form the focus of much discussion and writing. This course is offered both live and online. Satisfies general education requirement Area C1 Arts.
An introduction to the musical characteristics, techniques, styles, terms, and methods found in the jazz tradition. Focus on the study of African and African-American folk origins through blues, early jazz, swing, bebop, cool, avant-garde jazz, jazz-rock fusion and new creative music. In addition to musical and technological revolutionary ideas, the course will examine critical issues related to the social and cultural history of African-Americans (Harlem Renaissance, slavery, African diaspora, the World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, etc.) and how those events influenced the creation of the music. Prerequisite or corequisite: GE A2. Satisfies general education requirement Area C1 Arts and Theme R: Revolutionary Ideas and Innovations.
This course is an introduction to several of the world's music-cultures from the interdisciplinary perspective of ethnomusicology. In addition to developing students' knowledge of the materials of music (timbre, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form), the course explores how musical practices connect with the underlying values (aesthetic, social, religious, political, etc.) of various cultures and how, in embodying these values, music is understood to influence quality of life. The course emphasizes traditional music making but also addresses high-art cultures, intercultural fusions, and interactions with the popular music industry. No prior musical training required. Prerequisite or corequisite: GE A2. Satisfies general education requirement Area C1 Arts and Theme Q: Quality of Life.
The appreciation of selected musical works through attendance at three approved concerts during the semester. Students are required to attend an orientation session and the approved concerts. After attending each concert, a typed two-page critique of the concert must be presented to the instructor. This critique should express impressions and reactions to the music performed. Does not count for credit towards the Music major. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
An examination of computer software for the notation, recording, composing, sequencing and editing of music. Students will learn about equipment needed for live and studio recording and investigate principles of recording and sound reinforcement. Prerequisites: MUS 1410 and MUS 1411 or satisfactory score on theory placement examination.
Beginning keyboard instruction; emphasis on reading skills, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, solo and ensemble repertoire; group instruction in a keyboard laboratory facility. No prior keyboard training required.
Elementary keyboard instruction; continuation of MUS 1120; emphasis on reading skills, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, solo and ensemble repertoire; group instruction in a keyboard laboratory facility. Prerequisite: MUS 1120, placement examination, or consent of instructor.
Class instruction in the fundamental techniques of singing. Topics include breath control, tone production, resonance, diction, song repertoire, and interpretation. Open to all with no previous singing experience required.
Intermediate level class instruction in fundamental techniques of singing. Topics include breath control, tone production, resonance, diction, song repertoire, and interpretation including both class and public performance. Prerequisite: MUS 1140 or consent of instructor.
Beginning keyboard instruction for non-majors; emphasis on reading skills, technique, and introductory repertoire; group instruction in a keyboard laboratory facility. No prior keyboard training required. Does not count for credit towards the Music major.
Class instruction in the fundamentals of guitar playing. No prior experience necessary. Students will learn correct right- and left-hand finger technique with an emphasis on injury prevention, music reading skills, and elements of music theory.
Large mixed ensemble open to all university students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Repertoire includes literature from all periods and styles with special emphasis placed on 'classical' choral music from the 16th-century to the present.
Group performance of music from the athletic band tradition. Performances at various athletic events on and off campus. Field trips required.
Group performance of music from the wind band tradition. No audition required.
Group performance of orchestral music from various periods and styles of the repertoire. No audition required
Preparation and performance of representative repertoire for Guitar Ensemble with a focus on recently composed music. Prerequisite: Admission and placement by audition or consent of the instructor.
Preparation and performance of representative repertoire for medium and large jazz ensembles. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Prerequisite: Admission and placement by audition or consent of the instructor.
Group performance of choral music for treble voices from various periods and styles of the choral repertoire. Admission with the consent of the instructor. Minimum grade of C to count for Music major. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Individual instruction in various musical instruments or voice. Information regarding offerings, registration procedures, and faculty admission approval must be obtained from the department office by the end of the first week of each semester. Prerequisite: Admission only open to music majors or minors, on a proficiency placement basis. Corequisite: participation in an approved ensemble. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum of 2 units.
