Music- Course Descriptions

MU-297P Wind Ensemble-1 Cr. Hrs.- 2 Contact Hrs.  A select ensemble which is dedicated to preparing and performing the finest traditional contemporary and transcribed literature for Wind Ensemble. An emphasis is placed on understanding the pieces from an aesthetic and stylistic basis. The Wind Ensemble performs publicly and may include regional tours.

MU-297Q-Jayhawk Sound- 1 Cr. Hrs.- 2 Contact Hrs.  This ensemble is effectively the athletic activities band of the campus and performs at home sports events and possibly away tournaments as well as other community events. The ensemble offers students the opportunity to perform a large quantity of popular music. Instrumentation includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion and placement is determined by audition.

MU-297R-Jazz Ensemble- 1 Cr. Hrs.- 2 Contact Hrs.  A select big band Jazz Ensemble which provides students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform outstanding literature in contemporary and traditional big band jazz. The ensemble is dedicated to increasing the knowledge of jazz literature and improving skills in improvisation and ensemble playing. Special consideration is given to the rehearsal and performance of student compositions and arrangements. The Jazz Ensemble performs publicly and may include regional tours.

MU 50-89 Remedial Applied Music- 2 Cr. Hrs.- 2 Contact Hrs.  The following courses are designed for students who do not meet the freshman performance proficiency level as determined by the faculty.  Recommendation for participation in 100 numbered applied music courses will be made when the faculty feels that adequate advancement has been made by the student to perform at the level of a freshman music student. 

MU 100 Introduction to Music Theory- 3 Cr. Hrs.- 3 Contact Hrs.  Designed for students with little or no theoretical background who are considering music as their major field, or high school seniors who do not have access to a high school theory course.  Includes fundamentals to basic musicianship:  notation, clefs, scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, meter and tonality.

MU 101 Music Theory- 3 Cr. Hrs.- 3 Contact Hrs.  Co-requisite: MU 190A and MU 194.  Fundamentals of basic musicianship, including notation, clefs, scales, intervals, triads, meter, rhythm and tonality.  The analysis and writing of harmony in the styles of composers of the tonal period will be stressed.

MU 102 Music Theory- 3 Cr. Hrs.- 3 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisites: MU 101 and MU 190A.  Co-requisites: MU 191A and MU 195.  A continuation of MU 101.

MU 103 Introduction to Music Literature*-  3 Cr. Hrs.- 3 Contact Hrs.  A first course in listening to music designed primarily for students with little or no musical training.  Starting with the basic elements of music, the course uses extensive audio and visual materials, illustrating the development of music through the ages. 

MU 104CS College Singers- 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 Contact Hrs.  This is a performance ensemble for students with previous musical experience.  Auditions will be held at the first class session for placement within the group and to verify that the student and ensemble are a reasonable match.  High standards of musical performance are upheld.  There are performances held throughout the year for student and adult audiences. 

MU 105CS College Singers - 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 Contact Hrs.  An extension of MU 104CS.

MU 108CB Concert Band (West Michigan Concert WINDS) - 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 Contact Hrs.  This is a performance ensemble for students with previous musical experience.  Auditions will be held at the first class session for placement within the group and to verify that the student and ensemble are a reasonable match.  High standards of musical performance are upheld.  There are performances held throughout the year for student and adult audiences. 

MU 109CB Concert Band (West Michigan Concert WINDS) - 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 Contact Hrs.  An extension of MU 108CB.

MU 112 Woodwind Ensemble- 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: Consultation with instructor. 

MU 116 Percussion Ensemble- 1 Cr. Hr.- 2 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: Consultation with instructor. 

MU 117 Percussion Ensemble- 1 Cr. Hr. - 2 Contact Hrs.  A continuation of MU 116.

MU 118YSO West Michigan Youth Symphony- 1 Cr. Hr. - 2 Contact Hrs.  Students who play in the West Shore Youth Symphony may receive college ensemble credit.  This is a performance ensemble for students with previous musical experience.  Auditions will be held at the first class session for placement within the group and to verify that the student and ensemble are a reasonable match.

