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
0 or 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. Co-requisite: Students enrolled in MUS 231B or MUS 331B, Women’s Chamber Choir, must be concurrently enrolled in MUS 232/332, Wesleyan Choir.
MUS 231 Ensemble
0 or 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. Co-requisite: Students enrolled in MUS 231B or MUS 331B, Women’s Chamber Choir, must be concurrently enrolled in MUS 232/332, Wesleyan Choir.
MUS 331 Ensemble
0 or 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. Co-requisite: Students enrolled in MUS 231B or MUS 331B, Women’s Chamber Choir, must be concurrently enrolled in MUS 232/332, Wesleyan Choir.
MUS 232 Dakota Wesleyan Choir
0 or 1 Hours
Membership in the Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open by audition to all students. The choir presents two major concerts each semester, including 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.
MUS 332 Dakota Wesleyan Choir
0 or 1 Hours
Membership in the Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open by audition to all students. The choir presents two major concerts each semester, including 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.
MUS 233 Highlanders
0 or 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. Prerequisites: Audition and consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in MUS 232 or MUS 332.
MUS 333 Highlanders
0 or 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. Prerequisites: Audition and consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in MUS 232 or MUS 332.
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 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 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.
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 nonchord tones, and aural skills. Original compositions and other written projects are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K–12 certification in vocal music. General Education: Effective Expression – Artistic Appreciation
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 and Neapolitan chords, and modulation to closely related keys. Students will analyze musical excerpts related to voice leading, chromatic chord use and modulation, 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 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 during the Pre-Classical through the Romantic eras. 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.
MUS 313 Music History III
3 Hours
Students will study the historical development of music in Western civilization from the late 19th century to the present with an additional focus on non-Western musical styles. 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.
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 340 Secondary Choral Methods
2 Hours
Students will learn methods and materials for developing comprehensive musicianship through choral music. Students will consider the changing voice, choral music repertoire and rehearsal techniques, methods for recruiting and organizing choral ensembles, budgeting and program administration.
MUS 341 String Methods
1 Hours
Students will learn the basic technique of playing stringed instruments with an emphasis on a basic understanding, care, maintenance, and effective teaching of the instruments.
MUS 345 Band/Symphonic Methods
2 Hours
Students will learn methods and materials for developing comprehensive musicianship through instrumental music. Students will consider instrumental pedagogy and philosophy, instrumental repertoire and rehearsal techniques, methods for recruiting and organizing band and orchestral ensembles, budgeting, and program administration.
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 are required. This course partially fulfills requirements leading to K–12 certification in vocal music.
MUS 351 Conducting II
3 Hours
Students will continue to develop their skills as a conductor by developing independence of hands, advanced patterns, and presence as a musical leader. Emphasis will be placed on score study, comprehensive musicianship, and developing a personalized conducting style. Students will be asked to conduct university ensembles outside of regularly scheduled classroom time. Prerequisite: MUS350
Areas of Concentration
Music Minor Requirements
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