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Course Descriptions — Music

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Music lesson options available in Fall 2010: For courses in the list below, applied music study is offered in the form of a weekly individual lesson for either 0.5 semester hours for one 30-minute lesson or 1.0 semester hours for one 60-minute lesson (except where noted) at no additional charge. A final jury examination is required for the music faculty. Applied lessons may require attendance at studio classes and/or live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.

MUS 1210 Beginning Piano (0.5 semester hours only)
MUS 1410 Beginning Classical Guitar (0.5 semester hours only)
MUS 2010 Voice I
MUS 2210 Piano I
MUS 2230 Applied Woodwinds
MUS 2240 Applied Brass
MUS 2250 Applied Strings
MUS 2260 Applied Classical Guitar
MUS 2270 Applied Organ
MUS 3010 Voice II
MUS 3110 Voice III
MUS 3210 Piano II
MUS 3310 Piano III
MUS 4010 Voice IV
MUS 4210 Piano IV

MUS 1010 Beginning Voice (1 semester hour)
Group lessons in which students explore visual, auditory, and aesthetic dimensions of vocal music. Attention to fundamentals of singing, including technique, tone production, breath control, ear training, diction, dynamic control, interpretation, and analytical preparation. Students gain performance experience in a studio-class setting, while learning to give and take musical suggestions and criticism. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.

MUS1060 Sightsinging Lab (1 semester hour)
Vocal and aural skills and notation of the basic elements of tonal music, including scales, intervals, chord qualities, melodic shapes, rhythmic patterns, chord functions, and form. Development of musical skills including ear training and dictation, sight singing, elementary conducting patterns, and rhythmic reading.
No prerequisites.

MUS1210 Beginning Piano (1 semester hour)
Individual lessons for the inexperienced or beginning pianist. Sight reading, aural skills, musical symbols, analysis of harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic structures, and finger facility in all keys. Beginning development of aesthetic awareness. Jury performance for music faculty. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 1210 may be counted toward graduation.
No prerequisites.

MUS1410 Beginning Classical Guitar (1 semester hour)
Introduction of technical skills for performing classical guitar repertoire, including the study of representative works from the literature, scales, arpeggios, etudes, and the development of aesthetic awareness. Jury performance for music faculty. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 1xxx may be counted toward graduation.
No prerequisites.

MUS1500 Music Appreciation (4 semester hours)
Exploration of the dominant trends in western music, including the major composers, their masterworks, musical styles, and historical eras from the Middle Ages to the present. Attention to the development of active listening skills and discernment of musical styles. Study of musical expression as a manifestation of social and cultural customs and as an artistic and aesthetic communication. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education "Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression" Group B requirement.

MUS 1510 Exploring Music: American Roots (2 semester hours)
Exploration of musical expressions, social contexts, and basic musical principles for the student who wishes to develop musical awareness. Overview of popular and cultivated musical styles that have developed in American society as a result of America’s diverse ethnic traditions. Introduction to basic musical notation and characteristic elements of musical styles. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group B requirement.

MUS 1520 Exploring Music: World of Opera (2 semester hours)
Traces the history and development of opera from its beginnings to the present, emphasizing opera as a combination of music, literature, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Introduces operas, composers, and performers through listening to live and recorded music, discussions, and films. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group B requirement.

MUS1600 Fundamentals of Music (2 semester hours)
Introduction to fundamental organizing principles of Western tonal music, including notating and reading major and minor scales, key signatures, chords, intervals on treble and bass clefs, rhythms, and meters. Basic score reading and instrumental transpositions. Vocabulary for tempo and expression. Listening assignments and possible attendance at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.

MUS 1810 ST Exploring Music: Global Traditions (2 semester hours)
Exploration of musical expressions, social contexts, and basic musical principles for the student who wishes to develop musical awareness. Exposure to diverse musical styles and eras, including popular, fine art, folk, ethnic, computerized, experimental, and acoustic traditions from multiple cultures. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.

