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Courses

MUS 111. Comprehensive Musicianship I
4 credits
Introduction to language of music and rudiments of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and formal organization. Emphasis on fundamentals of scale formation, major and minor keys, and simple chord types. Ear training through sight singing and computer assisted instruction, including melodic, harmonic and rhythmic diction. (Offered every year)
MUS 112. Comprehensive Musicianship II
4 credits
MUS 111
Continuation of study of musical language. Emphasis on harmonic progression, seventh chords, modulation and exploration of small-scale forms in music. (Offered every year)
MUS 113. Music for the Listener (AH-4)
4 credits
Techniques for listening, basic repertory and a knowledge of musical elements, styles and forms. Recordings are used extensively. Recommended for non-music majors and does not count toward the major or minor.
MUS 114-115. Class Piano (AH-1)
2 credits each
Designed for students with little or no piano background. Explores basic methodology of keyboard technique, sight-reading and repertoire building. Especially recommended for Music Education majors. MUS 115 is a continuation of MUS 114. (Offered every year)
MUS 117-118. Class Voice (AH-1)
2 credits each
Permission for 118
Basic principles of singing for the student with little or no previous training.
MUS 120. Survey of Music Literature (AH-4)
Q2 4 credits
Introductory survey of major musical works representative of the styles and genres of the important periods of musical development. Extensive listening.
MUS 132. Vocal Pedagogy
1 credit
Introduction to the physiology of the vocal mechanism. Development of fundamental techniques used in private voice instruction, including vocal exercises used to establish and promote vocal health, literature for young singers, and the teaching of voice lessons.
MUS 133. Group Vocal Techniques
1 credit
Development of pedagogical skills for the ensemble director, including vowel unification and voice matching to enhance choral tone. Emphasis on functional knowledge of the voice in ensemble for education majors with either instrumental or choral specialization. Students are required to work with one of the Glee Clubs.
MUS 134. Woodwind Pedagogy (AH-1)
1 credit
Principles of tone production, fingering and embouchure for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon (or saxophone). Specialization on the instrument of the student's choice.
MUS 135. Brass Pedagogy (AH-1)
1 credit
Principles of tone production, fingering and embouchure for trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba. Specialization on the instrument of the student's choice.
MUS 136. String Pedagogy (AH-1)
1 credit
Principles of musicianship on the violin, viola, cello and double bass. Designed for music education students. Emphasis on elementary string teaching methods and large group ensemble techniques necessary for school orchestral directing.
MUS 137. Percussion Pedagogy (AH-1)
1 credit
Principles of playing percussion instruments with emphasis on snare drum, mallet keyboard instruments and timpani.
MUS 138. Choral Pedagogy (AH-1)
2 credits
2 terms MUS 151, 157 or 158
Principles of voice production, sight reading and singing. Emphasis on the selection of choral literature particularly with regard to developing voice.
MUS 140. Introduction to Non-Western Music (AH-4)
4 credits
An introductory survey of the traditional music of non-Western countries, with emphasis on the regions of Oceania, Africa and the Near East, India, China and Korea, and Japan.
MUS 150. Accompanying (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 151. Alma Choir (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 152. Alma Symphony Orchestra (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 153. Kiltie Band (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 154. Scottish Arts (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 155. Percussion Ensemble (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 156. Jazz Ensemble (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 157. Women's Glee Club (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 158. Men's Glee Club (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 159. Chamber Music (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS 180. Topics in Music
2-4 credits
Selected topics in music. May be taken more than once if topics differ. Only two registrations count toward Music Major. Some topics apply to Humanities Area requirement.
MUS 190A-Z. Non-Jury Lessons
1 credit $100; Organ $125
A-Violin; E-Flute; J-Trumpet; O-Percussion; P-Voice; Q-Piano; R-Organ; S-Harpsichord; Y-Guitar. Music major or minor credit only with departmental approval.
MUS 191-*391. Strings (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
A-Violin; B-Viola; C-Violoncello; D-Double Bass; Y-Guitar
MUS 192-*392. Woodwinds (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
E-Flute; F-Oboe; G-Clarinet; H-Bassoon; I-Saxophone; P-Bagpipes
MUS 193-*393. Brass (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
J-Trumpet; K-Horn; L-Trombone; M-Euphonium; N-Tuba
MUS 194-*394. Percussion (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
MUS 195-*395. Voice (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
MUS 196-*396. Piano (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
MUS 196A. Piano Proficiency
1 credit No Fee
Restricted to Music Education Majors
MUS 197-*397. Organ (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
MUS 198-*398. Harpsichord (AH-1)
2-4 credits each term
MUS *201. Music and Sound for Digital Media (AH-1)
4 credits
