Courses
Academic Courses
Music Literature
- MUS M368 Ballet History (2 cr.) This course teaches the principles of creativity, experimentation, and collaboration on which ballet as an art form was built. Students will study the chronology of ballet’s evolution as well as the major choreographers, composers, and organizational leaders who created its established forms and expressive tools.
- MUS M390 History of Jazz 1: Origins to 1959 (3 cr.) The history of jazz from origins to 1959 explored through selected recordings and readings. The course will focus on selected artists and styles discussed in the context of American history.
- MUS M391 History of Jazz 2: 1959 to the Present (3 cr.) The history of jazz from 1959 to the present explored through selected recordings, readings, and a research paper. The course will focus on selected artists and styles discussed in the context of American history.
- MUS M392 Art Musics of the Non-Western World (3 cr.) An introductory survey of the art musics of Asia and Africa; musical instruments, ensembles, and song styles; the heritage of ancient music (China, India, the Mediterranean world, and the Americas); ethnomusicological perspectives on classical Western music. The course makes extensive use of video and audio resources.
- MUS M393 History of Jazz (3 cr.) P: Must be music undergraduate student. This course is an exploration of the history of jazz with an examination of its roots, important genres and styles, historic recordings, key figures, and related materials. For music majors only.
- MUS M395 Contemporary Jazz and Soul Music (3 cr.) P: Must be music undergraduate student. A survey of contemporary jazz and soul (rhythm and blues) music and musicians in the United States.
- MUS M396 Art Music of Black Composers (3 cr.) A study of black music and musicians in the United States, with emphasis on the black composer in contemporary music.
- MUS M397 Popular Music of Black America (3 cr.) A sociocultural and musical analysis of urban black popular music, its performers, producers, and composers, from the 1940s to 1980. Rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, soul, ballads, funk, disco, and rap.
- MUS M408 Lute Sources and Repertoire (1 cr.) An overview of all sources, both manuscript and printed, of solo lute music, c. 1500-c. 1750, together with repertoire contained in those sources.
- MUS M409 Lute Treatises and Instruction Manuals (1 cr.) A study of all original instructional material and treatises from c. 1500-c. 1750 which describe techniques and performance styles for lute and other historical plucked strings.
- MUS M413 Topics in Latin American Music (3 cr.) P: Must be music undergraduate student. An in-depth survey of particular art music, popular and/or traditional repertoires, ranging from the colonial period to the twenty-first century. Specific content varies with instructor’s area of specialization. Activities outside of class may be scheduled. May be repeated for different topics.
- MUS M415 Interpreting Unaccompanied Bach (2 cr.) Study and performance of the unaccompanied works by J.S. Bach for violin, cello, and flute. Consideration of structural musical elements based on autograph manuscripts. Open to all instrumentalists other than keyboard players.
- MUS M416 Advanced Topics in Early Music (3 cr.)
- MUS M417 Medieval Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Medieval period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M418 Renaissance Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Renaissance period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M419 Baroque Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Baroque period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M420 Classical Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Classical period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M421 Literature and Performance Practice V (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Romantic period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M422 Historical Notation/Edition Projects (2 cr.) P: Permission of instructor. This course develops students’ literacy in pre-modern forms of musical notation, from the 14th to the 17th centuries, with an introduction to paleography and editorial method. In addition to being able to read and perform from earlier forms of notation, students will learn to create modern performance editions from primary sources.
- MUS M431 Song Literature I (3 cr.) P: Four semesters of V400 Voice Undergraduate Major or permission of instructor. Introductory survey of representative non-operatic solo vocal repertoire of the United States, the British Isles, Italy, Germany, Austria, and France. Techniques and application of song study, musicianship, interpretation, performance practice, and program building.
- MUS M432 Song Literature II (3 cr.) P: Four semesters of V400 Voice Undergraduate Major or permission of instructor. Introductory survey of representative non-operatic solo vocal repertoire of the United States, the British Isles, Italy, Germany, Austria, and France. Techniques and application of song study, musicianship, interpretation, performance practice, and program building.
- MUS M435 Performance Practice Before 1750 (2 cr.) Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque repertory studied in light of historical performance, including historical performance procedures, instruments, tuning, rhythm, notations, and other theoretical areas of importance for performance. Some consideration is given to the recreation of historical music employing modern instruments.
- MUS M438 Survey of Guitar Literature (2 cr.) The course is intended as an overview of the origins and evolution of the modern guitar, examining repertoire from about 1500 to the present. Students will be introduced to important guitar/vihuela composers and performers throughout history. Analysis of scores and sound selections will be an integral part of the course.
- MUS M458 Topics in Historical Performance (1-3 cr.) P: Must be music undergraduate student. Variable topics in repertory and performance practice in the field of historical performance. May be repeated.