MUS 1810 ST Exploring Music: Jazz in America (2 semester hours)
Exploration of musical expressions, social contexts, and basic musical principles for the student who wishes to develop musical awareness. Overview of the historical and stylistic development of jazz as it both shaped and responded to 20-th century American culture. Attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges.
No prerequisites.

MUS 1900 Women’s Ensemble (1 semester hour)
Open to female musicians of all levels, the AU Women’s Ensemble explores treble choral literature from all historical periods and seeks out a variety of performance venues. The group focuses on vocal technique, precision intonation, and choral unity. The Women’s Ensemble represents the music department at special campus events. Public performances some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings required. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 1900 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.

MUS 1910 University Chorale (1 semester hour)
Open to musicians of all levels, the AU Chorale focuses primarily on vocal skills and the creation of a unified choral sound. Members study a variety of music, ranging from medieval and renaissance to contemporary, preparing quality choral literature for performance and education. Public performances some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings required. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 1910 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.

MUS 1930 Chamber Ensemble (.5 semester hours)
Performance class for instrumentalists or singers who will prepare, study, and perform literature spanning several eras and styles for small groups of 8-15 players. Public performances some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings required. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 1930 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor based on successful audition.

MUS 1920 Jazz Ensemble (1 semester hour)
Small instrumental ensemble studying and performing music in jazz styles from among Latin, blues, swing, bossa nova, and others. Public performances some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings required. Open to performers on trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, bass, and drum set. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 1930 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor based on successful audition.

MUS 2010 Voice I (.5- 1 semester hours)
Individual mastery of the technical production of vocal sound. Exploration of various vocal styles with a focus on classical art songs, arias, and folk songs. Repertoire may include art songs in foreign languages. Students will be expected to progress toward the next level of vocal skill. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 2010 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: MUS 1010 and permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.
Co-requisite: MUS 1900 or MUS 1910.

MUS2060 Aural Skills I (1 semester hour)
Development of the ability to hear the basic elements of diatonic music, including scales, intervals, chord qualities, melodic shapes, rhythms, harmonic functions, and form. Practice reading and singing rhythms and diatonic melodies at sight and notating music examples.
Prerequisite: MUS1060 or equivalent.

MUS 2070 Aural Skills II (1 semester hour)
Increase the ability to hear diatonic music and the basic elements of chromatic music, including scales, intervals, chord qualities, melodic shapes, rhythms, harmonic functions, and form. Practice reading and singing rhythms and diatonic and chromatic melodies at sight and notating music examples.
Prerequisite: MUS 2060.

MUS2210 Piano I (1 semester hour)
These courses include work toward the mastery of technical skills needed both in the performance of the repertoire studied and understanding of the forms and styles of composition, the elements of musical interpretation, and memorization. These skills will then be applied in the performance of appropriate repertoire: major and minor scales, triads, arpeggios, representative works from the finest piano literature, further exploration of the values of aesthetic awareness. A studio recital and a jury performance for music faculty conclude each term. Following an audition, a non-beginner who has not previously studied at Aurora University will be placed in the appropriate course by the instructor following an audition. Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of piano technique and completion of material in MUS1210 and MUS1220.

MUS 2230 Applied Woodwinds (.5 - 1 semester hours)
Mastery of technical skills for performing woodwind repertoire (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone), including the study of representative works from the literature, scales, arpeggios, etudes, and the development of aesthetic awareness. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 2230 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and previous performing experience.

MUS 2240 Applied Brass (.5 - 1 semester hours)
Mastery of technical skills for performing brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba) repertoire, including the study of representative works from the literature, scales, arpeggios, etudes, and the development of aesthetic awareness. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 2240 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and previous performing experience.

MUS 2250 Applied Strings (.5 - 1 semester hours)
Mastery of technical skills for performing string (violin, viola, cello, double bass) repertoire, including the study of representative works from the literature, scales, arpeggios, etudes, and the development of aesthetic awareness. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 2250 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and previous performing experience.

