Chair: Bernard Shockett (Music Building, Room 315)
Department Faculty: Distinguished Professor: John Corigliano; Distinguished Lecturer: Robert Stewart; Professors: Diana Battipaglia, Marta Ghezzo, Jack Hyatt, Bernard Shockett; Associate Professors: Alan Hollander, Molly Morkoski, Janette Tilley; Lecturer: Penny Prince; Senior College Lab Technician: Karl Watson; College Lab Technicians: Darina Bejtja, Allan Molnar
The Department of Music offers a 59-credit major in Music leading to the B.S. degree. Entrance into this program is by examination.
PROGRAMS
The required courses and credits are distributed as follows:
Credits (59)
24 Music theory: MST 236, 237, 238, 239, 315, 316, 319, 320;
4 Musicianship: MST 266, 267, 268, 269;
18 Music literature and history: MST 241, 242; MSH 331, 332, 333, 334;
4 Private instruction: MSP 210; and
9 Electives to be taken from the following courses: MSH 269, 270; MST 317, 318, 321, 322; MSP 445, 446.
Note: Students studying with a private teacher approved by the Department of Music may petition the Department Chair to receive 1 to 4 credits.
A basic knowledge of music theory is required of all students who wish to major in Music. Students will demonstrate their ability to enter MST 236 (Theory 1)and MST 266 (Musicianship 1)by taking a placement examination. Successful completion of MST 100 will be accepted in lieu of the placement examination.
In addition to the major instrument, students must pass a proficiency examination in piano. Examples of the required level of proficiency are available in the Music Office (Music Building, Room 316). Students are expected to complete this requirement before their fifth semester.
All students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are invited to audition for the principal ensembles of the College. Music majors may not register for credit but are expected to participate in at least one ensemble per semester. MSH 114 and 115 may not be taken for credit by students majoring in Music.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
MSH 114: Introduction to Music. 3 hours, 3 credits. (Note: Music majors must obtain Chair's permission.) Designed to develop an understanding of the art of music. Various aspects of a limited number of complete works are studied, including their structure, style, and place in cultural history —all with the aim of developing perspectives for listening. No previous musical experience is required.
Note: All courses numbered MSH 115 through MSH 269 carry the following PREREQ: MSH 114 (or equivalent).
MSH 115: Introduction to Music II. 3 hours, 3 credits. Further study of the concepts and styles presented in MSH 114.
*MSH 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, and 233: The Literature of Music. Each 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: MSH 114 (or equivalent) for those not in a Music major; MST 100 (or equivalent) for those in a Music major.
228: Orchestral Music
229: The Concerto
230: Choral Literature
231: Chamber Music
232: The Art Song
233: Piano Music
*MSH 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, and 239: Opera. Each 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: MSH 114 (or equivalent) for those not in a Music major. MST 100 (or equivalent) for those in a Music major.
234: Opera: 1600 to 1830.
235: Opera: 1830 to Twentieth Century.
236: The Operas of Mozart.
237: The Operas of Wagner.
238: Twentieth-Century Opera.
239: Italian Opera.
*MSH 245: Music in the United State, from the Colonial Period to the Present. 3 hours, 3 credits.
*MSH 250: Master Composers. 3 hours, 3 credits (maximum 6 credits).
*MSH 266: Folk and Traditional Music. 2 hours, 2 credits.
MSH 269: Jazz: Literature and Evolution. 3 hours, 3 credits. The origins and development of jazz before 1950; cross-influence with concert music. Contemporary trends, such as soul and rock. PREREQ: MSH 114 or MST 236 (or equivalent).
MSH 270: Jazz: Literature and Evolution Since 1950. 3 hours, 3 credits. Development and literature of jazz since 1950 and its cross-influence with popular trends, such as rock. PREREQ: MSH 114 or MST 236, or equivalent.
Note: All 300-level MSH courses carry the following PREREQ: either MSH 114 (or equivalent) or instructor's permission.
MSH 330: Music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. 3 hours, 3 credits.
MSH 331: Music of the Baroque Period. 3 hours, 3 credits. Study of music from 1600 to 1750. The rise of opera, oratorio, and cantata; the development of idiomatic instrumental music for keyboard and chamber instruments; sonata, suite, and concerto. Emphasis will be placed on the works of Monteverdi, Schutz, Purcell, Corelli, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Couperin, Rameau, Handel, and Bach.
