MSC 100. Introduction to Western Music. (3 h)
Survey of Western musical styles, composers, and selected works from the Middle Ages through the present day. (D)
MSC 101. Introduction to the Music of World Cultures. (3 h)
Survey of music, history, and culture from selected societies around the world. (CD, D)
MSC 102. Introduction to Modern Popular Music. (3 h)
Survey of the history of popular music, focusing on the United States. The course examines influential music genres and individual artists as well as situating their repertories within sociocultural, political, economic, and technological contexts. (CD, D)
MSC 103. Introduction to Jazz. (3 h)
Survey of jazz music from its origins to the present in cultural and historical contexts. Also listed as AAS 103. (CD, D)
MSC 104. Music of Latin America. (3 h)
Survey of art, folk, and popular musical styles in Latin America. Develops critical listening skills and introduces music concepts and terminology. Studies the musical interactions among various ethnic groups and enables broader historical, social, and cultural discussions. (CD, D)
MSC 105. Performing Arts of Asia. (3 h)
Survey of classical, vernacular, and popular musical traditions in selected Asian cultural contexts, as well as their connections with dance, theater, puppetry, and film. (CD, D)
MSC 106. Performing Arts of Bali. (3 h)
Survey of performing arts of Indonesia in cultural and historical context, with a focus on Bali; includes playing and performing on the university’s Balinese gamelan (percussion orchestra). (CD, D)
MSC 108. American Music. (3 h)
A study of the musical sources of American culture and the six streams of music in the United States: folk and ethnic musics, offsprings of the rural South (country music, blues, rock), jazz and its forerunners, popular sacred music, popular secular music, and art music. (CD, D)
MSC 109. Gender, Sexuality, and Music. (3 h)
A historical overview of gender and sexuality and its role in music. This includes both a study of specific musicians as well as a broader exploration of gender roles and stereotypes in music. (CD, D)
MSC 110. History of the Wind Band. (3 h)
A historical overview of the wind band from the 16th century to the 21st century. Topics include significant ensembles, compositions, composers, and new directions in the idiom. (D)
MSC 111. History of Musical Theatre. (3 h)
Survey of the musical from its origins to the present. (CD, D)
MSC 112. Music and Film. (3 h)
A study of the history of film music of multiple cultures from the silent era to modern times, including the analysis of landmark films and pertinent film music theories. (CD, D).
MSC 113. Video Game Music. (3 h)
Exploration of global video game music through its styles, trends, practitioners, history, and technological and industry developments. (CD, D)
MSC 121. Music History and Culture I. (3 h)
A survey of music history and culture primarily focusing on the period before 1825, with analysis of major musical works and an introduction to music research. Designed for music majors and minors but also fulfills the Division III requirement. P or C - MSC 131 or POI. (D)
MSC 122. Music History and Culture II. (3 h)
A survey of music history and culture from 1825 to the present, with analysis of major musical works and an introduction to music research. Designed for music majors and minors but also fulfills the Division III requirement. P or C - MSC 131 or POI. (D)
MSC 123. Special Topics in Music History & Culture. (3 h)
An intensive study of a selected topic in music history and culture. May be repeated if course content differs. (D)
MSC 131. Music Theory I. (4 h)
Reviews music fundamentals then studies diatonic harmony and phrase forms in Western classical and some American popular styles. Develops composition, analytic, aural, and keyboard skills. Designed for music majors and minors but also fulfills the Division III requirement. (D)
MSC 132. Music Theory II. (4 h)
A continuation of Music Theory I. Studies chromatic harmony and common formal structures in Western classical and some American popular styles. Further develops composition, analytic, aural, and keyboard skills. Offered in Spring only. P-MSC 131 or POI. (D)
MSC 133. Music Theory for Western Classical Styles. (3 h)
A survey of music theory topics and techniques for Western classical music from the Renaissance to present. P-MSC 132 or POI.
MSC 134. Music Theory for Popular and Jazz Styles. (3 h)
A detailed study of the musical characteristics (melody, harmony, form, rhythm and meter, texture, instrumentation, and text-music relationships) in American popular and jazz styles, primarily through song analysis and composition. P-MSC 131 or POI. (D)
MSC 135. Advanced Aural and Keyboard Skills. (3 h)
Extends aural and keyboard skills developed in Music Theory I and II. P-MSC 132 or POI.