MUS 2260 Applied Classical Guitar (.5 - 1 semester hours)
Continuing development of technical skills for performing classical guitar repertoire, including the study of representative works from the literature, scales, arpeggios, and etudes, and the development of musicianship and aesthetic awareness. Studio recital and jury performance for music faculty. Performance or attendance may be required at live concerts, some of which may be off-campus and/or evenings with additional ticket charges. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 2260 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: 2 semesters of MUS 1410 and permission of instructor based on successful audition.

MUS 2270 Applied Organ (.5 - 1 semester hours)
Introduction of technical skills for performing organ repertoire, including the study of representative works from the literature, development of musicianship, and basic knowledge of the construction of the instrument. Jury performance for music faculty. A maximum of 8 semester hours of MUS 2270 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor based on successful audition and MUS 3210 Piano II or equivalent.

MUS 2400 Music Theory I (3 semester hours)
Introduction to the theoretical basis of diatonic harmony, including chord spellings, harmonic functions and composition in two, three, and four parts using triads in the common practice style. Analysis of the compositional features of masterworks. Introduction to phrase structures, elementary forms, and score reading.
Prerequisite: MUS 1600

MUS2510 History of Western Music: Antiquity - 1750 (4 semester hours)
Survey of Western music from Antiquity to the Classical period, with particular emphasis on music literature and identification of stylistic characteristics of each period.
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education "Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression" Group B requirement.

MUS2520 History of Western Music: 1750 - present (4 semester hours)
A continuation of MUS2510 History of Western Music I, this course traces the development of Western music from early Romanticism to the present day.
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education "Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression" Group B requirement.

MUS2550 Opera Appreciation (2 semester hours)
Traces the history and development of opera from its beginnings to the present day, emphasizing opera as a combination of the art forms. Introduces operas, composers, and performers through listening to live and recorded music, discussions and films.
No prerequisites.

MUS2610 Music Theory II (2 semester hours)
Study of basic part-writing, development of theoretical and analytical skills. The course will continue the study of ear-training begun in the introductory course.
Prerequisite: MUS2600.

MUS 3010 Voice II (.5 – 1 semester hours)
Individual mastery of the technical production of vocal sound. Exploration of various vocal styles with a focus on classical art songs, arias, and folk songs. Repertoire will include art songs in foreign languages. Students will be expected to progress toward the next level of vocal skill. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 3010 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: MUS 2010 and permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.
Co-requisite: MUS 1900 or MUS 1910.

MUS 3110 Voice III (.5 – 1 semester hours)
Individual mastery of the technical production of vocal sound. Exploration of various vocal styles with a focus on classical art songs, arias, and folk songs. Repertoire will include art songs and arias in foreign languages. Students will be expected to progress toward the next level of vocal skill. Studio recital and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 3110 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: MUS 3010 and permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.
Co-requisite: MUS 1900 or MUS 1910.

MUS3210 Piano II (1 semester hour)
A continuation of Piano I.
Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of piano technique and completion of material in MUS2210 and MUS2220.

MUS3310 Piano III (1 semester hour)
A continuation of Piano II.
Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of piano technique and completion of material in MUS3210 and MUS3220.

MUS 4010 Voice IV (.5 – 1 semester hours)
Individual mastery of the technical production of vocal sound. Explore various vocal styles with a focus on classical art songs, arias, and folk songs. Advanced vocal techniques and repertoire ranging throughout all style periods and in foreign languages. Half recital of 6-8 songs and final jury examination for music faculty. A maximum of 2 semester hours of MUS 4010 may be counted toward graduation.
Prerequisite: MUS 3110 and permission of instructor based on successful vocal audition.

MUS4210 Piano IV(1 semester hour)
A continuation of Piano III.
Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of piano technique and completion of material in MUS3210 and MUS3220.

Academic information on departmental Web sites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.