Music Courses
Applied Music Courses
An additional fee is charged for all private music lessons (see fee schedule posted by the Office of Student Financial Services). Emphasis is on acquiring musical concepts and technical proficiency, as well as the thorough study of representative literature.
One credit is granted for successful completion of a course involving half hour lessons per week. Two credits are granted for one hour lessons each week. All music majors are required to perform in one student recital per semester. Any student that does not fulfill the recital requirement shall receive a failing grade in their applied lesson for that particular semester.
A jury examination is normally required at the end of each semester. A full recital (about sixty minutes) and a half-recital (about thirty minutes) are required of all students pursuing the B.M. in Performance. Candidates for the B.M. in Music Education are required to present a half recital. Candidates for the B.A. in Music and B.A. in Music with Concentration in Arts Management are required to present half recitals. Candidates for the B.A. in Music Composition are required to present a half recital in applied instrument or voice and a separate recital in composition.
| MUS 1140-4140 Applied Piano (2) | MUS 1410-4410 Applied Strings (2) Violin, Guitar, Viola, Cello, and Bass |
| MUS 1170-1180 Voice for Non-Music Majors/Voice Proficiency (1- 2) | MUS 1540-4540 Applied Woodwinds (2) Flute, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, and Clarinet |
| MUS 1210-4220 Applied Organ (2) | MUS 1710 – 4710 Applied Percussion (2) Drumset, and Orchestral |
| MUS 1270-4270 Applied Composition (2) | MUS 1770-1780 Piano for Non-Music Majors/ Piano Proficiency (1- 2) |
| MUS 1310-4310 Applied Voice (2) | MUS 1810-4810 Applied Brass (2) Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, and Euphonium |
Music Theory Courses
MUS 1070 AURAL SKILLS I (1)
Development of the ability to recognize and sing various intervals and rhythms by sight and sound. Students will learn to read the tonal and rhythmic language of music. Class meets two hours a week. MUS 1070 should be taken in conjunction with MUS 1610. This course is designed for music majors and minors.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall
MUS 1080 AURAL SKILLS II (1)
Continuation of MUS 1070. MUS 1080 should be taken in conjunction with MUS 1620.
Prerequisites: MUS 1610 and 1070 or permission of the instructor.
Offered: spring
MUS 1600 MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS (3)
A course designed to prepare students for Music Theory I. Emphasis will be placed on basic note reading skills, various clefs, basic rhythms, major and minor scales, key signatures, and simple triads. Music 1600 is an appropriate course for majors and non-majors. Music majors will be required to take this course if they do not pass the diagnostic exam for music theory (given in the fall prior to the beginning of the semester).
Offered: fall
MUS 1610 MUSIC THEORY I (3)
Theory, with emphasis on basic musical terminology, scales, intervals, rhythms, chord structures, and analysis. MUS 1070 should be taken in conjunction with this course. Non-majors by permission of instructor.
Offered: fall
MUS 1620 MUSIC THEORY II (3)
Continuation of MUS 1610. This course is offered every spring semester. MUS 1080 should be taken in conjunction with this course.
Prerequisites: MUS 1610 and 1070 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
MUS 1750 PIANO PROFICIENCY I (1)
This sequential series of classes is designed to prepare a student with the functional keyboard skills necessary for a career in music. These skills are assessed by means of the Piano Proficiency Exam, to be 98 taken at the end of the four- semester sequence of Piano Proficiency classes. MUS 175 should be taken in conjunction with MUS 1070 and 1610.
Offered: fall
MUS 2070 AURAL SKILLS III (1)
Continuation of MUS 1080. MUS 2070 should be taken in conjunction with MUS 2610.
Prerequisites: MUS 1620 and 1080 or permission of the instructor.
Offered: fall
MUS 2080 AURAL SKILLS IV (1)
Continuation of MUS 2070. MUS 2080 should be taken in conjunction with MUS 2620.
Prerequisites: MUS 2610 and 2070 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
MUS 2610 MUSIC THEORY III (3)
Theory, harmony, and analysis. MUS 2070 should be taken in conjunction with this course.
Prerequisites: MUS 1620 and 1080 or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall
MUS 2620 MUSIC THEORY IV (3)
Theory with emphasis on chromatic harmony, modulation, and twentieth century composition techniques. MUS 2080 should be taken in conjunction with this course.
Prerequisites: MUS 2610 and 2070 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
MUS 2750 PIANO PROFICIENCY II (1)
Continuation of MUS 1750. This course should be taken in conjunction with MUS 1080 and 1620.
