Development of basic conducting skills with emphasis on beat patterns, baton technique, conducting gestures, score preparation and musical styles.

This course explores the fundamentals of music through music composition. Students will learn how to compose a compelling melody, discover why some chords sound better than others, learn how to set text more effectively, and write better piano accompaniments. The course includes basic jazz harmony, how to read Lead Sheet, and lessons on music engraving using Dorico music writing software. Students will write an art song or pop song, a work for vocal ensemble, and a work for an instrumental ensemble.

Mathematics and music are deeply connected disciplines, with math providing the underlying structure for the physics of sound, musical theory, and composition. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, thinkers have used mathematical principles to analyze and create music. This course will explore the mathematical principles inherent in music via analysis of works from the Renaissance through the present day.

Continuation of the study of the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet as used in French and English languages. Emphasis is placed on the sounds of these symbols and their application to appropriate vocal literature. Class experiences include readings, discussion, speaking, singing, group activities, and listening. Offered every spring semester. Prerequisite: 237.

A study of the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet as used in Italian and German languages. Emphasis is placed on the sounds of these symbols and their application to appropriate vocal literature. Class experiences include readings, discussion, speaking, singing, group activities, and listening. Offered every fall semester.

A continuation of the study and development of listening and musicianship skills. This course will cover the applications of moveable-do solfege, fixed-do solfege, la-based minor, melodic dictation, rhythmic dictation, and sight singing. Prerequisite: 107.

The Piano Proficiency III course is the final package (of three) designed to provide developing musicians with basic keyboard competency. Specifically, students will develop piano technique and music theory through keyboard patterns including: three vocalises, black-key major and minor scales (hands together, 2 octaves) and chord progressions (inversions + ii chord). Sight-reading and repertoire will be at a higher level than that of Piano Proficiency II. Transposition of folk melodies will include an accompaniment more elaborate than blocked chords.

The Piano Proficiency II course is the second of three levels designed to provide developing musicians with basic keyboard competency. Specifically, students will develop piano technique and music theory through keyboard patterns including: three vocalises, major and minor scales (two octaves, hands together, white keys only), and chord progressions (inversions + ii chord). Sight-reading and repertoire will be at a level higher than that of Piano Proficiency I. Transposition of folk melodies will include a left hand blocked-chord accompaniment.

Fundamental melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements learned in MUSC 151 are further developed. Specific content includes an introduction to form in popular and classical music, melodic analysis, non-chord tones, and voice leading/part writing, as well as an introduction to chromatic harmony and modulation via study of secondary dominant and leading tone chords. Students will apply these principles through performance, analysis, and composition. Prerequisite: 151.

Fundamental melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements of music will be explored and developed. Specific content includes the study of melodic and rhythmic notation, meter, tonality/modality, intervals, chords and inversions, cadences, with attention to harmonic progression and melodic organization. Students will apply fundamental principles of melody, rhythm, and harmony through performance, analysis, and composition. The course will utilize Noteflight music writing software. Prerequisite: MUSC 100 or a minimum of 80% on the Music Fundamentals Proficiency Exam.