Study of basic musical materials: keys, scales, intervals, chords, notation, rhythm, and meter. Practice in basic melodic rhythmic, and harmonic dictation, sight singing and keyboard skills. Open to all students. Satisfies general education requirement First Year Seminar.
Study of the musical materials and principles of traditional tonal practice including figured bass, four-part harmony through dominant seventh chords, and lead-sheet chord symbols; group performance of individual projects. Prerequisite: MUS 1400 or satisfactory score on theory placement examination. Required: concurrent enrollment in MUS 1411.
Elementary-level melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation; sight-singing; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUS 1400 or consent of instructor. Corequisite: MUS 1410.
Continued study of traditional tonal practice including diatonic and chromatic seventh chords, modulation, and modal mixture; individual creative projects with group performance. Prerequisite: MUS 1410 or satisfactory score on theory placement examination. Required concurrent enrollment in MUS 1421.
Intermediate-level melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation; sight-singing; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUS 1411 or satisfactory score on theory placement examination. Required: concurrent enrollment in or completion of MUS 1420.
Classical singing pronunciation skills in Italian, ecclesiastical Latin, and English, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Application of IPA to examples drawn from the standard vocal literature.
Classical singing pronunciation skills in German and French, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Application of IPA to examples drawn from the standard vocal literature. Prerequisite: MUS 2100 or consent of instructor.
Intermediate keyboard instruction; continuation of MUS 1130; development of skills necessary for proficiency examinations; emphasis on reading skills, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, score reading, form and analysis, solo and ensemble repertoire; group instruction in a keyboard laboratory facility. Prerequisite: MUS 1130, placement examination, or consent of instructor.
Advanced keyboard instruction; continuation of MUS 2120; development of skills necessary for proficiency examinations; emphasis on reading skills, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, score reading, form and analysis, solo and ensemble repertoire; group instruction in a keyboard laboratory facility. Prerequisite: MUS 2120, placement examination, or consent of instructor.
Performance of ionian, dorian, mixolydian, lydian and pentatonic melodic patterns and basic voicing of major and minor ii-V-I progressions. Study of melodic patterns, blues and rhythm changes forms, and drum and bass patterns for traditional, Latin, and world beat grooves. Prerequisite: MUS 1410 and MUS 1411 or consent of instructor, and Corequisite: MUS 1250/MUS 3250 or MUS 2240/MUS 4240.
Study of compositional techniques and skills such as: music notation, instrumentation, orchestration, formal structure, motivic development, computer-assisted notation and related aspects. Score and listening study of historically important music, as well as contemporary trends. Creative projects are required. Prerequisite: MUS 1410 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Survey of careers in music and the skills needed to succeed in them. Exploration of options in performance, composition, education, and music industry. Prerequisite: MUS 1400 or consent of instructor.
Auditioned ensemble open to all university students registered in University Singers or Treble Singers. Repertoire includes literature from all periods and styles with special emphasis on 'classical' choral music from the 16th-century to the present appropriate for small ensembles. May be repeated up to a maximum of 8 units.
Preparing, staging, and performing full and partial works from the operatic repertoire. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Large ensemble performance of music from the wind band tradition. Prerequisite: Admission by audition only or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Study and performance of repertory for various instrumental chamber combinations. Groups formed according to instrumentation registering for the class. A minimum of three class hours per week is required. Prerequisite: Two semesters of MUS 1300 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Small ensemble performances of traditional and contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, and world music. Groups range in size from trios to septets. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Prerequisite: Admission and placement by audition or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Study and performance of vocal jazz repertoire including songs from the American songbook, Latin and Latin-American cultures, and world music. The course will have an emphasis on vocal improvisation via scat-singing. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Admission and placement by audition or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Individual instruction in various musical instruments or voice. Information regarding offerings, registration procedures, and faculty admission approval must be obtained from the department office by the end of the first week of each semester. Prerequisite: Admission only open to music majors or minors, on a proficiency placement basis. Corequisite: Participation in an approved ensemble. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 units.
Study of chromatic modulation and twentieth-century techniques, including extended tertian harmony, alternate scales, polytonality, serialism, pandiatonicism, and non-Western musical systems. Prerequisite: MUS 1420 or satisfactory score on theory placement examination. Required: concurrent enrollment in MUS 2411.
