Music Courses

FA 111, Ed112E, Ed211E, Ed212E, Ed311E, Ed312E, Ed411E, Ed412E Seminars credit 1 hr.
Mus 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 401 Music Seminar credit 0 hrs.
* Must be taken sequentially.

This course offers an opportunity for students in the music area to perform and critique other performers in their area. Students share research and performance decorum and receive advice on professional performances.

Mus 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411 Applied Lessons credit 1 hr.

Applied lessons consist of individualized instruction in the student's major instrument. Weekly assignments consist of standard solo literature with emphasis on technique, interpretation, and style. Instruments are designated by suffix: B-brass, D-percussion, P-piano, S-strings, V-voice, W-woodwind. Prerequisite: Music majors only.

Mus 112E Electronic/Computer Music credit 1 hr.

This course is designed as a computer competency for music majors through the introduction to computer music programs and midi interface technology. Music majors only.

Mus 113B, 114B, 213B, 214B, 313B, 314B, 413B, 414B Brass Ensemble credit 1 hr.

The Brass Ensemble rehearses and performs a mixture of traditional and twentieth century music for Brass Ensemble. Participation is open to all students with experience on standard brass instruments and by consent of the director.

Mus 113C, 114C, 213C, 214C, 313C, 314C, 413C, 414C, Concert Choir credit 1 hr.

This course is devoted to the study and performance of the highest caliber of choral literature, and includes such diversity as classical, musical theatre, spiritual, and contemporary gospel styles. Required for all vocal/choral music education majors. Open to all other students by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 113D, 114D, 213D, 214D, 313D, 314D, 413D, 414D Percussion Ensemble credit 1 hr.

The Benedict College Percussion Ensemble, is designed to provide cultural enrichment and sound preparation for the modern day percussion educator/performer. Students are given an opportunity to learn proper playing and performance techniques on a variety of traditional and non-traditional percussive instruments.

Mus 113F, 114F, 213F, 214F, 313F, 314F, 413F, 414F Female Vocal Ensemble credit 1 hr.

This course is devoted to the study and performance of a variety of music and musical arrangements for SSAA voicing. It is open to all female students by audition. Prerequisite: demonstrated music reading skills

Mus 1131,1141, 2131, 2141, 3131, 3141, 4131, 4141, Instrumental Ensemble credit 1hr.

This course is devoted to the study and performance of a variety of music, musical arrangements, and transcriptions for woodwinds, brasswinds, and percussion. Required of all band music education majors.

Mus 114J, 214J, 314J, 414J Jazz Combo credit 1 hr.

The Jazz Combo provides historical reference, cultural enrichment and music performances involving the modern jazz format for the small ensemble. Participation is open to all students by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 114Z, 214Z, 314Z, 414Z Jazz Ensemble credit 1 hr.

The Jazz Ensemble provides historical reference, cultural enrichment, and performances in the traditional Big Band/Jazz Orchestra format. The ensemble studies and performs big band literature, including swing, modern, fusion, and symphonic jazz styles. Participation is open to all students by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 113M, 213M, 313M, 413M Marching Band credit 1 hr.

The purpose of this ensemble is to provide cultural enrichment and music as an avenue of entertainment, public service, athletic, and academic support. Frequent performances are present on and offcampus. Participation is an open to all students with an instrumental background. Performance auditions are used as a means of placement in the band program.

Mus 114P, 214P, 314P, 414P Pep Band credit 1 hr.

The Basketball Pep Band is an opportunity for all students with an instrumental background to provide public service through entertainment at basketball games and other related athletic events. Participation is by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 113S, 114S, 213S, 214S, 313S, 314S, 413S, 414S String Ensemble credit 1 hr.

This course is devoted to the study and performance of a variety of music, musical arrangements, and transcriptions for viola, violin, cello, and bass. Participation is by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 113V 114V, 213V, 214V, 313V, 314V, 413V, 414V

Vocal Jazz Ensemble credit 1 hr.

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble explores jazz and pop musical styles, techniques, and improvisation. Standard and contemporary vocal jazz literature is emphasized. This ensemble serves as a small ensemble option for Vocal/Choral Music Education majors and is open to all students. Participation is by audition or consent of the director.