MU 127 to 147 Applied Music-Secondary Instrument- 1 Cr. Hr. - Variable Contact Hrs.  Private study on an instrument.  The student must meet with a private instructor a specified number of hours.  Attendance at studio class may be required and performance is encouraged.  Letters A, B, C, D, after number indicate semseters so that the correct number of credits will be shown on transcript.

MU 148 to 189 Applied Music- Primary Instrument- 2 Cr. Hrs. - Variable Contact Hrs.  Intensive private study on an instrument.  Must meet with a private instructor a specified number of hours per semester.  Attendance and performance at studio class may be required.  There is a public- recital at the end of the year. 

NOTE:  There are several setions of class piano.  Students with piano background should audition with instructor before enrolling. 

MU 190A Classical Piano for Music Majors- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  Co-requisite: MU 101 and MU 194.  This course is required of all music majors and is open also to students with some previous keyboard experience who can use these transferable humanities credits or desire the training.  Special emphasis is given to sight-reading, transposition, playing by ear, harmonizing melodies, accompaniments and scales. 

MU 190B Classical Piano (Non-Music Majors)- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  This course is open to any student who wishes to learn to play the piano.  No previous training or knowledge of music is necessary. 

MU 190C Classical Piano (Basic Piano)- 1 Cr. Hr. - 2 Contact Hrs.  This course in basic piano is a required corequisite for students in MU 192 unless requirements can be met by examination.  See instructor. 

MU 191A Classical Piano (Music Majors)- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 190A.  A continuation of MU 190A

MU 191B Classical Piano (Non-Music Majors)- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 190B.  A continuation of MU 190B.

MU 192 Music for the Classroom Teacher- 4 Cr. Hrs. - 4 Contact Hrs.  Co-requisite: MU 190C, unless requirements can be met by examintaion.  See instructor.  This course is required for future elementary classroom teachers.  No precious musical training is necessary.  The course provides a background in the fundamental elements of music through singing, playing classroom rhythm and melody instruments, recorder and autoharp.  Includes introduction to methods of teaching music, observation and participation in area schools. 

MU 194 Sight-Reading and Ear Training- 1 Cr. Hr. - 2 Contact Hrs.  Co-requisite: MU 101 and MU 190A.  The acquisition of the skills of melodic and rhythmic sight-reading and the disciplining of the ear to reproduce melodies, harmonies and rhythms by dictation. 

MU 195 Sight-Reading and Ear Training- 1 Cr. Hr. - 2 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 194.  A continuation of MU 194.

MU 198 Introduction to MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)- 3 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  An introductory course in the use and interface of synthesizers and computers.  There are no prerequisites and students do not need to have a synthesizer or a computer at home.  Involves 2-4 lab hours per week. 

MU 201 Advanced Theory- 4 Cr. Hrs. - 5 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 101 and MU 102.  Co-requisite: MU 290.  A continuation of Theory required of music majors.  It combines the elements of counter-point, form analysis and 20th century practices with an emphasis on creative writing and arranging.  Advanced sight-singing and melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictations are also stressed. 

MU 202 Advanced Theory- 4 Cr. Hrs. - 5 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 201.  Co-requisite: MU 291A.  A continuation of MU 201.

MU 203 Vocal and Instrumental Conducting Techniques- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 2 Contact Hrs.  Practical methods and conducting techniques for instrumental and vocal ensembles, with emphasis on rehearsal preparation, interpretation and performance, and basic communication between conductor and ensemble members. 

MU 248 to 289 Applied Music- Advanced Instrument- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 2 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of study on the same instrument at the 100- level.  Private study of an instrument.  The student must meet with private instructor a minimum of 13 hours per semseter.  Attendance and performance at studio is required.  There is a staff audition at the end of each semester and a public recital at the end of the year. 

MU 290 Classical Piano- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  Co-requisite: MU 201.  A continuation of the freshman piano class plus the addition of clef and vocal score reading.  Required of all music majors unless they are able to pass the requirements at the end of their freshman year. 

MU 291 Classical Piano- 2 Cr. Hrs. - 3 Contact Hrs.  Prerequisite: MU 290A.  A continuation of MU 290A.

*Denotes a course that contains an International Component.