Undergraduate Music Courses

Undergraduate Courses

MUS 105 Introduction to Music (A,F)

Open to all students. Required for Arts for Children and Dance majors and Music minors. Includes a performance component. No musical background is required. Covers fundamentals such as reading music in treble and bass clefs, keyboard, scales, intervals, chords and ear training. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 112 World Music (A,F)

Examines the universal principles that connect music around the world. Includes the music of India, Africa, Japan, South America, the United States and Europe. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 135 Class Piano I (A)

Allows development of practical skills in reading music at the keyboard, including some knowledge of scales and chords to provide basic accompaniment. 2 Cr. Fall.

MUS 139 Class Voice I (A)

Allows development of basic vocal skills, including breathing, placement, sight reading; study of vowels, consonants, and appropriate song literature. 2 Cr.

MUS 208 Music and Healing (A,F)

A research-based exploration of therapeutic applications of music in historical, theoretical, and clinical contexts, and in specific settings and with specific populations. 3 Cr.

MUS 211 Music Appreciation (A,F)

The class introduces students to basic musical principles as they apply to music in western civilization. It begins with the materials of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics) then examines how these are combined into musical structures, musical forms, and musical styles. Students will hear how all these elements combine in examples of music from the middle ages through the present day. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 235 Class Piano II (A)

Piano II provides students an opportunity to continue the skills developed in Class Piano I. Emphasis will be on further mastery of the keyboard through increased technical abilities such as sight-reading, improvisation and harmonization. By the end of the course students will be able to play all major scales and minor scales on white keys, 2 octaves, hands together and all white key major and minor arpeggios. Repertoire will focus on pieces by great masters at the late elementary or early intermediate levels and will stress hand independence, a broader choice of articulation, a wider dynamic range, scale passages, chords in root and inverted position and 7th chords. 2 Cr. Fall.

MUS 277 Jin Shin Jyutsu (A)

Jin Shin Jyutsu Physio-philosophy is an ancient art of harmonizing the life energy in the body promoting optimal health and well-being. Principles may be applied to optimize creative flow and artistic performance. 3 Cr.

MUS 278 Afro-American Music and Culture (A)

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 302 Music History I: Antiquity to Baroque (A)

The class introduces students to basic musical principles as they apply to music in western civilization. It begins with the materials of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics) then examines how these are combined into musical structures, musical forms, and musical styles. Students will hear how all these elements combine in examples of music from the middle ages through the present day. 3 Cr. Fall.

MUS 303 Introduction to Audio Recording Technology (A)

Introduction to audio recording technology, sound theory, psychoacoustics and the recording industry Students will develop skills in microphone selection and technique as well as familiarity with the use of ProTools for tracking and mixing sound and music recordings. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 304 Musical Theatre Audition Techniques (A)

Explores elements of the audition process with a focus on preparing for successful musical theatre auditions. Emphasis is placed on refining performance skills, compiling a resume and professional materials, and building a repertoire portfolio that showcases each student's strengths. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 305 Music Theory I (A)

Music Theory I has written exercises in the basic harmonic system, melodic principles of part-writing, the chorale and four-part writing in root position and in inversions, secondary dominants and modulation. It also contains exercises in rhythmic, melodic, and simple harmonic ear-training. 3 Cr. Fall.

MUS 306 Music Theory II (A)

Music Theory II is a continuation of Music Theory I and begins with exercises in chromatic harmony, secondary dominants, jazz and popular harmony, modulation and beginning counterpoint. Students will use computer notation software in completing assignments for the course. Advanced ear-training in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation is included. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 307 Eurhythmics (A)

Teaches fundamentals of music and musicianship through a synthesis of movement, improvisation, and aural engagement. Students explore music concepts through interactive experiences designed to integrate body, mind, and creative expression. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 308 Introduction to Ethnomusicology (A)

Introduces ethnomusicology principal concepts, history, development and approaches to fieldwork. Readings and case studies in the field introduce students to applied ethnomuciological and anthropological theory, method and analysis, while class projects and discussions prepare students to document and discuss a world of music on their own terms. Students complete an original research paper, surveying and documenting sound in their local environments. 3 Cr.