Examines theoretical and technical elements of digital sound and music, including sound design and synthesis, sound editing, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequencing, studio recording techniques, digital signal processing, computer-based music publishing, sound effect and narration tracks for video and the role of sound in interactive development. Emphasis on sound in digital media projects with layers of media data in formats such as the World Wide Web, Power Point presentations, Flash, QuickTime™ CD-ROM and DVD.
MUS *211. Comprehensive Musicianship III
4 credits
MUS 112
Continuation in the study of harmonic usage and musical form with presentation and analysis of advanced chromatic materials; organizing principles present in the fugue, sonata, variation and rondo forms.
MUS *212. Comprehensive Musicianship IV
4 credits
MUS 211
Discussion and examination of the expanded tonal resources and compositional devices of late 19th- and 20th-century music.
MUS 214. MIDI Composition and Arranging (AH-1)
2 credits
Applications of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) for recording, scoring and musical production. Covers basic MIDI sequencing, recording, production and arranging techniques. Students complete short compositional exercises using technology to explore MIDI formats and compositional procedures. (Offered every year)
MUS 215. Music and Computers (AH-1)
2 credits
Overview of the impact of computers and technology in the music professions. Topics include design of recording studio and lab environments, MIDI technology, fundamentals of audio technology, multimedia applications and using sound/music on the Web. (Offered every year)
MUS *237. Conducting and Score Reading
2 credits
MUS 112
Art of conducting, rehearsal techniques and procedures, score reading, problems of interpretation, organization and activities of choral and instrumental groups. (Offered every year)
MUS *250. Musical Theatre Techniques (AH-1)
4 credits
The staging of and participation in the performance of a work for the musical theatre — including acting, singing and movement — which is presented at the end of the term. Course may be repeated once for credit.
MUS *257. Collegium Musicum (AH-1)
1 credit
Dedicated to study and performance of early music. Singers and instrumentalists explore the development of Western Music through performance and related studies.
MUS *311. Seminar in the 19th and 20th Century Style and Analysis
4 credits
MUS 212
Structural, stylistic, melodic and harmonic analysis of selected 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century works. Score study and outside listening required.
MUS *337. Advanced Conducting
2 credits
Continuation of MUS 237. Preparation of works requiring advanced skills including orchestration, transpositions and analysis, as well as functional knowledge of orchestral and band instruments for the public school conductor of both choral and instrumental ensembles. (Offered every other year)
MUS *340. Piano and Chamber Music Literature (AH-4)
4 credits
Students attend the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. A survey of keyboard and chamber music literature ranging from the classical to jazz repertoire. Analysis and study of works appropriate to class participants as well as critical listening, and theoretical-historical study.
MUS *350. Opera Workshop
1-4 credits
Basic techniques of operatic performance: role preparation, body movement related to music, acting, and techniques. May be repeated for up to a total of 4 credits.
MUS *351. Alma College Choir (AH-1)
1 credit
MUS *380. Topics in Music
2-4 credits
Selected topics in music. May be taken more than once if topics differ. Only two registrations count toward a Music Major. Some topics apply to Humanities area requirement.
MUS *399. Independent Study
2-4 credits
Permission
MUS *431. General Methods of Music Education
4 credits
Permission
Principles of group process teaching and classroom management. Accompaniment skills in piano and recorder, rehearsal techniques, teaching basic instrumental and vocal skills in grades 5-12 and a pedagogical overview of the human voice and standard band and orchestral instruments including tone production, practical ranges and related functions in an ensemble.
MUS *432a-b. Methods of (a) Vocal and (b) Instrumental Music
2 credits
TEP
Special teaching methods in fields of vocal and instrumental music. Emphasis on classroom management, conducting skills, lesson plans and resources for music teachers. To be taught concurrently with student teaching. Required for certification. (Cross-listed with EDC 445n-o.)
MUS *443. Music History I
Q2 4 credits
MUS 112
Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
MUS *444. Music History II
Q2 4 credits
MUS 112
Baroque and classical music.
MUS *445. Music History III
Q2 4 credits
MUS 112
Music of the 19th and 20th centuries, including relationships between the popular, folk and art music traditions of the United States and other non-Western European cultures.
MUS *499. Independent Study
2-4 credits
Permission
MUS *500. Graduation Recital or Senior Thesis
4 credits
Permission
Satisfies the Department's comprehensive evaluation requirement.


 

Since 2003, twenty Alma College students have won prestigious national fellowships, scholarships and awards, including 10 Fulbright fellowships and multiple Udall, Truman, Marshall and Gates-Cambridge scholarships.

 

Faculty Profile

Dr. Will Nichols

Dr. Will Nichols
Departments: Music

Dr. Nichols conducts the Alma College Choir, the College Chorale and the Women's Glee Club. Under his leadership the Alma Choirs have become one of the nation's highly regarded collegiate choral programs.