Music Department Courses

*Generally, after receiving permission to register for applied music, a student may register for the course and pay only tuition for the credit. However, there are some conditions which require a student to pay a special fee in addition to tuition.

+ above a course number indicates a General Education course.

+ MUS 105 Cr. 2
Music Appreciation The Western classical tradition. A survey of the forms and styles within each period since the Baroque. Emphasis on the content of specific masterpieces to enhance perceptive learning. Not open to students with credit in MUS 110. Not applicable to major or minor.

+ MUS 110 Cr. 3
The Listening Experience in Music An introductory course to music listening, with emphasis on methods of perceiving and understanding musical information. Topics include factors in listening, recognition of musical elements and other concepts which contribute to aural perception, and understanding the influence of musical context. The course content will include representative examples of world music, compositions by women, and representative music from the Western classical tradition. Prerequisite: Not open to students with credit in MUS 105. Not applicable to major or minor.

MUS 141 Cr. 1
Class Piano I

MUS 143 Cr. 1
Class Voice

MUS 145 Cr. 1
Class Instruments

MUS 146 Cr. 1
Keyboard Competencies I This course is designed to prepare students to use the piano as a functional vehicle of expression and as an accompanying instrument. Emphasis will be given to developing physical coordination of keyboard performance skills, building basic piano technique and basic keyboard theory, harmonizing melodies with given chord symbols and by ear, and reading simple piano literature in traditional music notation. Lect. 1, Lab. 1. Prerequisite: music major or minor or concurrent registration in MUS 235. Offered Sem. I.

MUS 147 Cr. 1
Keyboard Competencies II This course is designed to prepare students to use the piano as a functional vehicle of expression and as an accompanying instrument. From performance level attained in Keyboard I, students will continue developing physical coordination of keyboard performance skills, building basic technique, applying keyboard theory and harmonizing melodies. Primary emphasis will be to increase performance ability at first sight through practice strategies, musical analysis and several pieces of piano literature. Lect. 1, Lab. 1. Prerequisite: MUS 146 or consent of instructor. Offered Sem. II.

MUS 148 Cr. 1
Keyboard Competencies III This course is designed to prepare students to use the piano as a functional vehicle of expression and as an accompanying instrument. Having achieved basic piano technique and reading skills, the emphasis in this course will be to expand the use of the keyboard in practical music education contexts: accompaniments, multiple staff (score) reading and transposition. Students will have opportunities to articulate practice strategies and to assess performances. Practical situations which call for modification of the printed score will also be addressed. Lect. 1, Lab. 1. Prerequisite: MUS 147 or consent of instructor. Offered Sem. I.

MUS 149 Cr. 1
Keyboard Competencies IV This course prepares music education students to address standards for keyboard competency as stipulated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. All activities in the course will be driven by practical situations in the classroom using keyboard skills. These skills include demonstration of keyboard technique (scales, chord progressions), folk song accompaniments, transposition of melodies to other keys, score reading (choral or instrumental ensembles) and performance of accompaniments with appropriate stylistic considerations. Lect. 1, Lab. 1. Prerequisite: MUS 148 or consent of instructor. Offered Sem. II.

MUS 151 Cr. 1
Screaming Eagles Marching Band

MUS 152 Cr. 1
Opera Workshop

MUS 153 Cr. 1
Concert Choir

MUS 154 Cr. 1
Symphonic Band

MUS 155 Cr. 1
Orchestra

MUS 157 Cr. 1
Mannerchoir

MUS 159 Cr. 1
Women's Chorus

MUS 161 Cr. 1
Ensembles

MUS 163 Cr. 1
Wind Symphony

MUS 165 Cr. 1
Jazz Ensemble I

MUS 166 Cr. 1
Jazz Ensemble II

MUS 167 Cr. 1
Choral Union

MUS 168 Cr. 1
Vocal Jazz Ensemble

MUS 169
Cr. 1 Chamber Choir

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+ MUS 201 Cr. 3
Musical Cultures: World music from a global perspective, celebrating both the similarities and differences of musical expressions. Exemplary artistic, folkloric, and popular music cultures of the world are compared to those of the Medieval and Renaissance eras. An introduction to hearing these expressions as cultural phenomena, using objective methods of study that lead to a general understanding of music by visual and aural analysis and by hearing music in its cultural context. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or MUS 110 or music major, minor. Offered Sem. I.

MUS 202 Cr. 2
Music History:1600-1825 A study of music history and literature in the Western world from 1600-1825. Prerequisite: MUS 105, or 110, or 201. Offered Sem. II.

+ MUS 204 Cr. 3
Latin American Music: Its Context and Impact A survey of Latin American musical styles, their cultural contexts, and their impact in the U.S. An assessment of religious, artistic, and popular music, focusing on major schools and traditions in Latin America. The course develops from a geographical, chronological approach ranging from pre-Columbian to European and African manifestations in the 20 Latin American republics, with emphasis on the Hispanic domination. Then the course traces the U.S. impact of Mexicans in the southwest since the California missions, Puerto Ricans in New York, and Cubans in Miami; the inroads of Latin dances on jazz and rock.

