Music
MU 016 Rudiments of Music Theory (non-credit) A
This introductory 6-lesson directed study in basic music theory prepares students for future studies in the elements of Western art music. Course components include music notation, scales, intervals, key signatures, time signatures, chords, cadences, and rudimentary concepts of harmony and analysis.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department
Note: PASS/FAIL – Not included in GPA
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 036 Rudiments of Music Theory (non-credit) A
This introductory 12-lesson directed study in basic music theory prepares students for future studies in the elements of Western art music. Course components include music notation, scales, intervals, key signatures, time signatures, chords, cadences, and rudimentary concepts of harmony and analysis.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department
Note: PASS/FAIL – Not included in GPA
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 100 Introduction to Music (3) B
An introductory survey of the history, genres, and composers of Western art music from the medieval era to the present. This course includes the study of musical vocabulary, musical elements, and the development of musical style in its cultural contexts. Students will encounter key musical works through regular exercises in focused listening. The development of film music, jazz, and pop will also briefly be considered. Prior musical training is not required.
MU 120/121/220/221/320/321/420/421 Applied Music (3) A
Private lessons in voice, instrument, conducting, or composition; 60 minutes per week for one semester.
Note: Applied Music courses must be taken in numerical succession.
Note: Applied Music does not satisfy the Fine Arts credit requirement for non-music majors.
Pre-requisite: Permission of the Department. Applied Composition at the 320-level requires a pre-requisite of MU 237 and permission of the department. Upper level composition courses are normally offered to students in Bachelor of Arts: Music or the Bachelor of Music programs.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 124 Aural Skills I (1.5–1.5L) B
This course is devoted to the development of basic musical skills related to the comprehension and performance of tonal music. Skills covered include rhythm and conducting patterns in simple meters, intervals, triads, scales, sight-singing non-modulating tonal melodies, and dictation of basic harmonic progressions and melodies.
Prerequisite: MU 036 or Level 8 RCM Theory
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 124 or MU 125a.
MU 125 Aural Skills II (1.5–1.5L) B
This course is devoted to the further development of basic musical skills related to the comprehension and performance of tonal music. Skills covered include two-part rhythms in simple and compound meters, intervals, triads and inversions, scales and modes, sight-singing non-modulating tonal melodies; and dictation of longer harmonic progressions and melodies.
Prerequisite: MU 124
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 125 or MU 125b.
MU 136 Music Theory I (3-1L) B
An introduction to the elements of Western art music and their notation with application to the design of musical lines and texture. The course will focus primarily on diatonic harmonic function and will include an introduction to species counterpoint. Students will practice complementary piano proficiency skills in an additional 1-hour lab.
Prerequisite: MU 036 or level 8 RCM theory
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 136 or MU 126.
MU 140/141/240/241/340/341 Applied Music (1.5) A
Private lessons in voice, instrument, conducting, or composition; 30 minutes per week for one semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
Note: Applied Music courses must be taken in numerical succession.
Note: Applied Music does not satisfy the Fine Arts credit requirement for non-music majors.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 147/148/247/248/347/348/447/448 Small Instrumental Ensemble - Classical/Jazz (1.5) A
Participation in small instrumental ensemble. Students explore representative literature and styles, while developing musicianship and collaboration abilities.
Note: Ensembles must be taken in numerical order.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 157/158/257/258/357/358/457/458 Large Instrumental Ensemble – Chamber Orchestra/Jazz Big Band (1.5) A
Participation in large instrumental ensemble. Students explore representative literature and styles, while developing musicianship and collaboration abilities.
Note: Ensembles must be taken in numerical order.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 185 Music as Vocation I (1.5) A
A personal formation course focused on vocation. The course includes an overview of professions in music and the varied career paths leading from a music degree. In addition to career discernment, the course will address matters of personal mission, character formation, service, community engagement, and effective collaboration. To be taken in the first year of study.
Prerequisite: Student must be registered in a Music Degree
MU 190/191/290/291/390/391/490/491 Large Vocal Ensemble – University Singers (1.5) A
Participation in large vocal ensemble. Students explore representative literature and styles, while developing musicianship and collaboration abilities.
Note: Ensembles must be taken in numerical order.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 195/196/295/296/395/396/495/496 Small Vocal Ensemble – Ambrose University Voices (1.5) A
Participation in small vocal ensemble. Students explore representative literature and styles, while developing musicianship and collaboration abilities.
Note: Ensembles must be taken in numerical order.