Introduction to historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and practical foundations for the teaching of music. Intended for music education majors. Minimum grade of C to count for Music major.
Principles involved in the playing and teaching of the violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Students are required to play instruments studied in the class and demonstrate a working acquaintance with the pedagogical knowledge necessary to adequately instruct another person.
Principles involved in the playing and teaching of the flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and saxophone. Students are required to play instruments studied in the class and demonstrate a working acquaintance with the pedagogical knowledge necessary to adequately instruct another person.
Principles involved in the playing and teaching of the trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Students are required to play instruments studied in the class and demonstrate a working acquaintance with the pedagogical knowledge necessary to adequately instruct another person.
Principles involved in the playing and teaching of the percussion instruments used in band and orchestra. Students are required to play instruments studied in the class and demonstrate a working acquaintance with the pedagogical knowledge necessary to adequately instruct another person.
Principles involved in the teaching of basic classical guitar to children and adolescents. Mastery of fundamental playing and music reading skills on the guitar with appropriate repertoire. Demonstration of sufficient pedagogy necessary to instruct another person through the beginning level.
Principles involved in the singing and teaching of voice for children and adolescents. Students will participate in vocal development exercises, develop vocal music reading skills, explore repertoire, and demonstrate a sufficient mastery of the pedagogy necessary to instruct another person.
Classes, individual research, and/or group investigation of selected topics in academic music studies. Topics to be studied in any particular semester will be designated before registration. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 9 units.
This course is devoted to the study and performance of representative literature for varied types of ensemble. Possible sections include the following: Brass Choir, Clarinet Choir, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble, Gospel Choir, and so forth.. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of instructor. Two activity hours per week
Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the program. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to post-graduate students. May be repeated.
Special projects developed by the individual student in consultation with the designated instructor. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA and consent of department chair. [By petition only]
This course is an exploration, for the upper division general student, of the world of opera, and other dramatic vocal music genres, focused on the story telling that can result from the synthesis of music and drama. This exploration is realized by analysis of selected works, examination of literary sources, observation of various historical and stylistic genres, and studying operatic and theatrical customs all within the contemporaneous social and artistic milieu of the works under consideration. Music reading skill is not required from non-music majors. The class may apply for the music major with additional assignment requirements and approval of the faculty. Prerequisites: At least 45 units and completion of LD Area C. Satisfies general education requirement upper division Area UDC and Theme Q: Quality of Life.
Historical survey of traditional, popular, and classical music in the United States from the colonial era to the present. Areas of emphasis: important musical genres and the matters of practice, style, and function that define them; performance formats (participatory, presentational, recorded) and the values associated with them; contributions by important individuals; connections to significant trends, events, and values (aesthetic, social, religious, political, etc.) in American history and culture; and implications for quality of life. No prior musical training required. Prerequisites: At least 45 units and completion of LD Area C. Satisfies general education requirement upper division Area UDC and Theme Q: Quality of Life.
Study and development of musical skills necessary for musical independence. Participation in activities designed to improve all areas of music, including: listening, singing, playing (performing), moving, creating, and reading. The student, through class participation, is made familiar with various methodologies used in elementary music education. Specific curricula introduced include: the Orff approach, the Kodály method, Education Through Music (ETM) and Suzuki Talent Education. Not applicable toward requirements for the music major.
Performance of ionian, dorian, mixolydian, lydian, and altered dominant melodic patterns with chromatic embellishment. Transcription and performance of melodic patterns, blues progressions, rhythm changes, chord substitutions, and turnarounds. Introduction to concepts of solo construction. Prerequisite: MUS 2140 or consent of instructor. Corequisite: MUS 1250/MUS 3250 or MUS 2240/MUS 4240.
Group performance of choral music from various periods and styles of the choral repertoire. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of the instructor.
Group performance of music from the athletic band tradition. Performances at various athletic events on and off campus. Field trips required.
Group performance of music from the wind band tradition. No audition required. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Group performance of orchestra music from various periods and styles of the repertoire. No audition required. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Preparation and performance of representative repertoire for Guitar Ensemble with a focus on recently composed music. Prerequisite: Admission and placement by audition or consent of the instructor.