Offered: spring
MUS 3650 INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY (2)
Laboratory experience and class lecture on current music hardware and software. Students will explore various utilizations of software and technology in teaching and teaching strategies, as well as investigating the musical protocol of MIDI and basic computer/musical instrument hardware setups. Keyboard skills are desirable. This course can be an elective course for music majors.
Prerequisite: MUS 1620 or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed
MUS 3660 INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISATION (2)
Learning the basics of keyboard improvisation with attention to the interpretation of various chord and melodic structures with regard to styles and voicings. This course can be an elective course for music majors.
Prerequisite: MUS 2620 and permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed
MUS 3750 PIANO PROFICIENCY III (1)
Continuation of MUS 2750. This course should be taken in conjunction with MUS 2070 and 2610.
Offered: fall
MUS 4640 ORCHESTRATION (3)
Surveys the capabilities and practical applications of band and orchestral instruments. Topics will include ranges, transpositions, blendings, arranging, and special effects. Projects will involve writing for smaller chamber groups.
Prerequisite: MUS 2620, or permission of the instructor
Offered: every third semester
MUS 4650 INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION AND ARRANGING (3)
Composition and arranging of music in various forms; traditional and contemporary approaches and media, including computer- assisted composition.
Prerequisite: MUS 2620, or permission of the instructor
Offered: every third semester
MUS 4660 FORM AND ANALYSIS (3)
Detailed aural and visual analysis of musical examples of the principal forms used by the important composers of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods.
Prerequisite: MUS 2620, or permission of the instructor
Offered: every third semester
MUS 4750 PIANO PROFICIENCY IV (1)
Continuation of MUS 3750. This course should be taken in conjunction with MUS 2080 and 2620. Students who pass MUS 4750 (Piano Proficiency IV), but who have not passed the Piano Proficiency Exam must register for MUS 1770 or 1780 (Piano for Non-Music Majors/Proficiency) until passing the Piano Proficiency Exam.
Offered: spring
Music History & Literature Courses
MUS 0710 CONCERT ATTENDANCE (0)
Music majors must attend a specified number of live musical performances each semester to successfully complete this course. Pass/fail course.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 1510 SURVEY OF MUSIC IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION (3)
This course fulfills the general education requirement. Development of listening ability through historical survey of Western musical development. Musical examples from Medieval through present day are utilized. No prior knowledge of music is required.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 1520 JAZZ AND POPULAR CULTURE (3)
This course fulfills the general education requirement. A survey course which examines the major style eras of jazz in America as well as musical/societal trends in popular culture. Listening skills are highly emphasized.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 2600 SURVEY OF MUSIC LITERATURE (1)
A survey course that concentrates on select pieces of literature from the European Classical tradition. Emphasis is placed on score reading and listening skills. Also stressed is an understanding of key terminology as it relates to the various periods in Western musical history. Important biographical information about composers will also be discussed. Survey of Music Literature is designed as a prerequisite for MUS 3110 and intended to be taken in the spring semester of the sophomore year.
Prerequisite: MUS 1620 or permission of instructor
Offered: spring
MUS 3110 MUSIC HISTORY: ANCIENT THROUGH BAROQUE (3)
Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods; the rise of new forms, and stylistic and theoretical analysis of major works. Prerequisites: MUS 1620, 2600; ENG 1010, 1020, 1040, or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall
MUS 3120 APPLICATIONS OF BAND LITERATURE (2)
One semester course designed for instrumental music education majors. The course will teach students about the varying types of wind-band literature in a historical as well as genre-based context. Course content will also cover the varying difficulty levels of band literature and the criterion for grading difficulty level.
Prerequisites: MUS 2600, 3110, and 3130, or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed
MUS 3130 MUSIC HISTORY: CLASSICISM THROUGH ROMANTIC (3)
1750 to 1900 with stylistic and theoretical analysis of major works.
Prerequisites: MUS 1620, 2600, 3110; ENG 1010, 1020, or 1040, or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
MUS 3370 APPLICATIONS OF PIANO LITERATURE (2)
One semester course designed for music majors whose main instrument is piano. The course will allow piano majors the opportunity to study keyboard music in greater detail than in music history courses, and in greater breadth than applied piano lessons. Students will trace histories of literature, musical forms, and performance practices of solo keyboard music.
Prerequisites: MUS 2600, 3110, and 3130, or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed
MUS 3400 APPLICATIONS OF CHORAL LITERATURE (2)
One semester course designed to survey choral music literature from the perspective of historically significant masterworks by genre and the utilitarian perspective of appropriateness for particular types of ensembles. The student will learn to apply analytical and historical knowledge to curriculum development, lesson planning, and daily classroom and performance activities. It is suggested that Music Performance majors take this course as part of their General Elective requirement.
