| 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 dictation. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS 111a. | Aural Skills I | |
| 2 credits | ||
| Develops aural skills through a range of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic exercises. Introduces solfege syllables. Should be taken concurrently with MUS 111. (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 112a. | Aural Skills II | |
| 2 credits | ||
| MUS 111a | ||
| Continuation of Aural Skills I. Should be taken concurrently with MUS 112. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS 114-115. | Class Piano | |
| 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 116. | Piano Proficiency | |
| 2 credits | ||
| MUS 115 or Permission | ||
| Performing with fluency and at the appropriate tempo, chord progressions, scales, accompaniments, realizations and repertoire. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS 117-118. | Class Voice | |
| 2 credits each | ||
| Permission for 118 | ||
| Basic principles of singing for the student with little or no previous training. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS 120. | Survey of Music Literature | |
 |
4 credits | |
| Introductory survey of major musical works representative of the styles and genres of the important periods of musical development. Extensive listening. (Offered every other year) | ||
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 134. | Woodwind Pedagogy | |
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 135. | Brass Pedagogy | |
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 136. | String Pedagogy | |
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 137. | Percussion Pedagogy | |
| 1 credit | ||
| Principles of playing percussion instruments with emphasis on snare drum, mallet keyboard instruments and timpani. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 138. | Choral Pedagogy | |
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 140. | Introduction to Non-Western Music | |
| 4 credits | ||
| An introductory survey of the traditional music of non-Western countries. Examines the role of music as ritual, aesthetic experience, and mode of communication in diverse cultures. No music background necessary. | ||
| MUS 150. | Accompanying | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 151. | Alma Choir | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 152. | Alma Symphony Orchestra | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 153. | Kiltie Band | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 154. | Scottish Arts | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 155. | Percussion Ensemble | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 156. | Jazz Ensemble | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 157. | Women's Glee Club | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 158. | Men's Glee Club | |
| 1 credit | ||
| MUS 159. | Chamber Music | |
| 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. | ||
| MUS 191-*391. | Strings | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| A-Violin; B-Viola; C-Violoncello; D-Double Bass; Y-Guitar | ||
| MUS 192-*392. | Woodwinds | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| E-Flute; F-Oboe; G-Clarinet; H-Bassoon; I-Saxophone; P-Bagpipes | ||
| MUS 193-*393. | Brass | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| J-Trumpet; K-Horn; L-Trombone; M-Euphonium; N-Tuba | ||
| MUS 194-*394. | Percussion | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| MUS 195-*395. | Voice | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| MUS 196-*396. | Piano | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| MUS 197A-*397A. | Organ | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| MUS 197B-*397B. | Harpsichord | |
| 2-4 credits each term | ||
| MUS 198. | Composition | |
| 2 credits | $100 | |
| MUS 111 and Permission | ||
| Applied composition provides individual lessons in both the craft and creative process of composing for acoustic instruments. Completed projects that develop original musical ideas for various instrumental and vocal ensembles will be required. | ||
| MUS *201. | Music and Sound for Digital Media | |
| 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. (Offered every year) | ||
| 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. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS *212. | Comprehensive Musicianship IV | |
| 4 credits | ||
| MUS 211 | ||
| Discussion and examination of the expanded tonal resources and compositional devices of late 19th- through early 21st-century music. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS 214. | MIDI Composition and Arranging | |
| 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 | |
| 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 225. | Orchestration and Arranging | |
| 2 credits | ||
| MUS 112 | ||
| Provides a practical, in-depth examination of acoustic instruments, and explores methods of scoring, transcribing and arranging for a variety of instrumental ensembles. Includes a final orchestration project created using Finale or Sibelius software that will be played by the Alma College band or orchestra. | ||
| 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 | |
| 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 *337. | Advanced Conducting | |
| 2 credits | ||
| Continuation of MUS 237. Emphasis on advanced analytical, interpretive, and technical conducting skills, as well as practical aspects of successfully leading instrumental and choral ensembles. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS *340. | Piano and Chamber Music Literature | |
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS *344. | Elementary School Music | |
| 4 credits | ||
| EDC 201 and 200; Music Major or Minor or Training; TEP | ||
| Examination of methods and materials in music. Required of Music Majors who wish to be certified to teach music at elementary and secondary levels. Open also to Education students with music background. (Offered every other year) | ||
| 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 | |
| 1 credit | ||
| (Offered every year) | ||
| 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. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS *398. | Advanced Composition | |
| 4 credits | ||
| MUS 112 and Permission | ||
| Individual lessons are provided in both the craft and creative process of composing for acoustic instruments. This advanced course focuses on completing large-scale projects that develop original musical ideas for various instrumental and vocal ensembles. | ||
| 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. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS *443. | Music History I | |
|
4 credits | |
| MUS 112 | ||
| Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. (Offered every other year) | ||
| MUS *444. | Music History II | |
|
4 credits | |
| MUS 112 | ||
| Baroque and classical music. (Offered every year) | ||
| 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. (Offered every year) | ||
| MUS *499. | Independent Study | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| MUS *500. | Graduation Recital or Senior Thesis | |
| 2 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Satisfies the Department's comprehensive evaluation requirement. | ||
Courses
Since 2003, twenty-seven Alma College students have won prestigious national fellowships, scholarships and awards, including 15 Fulbright fellowships and multiple Truman, Udall, and Gates-Cambridge scholarships.
Faculty Profile
Dr. Raymond Riley
Departments: Music
Dr. Raymond Riley, professor of music at Alma College since 1988, has enjoyed a long and multi-faceted musical career.
Appearing in numerous venues as a recitalist, lecturer, clinician and soloist throughout the Midwest, he believes his piano performance background has been invaluable in supporting his efforts to combine art and science and to foster creativity with technology.