Music Course Offerings

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Music Course Offerings

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• Requirements
• Courses

The School of Arts and Performance offers music, general education, and music appreciation courses. Although there is no major in music, a music specialty in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children and American Studies, music events, Brockport Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, and Gospel Music are offered. A unique collaboration has been developed with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, which includes RPO performances on the Brockport campus; a RPO member teaching a music course on campus and invited musicians presenting for lecture-demonstrations. The RPO will provide a number of free RPO concert tickets to our students.

Interdisciplinary Arts for Children: Music Specialty

Students wishing to major in Arts for Children with a music specialty should contact the Arts for Children Program about the required entrance audition. The students should be able to perform on voice or instrument at NYSSMA level IV. A minimum grade of "C" must be maintained in all required courses.

¹ This course must be taken as soon as a student enters the program
² This course must be taken by all IARC majors at the conclusion of program of study
³ Prerequisite: MUS 105 or instructor's permission
⁴ Prerequisite: MUS 487
⁵ Prerequisite: MUS 100
⁶ Prerequisite: Instructor's permission
⁷ Prerequisite: Instructor's permission
⁸ Prerequisite: An introductory art course or instructor's permission

Music Courses

MUS 105 Introduction to Music (A,P). Open to all students; no musical background required. Covers the three major areas: music fundamentals (scales, chords, notation, etc.), music history (classical music, American pop music of 20th century), and various ethnic music. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 112 World Music (A,F,C,W). This course examines the universal principles that connect music around the world. The music of the following areas will be included: India, Africa, Japan, South America, the United States, Europe. A unit on the contribution of women composers is also included. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 130 Beginning Piano Class (B). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Allows development of practical skills in reading music at the keyboard, including some knowledge of scales and chords to provide basic accompaniment. 2 Cr.

MUS 139 Beginning Voice Class (B). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Allows development of basic vocal skills including breathing, placement, sight reading; study of vowels, consonants, and appropriate song literature. 2 Cr.

MUS 201 Computers and Music (A,T). Prerequisite: MUS 100 or MUS 105. Provides an introduction to computer basics and hands-on experience with music software. Explores computers as used by musicians and artists. Emphasizes sound analysis and digital music production. Surveys electronic and computer music. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 210 The Soul of the Orchestra (A,P). Open to all students; no musical background required. Explores inner world of orchestral musiccontra-bassoon, 3 Bs of classical music; contemporary composers; influence of changing historical, social, and artistic trends on the orchestra. Studies the use of Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences in learning music. Examines the influence of other cultures upon Western music. Helps students to become educated and discriminating listeners through guided listening and attendance at Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, which is a requirement for the course. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 230 Advanced Piano Class (B). Prerequisite: MUS 130 or instructor's permission. Allows development of more advanced skills in piano performance techniques, including pedaling, phrases and fingering, study of polyphonic and homophonic styles. 2 Cr.

MUS 239 Advanced Voice Class (B). Prerequisite: MUS 139. Studies standard vocal repertoire; improvement of technical vocal problems through performance; and stage awareness. 2 Cr.

MUS 278 African-American Music and Culture (A). Cross listed as AAS 278. Provides a basic history of African-American music and related aspects of theatre, dance, and literature from the 17th century to the present. 3 Cr. Fall.

MUS 280 Keyboard Technology I (B). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Studies acoustic principles of equal temperament tuning as applied to problems in tuning keyboard instruments, explores the geometry of piano actions and their regulation, develops skills in tuning hammer technique and unison tuning. 3 Cr.

MUS 281 Keyboard Technology II (B). Prerequisite: MUS 280 or instructor's permission. Surveys art of setting equal temperament as used from 1850 to present, art of setting temperament in mean tone tuning16th and 17th centuries, and art of tuning in equal-tempered tuninglate 19th century. Develops skills in the art of regulating grand and upright piano action. 3 Cr.

MUS 301 Music Making (A). Provides an introduction to music theory and notation, aural discrimination, and composition. 3 Cr.

MUS 320 Brockport Chorus (B). Prerequisite: Ability to sing in tune with reasonable quality. Includes performance of standard choral works from many styles and periods. 1 Cr.

MUS 321 Vocal and Instrumental Jazz I (B). Prerequisite: An ability to play an instrument or sing. Includes performance of instrumental and vocal jazz. Provides an instruction in improvisation, stylistic elements, and historical background. 1 Cr.

MUS 322 Brockport College Gospel Music I (B). Provides a basic history of Black American Gospel Music and its relationship to contemporary music form; includes performances of Gospel Music. 1 Cr.

MUS 326 Brockport Symphony Orchestra (B). Prerequisite: Audition. Includes performance of standard orchestral repertoire. Allows students to develop orchestral techniques and understanding of musical styles. 1 Cr.

MUS 399 Independent Study in Music (A). To be defined in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the regulations of the Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 1-3 Cr.

MUS 413 American Music (A). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Provides a study of representative music styles and idioms of North America from Colonial times to the present; analysis of visual and aural, structural and stylistic characteristics of the music; and recognition of important composers and musicians who contributed to the development of American music. 3 Cr.

MUS 414 American Musical Theatre (A). Surveys the American musical theatre, including Broadway shows, through investigation of its form. Provides analyses, discussions, viewing and research of selected works to serve as a basis for a more aware listening technique. 3 Cr.

MUS 485 American Folk Music (A). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Takes a performance approach to the history, styles, and repertoire of North American folk music. Allows students to learn approximately 100 folk songs, covering all geographic regions, from performances by the instructor, guest artists, members of the class, films, and recordings. Especially recommended for arts for children, recreation and leisure, education, and music education majors. 3 Cr.

MUS 487 Music and the Child (A). Prerequisite: MUS 105 or instructor's permission. Covers current approaches in using music with children and ways in which music can contribute to the total growth of the child. Explores existing vocal and instrumental materials suitable for children, creating original songs, rhythmic games, and sound stories. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 490 Special Topics in Music (A). Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Provides opportunities for music students to focus on meaningful current topics which cannot be developed in other curricular offerings. 2-6 Cr.

MUS 499 Advanced Independent Study in Music (A). To be defined in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the regulations of the Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 3 Cr.