MSH 332: Music of the Classical Period. 3 hours, 3 credits. The development of the sonata-allegro form; the sonata, the string quartet, and the symphony. The development of opera buffa. The reform of opera with Gluck. Emphasis will be placed on the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
MSH 333: Music of the Romantic Period. 3 hours, 3 credits. The influence of romanticism on musical forms and styles; the Lied, the character-piece, the tone poem, grand opera, and music drama; the rise of nationalistic schools; and late romantic disintegration of the classical-romantic tradition.
MSH 334: Music of the Twentieth Century. 3 hours, 3 credits. Study of developments in musical style and thought in the twentieth century.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
MST 100: Fundamentals of Music Theory. 3 hours, 3 credits. Elements of music notation, the structure of scales and chords and the study of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic techniques using both folk and composed material. No previous musical experience is required. This course will not be credited toward any Music major.
MST 236: Theory I. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: A knowledge of scales, triads, and intervals established by placement exam or MST 100. COREQ: MST 266.
MST 237: Theory II. 3 hours, 3 credits. A continued study of harmonic techniques, including chromatic harmony; written exercises. PREREQ: MST 236. COREQ: MST 267.
MST 238: Theory III. 3 hours, 3 credits. Advanced harmonic techniques; written exercises. PREREQ: MST 237. COREQ: MST 268.
MST 239: Theory IV. 3 hours, 3 credits. Continued advanced harmonic techniques, including modes and elementary compositional techniques. PREREQ: MST 238. COREQ: MST 269.
MST 241: Introduction to the Structure and Literature of Music I. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analytical study of the elements of musical style, texture, and forms as represented in the principal genres characteristic of various periods, as preparation for the study of music history.
MST 242: Introduction to the Structure and Literature of Music II. 3 hours, 3 credits. Continued analytical study of the elements of musical style, texture, and form, as represented in the principal genres characteristic of various periods as preparation for the study of music history.
MST 266: Musicianship I. 2 hours, 1 credit. Progressive development of basic musical skills through sightsinging, dictation, and other aural exercises. PREREQ: MST 236.
MST 267: Musicianship II. 2 hours, 1 credit. A continuation of MST 266. COREQ: MST 237.
MST 268: Musicianship III. 2 hours, 1 credit. A continuation of MST 267. COREQ: MST 238.
MST 269: Musicianship IV. 2 hours, 1 credit. A continuation of MST 268. COREQ: MST 239.
*MST 312: Fugue I. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: MST 239.
*MST 313: Fugue II. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: MST 312 (or equivalent).
MST 315: Orchestration I. 3 hours, 3 credits. Score reading; the instruments of the orchestra and the band and practice in scoring for various groups. PREREQ: MST 239.
MST 316: Orchestration II. 3 hours, 3 credits. Further study in score reading. Advanced practice in scoring for various groups. PREREQ: MST 315 (or equivalent).
MST 317: Form and Analysis I. 3 hours, 3 credits. A study of musical style, texture, and form as exemplified in the composition of Baroque and Classical composers. PREREQ: MST 236.
MST 318: Form and Analysis II. 3 hours, 3 credits. A study of musical style, texture, and form as exemplified in the composition of Medieval, Renaissance, Romantic, and Contemporary composers. PREREQ: MST 317.
MST 319: Composition I. 3 hours, 3 credits. Composition in various types and forms of music; practice in free composition. PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
MST 320: Composition II. 3 hours, 3 credits. Advanced study of composition, with emphasis on instrumental combinations. PREREQ: MST 319 and 315 and instructor's permission.
MST 321: Electronic Music I. 3 hours, 3 credits. This course is an intense "hands-on" study of the computer-based electronic music studio and electronic music techniques. Topics include acoustics, digital sound recording, editing, processing and synthesis, M.I.D.I. hardware and software, music notation, and the historical origins and literature of electro-acoustic music. Short compositional exercises will be assigned. Additional studio time outside of class is required. PREREQ: MST 236.
MST 322: Electronic Music II. 3 hours, 3 credits. This course continues the intense "hands-on" study of the computer-based electronic music studio and electronic music techniques studied in Electronic Music I. Topics include multitrack audio recording, audio engineering, and audio production, introduction to interactive and algorithmic instrument design, and music for video production techniques. Short compositional exercises will be assigned. Additional studio time outside of class is required. PREREQ: MST 321.