MUS 211 Cr. 2
Basic Conducting Development of the physical and mental skills necessary for accurate beat patterns, cueing, fermatas, cut-offs, accerlandos and ritardandos. Emphasis is placed on body posture, body language, eye contact, accurate tempos and dynamics. A basic knowledge of musical terms is required along with the ability to use them to teach the aesthetic qualities of music. Prerequisite: MUS 147 and 236.

MUS 212 Cr. 1
Folk and Classroom Instruments I - Recorder and Autoharp Concentration in development of skills necessary for the use of these instruments in the elementary and middle school classroom, including a variety of ways the instruments may be used to accompany singing as well as in solo capacities.

MUS 213 Cr. 1
Folk and Classroom Instruments II - Guitar and Percussion Concentration in development of skills necessary for the use of these instruments in the elementary and middle school classroom, including a variety of ways the instruments may be used to accompany singing as well as in solo capacities.

MUS 214 Cr. 1
String Techniques I Group instruction on violin/viola.

MUS 215 Cr. 1
String Techniques II Group instruction on cello and double bass. This course is designed to prepare students to perform and demonstrate on these instruments at a middle school ability level, teach and diagnose performance problems in elementary and secondary students, and present technical information and demonstrations on the care and maintenance of string instruments.

MUS 217 Cr. 3
Recreational Music Music for recreational programs. Prerequisite: MUS 141 with grade of "C" or better, or equivalent (for recreation majors); others with consent of instructor. Credit for this course does not apply to a music major or minor.

MUS 220 Cr. 1
High Brass Techniques Group instruction on trumpet/horn.

MUS 221 Cr. 1
Low Brass Techniques Group instruction on trombone/tuba.

MUS 225 Cr. 1
Percussion Techniques I Group lessons in snare, tympani and mallet instruments. Primarily for students preparing to teach instrumental music. Two periods per week.

MUS 226 Cr. 1
Percussion Techniques II Group lessons in mallets, Latin equipment and drum set. Primarily for students preparing to teach instrumental music. Two periods per week.

MUS 227 Cr. 1
Woodwind Techniques I Group instruction on clarinet. Primarily for students planning to teach instrumental music. Two periods per week.

MUS 228 Cr. 1
Woodwind Techniques II Group instruction on oboe and flute. Primarily for students planning to teach instrumental music. Two periods per week.

MUS 229 Cr. 1
Woodwind Techniques III Group instruction on bassoon and saxophone. Primarily for students planning to teach instrumental music.

MUS 231 Cr. 2
Elements of Music Fundamentals of music. Basic vocabulary of music terms, symbols, elements needed for music reading, use of the voice, keyboard instruments, song flute, and autoharp. For elementary education majors. Credit for this course does not apply to a music major or minor.

MUS 235 Cr. 3
Music Theory I Basic materials in music theory, rhythm, intervals, triads, harmony, modes. Introduction to four-part writing, and to the analysis of forms and styles. Keyboard harmony.

MUS 236 Cr. 3
Music Theory II Continuation of Music Theory I. Modulation, seventh chords and altered chords. Non-harmonic tones. Keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUS 235 or equivalent.

MUS 237 Cr. 1
Music Reading and Aural Skills I Singing at sight and aural recognition (dictation) of scales and modes, intervals, diatonic melody involving tonic and dominant harmonies, rhythmic patterns in simple and compound meters; introduction to alto and tenor clefs. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in MUS 235. Two periods per week.

MUS 238 Cr. 1
Music Reading and Aural Skills II Continuation of MUS 237; subdominant harmonies, secondary dominant harmonies, secondary dominants, modulation to near-related keys, two-voice counterpoint, more complex rhythmic patterns involving syncopation and borrowed divisions of the beat. Prerequisite: successful completion of MUS 237 with a grade of "C" or better and concurrent enrollment in MUS 236. Two periods per week.

MUS 241 Cr. 1
Private Piano

MUS 243 Cr. 1
Private Voice

MUS 245 Cr. 1
Private Instrument

MUS 249 Cr. 1
Piano Sight-Reading This course is intensely focused on reading piano music at sight. While the majority of the course provides opportunities to read/perform new music at sight, strategies to improve initial sight-reading skills will be given on a regular basis. Lect.1, lab.1 Prerequisite: MUS 149. Offered Sem. 1

MUS 263 Cr. 1
Introduction to Music Technology This course introduces the basic principles of music production with recorders, mixers, microphones, synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, computers, video discs and CD ROM devices. It includes fundamental concepts in recording with analog and digital recorders, mixing, analog and digital synthesis, sampling and MIDI/computer applications for music sequencing, notation and education. Prerequisite: MUS 235.

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MUS 301 Cr. 2
Music History:1825-1900 A study of music history and literature in the Western world from 1825 to 1900: the Romantic Period. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or 110 or music major.

MUS 302 Cr. 2
Music History: 20th Century A study of music history and literature in the Western world from 1900 to the present: the Contemporary Period. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or 110 or music major.*

MUS 305 Cr. 2
American Music A study of musical development in the United States. Colonial music, folk music, jazz, and the development of music as an art in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or 110 or music major.