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 203 Music History to 1825 (3) B
A survey of Western music history and style from the Medieval era to 1825. This course situates musical genres and concepts in their historical, social, and artistic contexts, and focuses on the development of listening, critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Some music background required.
MU 204TS Music Educational Travel Study (3) O
This course combines educational travel, study and reflection to examine one or more themes in the area of music. Destinations vary.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
MU 207 Music History since 1825 (3) B
A survey of Western music history and style from 1825 to the present. This course situates musical genres and concepts in their historical, social, and artistic contexts, and focuses on the development of listening, critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Some music background required.
MU 211 History of Music III (3) B
A general survey of the genres, performance practices, composers, performers and cultural context of Western art music from the Romantic period to the present.
Prerequisite: MU 207 or permission of the department
MU 212 Basic Conducting (3) B
A study and application of the fundamental skill of conducting: conducting gesture, score study and ensemble pedagogy. Students will be introduced to the concepts of collaboration and leadership in ensemble performance.
Prerequisite: MU 125
Note: A supplementary fee may be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course.
MU 216 Studio Pedagogy (3) B
An introductory study of the principles, methods, and administration of instrumental and vocal studio teaching. The course includes teaching observation, practice teaching, and approaches for resourcing curriculum.
Prerequisite: MU 121
MU 224 Aural Skills III (1.5 - 1.5L) B
This course is devoted to the development of advanced musical skills related to the comprehension and performance of tonal music. Skills covered include two-part rhythms in compound and irregular meters, compound intervals, seventh chords, advanced scales and modes, sight-singing longer tonal melodies, and dictation of longer harmonic progressions and melodies.
Prerequisite: MU 125
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 224 or MU 225a.
MU 225 Aural Skills IV (1.5 - 1.5L) B
This course is devoted to the development of advanced musical skills related to the comprehension and performance of tonal and atonal music. Skills covered include rhythms in changing meters, ninth chords, non-traditional scales, sight-singing atonal melodies, and dictation of chromatic harmonic progressions and melodies.
Prerequisite: MU 224
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 225 or MU 225b.
MU 236 Music Theory II (3-1L) B
An expansion of the concepts and materials of diatonic harmony as begun and presented in MU 136 with special emphasis on modulation, diatonic seventh chords, melody writing structural analysis, and chromatic harmony and form. Students will practice complementary piano proficiency skills in an additional 1-hour lab.
Prerequisite: MU 136
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 236 or MU 226.
MU 237 Music Theory III (3) B
A continuation of the concepts and materials of chromatic harmony presented in MU 236, with an emphasis on Neapolitan and augmented sixth chords, modulation to distantly related keys, and formal considerations of Western art music of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Prerequisite: MU 236
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 237 or MU 326.
MU 259 Collaborative Performance (3) B
The art, technique, and theory of collaborative music-making. Students will develop proficiencies related to public performance while learning to offer, receive, and apply constructive criticism from colleagues.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department
MU 272 Jazz History (3) O
A historical survey of the development of jazz, from its early origins to recent trends in progressive jazz and fusion. Students will undertake directed listening and analysis, study major figures in jazz history, and explore the relationship between jazz and societal change.
Prerequisite: MU 100 or MU 207
MU 274 Jazz Theory (3) B
An introduction to the elements of jazz music with emphasis on numerical analysis, jazz modes, and chord progression analysis in standard repertoire. The course will include a strong listening component and minor composition elements.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MU 236 or Permission of Department
MU 275 Fundamentals of Music Technology (3) B
An introduction to the current technology for creating, recording, and producing music. Students will explore recording hardware and software, MIDI-based devices, Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), various audio file formats, basic acoustics, studio recording techniques, and music notation programs while learning to record their own work.
Prerequisite: MU 125 or permission of the department
MU 276 Fundamentals of Music Production (3) O
An exploration of the relationship between music production and technology with a focus on working with live musicians. Students will explore various audio hardware and software, Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), room acoustics, and the aesthetics of listening while learning to mix for live music events.
Prerequisite: MU 275 or permission of the department
MU 285 Music as Vocation II (1.5) A
A personal formation course focused on vocation. The course addresses career preparation related to the physical, mental, and professional well-being of the musician and scholar. In addition to career preparation, the course will continue to attend to personal mission, character formation, service, community engagement, and effective collaboration. To be taken in the second year of study.