- MUS M469 Seminar in String Quartet Literature (2 cr.) Performance-based survey of chamber music literature from Haydn to present. Six seminal works will be covered per semester. Permission of instructor required. Only pre-formed ensembles registered in chamber music can apply. May be repeated.
- MUS M476 Survey of Organ Literature (1 cr.) P: For undergraduate organ majors. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge of the organ repertoire and associated performance practices. It offers a broad overview of organ history, its music, and the corresponding differences between various styles of organ registration.
- MUS M508 Lute Sources and Repertoire (1 cr.) An overview of all sources, both manuscript and printed, of solo lute music, c.1500 - c.1750, together with repertoire contained in those sources.
- MUS M509 Lute Treatises and Instruction Manuals (1 cr.) A study of all original instructional material and treatises from c.1500 - c.1750 which describe techniques and performance styles for lute and other historical plucked strings.
- MUS M513 Topics in Latin American Music (3 cr.) An in-depth survey of particular art music, popular and/or traditional repertoires, ranging from the colonial period to the twenty-first century. Specific content varies with instructor’s area of specialization. Open to majors and non-majors. Activities outside of class may be scheduled and a final research project is required. May be repeated for different topics.
- MUS M515 Interpreting Unaccompanied Bach (2 cr.) Study and performance of the unaccompanied works by J.S. Bach for violin, cello, and flute. Consideration of structural musical elements based on autograph manuscripts. Open to all instrumentalists other than keyboard players.
- MUS M516 Advanced Topics in Early Music (2 cr.)
- MUS M517 Medieval Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Medieval period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M518 Renaissance Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Renaissance period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M519 Baroque Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Baroque period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M520 Classical Performance Practice (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Classical period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M521 Literature and Performance Practice V (2 cr.) The basic literature of the Romantic period with performance-oriented analysis, survey of original sources, and study of performance-related theoretical works.
- MUS M522 Historical Notation/Edition Projects (2 cr.) This course develops students’ literacy in pre-modern forms of musical notation, from the 14th to the 17th centuries, with an introduction to paleography and editorial method. In addition to being able to read and perform from earlier forms of notation, students will learn to create modern performance editions from primary sources.
- MUS M523 Music and Rhetoric in Performance (2 cr.) This course deals with changing relationships between words and music (c.1300-1750) through the evidence of contemporaneous ideologies applied to composition, interpretation, and performance. Beginning with classical authors who prescribe techniques for persuasive oration, the reception of such principles within both the Renaissance and Baroque periods will be given central emphasis.
- MUS M531 Song Literature III (3 cr.) Advanced survey of both standard and nonstandard non-operatic solo vocal repertoire of the United States, the British Isles, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, and other nations. Techniques and application of song study, musicianship, interpretation, performance practice, and program building.
- MUS M532 Song Literature IV (3 cr.) Advanced survey of both standard and nonstandard non-operatic solo vocal repertoire of the United States, the British Isles, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, and other nations. Techniques and application of song study, musicianship, interpretation, performance practice, and program building.
- MUS M533 Survey of Wind Literature and Pedagogy for Collaborative Pianists (3 cr.) A practical, analytic, and historical study of relevant wind and brass repertoire. Emphasis on sonata/duo, concerti, and French conservatory pieces. Exploration of the pedagogical value of certain repertoire, the nature of the instruments and their pedagogy, and how these principles can be adapted to pianists.
- MUS M534 Survey of String Literature and Pedagogy for Collaborative Pianists (3 cr.) A practical, analytic, and historical study of relevant string repertoire. Emphasis on sonata/duo, standard concerti, and shorter character pieces. Exploration of the pedagogical value of certain repertoire, the nature of the instruments and their pedagogy, and how these principles can be adapted to pianists.
- MUS M535 Master's Seminar in Choral Literature: Renaissance to 1700 (3 cr.) C: G535 Master's Choral Conducting: Renaissance to 1700. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire from liturgical beginnings through the early Baroque.
- MUS M536 Master's Seminar in Choral Literature: 1700 to 1900 (3 cr.) C: G536 Master's Choral Conducting: 1700 to 1900. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire starting with Bach, including music of Mozart, Haydn, and the early Romantics, ending with Brahms.
- MUS M537 Master's Seminar in Choral Literature: 20th Century to Today (3 cr.) C: G537 Master's Choral Conducting: 20th Century to Today. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire from the 20th century until today.
- MUS M538 Survey of Guitar Literature (2 cr.) The course is intended as an overview of the origins and evolution of the modern guitar, examining repertoire from about 1500 to the present. Students will be introduced to important guitar/vihuela composers and performers throughout history. Analysis of the scores and sound selections will be integral part of the course.
