Music (MUS)

Professors Messing, Nichols and R. Riley; Assistant Professors Gross and Zerbe; Instructors Burdick, Duncan, Melendez, K. Riley and Walker; Artist in Residence 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 will acquire 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) providing courses designed to introduce non-music majors to a range of musical topics; 4) 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.

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 MUS 111, 111a, 112, 112a, 201 or 214 or 215, 211, 212, 443, 444, 445 and 500. MUS 500 is a senior project and may take the form of a recital, research paper or other Department-approved project. Students who elect to perform a recital must enroll in 300-level lessons in the same term. Requests for MUS 500 projects must be received by the end of the year preceding graduation. Students are strongly advised to continue their study of voice or an instrument through studio lessons and ensembles.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Seventy-six credits including MUS 111, 111a, 112, 112a, 116, 201 or 214 and 215, 211, 212, 237, 337, 344, 431, 443, 444, 445, seven credits of Ensembles, and 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. One term of a choral ensemble may be substituted for MUS 133 with Departmental permission. All candidates must complete MUS 116 (piano proficiency) by the end of the fall term of the junior year.

Education courses required for students who have entered Alma College before Fall 2011: PSY 121, EDC 200, 201, 220, 320, 330, 346, 348, 353, 445n or 445o, 490, 491. Students entering in the Fall 2011 term or later are required to take EDC 130/103, 230/203, 240, 303, 311, 312, 346, 370, 373, 430, and 490/491.

Bachelor of Music in Performance

Eighty-eight credits including MUS 111, 111a, 112, 112a, 116, 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 8 credits of elective coursework subject to Department approval. MUS 500 must be a recital.

Minor Requirements

Twenty-four credits including MUS 111, 111a, 112, 112a, and 120; two credits from MUS 201, 211, 212, 214, 215, 237, 337, 443, 444 or 445; and six credits of applied lessons on one instrument or voice.

Four credits from MUS, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Humanities.

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 119. Guitar
2 credits
Basic fundamentals for the beginning guitar player.
MUS 120. Survey of Music Literature
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 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 131. Piano Pedagogy
1 credit
8 credits of MUS 196 or 396
Principles of musicianship on the piano. Designed for Music Education majors. Emphasis on pedagogical methods and material used in teaching piano to beginning and intermediate students.
MUS 132. Vocal Pedagogy
2 credits
Introduction to the physiology of the vocal mechanism. Development of fundamental techniques used in private and group voice instruction. Introduction to voice classification and the changing adolescent voice.
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
International Awareness Course 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.

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 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. Handbell Choir
1 credit
Students will be exposed to the art of handbell ringing. Ringing techniques and bell literature will be studied and rehearsed leading to public performance.
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.

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. (Offered every year)

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 $250 per term for a weekly half-hour lesson (all MUS 190-198 courses). Fees are charged when students register.

The 300-level (391-398) represents upper level performance skill and experience and requires Departmental approval. Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Performance are advised to enroll at the 300-level by the second semester of the first year. 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 first term of study. Students may request 300-level status no earlier than the Winter Term of the first year. Fees are waived for 300-level students. Juried lessons are offered every term.
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
MUS Major or Permission
Examines Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) techniques and applications for recording, scoring and musical production. Covers MIDI configurations, sequencing, multi-track recording, mixing and composing/arranging techniques. Approximately half of the course is used to train students in Finale, an industry standard application for music notation. (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 *284. Music in Film
Quill Course 4 credits
ENG 101
Examine the wide range of musical styles and aesthetic approaches used in narrative film. By analyzing examples from silent movies, Hollywood classics, foreign films and recent releases, the class explores the functional and dramatic roles of music. No formal music theory experience is required.
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
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
MUS 112
Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. (Offered every other year)
MUS *444. Music History II
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
MUS 112
Baroque and classical music. (Offered every year)
MUS *445. Music History III
Quill Course 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.