Prerequisite: MU 185
MU 299 Special Topics in Music (3) O
Special themes in Music, as announced.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
MU 304TS Music Educational Travel Study (3) O
This course combines educational travel, study and reflection to examine one or more themes in the area of music. Destinations vary.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
MU 307 World Music (3) O
An inquiry into the various issues and practices of world music. This will include exposure to a variety of musical cultures from around the world, inquiry into the relationship between culture and musical expression, understanding the use and function of music in society, exposure to the variety of instruments and musical styles, and identification of musical elements such as melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre, texture, and form. Some performance application may be included in the course.
Prerequisite: MU 207
Note: This course will fulfill 3 credits in History of Music for Music program students.
MU 308 Popular Music Since 1945 (3) O
An inquiry into the various popular music styles of North America and Europe. This course will focus on popular musical practices, the connection to cultural movements, the use of various elements of music making, and significant performers in each style.
Prerequisite: MU 207
Note: This course will fulfill 3 credits in History of Music for Music program students.
MU 309 Music and Culture (3) B
A topics-based course which explores music from different genres, time periods, and styles in order to develop critical thinking skills related to music's relationship to culture.
Prerequisite: MU 203 or MU 207
MU 312 Advanced Conducting (3) O
A continuation of MU 212, dealing with the development of more complex conducting techniques. Topics include a study of rehearsal techniques, score preparation, repertory choice, and practical laboratory experience.
Prerequisite: MU 212 and permission of the department
MU 336 Music Theory IV (3) B
An introduction to the theory and analysis of the music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with an emphasis on pitch-class set theory.
Prerequisite: MU 237
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 336 or MU 426.
MU 337 Composition and Arranging (3) B
An applied course comprising structured composition projects for a variety of ensembles. Includes a focus on instrumental ranges, characteristics, and techniques.
Prerequisite: MU 336
Note: Students can only earn credit for one of the following: MU 337 or MU 427.
MU 352 History of Music and Worship (3) O
An introduction to the fundamental musical forms used in Christian worship from Biblical history to the present day. Attention will be placed upon relationships between historical context, theological doctrine, liturgical function, and musical expression. Contemporary issues in music and worship will be considered in light of historical developments.
Prerequisite: MU 203, MU 207, or permission of the department.
MU 359 Collaborative Performance (3) B
The art, technique, and theory of collaborative music-making. Students will develop proficiencies related to public performance while learning to offer, receive, and apply constructive criticism from colleagues.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department
MU 399 Special Topics in Music (3) O
Special themes in Music, as announced.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
MU 401 Psychology of Music (3) O
This course reviews important recent advancement in the interdisciplinary subject of psychology of music. It examines our current understanding on the role of human mental and brain functions in musical activities. Topics to be explored include the origins of music, the nature of sound and music, music perception, cognition and emotion, music acquisition and performance, the creative process of composing music, and the relationship of musical engagement and development of other intellectual abilities.
Prerequisite: 3 credits in Psychology at the 300-level
Note: This course is cross-listed as PS 401.
MU 403 Methods in Music Research (3) B
This course will introduce students to a range of research methods relevant to music, and refine skills in written and aural communication. Students will complete individual research projects in an area of interest.
Prerequisite: B+ or higher in MU 203 or MU 207, HUM 101
MU 404TS Music Educational Travel Study (3) O
This course combines educational travel, study and reflection to examine one or more themes in the area of music. Destinations vary.
MU 405 Special Topics in Music (3) O
Special themes in Music, as announced.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department
MU 444 Field Placement in Music (3) A
A supervised, experiential activity related to the student’s interest and/or future plans in music. The field placement includes a minimum of 100 hours of placement or project activity in a local institution such as a recording studio, research institution, music education facility, or place of worship.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department
MU 475 Recital (3) A
Instruction and guided research that culminates in a full recital.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Normally open to students who are in their final year of study.
MU 485 Music Capstone Seminar (3) A
A culminating course in which students integrate knowledge from their degree and apply that knowledge to preparative tasks related to their future careers. Students will engage with themes related to music, faith, and society; undertake reflections on personal formation and vocational calling; and complete a final professional career portfolio.
Prerequisite: Completion of 75 credits (4 year Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts: Music Major) or 60 credits (3 year Bachelor of Arts: Music Concentration).
MU 490.1 Independent Study (3) O
An individual research project which investigates a problem area or topic not treated extensively in a regular course.
Prerequisite: Completion of 75 credits in a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts: Music program, permission of the department and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.