MUS 308 Cr. 3
Musical Culture in America The history and development of contemporary popular musical idioms including folk and popular music, jazz and rock, electronic music and musical comedy. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or 110 or music major.

MUS 309 Cr. 3
History of Jazz A chronological study of the history of jazz from its African roots to the present with emphasis on listening and selected readings. Prerequisite: MUS 105 or 110 or music major.

*Writing emphasis available.

MUS/THA 310 Cr. 3
The Singer/Actor This course examines the process of acting through song and verse. Its purpose is to explore a variety of theoretical and practical approaches integrating acting, vocal and stylistic techniques which support and strengthen each other. Prerequisite: THA 220 or 222, MUS 235, 236 237, 238. Offered every fourth semester.

MUS 312 Cr. 1
Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble Techniques Pedagogical techniques and problem solving for conductors of middle school and high school marching bands and jazz ensembles. Prerequisite: MUS 211, 225 or 226, 220 or 221, and 226 or 227 or 228.

MUS 313 Cr. 1
Orchestra Techniques Practical approaches to the design and development of a successful school string and orchestra program. Topics covered will be special recruitment and teaching techniques to the string section, the relationship between bowing and style, effective use of heterogeneous teaching methods, chamber music in the string curriculum and scheduling, repertoire, equipment, style and techniques for the full orchestra, string orchestra, strolling strings and "Pops" orchestra. Prerequisite: MUS 211 and 214 or 215.

MUS 316 Cr. 2
Advanced Instrumental Conducting The study of advanced problems in instrumental conducting. Topics covered include baton technique, score preparation and analysis, interpretation, rehearsal technique and procedure and the study of appropriate instrumental literature of the band and orchestra in relation to its performance and practice. Prerequisite: MUS 211.

MUS 318 Cr. 2
Advanced Choral Conducting The study of advanced problems in choral conducting. Topics covered will include conducting techniques, score preparation, and analysis, interpretation, rehearsal techniques and procedures, and appropriate choral literature. Prerequisite: MUS 211.

MUS 320 Cr. 2
Orchestration A study of the characteristics and capabilities of orchestral and band instruments and the writing of practical transcription and arrangements for various small ensembles, the full band and the orchestra. Prerequisite: MUS 236.

MUS 321 Cr. 2
Choral Arranging Scoring and arranging for mixed chorus, choirs, glee clubs and small vocal ensembles; scoring of instrumental accompaniment for vocal groups. Prerequisite: MUS 335.

MUS 322 Cr. 3
Choral Techniques Basic principles of choral performance. Elements of expression, stylistic characteristic and preparation of choral groups. The voice at different age levels. Examination and evaluation of choral materials. Prerequisite: MUS 211.

MUS 326 Cr. 2
Jazz Improvisation I The study and application of the theoretical, technical and performance aspects of jazz improvisation. Prerequisite: MUS 236 and consent of instructor. Three periods per week.

MUS 327 Cr. 2
Jazz Improvisation II A continuation of the principles and techniques of Jazz Improvisation I, but at a higher performance level. Prerequisite: MUS 326 and consent of instructor. Three periods per week.

MUS 328 Cr. 1
Diction in Music The study of diction for music majors and minors dealing with the phonetic systems and texts in foreign language.

MUS 329 Cr. 1
Recording Techniques Physical properties of sound, the recording chain and principles of audio recording will be covered. Participants will be responsible for a final recording project. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

MUS 333 Cr. 2
Electronic Music Basic principles and theory of the generation and modification of acoustical wave-forms by electronic means. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

MUS 335 Cr. 3
Music Theory III Continuation of Music Theory I and II, with further study of modulation, altered chords, and extended chords. Stylistic and formal analysis and composition with emphasis upon eighteenth and nineteenth century styles and techniques. Keyboard harmony, sight reading and ear training. Prerequisite: MUS 236 or equivalent.

MUS 336 Cr. 3
Music Theory IV Continuation of Music Theory III, with analysis of the principal forms of music. Stylistic and formal analysis and composition with emphasis upon twentieth-century idioms. Keyboard harmony, sight reading and ear training. Prerequisite: MUS 335 or equivalent.

MUS 337 Cr. 1
Music Reading and Aural Skills III Continuation of MUS 238; chromatic harmonies, four-voice dictation, rhythmic patterns involving changing and complex meters. Prerequisite: completion of MUS 238 with a grade of "C" or better; concurrent enrollment in MUS 335. Two periods per week.

MUS 338 Cr. 1
Music Reading and Aural Skills IV Continuation of MUS 337; higher chords, non-tonal melody, rhythmic patterns involving syncopation in changing and complex meters. Prerequisite: completion of MUS 337 with a grade of "C" or better; concurrent enrollment in MUS 336. Two periods per week.

MUS 341 Cr. 1
Private Piano

MUS 342 Cr. 1
Keyboard Accompanying Instruction and practical experience in keyboard accompanying. Prerequisite: permission by department chair.

MUS 343 Cr. 1
Private Voice