| 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) | |
 |
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 | |
|
4 credits | |
| MUS 112 | ||
| Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. | ||
| MUS *444. | Music History II | |
|
4 credits | |
| MUS 112 | ||
| Baroque and classical music. | ||
| MUS *445. | Music History III | |
|
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. | ||
Courses
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
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.