Prerequisites: MUS 2600, 3110, and 3130, or per instructor permission
Offered: fall
MUS 3850 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MUSIC (1-3)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major.
Prerequisites: Approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, and the division head, before approval by the Provost. Credits to be determined.
Offered: as needed
MUS 4000 SELECTED TOPICS IN MUSIC (2-3)
Special courses offered periodically.
MUS 4020 JAZZ FOR THE MUSIC MAJOR (3)
Course is designed to offer majors the chance to study jazz at a detailed level of inquiry and to provide a viable elective within the major. It is not a required course for majors but may be taken for credits from an approved list of electives. The course is listening/discussion based, focused on the origins of jazz, various style periods and representative musicians, and the history of recorded media/technology. Prerequisite: none. (Suggested courses taken prior to are MUS 2610, 2620, and 2600)
Offered: as needed
MUS 4190 MUSIC HISTORY: 20th–21st CENTURY (2)
This course will identify and analyze the various musical and compositional styles throughout the 20th and 21st century (post WW II), including prominent composers, compositional styles, and analysis of specific works. This course will also survey various jazz as well as non-western styles – especially those of the Far East and Asiatic countries. This course is designed as the final segment of the Music History component and is intended to be taken in the senior year.
Prerequisites: MUS 3110 and 3130, or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall
Music Education & Methods Courses
MUS 1090 PRELUDE TO MUSIC EDUCATION (2)
The course is designed to provide the student with an overall understanding of the music education profession. Special emphasis will be on basic teaching strategies, philosophies, and techniques; an overview of music teaching as a career; diversity, integration, curriculum technology, classroom management, legal issues, personal skills, and the building of the music education portfolio. Fifteen (15) field observation hours are required throughout the K-12 licensure (elementary, middle, and high school).
Prerequisites: MUS 1070, 1080, 1610, 1620, 2070, and 2610
Offered: spring
MUS 2090 ELEMENTARY MUSIC METHODS (2)
The course is a survey of methods in teaching general music to children in grades K-6. Special focus will be on better understanding how a student’s musical skills and understanding establish a foundation for continued development of the following areas as they relate to elementary teaching: lesson and unit planning, singing, playing instruments, music listening, moving to music, characteristics of children at various developmental stages, demonstrating knowledge of materials that may be used in planning music activities such as children’s reading/literacy, music literacy, music literature, and technology. Fifteen (15) field observation hours are required as well as two (2) teaching experiences.
Prerequisites: MUS 1090, or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall
MUS 2190 SECONDARY MUSIC METHODS (2)
The course is designed to provide the student with competencies needed for effectively teaching 6-12 grade. The course is designed to provide experiences in synthesizing previously learned competencies and skills, as well as to specifically address lesson/rehearsal planning, overt development of a music program, establish a philosophy of music education, administrative issues surrounding music literature (library creation, budgets, PR, etc.), and demonstrate knowledge of materials that may be used in researching issues concerning music education. Fifteen (15) field observation hours are required as well as two (2) teaching experiences. It must be taken prior to the student’s application to the Education Program and EDU 3420.
Prerequisites: MUS 2090 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring and coordinated with EDU 2420
MUS 3010 STRING TECHNIQUES (1)
Methodology of teaching stringed instruments for students seeking teacher licensure. Each student learns to demonstrate characteristic tone quality and elementary technique on at least one stringed instrument.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall
MUS 3020 STRING INSTRUMENT PEDAGOGY (2)
This course is designed to prepare students to teach private lessons in violin, viola or cello from beginning through early advanced levels. The course addresses teaching principles of a wide range of contemporary pedagogues, including Shinichi Suzuki, Ivan Galamian and Kato Havas.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed
MUS 3030 WOODWIND TECHNIQUES (1)
Methodology of teaching woodwind instruments for students seeking teacher licensure. Each student learns to demonstrate characteristic tone quality and elementary technique on each woodwind instrument.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall
MUS 3040 BRASS TECHNIQUES (1)
Methodology of teaching brass instruments for students seeking teacher licensure. Each student learns to demonstrate characteristic tone quality and elementary technique on each brass instrument.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
MUS 3070 PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES (1)
Methodology of teaching percussion instruments for students seeking teacher licensure. Each student learns to demonstrate characteristic elementary techniques on each percussion instrument.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
MUS 3610 CONDUCTING (3)
Introduction to conducting techniques with emphasis on practical application to vocal and instrumental groups. Issues regarding posture, use of three-dimensional planes, non-verbal communication, conducting of simple, compound, and complex meters, and Laban techniques are examined.
