Music Courses

Applied Music Fall/Spring
Private music lessons are available for music concentration students as well as others. Students may take half-hour lessons for 1 credit, one-hour lessons for 2 credits, and 90-minute lessons for 3 credits. Music emphasis students must take two credits in their primary instrument each semester. All students may opt to take applied music lessons to meet their fine arts requirement provided additional requirements are met. For each credit of Applied Music, attendance to three recitals/concerts is required. This requirement may include one contemporary Christian concert, but the other two must be classically oriented. Students must declare this option at registration.

MUS 100 Fundamentals of Music (3) Fall
This course is a prerequisite to Music Theory & Skills I. Students will learn and review the basic concepts of musical notation and "grammar" to include: treble, bass, and movable C clefs; time signatures and simple versus compound meters; "The Circle of Fifths"; major and minor key signatures; major, three forms of minor, modal, pentatonic and other exotic scales; dynamics, stylistic markings, visual and aural recognition of diatonic and chromatic intervals, et al.

MUS 101 Music Appreciation (3) Fall/Spring
An introduction to the creativity and artistic expression of music with emphasis on the literature and composers of various style periods in Western music, giving special attention to sacred forms. Works are heard from recordings, and creative listening habits are developed through classroom guidance.

MUS 111 Congregational Hymn Playing (1) Fall
Prerequisite: The ability to play hymns as they are written in the hymnal.
Designed to enable those students who can already play hymns as written from the hymnbook to be able to improvise, create tag endings, modulate to other keys, and create hymn medleys.

MUS 112 Accompanying for Pianists (1) Spring
Courses for keyboard music concentration (others by permission of Department head). Students will explore vocal literature and learn basic accompanying skills.

MUS 115 Ensemble-College Choir (1) Fall/Spring
Open to all students, the College Choir ministers to the student body and to area churches with a varied program of choral works, both old and new. A tour is taken usually during the spring break. One credit per year is awarded when the full year is completed.

MUS 116 Ensemble Music Team (1) Fall/Spring
Small groups, both instrumental and vocal, are formed by audition from the student body. Under the supervision of a Music Department faculty member, music teams minister in area churches. One credit per year is awarded when the full year is completed.

MUS 117 Ensemble-Orchestra (1) Fall/Spring
Upon the interest of students, an instrumental ensemble is formed with those who play band and orchestra instruments. The group rehearses and plays in chapel once per week. One credit per year is awarded when the full year is completed.

MUS 121 Music Theory and Skills I (3) Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 100 Music Fundamentals
An introduction to the basic principles of notation, rhythm, key signatures, and sight-reading. A general study of the basic properties of melody and the basic harmonic concepts of scales, intervals, triads, and tonality are included (2 hours of class time and 2 hours of skills lab).

MUS 125 Essentials of Music Reading (1)
A course for the non-music major in the basics of reading music.
Courses for keyboard music concentration (others by permission of Department head). Students will explore vocal literature and learn basic accompanying skills.

MUS 221 Music Theory and Skills II (3) Fall
Prerequisite: MUS 121 Music Theory and Skills
The general study of harmony is continued, with an emphasis on the classification of root movement, cadences, four-part writing, the use of diminished and augmented triads, seventh chords, and modulation. Compound meter and more complex rhythms are developed, and there is a continuation of melodic analysis (2 hours of class time and 2 hours of skills lab).

MUS 236 Hymnology (3) Spring
This course is an introduction to the history and survey of music used in the church and will include a study of the variety of ways music is used in the church. This course will include an in-depth study of the history of congregational song and will introduce the student to various styles of music used in the Christian church today as well as various types of worship services in today’s community.

MUS 242 Music Theory and Skills III (3) Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 221 Music Theory and Skills II
A continuation of Music Theory II with more emphasis on four-part writing. Some introduction is given to binary, ternary, and through-composed forms (2 hours of class time and 2 hours of skills lab).

MUS 311/312 Conducting I-II (1) Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 221 Music Theory and Skills II
A one-semester course continuing through two semesters to develop conducting skills, rehearsal technique, and study and preparation of scores of standard vocal and instrumental literature. Required of all music majors.

