Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

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Course Descriptions

Music
(MUSC)

(faculty, see Department of Performance Studies)

102. Fundamentals of Music. (3-0). Credit 3.

Introduction to the basic elements of music (pitch, rhythm, scales, intervals and triads) and how these elements interrelate to form musical compositions; the application of musical understanding to particular instruments such as the guitar, keyboard, recorder and voice.

200. Topics in Music. (3-0). Credit 3.

The study of a circumscribed musical topic in its sociohistorical context; emphasis on the aesthetic, social and cultural issues affecting music rather than on technical analysis. May be repeated for credit.

201. (MUSI 1306) Music and the Human Experience. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II

An introduction to music and related issues; designed to enhance the student's knowledge and perception of music; selected works in various styles within historical, psychological and aesthetic contexts.

204. Music Theory I. (2-1). Credit 2.

Basic concepts of harmonic and contrapuntal structures in diatonic tonal music, musical analysis of these structures, and musical composition; using these structures for piano solo, voice and piano and other small ensembles; includes harmonic progression, root/first/second inversion harmonies, cadences and 2v 1st-, 2nd-, and 4th-species counterpoint. Prerequisite: MUSC 102 and music major or minor status.

205. Music Theory II. (2-1). Credit 2.

Continuation of harmonic and contrapuntal principles in chromatic tonal music, musical analysis of these structures, and musical composition using these structures for small ensembles; includes secondary functions, common-chord modulation, basic reductive techniques and compound melody, phrase structure, 2v imitative counterpoint, and 2v 3rd- and 5th-species. Prerequisite: MUSC 204 and 208.

206. Music Theory III. (2-1). Credit 2.

Continued study of harmonic, contrapuntal and set-theoretical principles, composition and analysis of highly chromatic tonal music and twentieth-century music; includes mode mixture, Neapolitans, augmented sixths, "tall" chords, substitute chords, passing harmonies, enharmonicism, extended chromaticism, modes, artificial scales, impressionism, pandiatonicism, atonality, serialism, aleatory, sound mass, minimalism and electronic music. Prerequisite: MUSC 205 and 210.

207. Form and Analysis. (2-1). Credit 2.

Focus on phrase structure, traditional small and large forms in full score, Baroque compositional procedures, reductive (pre-Shenkerian) analytical techniques and Schoenbergian composition theory; extensive listening, reading and analysis; includes binary, ternary, rondo, variation, sonata and fugue; musicianship studies from earlier courses. Prerequisite: MUSC 206 and 212.

208. Musicianship I. (0-2). Credit 1.

Application of concepts taught in MUSC 204; focus on ear training, aural analysis, sight singing, rhythm and rudimentary keyboard skills. Prerequisites: MUSC 102, and music major or minor; concurrent enrollment in MUSC 204

210. Musicianship II. (0-2). Credit 1.

Application of concepts taught in corequisite course MUSC 205; focus on ear training, aural analysis, sight singing, rhythm and rudimentary keyboard skills. Prerequisites: MUSC 204 and 208.

212. Musicianship III. (0-2). Credit 1.

Application of concepts taught in MUSC 206; focus on ear training, aural analysis, sight singing, rhythm and rudimentary keyboard skills. Prerequisites: MUSC 205 and 210.

214. Perspectives on World Music. (3-0). Credit 3.

A thematic overview of basic issues in ethnomusicology; provides students with an appreciation for the diversity of ways in which music sound and music making are organized in world cultures; includes music making and the performance event, music and identity, music and nationalism, and music and globalization. Prerequisites: MUSC 204, ENGL 104 and ANTH 201, or approval of instructor.

215. Fieldwork in World Music. (3-0). Credit 3.

Hands-on experience with readings in and critical analysis of ethnographic musical research; philosophies and practices of fieldwork on the world's music. Prerequisites: MUSC 214 or approval of instructor.

245. Composition I. (0-2). Credit 1.

Instruction in composition; the writing of small-form musical compositions employing contemporary styles; techniques in writing for instrumental, vocal, electronic and mixed-media resources. May be taken 2 times for credit. Prerequisite: MUSC 207 or approval of instructor.

250. (MUSI 1181, 1182, 2181, 2182) Individual Performance--Piano I. (0-2). Credit 1.

