Music (MUS)
Professors Messing, Nichols and R. Riley; Instructors Zerbe, K. Riley and Walker; Artists in Residence Economides and Patterson.
The Music Department at Alma provides a curriculum designed to meet the needs of a broad range of students. The faculty and resources of the Department are committed equally to the following: 1) providing courses and curricula for music majors so that they may have the necessary foundation to pursue graduate study, teaching, performing or music-related fields; 2) strengthening students' musical skills by expanding proficiency in technique, heightening interpretive insight, and facilitating the understanding of pedagogical tools and methods; 3) being an artistic presence within the Alma College community and beyond by providing opportunities for students, faculty, and community to share the experience of musical performance; 4) providing the general student with a basic understanding of the language and history of music.
Alma's Music Department, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, offers three degree options: Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Thirty-six credits which must include Music 111, 112, 201, or 214 and 215, 211, 212, 443, 444, 445 and 500. Music 500 is a senior project and may take the form of a recital, research paper or other department-approved project. Requests for Music 500 project must be received by the end of the year preceding graduation.
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Sixty-eight credits including MUS 111, 112, 201, or 214 and 215, 211, 212, 237, 337, 431, 432a or 432b, 443, 444, 445, seven credits of Ensembles, 14 credits of Applied Lessons on one instrument. Students with a vocal emphasis must complete MUS 132, 133 and 138, and one term of an instrumental ensemble or instrumental pedagogy course with departmental permission. Students with an instrumental emphasis must complete MUS 133, 134, 135, 136, and 137. All candidates must demonstrate proficiency in piano by the end of the academic year prior to the year in which student teaching takes place.
Education Courses Required: PSY 121, EDC 200, 201, 220, 320, 330, 344, 346, 348, 353, 490, 491.
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Eighty-eight credits including MUS 111, 112, 201, or 214 and 215, 211, 212, 237, 337, 443, 444, 445, 500, eight credits of Ensembles, 28 credits of Applied Lessons on one instrument or voice and 12 credits of elective coursework. Piano proficiency is required. MUS 500 must be a recital.
Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits including Music 111, 112 and 120; four credits from Music 201, 211, 212, 214, 215, 237, 337, 443, 444 or 445; and eight credits of applied lessons on one instrument or voice.
Teaching Minor Requirements
Twenty-eight credits including MUS 111, 112, 120 and 237; four credits from MUS 201, 211, 214, 215, 337, 444 or 445; one year of Ensembles 151, 152 or 153; and eight credits of applied lessons on one instrument or voice. Students who plan to take the Subject Area Test are encouraged to take MUS 444 and 445.
Performance Courses
Applies to: MUS 190A-Z, 191/*391, 192/*392, 193/*393, 194/*394, 195/*395, 196/*396, 196A, 197/*397, and 198/*398.
Private lesson offerings are open to both majors and non-majors who complete an audition and receive permission to register. Practice room and private instruction fee is $100 per term for a weekly half-hour lesson ($125 for organ use). Fees are charged when students register.
The 300-level (391-398) represents upper level performance level and requires departmental approval. Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Performance are required to enroll at the 300-level for six consecutive terms. Only 300-level students may elect four hours of credit. The Department will consider all candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Performance for 300-level suitability at the end of the freshman year. Students may request 300-level status at any time. Fees are waived for 300-level students. Juried lessons are offered every term.
Ensembles
Applies to: MUS 150-159 and 351.
Ensembles are open to all students who audition and receive permission from the instructor prior to registration. No more than eight credits of participation in all ensembles combined may be applied toward degree requirements. All ensembles are offered every year.
| 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. No music Major or Minor credit. | ||
| 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. | ||