Preparation and performance of representative repertoire for medium and large jazz ensembles. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Prerequisite: Admission and placement by audition or consent of the instructor.
Group performance of choral music for treble voices from various periods and styles of the choral repertoire. Admission with the consent of the instructor. Minimum grade of C to count for Music major.
Individual instruction in various musical instruments or voice. Students must audition to be accepted into upper division applied study. Information regarding offerings, registration procedures, and faculty admission approval must be obtained from the department office by the end of the first week of each semester. Prerequisite: Admission only open to music majors or minors, on a proficiency placement basis. Corequisite: Participation in an approved ensemble. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum of 2 units.
Study of the individual characteristics of all instruments of the orchestra, band and jazz ensembles and related terminology in multiple languages. Scoring for strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and rhythm section instruments both alone and in combination. Creative projects are notated and realized with the help of computer notation software. Prerequisite: MUS 2410 or consent of instructor.
Analysis of selected compositions of various historical periods, styles, and cultures. Development of criteria for both evaluation and understanding of principles of formal construction and musical continuity gained through the study of phrase structure and formal design, contrapuntal practices, part forms to sonata, and jazz and popular music. Prerequisite: MUS 2410 or consent of the instructor.
Study of counterpoint starting with 'species' counterpoint and leading to the composition of a two-part invention, three-voice fugue, passacaglia, and a chorale prelude. Prerequisite: MUS 2410 or consent of the instructor.
Development of techniques for adjusting existing musical material for a variety of vocal ensembles. Historical and modern approaches to a cappella and accompanied arranging in a variety of styles. Creative projects are notated using computer notation software. Prerequisite: MUS 2410.
Genres, practices, styles, contributors, institutions, and historiographical issues in music from Europe and the Americas, ca. 850 to 1730. Social, political, and religious functions, and aesthetic and philosophical contexts. For majors and general students with basic music reading skills.
Genres, practices, styles, contributors, institutions, and historiographical issues in music from Europe and the Americas, ca. 1730 to 1890. Social, political, and religious functions, and aesthetic and philosophical contexts. For majors and general students with basic music reading skills.
Genres, practices, styles, contributors, institutions, and historiographical issues in music from Europe and the Americas, ca. 1890 to the present. Social and political functions, and aesthetic and philosophical contexts. For majors and general students with basic music reading skills.
Study of basic conducting techniques and development of essential skills common to instrumental and choral conducting such as listening, gesture, error detection, score study and preparation, interpretation, rehearsal procedures, and performance. Excerpts arranged for use in an instrumental and vocal setting will be utilized. Prerequisites: MUS 2410 and MUS 2411 or consent of instructor.
Designed for music education students, this course covers the place and function of jazz music in the secondary school curriculum, jazz ensemble techniques, and program development.
Auditioned ensemble open to all university students registered in University Singers or Treble Singers. Repertoire includes literature from all periods and styles with special emphasis on "classical" choral music from the 16th-century to the present appropriate for small ensembles. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Preparing, staging, and performing full and partial works from the operatic repertoire. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of the instructor. Junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Large ensemble performance of music from the wind band tradition. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of the instructor. Junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Study and performance of repertory for various instrumental chamber combinations. Groups formed according to instrumentation registering for the class. A minimum of three class hours per week is required. Prerequisite: Two semesters of MUS 1300 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Small ensemble performances of traditional and contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, and world music. Groups range in size from trios to septets. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of the instructor. Junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum of 8 units.
Study and performance of vocal jazz repertoire including songs from the American songbook, Latin and Latin-American cultures, and world music. The course will have an emphasis on vocal improvisation via scat-singing. Student compositions and arrangements are encouraged, performed, and digitally recorded. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of the instructor. Junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum of 8 units.
Individual instruction in various musical instruments or voice. Students must audition to be accepted into upper division applied study. Information regarding offerings, registration procedures, and faculty admission approval must be obtained from the department office by the end of the first week of each semester. Prerequisite: Admission only open to music majors or minors, on a proficiency placement basis. Corequisite: Participation in an approved ensemble. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum of 2 units.