Prerequisite: MUS 2620 and MUS 2080 or permission of instructor
MUS 3611 VOCAL PEDAGOGY (3)
Emphasis on vocal anatomy, physiology, and maturation of, and teaching techniques for, the singing voice. Designed for the B.M. in Vocal Performance but open to all interested students.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
MUS 4090 PIANO PEDAGOGY (3)
Materials and methods for teaching beginning piano through intermediate and early advanced levels with emphasis on notation, scales, technique, style, and interpretation. Students observe private and group instruction and are supervised in the teaching of beginning piano students.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed
Ensemble Courses
MUS 3260-3270 GUITAR ENSEMBLE (CLASSICAL and JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY) (1)
Rehearsal and performance of guitar literature of various periods, meeting twice weekly. Days and times of the rehearsals are arranged at the beginning of each semester. As enrollment allows, there will be a Jazz and Contemporary Guitar section. Each student is responsible for appropriate performance attire. Fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: MUS 1250 or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 3280-3290 THE NOBLEMEN (MEN’S CHORUS) (1)
The Noblemen is open to all men in the university community from all disciplines who love to sing and enjoy camaraderie through great music. Music from every music epoch will be performed from serious to more pop/ contemporary a cappella forms. Fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 3480-3490 CONCERT BAND (1)
This ensemble plays a variety of concert band/wind band literature from throughout the 20th century. The band will perform at least two concerts and the MU Graduation ceremony each term. Fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 3860-3870 GRACE NOTES (WOMEN’S CHORUS) (1)
The Methodist University Women’s Chorus is open to all women of the university community with students from all disciplines who love to sing and enjoy camaraderie through great music. It is intended to provide a foundation in vocal technique while achieving a high standard of excellence in repertoire selected from all periods and musical styles. Fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 3900-3910 CHAMBER MUSIC (1)
This ensemble studies unique smaller, chamber works and arrangements for string, brass, woodwind, and keyboard instruments. The ensemble is open to non-music majors and fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters. Prior to enrollment, the department chair must approve the ensemble and an approved faculty member must act as the director.
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 3980-3990 JAZZ ENSEMBLE (1)
Rehearsal and performance of works and arrangements for brass, woodwind, keyboard, and percussion instruments. Meets twice weekly. The ensemble is open to non-music majors. Fulfills the General Education requirement when taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
Other Music Courses
MUS 0800 HALF RECITAL (0)
Music majors enroll in this course the semester their half recital is officially scheduled with the music department. To fulfill requirement the student must obtain pre-approval to schedule from their applied teacher and arrange a pre- recital hearing with music faculty. Student must successfully perform the recital in the semester which it is scheduled. Pass/fail course.
Prerequisite: to be performed in junior or senior year (exceptions to this are approved through applied teacher)
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 0900 FULL RECITAL (0)
Music majors enroll in this course the semester their full recital is officially scheduled with the music department. To fulfill requirement the student must obtain pre-approval to schedule from their applied teacher and arrange a pre-recital hearing with music faculty. Student must successfully perform the recital in the semester which it is scheduled. Pass/fail course.
Prerequisite: to be performed in junior or senior year (exceptions to this are approved through applied teacher)
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 1050-4060 OPERA WORKSHOP (1)
Study through rehearsal and performance of operatic literature and other works for the musical stage.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed
MUS 1110-1120 VOICE CLASS FOR NON-MUSIC MAJORS (2)
Designed for the student who chooses not to major in music, but who loves to sing. No previous experience required. Participants will learn about vocal production and technique and sing in a variety of styles.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
MUS 1250 INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL GUITAR TECHNIQUE AND LITERATURE (2)
In a classroom setting, students will be introduced to beginning technique for the classical guitar. Purchase or rental of a guitar and footstool are required.
Prerequisite: as needed
MUS 1650 DICTION FOR SINGERS: ITALIAN AND ENGLISH (2)
Diction in the four major languages of Western music. Taken in conjunction with applied voice. Required of Voice Performance and Education majors.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
MUS 2650 DICTION FOR SINGERS: GERMAN AND FRENCH (2)
Diction in the four major languages of Western music. Taken in conjunction with applied voice. Required of Voice Performance majors.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall
MUS 3880 MANAGEMENT AND THE ARTS (3)
Focuses on the challenges facing managers and arts organizations. Investigation of practical applications from all management perspectives, including planning, marketing, finance, economics, organizational, staffing, and group dynamics all related to an arts organization. Required of Arts Management majors.
Prerequisites: ARH 1510, THE 1620, ACC 1510 BUS 2160, BUS 1700, and MKT 1510 or permission of the instructor.
Offered: as needed