- MUS M543 Keyboard Literature from 1700 to 1850 (3 cr.) Literature for stringed keyboard instruments from the age of Bach and his contemporaries through the early romantics. Historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M544 Piano Literature from 1850 to the Present (3 cr.) Historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M547 Woodwind Literature I (3 cr.) Solo repertoire and chamber music for woodwind instruments, including woodwind instruments with strings and/or brass.
- MUS M548 Woodwind Literature II (3 cr.) Orchestral literature and major works for large wind ensemble.
- MUS M550 Doctoral String Literature (1-3 cr.) Solo repertoire and chamber music for string instruments.
- MUS M555 Foundations in Choral Score Analysis and Preparation (3 cr.) Introduction for the conductor to techniques of historical research and structural and stylistic analysis of choral literature.
- MUS M558 Topics in Historical Performance (1-3 cr.) Variable topics in repertory and performance practice in the field of historical performance. May be repeated.
- MUS M570 Historical Development of Wind Groups and Literature (3 cr.) A comprehensive study of wind groups focusing on instrumentation and literature from its earliest beginnings to the present. Special emphasis on major works, composers, stylistic changes, and programming.
- MUS M571 Master's Seminar in Symphonic Literature (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Critical examination of scores, rehearsal methods, conducting technique, and interpretation.
- MUS M576 Survey of Organ Literature (1 cr.) P: For graduate organ majors. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge of the organ repertoire and associated performance practices. It offers a broad overview of organ history, its music, and the corresponding differences between various styles of organ registration.
- MUS M579 Master's Seminar in Wind Literature (3 cr.) Variable topics for majors in wind conducting. Wind literature selected according to genre, chamber winds, wind ensemble, and concert band.
- MUS M584 Research in the History and Analysis of Jazz (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Individual research in the analysis, history, music theory, or literature of jazz schools, styles, performers, and instrumental idioms. For advanced students.
- MUS M591 Jazz History 1: Origins through 1949 (3 cr.) Historical and musical analysis of the core repertoire, seminal performers and composers, musical characteristics, and important recordings of all major jazz styles, origins to 1949.
- MUS M592 Jazz History 2: 1950-1969 (3 cr.) Historical and musical analysis of the core repertoire, seminal performers and composers, musical characteristics, and important recordings of all major jazz styles, 1950-1969.
- MUS M593 Jazz History 3: 1970-present (3 cr.) Historical and musical analysis of the core repertoire, seminal performers and composers, musical characteristics, and important recordings of all major jazz styles since 1970.
- MUS M594 Big Band Jazz (3 cr.) The study of classic big band literature (Ellington, Basie, Kenton, Herman, etc.).
- MUS M627 Independent Study of the Literature of the Guitar I (3 cr.) Survey of guitar literature to 1800. Two papers required.
- MUS M628 Independent Study of the Literature of the Guitar II (3 cr.) Survey of guitar literature since 1800. Two papers required.
- MUS M633 Wind Literature and Pedagogy for Collaborative Pianists (3 cr.) A practical, analytical, and historical study of relevant woodwind and brass repertoire. Emphasis on sonata/duo, concerti, and French conservatory pieces. Exploration of the pedagogical value of certain repertoire, the nature of the instruments and their pedagogy, and how these principles can be adapted to pianists.
- MUS M634 String Literature and Pedagogy for Collaborative Pianists (3 cr.) A practical, analytical, and historical study of relevant string repertoire. Emphasis on sonata/duo, standard concerti, and shorter character pieces. Exploration of the pedagogical value of certain repertoire, the nature of the instruments and their pedagogy, and how these principles can be adapted to pianists.
- MUS M635 Performance Practice Before 1750 (2 cr.) Styles of solo and ensemble performance of instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period: medium, dynamics, tempo, ornamentation and improvisation, temperament. Editing and performing of works for old and modern instruments.
- MUS M636 Performance Practice Since 1750 (3 cr.) Styles of solo and ensemble performance of instrumental and vocal music from the Classic period to modern times. Changing aspects of medium, tempo, dynamics, phrasing, etc., applied to problems of musical interpretation.
- MUS M637 Seminar in Percussion History (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. A survey of masterworks. The origin, development, and influences of indigenous instruments and their uses in twentieth-century music.
- MUS M638 Percussion Ensemble Literature (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Percussion ensemble literature and the techniques of organizing, managing, rehearsing, and conducting percussion ensembles.
- MUS M641 Brass Literature I (3 cr.) Teaching materials for horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Elementary and advanced exercises, etudes, methods for class and private instruction, clef and transposition studies, and orchestral repertoire. Survey of sources announcing and evaluating new materials.
- MUS M642 Brass Literature II (3 cr.) Solo and chamber music literature for horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Development of brass instruments and literature from Renaissance to the present. Survey of sources announcing and evaluating new materials.
- MUS M643 Seminar in Harp Literature I (3 cr.) A comprehensive survey of harp literature (solo and orchestral) of all periods and the exploration in depth of the various styles and performance practices of each period.
