Music Course Descriptions
Look through our academic catalog and find lessons for your favorite instruments and genres. We have the classes to satisfy your need for more in everything music.
Music Major Requirements
MUS 131 Ensemble
1 Hours
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
MUS 231 Ensemble
1 Hours
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
MUS 331 Ensemble
1 Hours
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
MUS 232 Wesleyan Choir
1 Hours
Membership in the Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open by audition to all students. The choir presents two major concerts each sememster, 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. (Prior to Fall 2009)
MUS 332 Wesleyan Choir
1 Hours
Membership in the Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open by audition to all students. The choir presents two major concerts each sememster, 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. (Prior to Fall 2009)
MUS 233 Highlanders
1 Hours
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.
MUS 333 Highlanders
1 Hours
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.
MUS 330 Vocal Literature & Pedagogy
2 Hours
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.
MUS 400 Special Projects in Music
3 Hours
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.
MUS 425 Recital
1 Hours
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 I 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.
MUS 115 Fundamentals of Music
3 Hours
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 non-chord 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.
MUS 215 Music Theory II
3 Hours
Students will learn tonal harmony in four-part writing using chromatically altered chords, secondary dominant and leading tone chords, mode mixture, augmented sixth andNeapolitan 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.
MUS 315 Music Theory III
3 Hours
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.
MUS 415 Music Theory IV
3 Hours
This course is a continuation of the Music Theory sequence with emphasis on 16th and 18th century counterpoint and 20th century chromatic harmony.
MUS 250 World Music
3 Hours
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 (effective fall 2009) General Education: Culteral Awareness or the Arts (prior to fall 2009)
MUS 311 Music History I
3 Hours
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.
MUS 312 Music History II
3 Hours
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.
MUS 116 Keyboard Skills I
1 Hours
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.
MUS 216 Keyboard Skills II
1 Hours
Individual 30-minute weekly lessons for practical application at the keyboard of concepts studies in Music Theory II. Includes non-chord tones, seventh chords, secondary dominants, modulation, 2-3 part score reading/piano pieces, harmonization, sight-reading, and transposition.
MUS 350 Conducting
3 Hours
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 is required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K-12 certification in vocal music. Prerequisite: MUS 355.
Areas of Concentration
Music Minor Requirements
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