Mus 113W, 114W, 213W, 214W, 313W, 314W, 413W, 414W

Woodwind Ensemble credit 1 hr.

The Woodwind Ensemble rehearses and performs a variety of traditional and twentieth century music composed, arranged, and transcribed for Woodwind Ensemble. Membership is open to all students with experience on standard woodwind instruments and by consent of the director.

Mus 115 Elementary Piano I credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to meet the piano proficiency requirement for all music education majors and provides an introduction to the piano keyboard in a classroom setting. Emphasis is placed on melodic and rhythmic note orientation, ear training, the playing of simple folk songs and beginning piano literature of various composers and styles. Must be taken sequentially.

MUS 115B Brass Methods credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to develop, through practical experience, the skills necessary for teaching instruments of the brass family to elementary and secondary students.

Mus 115D Percussion Methods credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to develop, through practical experience, the skills necessary for teaching instruments of the percussion family to elementary and secondary students.

Mus 115S String Methods credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to develop, through practical experience, the skills necessary for teaching instruments of the string family to elementary and secondary students.

Mus 115V Vocal Methods credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to develop, through practical experience, the skills necessary for majors to teach voice to elementary and secondary students.

Mus 115W Woodwind Methods credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to develop, through practical experience, the skills necessary for teaching instruments of the woodwind family to elementary and secondary students.

Mus 116 Elementary Piano II credit 1 hr.

This course is designed to meet the piano proficiency requirement for all music education majors and provides an introduction to the piano keyboard in a classroom setting. Emphasis is placed on melodic and rhythmic note orientation, ear training, the playing of simple folk songs and beginning piano literature of various composers and styles. Must be taken sequentially.

Mus 116A Arranging credit 1 hr.

This course provides students with direct instruction and hands-on application of fundamental concepts and techniques for arranging music. Emphasis is on arranging for marching band as well as a variety of smaller instrumental ensembles. Music majors only.

Mus 117 Ear Training and Sightsinging I credit 1 hr.

This course is designed as a two-semester course to be held twice a week for one-hour credit. Course content will include score reading, listening experiences, aural recall, as well as melodic and rhythmic dictation.

Mus 118 Ear Training and Sightsinging II credit 1 hr.

This course is designed as a two-semester course to be held twice a week for one-hour credit. Course content will include score reading, listening experiences, aural recall, as well as melodic and rhythmic dictation.

Mus 119 Diction for Singers credits 1 hr.

This course is designed to acquaint voice majors with phonetics through use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and its application to the singing of repertoire in English, Italian, German and French.

Mus 216 Intermediate Piano II credit 1 hr.

This semester course is a continuing sequence of piano study at the intermediate level and in a classroom setting. Emphasis is placed on technique and interpretation of folk and hymn tunes and moderately difficult piano literature. Prerequisite: Mus 215, or the consent of the instructor.

Mus 220 Music Appreciation credit 2 hrs.

The course is designed to survey the basic terms, techniques, and styles of music from ancient to modern times; the major periods of music history; and major composers and their works. An honors section is offered as Mus 220 (H).

Mus 221T Music Theory I credit 2 hrs.

This course is designed to acquaint students with the rudiments of music, including: major and minor scales, note values, pitch intensity, color, and rhythm. Emphasis is placed on visual and aural recognition of melodic and rhythmic patterns, intervals and chords. Students are also taught to read and write music and are introduced to basic ear training and sightsinging, dictation, and note/square reading exercises. Elements of music are discussed, including pitch, duration, intensity, color, and rhythm. Drills in intervals, chords, and rhythmic patterns are included. Music majors only.

Mus 222T Music Theory II credit 2 hrs.

This course is the continuation of Mus 222T, with focus on melodic, rhythmic, intervallic and choral dictation. Terminology and technical concepts are emphasized, leading to musical analysis. Elements of music are discussed, including pitch, duration, intensity, color, and rhythm. Drills in intervals, chords, and rhythmic patterns are included. Music majors only. Prerequisite: Mus 221T

Mus 224 African American Church Music credit 2 hrs.

This course is an overview of music in the African American worship experience. Its contents include instruction in managing, developing, and coordinating the total church music program. This elective is open to Music majors and Religion majors by consent of the instructor.

