Bachelor of Music

This is a course addressed to students who do not have efficient background in ear training and demonstrate difficulties in rhythm perception. During the course, students will be introduced in various topics of music theory including simple intervals (up to the 8th), major and minor scales, meters (simple and compound) and rhythms (whole note, half note, eighths, sixteenths, dotted rhythms, rests and syncopation), which will explore cognitively and practically (aural recognition and reproduction through singing, playing and writing). Prerequisite(s): Placement Test Credits: 0

Covers the basic elements of notation and meter in Western music. Topics include the staff, accidentals, rhythmic values, time signatures, simple and compound meters, major scales and key signatures, simple and compound intervals, minor scales and key signatures, whole tone scale, octatonic scales, blues scale, triad construction and basic harmonic progressions. Prerequisite(s): None; For non-music majors interview is required. Credits: 3

Introduces diatonic harmony, diatonic melody and harmony; two-part counterpoint. Students understand chord grammar through study of voice leading, figured bass, and harmonization of melodies. Topics include triads and seventh chords, the diatonic chords in major and minor keys, principles of voice leading, root position part writing, triads in first and second inversion, cadences, phrases and periods. Prerequisites: MU101. Credits: 3

Teaches sight-singing and dictation of diatonic materials in all clefs and intervals. Exercises in rhythmic reading, conducting, prepared singing, and intonation.

1. Diatonic solfège syllables
2. Melodic music notation employing scales and intervals
3. Rhythmic music notation including simple and compound meter
4. Vocal and keyboard performance of music notation

Prerequisite(s): None; Co-requisite for non-majors: MU101. Credits: 1.5

Continuation of MU107. Introduction of chromaticism and modulation within a tonal context. Triplets and compound rhythms. Melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation.

1. Diatonic solfège syllables
2. Melodic and harmonic music notation employing scales and intervals and chords
3. Intermediate rhythmic music notation including simple and compound meter
4. Vocal and keyboard performance of music notation

Prerequisites: MU107. Credits: 1.5

Introduces the basics of piano performance. Piano as a secondary instrument is designed for the
student whose major performing area is not piano. The course stresses basic piano technique, use of the piano as a functional instrument, and as study of compositions representative of the major stylistic periods. This course is the primary source of preparation for the piano proficiency exam required of all music majors. Emphasis on music reading, piano technique, basic keyboard harmonization. This course  teaches all major scales, applied theory, short pieces for prepared reading, easier short pieces for sight reading, and ensemble pieces. Prerequisites: None. Co-requisite for non-music majors: MU101. Credits: 1

Focuses on a continuation of technique building at the piano developed in MU 151. Focus is on developing aural and visual skills that enable students to perform elementary-level piano music. Introduction to sight-reading, music theory. Topics will include an introduction to the keyboard, hand position, and music theory. Solo literature appropriate to the level will be studied. Prerequisites: MU151. Credits: 1

Focus on functional piano, the playing of simple accompaniments and intermediate-level piano music. Introduction to chording and playing by ear. Intermediate-level sight-reading and basic piano ensemble experience, and basic keyboard pattern and transposition. Sight reading skills will be extended beyond the five-finger hand position. Students will further develop piano skills and technique. Solo literature appropriate to the level will be studied. Prerequisites: MU152. Credits: 1

Continues the building of techniques learned at the piano, and developed in MU153. The student will study selected works of contrasting styles from the solo literature. Sight reading and keyboard skills will be further developed. Introduction to keyboard harmony. Topics include major and minor scales, intervals, diatonic triads and seventh chords. Prerequisites: MU153. Credits: 1

Continues the building of techniques at the piano developed in MU154. Topics include simple chord progressions, major and minor plagal and authentic cadences, and melodic harmonization. Prerequisites: MU154. Credits: 1

Continues the building of techniques at the piano developed in MU155. Topics include review of concepts learned in previous classes: diatonic chord progressions in all major and parallel minor keys, harmonization of the major and melodic minor scales, resolution of the dominant seventh chord, and harmonization of a melody using all diatonic triads and the dominant seventh chords. Prerequisites: MU155. Credits: 1

Continues to teach diatonic harmony and introduces chromatic harmony; two-voice tonal counterpoint and analysis of small forms. More advanced study of tonal harmony and voice leading, including the topics of secondary function, modulations to other keys, and the analysis of binary and ternary forms; tonal counterpoint; formal and compositional idioms of the late Baroque; keyboard harmony, figured bass, and introduction to score reading. Prerequisite(s): MU102. Credits: 3

Introduces the literature and analysis of music through detailed study of representative compositions. Continued study of tonal and chromatic harmony and voice leading. Composition of small forms. Introduction to instrumentation and scoring. Formal and compositional idioms of the Classical period. Prerequisites: MU101, MU102, MU201. Credits: 3

Teaches the techniques of counterpoint with an emphasis on a particular style, such as that of the sixteenth or eighteenth century. Prerequisites: MU201. Credits: 3

Builds on material learned in MU 108.More challenging exercises in sight-singing and preparation of increasingly chromatic materials. Melodic, harmonic, two-part, and rhythmic dictation. Two-part rhythmic exercises and conducting. This course addresses the aural recognition and cognition of chromatic and modulatory tonal melodies in bass, treble, and alto clefs. Also covers division and subdivision of beats in simple and compound meter. The material includes all triads and seventh chords with primary and secondary functions. Prerequisites: MU107, MU108. Credits: 1.5

Builds on material learned in MU207. Greater emphasis on non-diatonic material is given, more difficult exercises in prepared singing, sight-singing, dictation, and rhythm. This course addresses the aural recognition and cognition of chromatic and modulatory tonal melodies in bass, treble, alto and tenor clefs, and complex rhythms. The material includes all triads and seventh chords with primary and secondary functions, mode mixture, the Neapolitan chord, augmented sixth chords and altered chords. Prerequisites: MU107, MU108, MU207. Credits: 1.5

Studies music from the sixteenth century to the death of Bach. Covers the elements of music, including melody, textures, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, timbres, form, style, notation, tonality, and thematic development. It provides an overview of the music from the Medieval and Renaissance Periods, and surveys the major composers, their compositions, genres and structures from the music of the Baroque. It also makes connections to popular, modern, and non-Western music and cultural practices as a way to enhance understanding, perspective, and critical thinking. Prerequisite(s): GE105; Co-requisites: GE106. Credits: 3

Studies the music from Scarlatti to Liszt. Discusses evolving changes from classicism to romanticism, and pinpoints key shifts in the musical styles. Attention is paid to defining characteristics of the composers under discussion, as well as to the cultural practices of their period. Prerequisite(s): GE105; Co-requisites: GE106. Credits: 3

Studies the music from Wagner to the present. Provides an overview of nineteenth-century romanticism and twentieth-century classical music, including genres, structures, key composers and their compositions. In addition, it includes references to technical considerations and non-Western music and cultural practices as a way to enhance understanding, perspective, and critical thinking. Prerequisite(s): GE105; Co-requisites: GE106. Credits: 3

Involves the study and performances of the great literature from the choral-symphonic tradition. Open to all by audition. Required of all students for whom chorus satisfies the required musical organization (i.e., voice, keyboard) and all conducting majors. Prerequisite(s): Audition required, MU101, MU107. Credits: 6 (1.5 per semester)