Minors in the Music Program

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

This course teaches sight-singing and dictation (rhythmic, melodic, harmonic) of diatonic materials in G and F clefs. It comprises exercises in rhythmic reading (one and two parts), conducting, prepared singing, and intonation. It also includes introduction to atonal solfège.

1. Diatonic solfège (intervals up to 6th, leaps within the tonic chord).
2. Atonal solfège (2ds and 3ds)
3. Melodic music notation employing scales, intervals and the tonic chord
4. Basic rhythmic music notation including simple meter (one-part exercises)
5. Simultaneous vocal and keyboard performance of music notation (sing and play)

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

Builds on material learned in MU 107. Secondary chords in major and minor keys. Triplets and compound rhythms. Melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation.

1. Diatonic solfège syllables including leaps on the dominant triad and secondary chords.
2. Melodic and harmonic music notation employing scales, intervals and chords
3. Intermediate rhythmic music notation including simple and compound meter
4. Vocal and keyboard performance of music notation
5. More challenging atonal solfège (2ds and 3ds).

Prerequisite(s): MU107. Credits: 1.5

Surveys music chronologically from the Middle Ages to the present. Topics include chant and secular song in the middle ages, polyphonic music from its beginning through the thirteenth century, Ars nova, Renaissance music of the low countries, the music of reformation, music of the early baroque, Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Romanticism, and Opera from the early 20th century. (This course serves to substitute for MU222 Music History II, for students concentrating in modern music). Prerequisite(s): None; For non-music majors: GE142 Credits: 3

This course is the primary source of preparation for the piano proficiency exam required of all music majors. Piano course as a secondary instrument is designed for the student whose major studying area is not piano. The course stresses basic piano technique, use of the piano as a functional instrument, and as a means for study of compositions representative of the major stylistic periods. 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, ensemble and sing-and-play pieces. Ιntroduction to guided improvisation. Prerequisites: None. Co-requisite for non-music majors: MU101. Credits: 1

Continues the building of techniques learned at the piano, and developed in MU151. The student will study selected works of contrasting styles from the solo literature. Sight-reading and keyboard skills will be further developed. Emphasis will be given in keyboard harmony (chord progressions -degrees I, II, IV, V7-, harmonization and transposition). Prerequisites: MU151. Credits: 1

Continues the building of techniques learned at the piano, and developed in MU152. The student will study selected works of contrasting styles from the solo literature. Sight-reading and keyboard skills will be further developed. Emphasis will be given in keyboard (chord progressions -including degrees III, VI, VII and 7th chords- harmonization and transposition). The material includes modes, the chromatic and the whole-tone scale. Prerequisite(s): MU152. Credits: 1

An individual instruction in the study and interpretation of musical literature. Repertoire includes, etudes, scales, arpeggios, sonatas by Scarlatti, Bach’s Preludes and Fugues, Sonatas by Haydn, Mozart  and Beethoven, Piano pieces by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms and Liszt, contemporary piano music by Debussy, Bartók, Ligeti, works by American and Greek composers. Student has to prepare two concert recitals. Prerequisite(s): Entrance audition required Credits: 24 (3 per semester)

Designed for the student who does not have a musical background and would like to learn the fundamentals of violin playing, or the student whose major performing area is the piano. The course stresses basic string techniques and provides an introduction to violin performance. This course is offered to substitute for MU 151 Piano Studio I-II. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite for non-music majors: MU101 Credits: 3

An individual instruction in the study and interpretation of musical literature. Repertoire includes etudes, scales, arpeggios, concertos and sonatas by Tartini, Handel, Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Romantic compositions by Schumann, Brahms, Franck, Faure. Also includes works by modern composers such as Ysaÿe, Bartok, Debussy, Ravel and studies of the orchestral repertoire. Prerequisite(s): Entrance audition required Credits: 24 (3 per semester)

Designed for beginning voice students without previous knowledge, and those who would like to work on the basic skills of singing, including vocal technique (in speech and singing) and solo vocal performance. Aspects of breathing, support, diction and a variety of vocal literature will be addressed. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite for non-music majors: MU101 Credits: 3

Individual instruction on the study and interpretation of musical literature. Topics include the correct posture, basic elements of breathing, the vibrato, articulation, developing a practice and warm up routine. Repertoire includes baroque arias, arias from baroque oratorios and passions, lieder by Mozart Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, arias from operas by Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Weber, Wagner, Berlioz, Bizet, Gounod, Tchaikovsky; songs written by composers of the 20th century. Prerequisite(s): Entrance audition required Credits: 24 (3 per semester)

Designed for the student who would like to acquire the fundamental skills for playing the guitar. The course stresses basic guitar playing techniques and provides an introduction to guitar performance. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite for non-music majors: MU101 Credits: 3

Individual instruction on the study and interpretation of musical literature. Repertoire includes etudes, scales, arpeggios, concertos and sonatas by Foscarini, Bartolotti, Corbetta, Sanz, and Weiss. Romantic compositions by Aguado, Albeniz, Arcas, Carulli, Coste, Tarrega, and Barrios. Also includes works by modern composers such as Brower, Granados, Lauro, and Villa-Lobos. Prerequisite(s): Entrance audition required Credits: 24 (3 per semester)