Mus 310 Junior Recital credit 0 hr.

Each music major must perform a thirty-minute recital in their area of Applied Study. Repertoire is assigned by the Applied Instructor and is representative of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary styles. Prerequisite: Successful completion of applied lessons through the sophomore year. Prerequisite: Passing of the juried Junior Recital Hearing

Mus 323H Music History and Literature I

The Middle Ages through the Baroque Period credit 2 hrs.

This course surveys the place of music from the Middle Ages through the Baroque Period examining influences of the Greeks, the Christian Church, opera, chamber, keyboard and ensemble music. The course also cites examples of melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre, texture, and form through the infusion of World Music. Music majors only. Prerequisites: Mus 221T and Mus 222T

Mus 324H Music History and Literature II

Classical Period  Contemporary Times credit 2 hrs.

This course is a continuation of Music History and Literature II, and surveys the place of music in western civilization from the Classical Period to the present with emphasis on the sonata, symphony, opera, church music, and the concerto. The study includes topics related to World Musics, with emphasis on African and African American contributions to western music from the late 1800s to the present. Music majors only. Prerequisite: Mus 223T

Mus 323T Music Theory III credit 2 hrs.

The course includes part-writing, keyboard harmony, harmonic analysis from triads and their inversions through non-harmonic tones, the dominant seventh chord and its inversion, secondary dominants, and other seventh chords. Music studies are taken from various styles. Music Majors only.

Prerequisite: Mus 222T

Mus 324T Music Theory IV credit 2 hrs.

This course is an advanced study of the harmonic, structural, melodic, and rhythmic elements of music. Increased emphasis is placed on music outside of period of common practice and on analytic techniques. This course also includes detailed study and practice of the structure of music from the smallest structural units to large compound forms with direct application in music of composers from various periods. Music majors only. Prerequisite: Mus 323T

Mus 326 Conducting I credit 2 hrs.

The course provides an introduction to the art of conducting, with emphasis upon mastery of fundamental beat patterns. Emphasis is on choral and instrumental conducting, hand and baton techniques, and application through practical experience with organizations in the music program. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the methods and organization of choral and instrumental groups in schools, churches, and communities and with the conducting of choral and instrumental music. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory and Music History Literature sequences (grade of "C" or better) is required. Prerequisites: Mus 222T and Mus 323H

Mus 330 Integrating Music into the Elementary Classroom credit 3 hrs.

This course places emphasis on the role music can play in the integration of content areas elementary school classroom curriculum. Care is given to understanding the children's voices; basic elements of music; and the total music experience. Content includes development of the "head voice"; recorder performance skills; auto-harp skills; and tone bell performance. The course is designed to meet both the state and national standards requiring competency in the knowledge of western and non-western music.

Mus 331 Teaching of Music in Elementary and Middle School K-8 credit 3 hrs.

This course is designed for instruction of the music specialist, with emphasis placed on the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful music teacher in the public schools. Content includes music in the elementary school program; the development of the music program; care of children's voices; the rhythmic program and its place in the total music experience; pedagogical approaches for teaching vocal groups, band, and orchestra; and correlation and integration of the program with the general elementary and middle school curriculum. Music majors only.

Mus 410 Senior Recital credit 0 hr.

Students must perform a one (1) hour recital in their area of Applied Study. Repertoire is assigned by the Applied Instructor and is representative of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary styles. A supporting research document must be submitted prior to the Senior Recital. Prerequisite: Passing of the juried Senior Recital Hearing.

MUS 425 Conducting II credit 2 hrs.

The course is a continuation of the art of conducting, with emphasis upon mastery of coordination of the hands and body in beat pattern execution and interpretation. Emphasis is on choral and instrumental conducting, hand and baton techniques, and practical application and experience with a variety of musical organizations.

Mus 435 Teaching & Supervision of Music in Secondary School 9-12 credit 3 hrs.

The course places emphasis on such topics as the role of music in the education of adolescents; the social aspects of music in school-community life; the changing voice; voice testing and part-singing; and the role of music in correlation with other types of integrating courses for secondary schools. Consideration is given to the operation of special groups, such as chorus, band, orchestra, and ensemble. Music majors only.

Source: Benedict College Catalogue 2007-2009.