Music - School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Courses in Music

Music Theory and Musicianship

MUS-T 101 Introduction to Music (3 cr)

An entry-level class for those interested in the basic workings of music. This class introduces the fundamentals of melody and harmony with basic concepts of music notation, ear training and keyboard skills. Open to all students. This course also serves as a prerequisite preparatory course for music majors and minors.

MUS-T 113 Music Theory I (3 cr)

An introduction to diatonic harmony, melody, and counterpoint. Includes detailed study of representative compositions. Intended for music students or highly motivated non-music majors.
Offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: MUS-T101 or consent of the director of music studies.

MUS-T 114 Music Theory II (3 cr)

A continuation of T113 with an introduction to chromatic harmony, melody, and counterpoint. Intended for music students or highly motivated non-music majors.
Offered spring semester.

Prerequisite: MUS-T 113 or consent of the director of music studies.

MUS-T 115 Sight-Singing And Aural Perception I (1 cr)

Diatonic melody and harmony; aural skills, music sight- reading, keyboard skills. Music majors are advised to take this course concurrently with MUS-T113.
Offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: MUS T101 or consent of the director of music studies.

MUS-T 116 Sight-Singing And Aural Perception II (1cr)

Aural skills, music sight-reading, and keyboard. Music majors are advised to take this course concurrently with MUS-T114.
Offered spring semester.

Prerequisite: MUS-T 115

MUS-T 213 Music Theory III (3 cr)

A continuation of T114 with advanced chromatic harmony, melody and counterpoint. Intended for music students or highly motivated non-music majors.
Offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: MUS-T 114 or consent of the director of music studies.

MUS-T 214 Music Theory IV (3 cr)

A continuation of T213 with extended tonal harmony and an introduction to post-tonal harmony, melody and counterpoint. Intended for music majors or highly motivated non-music majors.
Offered spring semester.

Prerequisite: MUS-T 213 or consent of the director of music studies.

MUS-T 215 Sight-Singing And Aural Perception III (1cr)

Aural skills, music sight-reading, and keyboard. Music majors are advised to take this course concurrently with MUS-T213.
Offered fall semester..

Prerequisite: MUS-T 116

MUS-T 216 Sight-Singing And Aural Perception IV (1cr)

Aural skills, music sight-reading, and keyboard. Music majors are advised to take this course concurrently with MUS-T214.
Offered spring semester.

Concurrently: MUS-T 215

Music Composition

MUS-K 110 Composition, Elective Level (2 cr)

Additional applied fee. Studio music composition lessons for non-music majors. Content dependent on student’s experience.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

MUS-K 132 Composition Workshop (1 cr)

A variable topic seminar in music composition. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 4 credit hours.To be taken concurrently with applied composition instruction.

MUS -K 140 Notation Workshop (1 cr)

Introduction to music notation, engraving, and copying.

Prerequisite: MUS-T101

MUS-K240 Instrumentation Workshop (2 cr)

Introduction to acoustics instruments and their properties.

Prerequisite: MUS-K140

MUS-K 300 Applied Composition Concentration (2-4 cr)

Additional applied fee. Private lessons in music composition for music majors. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 12 credit hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies

Electronic Music

MUS-K 361 Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music (3 cr)

Open to all students. This is an introductory course that teaches the basics of using computers and electronic instruments to make music including the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) system, music software, MIDI sequencing, and digital audio editing. The course will also explore acoustical principals in connection with the principles of digital audio synthesis.
Offered fall semester.

MUS-K 430 Electronic and Computer Music I (3 cr)

An exploration and comprehensive study of analog and digital music synthesis using current hardware and computer software
tools. Topics include digital audio recording and editing using Ableton Live, ProTools, and an introduction to Max/MSP. Includes a detailed survey of the styles and literature of electronic music from the early radio studios to the present day.
Offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: MUS K361 or permission from the consent of the director of music studies.