MST 485: Independent Studies in Music. One semester, 1-3 credits. (May be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits.) Individual projects in an appropriate field, under faculty supervision. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
MST 496: Honors Project. One semester, 3 credits (maximum 9 credits). A course offering qualified students the opportunity to study special topics in one of the following areas of music: literature and history, theory and composition, and performance. PREREQ: Departmental permission, to be applied.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
MSP 100: Chorus. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 4 credits). (Open to any student with the ability to participate in group singing.) The study and public performance of selected works. Emphasis on basic choral techniques.
MSP 166: Strings I. 2 hours, 1 credit (maximum 2 credits). Bowing and the positions, practice in reading simple compositions, and care of instruments. No previous knowledge of a string instrument required. PREREQ: Departmental permission for those who are not Music majors.
MSP 167: Strings II. 2 hours, 1 credit. Continued study to provide elementary facility on string instruments. PREREQ: MSP 166 (or equivalent).
MSP 168: Woodwinds I. 2 hours, 1 credit (maximum 2 credits). Breathing, tone production, and fingering. Principles underlying construction of woodwind instruments. Practice in simple ensemble music. Care of instruments. No previous knowledge of a woodwind instrument required. PREREQ: Departmental permission for those not in a Music major.
MSP 169: Woodwinds II. 2 hours, 1 credit. Continued study to provide elementary facility on woodwind instruments. PREREQ: MSP 168 (or equivalent).
MSP 170: Brass I. 2 hours, 1 credit (maximum 2 credits). Breathing, tone production, and fingering. Acoustic principles governing techniques of brass instruments. Practice in simple ensemble music. Care of instruments. No previous knowledge of a brass instrument required. PREREQ: Departmental permission for those not in a Music major.
MSP 171: Brass II. 2 hours, 1 credit. Continued study to provide elementary facility on brass instruments. PREREQ: MSP 170 (or equivalent).
MSP 172: Percussion. 2 hours, 1 credit. The performance techniques of tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Group exercises in rhythm and work in percussion ensemble.
*MSP 185: Elementary Guitar Playing. 2 hours, 1 credit. Note: Students must supply their own instruments.
MSP 190: Piano. 2 hours, 1 credit per semester (maximum 4 credits). A piano course for beginners. No previous piano knowledge required.
MSP 201: The College Choir. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 6 credits). (Open to all qualified students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.) The study and performance of major choral works. PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
*MSP 202: The Chamber Choir. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 4 credits). (Open to all qualified students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.) PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
MSP 203: Band. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 8 credits). (Open to all qualified students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.) The study and performance of band repertoire. PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
MSP 204: Orchestra. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 8 credits). The study and performance of orchestral works. PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
MSP 205: Ensemble for Voices and/or Instruments. 3 hours, 1 credit (maximum 4 credits). A study of chamber music through rehearsals and performance of representative works in various styles. PREREQ: Instructor's permission.
MSP 210: Instruction in Principal Instrument or Voice. 1 credit per semester (maximum 4 credits for Music majors). Intensive study of one instrument or voice. Instruction with a member of the Music faculty. PREREQ: Chair's permission. Note: Students who study with a private teacher approved by the Department of Music and who can demonstrate satisfactory progress by audition may petition the Chair to receive 1 to 4 credits.
MSP 226: Voice I. 2 hours, 1 credit. Fundamentals of tone production, breath control, enunciation, and style. Both group instruction and individual attention. PREREQ: Ability to read music.
MSP 227: Voice II. 2 hours, 1 credit. Continued study of the fundamentals of tone production, breath control, enunciation, and style. Both group instruction and individual attention. PREREQ: MSP 226 (or equivalent).
MSP 246: Instrumental Laboratory Ensemble. 2 hours, 1 credit. The study and performance of a wide variety of ensemble music without preparation for public concerts. A systematic survey, through performance, of elementary and intermediate music for band and orchestra. PREREQ: Either instructor's permission or completion of at least one of the following: MSP 166, 168, or 170.
MSP 340: Instrumental Music Methods. 3 hours, 3 credits. Techniques and tone production of instruments. Designed to prepare the student for the development and direction of school ensembles and instrumental classes. PRE- or COREQ: MSP 166, 168, and 170.
MSP 445: Conducting. 3 hours, 3 credits. Principles of conducting; techniques of the baton, interpretation, repertoire, and score reading. PREREQ: MST 239.
MSP 446: Conducting. 3 hours, 3 credits. Advanced principles of conducting; techniques of the baton, interpretation, repertoire, and score reading. PREREQ: MSP 445.