Music (MUS)
A major in music is designed to prepare graduates for careers in music performance, the music business, as private studio teachers and other musical-related careers.  The major also provides required academic and performance preparations for graduate study in music.  The courses in music theory and music history provide foundations based on the traditions of the past and seek to provide an understanding of practices and expanding tonal concepts of the 21st century.  The performing ensembles and courses also provide opportunities for the nonmusic major to enjoy enriching interdisciplinary experiences in music.

The Dakota Wesleyan Concert Choir, the University/Community Choral Union, Handbell Choir, Highlanders and Wesleyan University/Community Band provide students various performing opportunities.  Grand pianos, studio upright pianos, organs and an inventory of band instruments are available for student and faculty use.  Several computerized music composition programs are also available for student and faculty use. 

Dakota Wesleyan University offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in music.  A music minor is also available.  All music degrees include a common sequence of courses known as the music core.

Major

* may be repeated up to nine credits

Music majors are required to participate in ensembles for a minimum of six semesters. Each student in this degree program will present a full recital in the senior year, approximately one hour long.

**Music Core
The music major revolves around a common core of courses that identify and develop a significant degree of appreciation, comprehension and performance ability for each student.

Music Theory and Analysis

Music History and Literature

Piano Proficiency

Students must pass a keyboard proficiency test by the end of the fifth semester.

Conducting

Minor

The music minor consists of a series of music courses that will identify and develop a significant degree of appreciation, comprehension and performance ability for each student.  The following courses are required for completion of the music minor:

Music Theory and Analysis

Ensemble Participation

*Electives:

Vocal music majors are required to enroll in at least one credit of ensemble per semester. Students in this degree program will present a recital in their junior year, approximately 30 minutes long. Students must pass a keyboard proficiency test by the end of the fifth semester. 

The piano proficiency exam is vital to developing the skills of the musician.  If a student does not pass the piano proficiency exam by the end of the first year, they must continue to enroll in applied piano lessons until they are able to complete the requirements for the proficiency exam.

Course Descriptions
101/201/301/401 Applied Piano 0-1 hour F,S
Students will receive one half-hour lesson each week. Significant practice time is required. Participation in a student recital and semester jury is required. Students may repeat this course up to four times, and it partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music. An additional fee is required.

102/202/302/402 Applied Voice 0-1 hour F,S
Students will receive one half-hour lesson each week. Significant practice time is required. Participation in a student recital and semester jury is required. Students may repeat this course up to four times, and it partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music. An additional fee is required.

103/203/202/403 Applied Organ 0-1 hour F,S
Students will receive one half-hour lesson each week. Significant practice time is required. Participation in a student recital and semester jury is required. Students may repeat this course up to four times. An additional fee is required.

104/204/304/404 Applied Instrument 0-1 hour F,S
Students will receive one half-hour lesson each week. Significant practice time is required. Participation in a student recital and semester jury is required. Students may repeat this course up to four times. An additional fee is required.

105 Class Voice 0-1 hour F,S
Students will receive group instruction in voice.

115 Music Theory I 3 hours F11
Students will learn tonal harmony in four-part writing using diatonic triads and seventh chords in all inversions. They will analyze musical excerpts related to voice leading, chord use and nonchord tones, and develop keyboard and aural skills. Original compositions and other written projects are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.

116 Keyboard Skills I 1 hour F
Individual 30-minute weekly lessons for practical application at the keyboard of concepts studied in Music Theory I. Includes scales, intervals, triads, chord progressions, cadences, melodies with chordal accompaniment, sight-reading, and transposition.

120 Introduction to Western Music 3 hours S
This course discusses the major trends in music from the late 17th century to the present.
General Education: Effective Expression – Artistic Appreciation

131/231/331 Ensemble 0-1 hour F,S
Various performing ensembles, both vocal and instrumental, will meet. Students may take this class for credit and repeat it up to four times. It may be used to partially fulfill requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

134/234/334 Wesleyan University/Community Band 0-1 hour F,S
The university community band is an outreach to the community.  Made up of students and area community members, the band meets once a week to prepare music for several concerts a year.  Membership is open to any instrumentalist high school age or older.  Community members may be asked to pay a participation fee each semester.  DWU students may register as a community member or as a student for academic credit. 

