A select treble show choir ensemble drawn from all major areas in the college community. Emphasis on performing literature from the pop, rock and Broadway repertoire. Combines voice, movement, and stage presence into one package. Opportunity to work with professional choreographers and to explore a wide variety of song styles and movement. Enrollment by audition. Restricted to students with freshman and sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. AE

A select, small (12-18 voices) choral ensemble dedicated to performing classical, jazz, Broadway, and pop repertoire. Choreography and solo singing may be included in this versatile organization. Enrollment by audition. Restricted to students with freshman and sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. AE

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.

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.

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. Students will also demonstrate the ability to collaborate and read open score. Students can take the exam at the end of the semester or by appointment. Target completion is fall semester of sophomore year. Graded CR/NC.

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. Students need to demonstrate that they can collaborate and read and open score. The exam can be taken at the end of the semester or by appointment. Target completion date of this exam is spring semester of sophomore year. Graded CR/NC.

Open to all students and community members, Choral Arts offers singers the opportunity to perform deeply rich, engaging, and varied works in an environment that is welcoming and accommodating. There is no expectation that participants study (or have studied) music, only that they bring a passion for choral music that will be shared through rehearsals and performance. AE

The study of piano will continue with advanced technique and pedagogy with instruction tailored to the needs of the student and preparation of a public performance of a solo recital. Restricted to music majors and minors. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit.

Practicum experience of the piano pedagogy emphasis in the piano performance program. The practicum includes observation, teaching, recording, and journaling of applied lessons. A pedagogy contract must be submitted to the supervising faculty, department chair and the college dean before the end of the first week of the semester. Restricted to music majors accepted into the performance program by passing a hearing. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Permission of department chair required. Prerequisite MUSC 206, 420.

This course presents the rudiments of music (elements of notation, the staff, clefs, scales, chromatic signs, intervals and their inversions, rhythms and rhythmic patterns, time and key signatures, and basic chords and chord structures), utilizing textbook author Andrew Gerles accessible method for teaching singer-actors to learn a score more quickly and understand the connection between storytelling and music. This course is ideal for aspiring musicians and general education students who have a passion for stage music and want to develop their music literacy. Pre-requisite for MUSC 151. AE