MUS 310 Music of the Mediterranean (A)

Students will investigate how music embodies diverse individual and communal identities in the Mediterranean, a region that spans North Africa, the Levant, and southern Europe. Through ethnographies, articles, and guided listening, students will explore such themes as national identity, gender and sexuality, emotion and meaning, and globalization. Students will also examine parallels between music, food, and film in traditional and popular culture. 3 Cr.

MUS 311 Women in Music (A,W)

A survey of roles and contributions of women in music and examination of cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts surrounding them. Discussions of feminist theory and music. 3 Cr.

MUS 320 Brockport College Community Chorus (B)

Includes performance of standard choral works from many styles and periods. 1 Cr.

MUS 321 Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (B)

Includes performance of instrumental and vocal jazz. Provides an instruction in improvisation, stylistic elements, and historical background. 1 Cr.

MUS 322 Gospel Music I (B)

Provides a basic history of black American gospel music and its relationship to contemporary music form; and includes performances of Gospel Music. 1 Cr.

MUS 323 Instrumental Ensemble (A)

Instrumental ensemble acts as a blanket course for all ensembles such as Concert Band, Xylophone-Percussion, Jazz, Brass, Brockport College and Community Orchestra, etc. Can be repeated for up to 8 credits. 1 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 335 Class Piano III (B)

Allows development of more advanced skills in piano performance techniques, including pedaling, phrases and fingering, and study of polyphonic and homophonic styles. 2 Cr. Fall.

MUS 339 Class Voice II (A)

Studies standard vocal repertoire, improvement of technical vocal problems through performance, and stage awareness. 2 Cr. Every Semester.

MUS 399 Independent Study in Music (A)

To be defined in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 1-3 Cr.

MUS 402 Bollywood Film, Music and Culture of India (A)

Uses film to examine the culture and music of India. Introduces Indian films, popular music genres, and use of melodrama and emotion in narrative development and as an expression of the Indian psyche. Adopts critical approaches for looking at the representation of India through cinema, music, and constructions of mainstream and marginalized identities (gender, caste, religion), narrative formulas, song picturizations, theatrical characterizations, and spectacle. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 412 History of Rock and Popular Music in America (A,I)

An historical and topical approach to the study of rock music including the study of popular music from the late 19th century into the 21st century, through the blues, jazz, and R&B. The chronological outline places the history of rock music into both socio-historical and political events contexts, while tying in the economic history of the music industry, radio, and the effect of changing media trends. 3 Cr. Spring.

MUS 413 American Music (A)

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 415 Music and the Environment (A)

Pairing the disciplines of ecology and ethnomusicology, this interdisciplinary course examines the relationships between music and our natural and constructed environments. Students will explore how music and performances, from around the world, express the human-nature relationship, and how musical practices, rituals, and activities impact the environment. 3 Cr.

MUS 422 Music Business (A)

An overview of the music business landscape and its key players. Topics include music management, record labels, booking agencies, promotion and advertising, contracts, and legal matters that surround the career paths of musical artists, songwriters and music industry professionals. Emphasis on current events and technologies in the music business as well as industry research. 3 Cr.

MUS 475 Contemporary Social Issues in Music (A,I)

Explores music’s unique influence in modern Western society. Topics include music globalization, mediaization, music as cultural expression and political change agent through a variety of technological and media formats and live performance venues. Students will examine their own participation in a music culture as well as the participation of others as they implement an original ethnographic fieldwork project. No prior musical experience is necessary. 3 Cr.

MUS 485 American Roots Music (A)

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)

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 488 Music Practicum (A)

Provides students with the opportunity to observe elementary music classes and gain experience teaching in a school setting. Students will be placed in a local elementary/middle school to work with a tenured instructor, either in general, choral, or band, as per the student’s area of concentration. 3 Cr.

MUS 499 Independent Study in Music (A)

To be defined in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 1-3 Cr.