- MUS M644 Seminar in Harp Literature II (3 cr.) A comprehensive survey of harp literature (chamber and ensemble) of all periods and the exploration in depth of the various styles and performance practices of each period.
- MUS M645 Seminar in Piano Literature I (3 cr.) Discussion of historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic aspects of a period and its leading composers; performance of a wide range of representative works. Baroque, Pre-Classical, and Classical.
- MUS M646 Seminar in Piano Literature II (3 cr.) Discussion of historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic aspects of a period and its leading composers; performance of a wide range of representative works. Late Classical and Early Romantic.
- MUS M647 Seminar in Piano Literature III (3 cr.) Discussion of historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic aspects of a period and its leading composers; performance of a wide range of representative works. Romantic.
- MUS M648 Seminar in Piano Literature IV (3 cr.) Discussion of historical, stylistic, formal, and aesthetic aspects of a period and its leading composers; performance of a wide range of representative works. Twentieth-Century.
- MUS M661 Doctoral Seminar in Choral Literature: Renaissance to 1700 (3 cr.) C: G661 Doctoral Choral Conducting: Renaissance to 1700. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire from liturgical beginnings through the early Baroque.
- MUS M662 Doctoral Seminar in Choral Literature: 1700 to 1900 (3 cr.) C: G662 Doctoral Choral Conducting: 1700 to 1900. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire starting with Bach, including music of Mozart, Haydn, the early Romantics, and ending with Brahms.
- MUS M663 Doctoral Seminar in Choral Literature: 20th Century to Today (3 cr.) C: G663 Doctoral Choral Conducting: 20th Century to Today. An analytical and contextual study of choral repertoire from the 20th century until today.
- MUS M664 Topics in Choral Literature (3 cr.) Variable topics in the study of choral repertoire. May be repeated for different topics.
- MUS M665 Survey of Violin/Viola Literature I (2 cr.) Baroque and Classic.
- MUS M666 Survey of Violin/Viola Literature II (2 cr.) Romantic to present.
- MUS M667 Survey of Cello Literature I (2 cr.) Baroque and Classic.
- MUS M668 Survey of Cello Literature II (2 cr.) Romantic to present.
- MUS M669 Seminar in String Quartet Literature (2 cr.) Performance based survey of chamber music literature from Haydn to present. Six seminal works will be covered per semester. Permission of instructor required. Only pre-formed ensembles registered in chamber music can apply. May be repeated.
- MUS M671 Doctoral Seminar in Symphonic Literature (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Advanced critical examination of scores, rehearsal methods, conducting technique, and interpretation.
- MUS M675 Seminar in Organ Literature: Renaissance and Baroque (3 cr.) P: M576 Survey of Organ Literature or equivalent. Performance of representative works and discussion of stylistic, historical, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M676 Seminar in Organ Literature: Classic and Romantic (3 cr.) P: M576 Survey of Organ Literature or equivalent. Performance of representative works and discussion of stylistic, historical, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M677 Seminar in Organ Literature: Music since 1900 (3 cr.) P: M576 Survey of Organ Literature or equivalent. Performance of representative works and discussion of stylistic, historical, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M678 Seminar in Organ Literature: Organ Works of J.S. Bach (3 cr.) P: M576 Survey of Organ Literature or equivalent. Performance of representative works and discussion of stylistic, historical, formal, and aesthetic features.
- MUS M679 Doctoral Seminar in Wind Literature (3 cr.) Variable topics. Historical and analytical study of major wind literature. Participation in the work of the band department required.
- MUS M686 Solo Vocal Literature Before 1850 (3 cr.) Discussion of British songs with keyboard by Purcell and Blow, lieder from Mozart through Schumann, French mélodie before Fauré, songs by Italian bel canto composers, and the early Russian romance. Special attention to identifying repertoire appropriate for teaching undergraduates and professional recitals. Creation of annotated bibliography and repertoire listening logs.
- MUS M687 Late Romantic Solo Vocal Literature (3 cr.) Discussion of Lieder from Brahms through Mahler and Strauss, French mélodie from Fauré to Duparc, and Romantic Scandinavian song. Special attention to identifying repertoire appropriate for teaching undergraduates and professional recitals. Creation of annotated bibliography and repertoire listening logs.
- MUS M688 Solo Vocal Literature after 1900 (3 cr.) Discussion of Lieder after Berg, French mélodie Debussy and after, British song beginning with Vaughan Williams, Spanish language songs of the period, and the development of an American "voice" in song. Special attention to identifying repertoire appropriate for teaching undergraduates and professional recitals. Creation of annotated bibliography and repertoire listening logs.
- MUS M690 Seminar in Latin American Music (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Advanced work in the study of Latin American music. Formal research paper required. May be repeated.