135/235/335 University/Community Choral Union 0-1 hour F,S
This choir is a large mixed chorus designed to bring the campus and community together in a joint musical effort.  Repertoire focuses on the major choral and orchestral works of every stylistic period.  The choir often collaborates with the Huron Symphony, Wesleyan University/Community Band or other local instrumentalists.  Membership is open to any singer high school age or older.  Community members pay a participation fee each semester.  DWU students may register as a community member or as a student for academic credit. 

136/236/336 DWU Handbell Choir 0-1 hour F,S
The handbell choir practices handbell performance techniques and studies, rehearses, and performs diverse and challenging handbell music literature.  It is open to all students who can read music and wish to learn about handbells and handchimes. 

215 Music Theory II 3 hours TBA
Students will learn tonal harmony in four-part writing using chromatically altered chords, secondary dominant and leading tone chords, mode mixture, augmented sixth and Neapolitan chords, and modulation to closely related keys. Students will analyze musical excerpts related to voice leading, chromatic chord use and modulation, and continue to develop keyboard and aural skills. Original compositions and other written projects are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: MUS 115.

216 Keyboard Skills II 1 hour S
Individual 30-minute weekly lessons for practical application at the keyboard of concepts studied in Music Theory II.  Includes nonchord tones, seventh chords, secondary dominants, modulation, two- and three-part score reading/piano pieces, harmonization, sight-reading and transposition.

232/332 Dakota Wesleyan Choir 0-1 hour F,S
Membership in the Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open by audition to all students. The choir presents two major concerts each semester, concerts off campus at schools and churches, and occasionally music for special community events. The choir performs music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Students may take this class for credit up to four times.

233/333 Highlanders 0-1 hour F,S
This is a select vocal performing ensemble, open by audition only. Students may take this class for credit and repeat it up to four times. It may be used to partially fulfill requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisites: Audition and consent of instructor.

250 World Music 3 hours F11
This is a general introduction to the music of the world. Significant time is required to examine and listen to various examples of music of many cultures. Written assignments, including a term paper, are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
General Education: Cultural and Global Awareness

275 Field Experience 1-2 hours TBA

311 Music History I 3 hours TBA
Students will study the historical development of music in Western Civilization from the Medieval period to the end of the Baroque. Emphasis is placed on music’s cultural implications, composers, styles and performance practices. Written assignments, including two major papers, are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.

312 Music History II 3 hours TBA
Students will study the historical development of music in Western Civilization from the middle of the 18th century to the present. This course continues to place an emphasis on music’s cultural implications, composers, styles and performance practices. Written assignments, including two major papers, are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: MUS 311.

315 Music Theory III 3 hours F11
Students will study chromatically altered chords, secondary dominant and leading tone chords, and modulation to distant keys. Students will continue to develop keyboard and aural skills. Original compositions and other written projects are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: MUS 215.

320 Computer Music Compostion 2 hours TBA
Students will learn basic principles of scoring, transcribing and arranging music for choral ensembles, including writing and arranging for individual voices, small ensembles and large groups. Written assignments, including one arrangement for voices and instruments, are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.

330 Vocal Literature and Pedagogy 3 hours TBA
This course is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the vocal mechanism, its physiology and correct use. Students will learn basic techniques of singing and methods for teaching singing. This course includes a survey of art songs and vocal literature particularly suited for secondary students. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

350 Conducting 3 hours TBA
This is a comprehensive course in conducting. Students will learn score reading, score preparation and analysis, and conducting techniques. Preparation and performance of music for the public are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: MUS 355.

355 Form and Analysis 3 hours TBA
Students will analyze the compositional processes and structures that comprise music. The class will discuss motive, sequence, phrase, theme, subject and counter-subject, fugue, theme with variation, binary, ternary, rondo, sonata, concerto and suite. Daily written assignments and two term papers are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music.
Prerequisite: MUS 315.

400 Special Projects in Music 3 hours F,S
This course is offered on an individual basis. The projects will vary according to the needs and interests of the student enrolled.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

425 Recital 1 hour F,S
The recital is the culmination for all seniors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in music.  Repertoire for the recital should be about 25-30 minutes in length per person for a half recital, and 45-50 minutes in length for a solo recital.  The music performed in the recital should show a variety of style periods and technical skills appropriate to a collegiate recital.  Students are graded on pass/fail basis for their recital credit. 

450 Internship 1-4 hours TBA

460 Independent Study in Music 1-3 hours F,S
The course will be offered on an independent research basis. The content will vary according to the needs and interests of the student enrolled.