MUS 321 Music Theory and Skills IV (3) Fall
Prerequisite: MUS 221 Music Theory and Skills II
A continuation of the course content and organization of Music Theory I–III with correlated aural, written, and analytical studies (2 hours of class time and 2 hours of skills lab).

MUS 331/332, 431/432 Diction for Singers I-IV (1) Fall, Spring
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair
An introduction to the international phonetic alphabet and in-depth study of diction in the following languages: English, Latin (Diction I); Italian (Diction II); German (Diction III); and French (Diction IV).

MUS 345-347 Music History I-III (3) Fall, Spring, Fall
Prerequisite: MUS 221 Music Theory II
A systematic study of music from classical antiquity until the present day. Emphasis is placed on recognition of principal periods, forms, and contributors to the history of music as well as an overview of music of different ethnic groups.

MUS 351 Brass Methods (1) Fall
Basic principles of playing brass instruments and a survey of all brass instruments.

MUS 352 Woodwind Methods (1) Spring
Basic principles of playing woodwind instruments and a survey of all woodwind instruments.

MUS 353 String Methods (1) Fall
Basic principles of playing string instruments and a survey of all string instruments.

MUS 354 Percussion Methods (1) Spring
Basic principles of playing percussion instruments and a survey of all percussion instruments.

MUS 355 Guitar Methods (1) Fall
Basic techniques of guitar playing with emphasis on methods for school or church instruction classes.

MUS 366 Form & Analysis (3)
Prerequisite: MUS 321 Music Theory & Skills IV or its equivalent
This course will equip the student with the basic analytical skills necessary to determine the underlying logical musical structure of a piece. Important examples of structural units and forms from the Western "Common Practice" period will be examined and analyzed, to include: motives, phrases, periods, phrase groups, theme and variations, binary and ternary forms, rondo form, sonata allegro form, fugue, et al.

MUS 411/412 Conducting III-IV (1) Fall, Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 312 Conducting II
A continuation of conducting for two semesters continuing the development of conducting skills, rehearsal technique, and study and preparation of scores of standard vocal and instrumental literature. Required of all Church Music students.

MUS 422 Arranging/Composition/Music Technology (3) Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 321 Music Theory IV
An introduction to techniques of arranging and composing in standard harmonic, melodic and rhythmic techniques for various vocal and instrumental media. Training will begin on the Finale computer program.

MUS 423 Orchestration/Music Technology (3) Fall
Prerequisite: MUS 321 Music Theory IV
A study of orchestral instruments: range, timbre, scoring for small ensembles and full orchestra; selected piano works scored for various instrumental combinations. Continuation of training on the Finale computer program.

MUS 425 Church Music Philosophy and Administration (3) Fall
A course designed to help the student develop a practical philosophy of church music. Included is music in worship, education, and evangelism.

MUS 441 Performance Literature (3) Fall
Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair
A survey and study of advanced solo literature for the student’s primary instrument.

MUS 442 Pedagogy (3) Spring
Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair
An in-depth study of the methods and philosophy of teaching for the student’s primary instrument.

MUS 446 Leading Worship (2) Spring
Prerequisite: MUS 425 Church Music Philosophy and Administration
This course will teach practical aspects of leading congregations in worship and how to become effective worship leaders in the local church. A seminar format will include area Ministers of Music discussing their unique ministries. The lab will facilitate the development of worship leading skills (Class meets for 3 hours).

MUS 491, 492 Music Internship (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Chair
This course is designed to give students hands-on experience in a church music setting. The student will work with an area church musician, or possibly become the primary minister of music at a local church. Throughout the semester, the student will meet with a faculty advisor and keep a notebook of relevant experiences.

MUS 494 Conducting Practicum (1)
Prerequisite: MUS 412 Conducting IV
Students will pick three (3) anthems to teach to an ensemble and will present those pieces in a recital at the end of the semester. Throughout the semester, the students will be monitored by the faculty advisor and given constructive criticism on conducting and teaching techniques, as well as help on musical interpretation.