MSC 139. Special Topics in Music Theory. (3 h)
An intensive study of a selected topic in music theory. May be repeated if course content differs. P-MSC 132 or POI. (D)
MSC 140. Orchestra. (1 h)
Study and performance of orchestral works from the classical and contemporary repertoire. May be repeated. P-Audition.
MSC 141. Wind Ensemble. (1 h)
Study and performance of music for mixed ensemble of winds, brass, and percussion. May be repeated. P-Audition.
MSC 142. Jazz Ensemble. (1 h)
Study and performance of written and improvised jazz for big band and combo ensembles. May be repeated.
MSC 143. Athletic Band I. (1 h)
Performs at football games, as well as men's and women's home basketball games and other on and off campus events. May be repeated. Offered in Fall.
MSC 144. Athletic Band II. (0.5 h)
Performs at men's and women's home basketball games, and at the spring football game. Meets from the beginning of the semester to spring break. May be repeated. Offered in Spring. P-MSC 143 or POI.
MSC 145. Concert Choir. (1 h)
Study and performance of accompanied and a cappella repertoire for beginning and intermediate singers. Rehearsal preparation and instruction may also include ringing 5-octaves of handbells for performances such as the Lovefeast. May be repeated.
MSC 146. Chamber Choir. (1 h)
Select mixed chorus performing standard choral repertoire; jazz, folk, multicultural, and pop-style compositions; and newly composed and commissioned choral literature. Tours domestically each year and internationally once every four years. May be repeated. P-Audition.
MSC 147. Schola Cantorum. (0.5 h)
An early music vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to the performance and practices of music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical eras. May be repeated. C-MSC 146.
MSC 150. Gamelan Ensemble. (1 h)
Study and performance of traditional and new compositions for Balinese gamelan (percussion orchestra) and related performing art forms. May be repeated.
MSC 151. Chinese Ensemble. (1 h)
Performance of traditional and new Chinese music compositions. Experience on Chinese traditional instruments (dizi, erhu, guzheng, pipa, ruan, percussion, etc.) preferred, but instrumentalists and vocalists of all traditions welcome. May be repeated.
MSC 152. Afro-Cuban Drumming. (1 h)
Exploration of the music and history of West African drumming through hands-on experience. Students learn to play jembe, dunun, shekere, iron bell, and their New World descendants, the conga drum, bongo, claves, maracas, and agogo bells.
MSC 159. Improvisation. (1 h)
An introduction to the aesthetics and techniques of improvisation through listening and playing. Group improvisational work in styles such as jazz, world music genres, and Baroque music. Intermediate proficiency on an instrument or voice and basic knowledge of scales desirable.
MSC 160. Basic Music Reading and Skills. (1.5 h)
A study of the fundamentals of music theory including key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, and basic sight-singing and ear-training skills. Does not count toward the music major or minor.
MSC 161. Class Guitar I. (0.5 h)
Introduction to fingerstyle guitar techniques. Covers reading and playing from musical notation, strumming, accompanying songs, and basic theory concepts. Develops a versatile technique adequate for all styles of music. Acoustic guitar required.
MSC 162. Class Piano. (1 h)
Introduction to playing the piano and reading piano music in a variety of folk, popular, and classical styles. Designed for students with little or no keyboard experience.
MSC 163. Class Voice I. (0.5 h)
Introduction to the fundamental principles of singing, concepts of breath control, tone, and resonance. P-POI.
MSC 164. Theatrical Singing I. (0.5 h)
Basic techniques of singing, breath control, phonation, and resonance, with emphasis on theatrical projection. Study and performance of musical theater repertoire. P-POI.
MSC 165. Music Production and Recording I. (1.5 h)
Introduction to modern recording techniques with hands-on experience in an off-campus professional recording studio. Topics to be addressed include basic acoustics of music, microphone techniques, digital audio workstation operation, and basic production techniques. P - POI.
MSC 166. Music Production and Recording II. (1.5 h)
Advanced aspects of audio engineering and music production via hands-on experience in an off-campus professional recording studio. P or C – MSC 165.
MSC 167. Alexander Technique for Musical Performers. (0.5 h)
An introduction to the Alexander Technique, a method that teaches performers how to minimize physical effort and maximize musical expression through verbal and tactile feedback. Pass/Fail only.