Examination of techniques and materials of music since 1900 with a focus on formal construction and musical continuity as revealed by analysis of selected compositions from the repertory. Topics include: impressionism, symmetry and centricity, atonality and pitch-class set theory, serialism, indeterminacy, minimalism, sound mass, and Neo-Romanticism. Prerequisite: MUS 2410 or consent of instructor.
Integrated study of art-music literature and historical contexts from the seventeenth century through the present, through analysis and discussion of selected works and scholarly commentary. Sample topics include human interaction in Mozart, Beethoven's music, and reception, the Romantic miniature, musical drama in Verdi's operas, interward Modernism, society, and politics, English-language opera, American experimentalism, and neo-Romanticism. Prerequisite: MUS 3500 and MUS 3510 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 6 units.
Study of instrumental conducting with continued work in listening skills, error detection, score study and preparation, interpretation, rehearsal procedures, and performance. Prerequisite: MUS 3600 or consent of instructor.
Study of choral conducting with continued work in listening skills, error detection, score study and preparation, interpretation, rehearsal procedures, and performance. Prerequisites: MUS 3600 or consent of instructor.
Pedagogical techniques for the elementary music class. Development of musicianship, skills in teaching music literacy, use of classroom instruments, culturally responsive teaching, lesson and unit planning. Fifteen field observation hours. Emphasis on Kodály and Orff approaches. Prerequisites: MUS 1130, MUS 2410, and MUS 2411, or consent of instructor.
Designed for music education students, this course covers essential teaching strategies, rehearsal techniques, curriculum development, and philosophical underpinnings for a successful secondary school instrumental program. Fifteen field observation hours. Prerequisites: MUS 1130, MUS 2410, and MUS 2411, or consent of instructor.
Designed for music education students, this course covers essential teaching strategies, rehearsal techniques, curriculum development, and philosophical underpinnings for a successful secondary school choral program. Fifteen field observation hours. Prerequisites: MUS 1130, MUS 2410, MUS 2411, or consent of the instructor.
Survey of instrumental ensemble literature for all grade levels, with an emphasis on wind repertory. Prerequisite: MUS 3600 or consent of instructor.
Survey of choral literature for mixed, treble, and tenor/bass choirs, with an emphasis on the secondary school level. Prerequisite: MUS 3600 or consent of instructor.
Classes, individual research, and/or group investigation of selected topics in academic music studies. Topics to be studied in any particular semester will be designated before registration. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 9 units.
This course is devoted to the study and performance of representative literature for varied types of ensemble. Possible sections include the following: Brass Choir, Clarinet Choir, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble, Gospel Choir, and so forth. Two activity hours per week. Prerequisite: Admission with the consent of instructor. Junior or higher. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 8 units.
Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the program. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to post-graduate students. May be repeated up to a maximum of 3 units.
Course preparing Music majors for the senior project, senior recital, or senior thesis. Project initiation (proposal, committee formation, approval); preliminary research, music analysis, and writing associated with the project; project status reports; and self-reflection upon skills and knowledge acquired during the university career. Prerequisite: At least 90 units and completion of JYDR. Satisfies general education requirement Senior Capstone.
Culminating project commensurate with student ability and faculty expertise involving a combination of performance, written work, lecture/demonstration, music composition, and/or music technology applications. Must be undertaken in residence. Prerequisite: MUS 4908. Admission with consent of the music faculty.(By petition only.)
Recital consisting of 45-70 minutes of music, reserved for those students especially proficient on an instrument or in voice, or in composition. Must be undertaken in residence. Prerequisite: MUS 4908. Admission with consent of the music faculty. Corequisite: MUS 4300 or composition instruction or permission of the faculty. [By petition only.]
Research project leading to an extended scholarly paper of 6000-7500 words. Review of music research and writing principles, identification of the paper topic and formulation of the scholarly claim, outlining, drafting, revision and submission. Must be undertaken in residence. Prerequisite: MUS 4908. Admission with consent of the music faculty. (By petition only.)
Special projects developed by the individual student in consultation with the designated instructor. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA and consent of department chair. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 3 units. [By petition only].