Music History, Musicology, and Music Literature

MUS-M 174 Music for the Listener I (3 cr)

Open to all students. This course introduces ways of listening and understanding music of different styles and periods through a broad survey of representative music in history. The first semester explores Western music from its origins to the 19th Century.
Offered fall semester.

MUS-M 175 Music for the Listener II (3 cr)

Open to all students. This course introduces ways of listening and understanding music of different styles and periods through a broad survey of representative music in history. The second
semester explores Western music in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Offered spring semester.

Prerequisite: None; however it is recommended for students who have completed MUS-M174.

MUS-M 430 Introduction to Contemporary Music (3 cr)

A comprehensive study of the important music and musical trends of the 20th Century, with an emphasis on works
since 1945. This course includes analysis of representative compositions and an examination of relationships to the sociocultural background of each period.
Offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: Music students must have completed MUS-M404 or receive the consent of the director of music studies; also offered concurrently for non-music students as a separate section with MUS-M174 as a prerequisite.

MUS-Z 103 Special Topics: Popular Music (3 cr)

Usually offered online. Open to all students. A survey of popular music in the last-half of the 20th Century. Offered fall semester.

MUS-Z 103 Special Topics: History of Country Music (3 cr)

Usually offered online. Open to all students. A survey of popular music in the last-half of the 20th Century.
Offered fall semester.

MUS-Z 201 History of Rock Music I (3 cr)

Usually offered online. Open to all students. A survey of the origins, styles and trends in the American musical genre known as rock.
Offered spring semester.

MUS-Z 393 History of Jazz (3 cr)

Usually offered online each summer. Open to all students. A survey of the origins, styles and trends in the American musical genre known as jazz. Particular attention will be given to one of the most dynamic periods in jazz from 1950s-1970s including the influences of rock and popular music on the development of jazz.

Performance and Ensembles

Performance courses listed below are regularly offered. Others may be available at student request.

MUS-X 040 University Instrumental Ensembles (1-2 cr)

Open to all students. Various mixed instrumental ensembles including bands and orchestra. Placement may be judged by audition. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 8 credit hours.Combinations and offerings vary by semester and often include the following:

Bands (1 cr): Rock bands, jazz bands, guitar ensemble, improvisation ensembles, digital music ensemble, Athletic Pep-Band.
Chamber Ensembles (2 cr): Mixed chamber groups (string quartets, trios, wind quintets, etc.).
Orchestra (2 cr): Earlham College Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

MUS-X 070 University Choral Ensembles (2 cr)

IUE Campus Chorus. Open to all students. Placement may be judged by audition. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 8 credit hours.

MUS-X 095 Performance Class (0-1 cr)

Performance studio master-class/seminar for performers with variable topics.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in an applied instrumental/vocal studio.

MUS-B 120 Trumpet Elective (2 cr)

Private Trumpet lessons for non-music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

MUS-L 101 Beginning Guitar Class (2 cr)

Group instruction in guitar fundamentals. For those with little or no previous formal instruction in classical guitar.

MUS-L 300 Guitar Concentration (2-4cr)

Private guitar lessons for music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 12 credit hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-P 100 Piano Elective (2 cr)

Individual piano lessons at the elective level. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-P 110 Beginning Piano Class (2 cr)

Group instruction in piano. For those with little or no previous formal instruction on the piano.

MUS-P 300 Piano Concentration (2-4 cr)

Individual piano lessons for music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 12 credit hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-S 110 Violin Elective (2 cr)

Private violin lessons for non-music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-W 110 Flute/Piccolo Elective (2 cr)

Individual Flute/Piccolo lessons for non-music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-W 150 Saxophone Elective (2 cr)

Individual saxophone lessons for non-music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

Vocal Performance

MUS-V 100 Voice Elective (2 cr)

Individual voice lessons for non-music majors. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor. Repeatable for credit for music majors only, up to 12 credit hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.

MUS-V 300 Voice Concentration (3 cr)

Individual voice lessons at the concentration level. Additional applied fee. Time scheduled with instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or director of music studies.