MSC 171. Class Guitar II. (0.5 h)
Introduces slurs, harmonics and other advanced techniques. Covers sight-reading and performing across the full fretboard. Development of ensemble playing with emphasis on chord progressions and improvisation. Nylon-string guitar required. P-MSC 161 or POI.
MSC 172. Class Piano II. (1 h)
Continuation of foundational principles. Early intermediate repertoire, scales hands together, principles of fingering, musical approach to learning, chords, arpeggios and ensemble duets. P- MSC 162 or POI.
MSC 173. Class Voice II. (0.5 h)
Continuation of fundamental vocal techniques. P-MSC 163 or POI.
MSC 174. Theatrical Singing II. (0.5 h)
Continuation of theatrical singing techniques with increased study and performance of musical theater repertoire. P-MSC 164 or POI.
MSC 175. Chamber Music. (1 h)
Study and performance of chamber music. Performers are strongly urged to participate in a larger ensemble as well. May be repeated. P-POI.
MSC 175A. Chamber Music Collegium Musicum Instrumental. (1 h)
MSC 175B. Chamber Music-String. (1 h)
MSC 175C. Chamber Music-Woodwind. (1 h)
MSC 175D. Chamber Music- Brass. (1 h)
MSC 175E. Chamber Music-Percussion. (1 h)
MSC 175F. Chamber Music-Keyboard. (1 h)
MSC 175G. Chamber Music-Guitar. (1 h)
MSC 175H. Chamber Music-Mixed. (1 h)
MSC 177. Music Theatre Practicum. (1 h)
For musicians who perform in a departmentally-sponsored theatrical production. Course may be repeated for no more than four hours. Pass/Fail only. P-POI.
MSC 181. Individual Instruction. (0.5 h)
One half-hour voice, instrumental, or composition lesson per week. (See the fee section of this bulletin for specific information regarding additional costs.) May be repeated. P-POI.
MSC 182. Individual Instruction. (1 h)
One one-hour voice, instrumental, or composition lesson per week. (See the fee section of this bulletin for specific information regarding additional costs.) May be repeated. P-POI.
MSC 183. Advanced Voice Class. (1 h)
Development of advanced vocal technique and repertoire. May be repeated. P-MSC 173 or POI.
MSC 184. Advanced Theatrical Singing. (1 h)
Development of advanced theatrical singing technique and performance of musical theater repertoire. May be repeated. P-MSC 174 or POI.
MSC 185. Opera Workshop. (1 h)
Study, staging, and performance of standard and contemporary operatic works. May be repeated P-POI.
MSC 186. Conducting. (3 h)
A study of choral and instrumental conducting techniques. P-MSC 131 or POI.
MSC 200. Music Events. (0 h)
Attendance at music department events to satisfy requirements for the music major (two semesters) or minor (one semester). Specific attendance requirements will be established at the beginning of each semester. Pass/Fail only.
MSC 240. Music of Italy. (3 h)
Study the music of Italy, with special emphasis on composers associated with Venice. Offered only at Casa Artom in Venice. (D)
MSC 241. Music in Vienna. (3 h)
Study of the music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe. Taught in English. Offered only at the Flow House in Vienna. (D)
MSC 282. Individual Instruction for the Performance Concentration. (1 h)
One one-hour voice or instrumental lesson per week. (See the fee section of this bulletin for specific information regarding additional costs). May be repeated. Requires passing of the audition for the Performance Concentration of the music major. P-2 hours total of MSC 181 and/or MSC 182, and POD.
MSC 298. Independent Study. (1-3 h)
Project in an area of study not otherwise available in the department. Intended for music majors and minors. P-POD.
MSC 382. Senior Recital. (2 h)
Individual instruction preparation and public performance of a senior recital for the performance concentration of the music major. A student may not receive credit for both MSC 382 and MSC 383 and may not enroll in MSC 282 and 382 in the same semester. P-Two semesters of MSC 282 and POI.
MSC 383. Senior Honors Recital. (3 h)
Individual instruction preparation and public performance of a senior honors recital for the performance concentration of the music major. A student may not receive credit for both MSC 382 and MSC 383 and may not enroll in MSC 282 and MSC 383 in the same semester. P-Two semesters of MSC 282 and POD.