Instruction in piano performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

251. Individual Performance--Voice I. (0-2). Credit 1.

Instruction in vocal performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

252. Individual Performance--Band and Orchestra Instrument Performance I. (0-2). Credit 1.

Instruction in instrumental performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

280. Ensemble Performance--Symphonic Band. (0-3). Credit 1.

Three select musical performing ensembles (symphonic, concert and campus bands) composed of 65 to 100 members each and devoted to learning the extensive literature written for wind band; activities include at least two concerts per semester; annual tours during spring for the symphonic band. Students may register in up to but no more than two different sections of this course. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

281. Ensemble Performance--Small Ensembles. (0-3). Credit 1.

Participation in small ensemble performance; the study and performance of small ensemble repertory from all historical periods and styles. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

282. Ensemble Performance--Jazz Ensemble. (0-3). Credit 1.

A select musical performing ensemble of 18 to 25 members devoted to performing all styles and periods of jazz music from big band to modern jazz; activities include at least 2 performances each semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

285. Directed Studies. (0-3). Credit 1.

Directed studies in specific problems in identified areas of music. May be repeated for credit up to 9 hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

286. Ensemble Performance--Symphony Orchestra. (0-3). Credit 1.

Participation in the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, a community/university ensemble; includes rehearsals off campus and varying course requirements depending on the setting and needs of the student. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

289. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of music. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

290. Ensemble Performance--Choir. (0-3). Credit 1.

A select musical performing ensemble composed of 40 to 70 members devoted to learning and performing works from the vast repertory of choral music from all historical periods and styles; several performances, occasionally with orchestra, each semester on and off campus. Students may register in up to but no more than two different sections of this course. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Satisfactory audition.

302. Sonic Design. (3-0). Credit 3.

For the student who has obtained a thorough knowledge of music theory; focus on significant styles and techniques in contemporary music including jazz and popular trends; understanding of contemporary sonic design achieved through written exercises, reading, and critical listening. Prerequisite: MUSC 207 or approval of instructor.

311. Music in Early Western Culture. (3-0). Credit 3.

Survey of styles, genres, and forms in Western music, focusing on the lives and works of the principal composers from Greek antiquity to the end of the Baroque period within the context of political, social and cultural developments. Prerequisite: MUSC 205 or approval of instructor.

312. Music in Modern Western Culture. (3-0). Credit 3.

Survey of styles, genres, and forms in Western music, focusing on the lives and works of the principal composers from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present within the context of political, social and cultural developments. Prerequisite: MUSC 205 or approval of instructor.

315. Music in the 20th Century. (3-0). Credit 3.

The understanding and enjoyment of twentieth century music; survey of the broad panorama of the contemporary scene and an assessment of the forces that have shaped the musical climate we inhabit. Prerequisite: MUSC 206 or approval of instructor.

316. Music and Technology. (3-1). Credit 3.

The study of music produced with the aid of electronic and computer technologies; critical listening and analysis of music literature; understanding of technical concepts; required laboratory provides creative practical experience in studio and live performance applications of sound synthesis, digital sampling, signal processing, MIDI sequencing, hard disk recording and multimedia. Prerequisite: MUSC 206 or approval of instructor.

317. Sound Recording. (3-0). Credit 3.

A theoretical and practical study of studio recording techniques; acoustics and psychoacoustics, microphone selection and placement, multitrack digital recording and mixing, digital signal processing, MIDI and SMPTE synchronization, and audio post-production techniques; recording projects designed to develop engineering skills and techniques. Prerequisite: MUSC 316 or approval of instructor.

318. Electronic Composition. (3-0). Credit 3.

Project-based study of techniques for writing electronic and mixed media music; critical analysis of important electroacoustic works; software and hardware based sound synthesis, sampling, digital signal processing, MIDI sequencing and interactive music programming techniques. Prerequisite: MUSC 316 or approval of instructor.

319. Music in the United States. (3-0). Credit 3.

Explores musical tradition found within the United States, native as well as imported, written and oral, amateur and professional, classical and popular, regional and international among both majority and minority populations and communities from the Civil War to the present. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

321. The Symphony Orchestra and Its Music. (3-0). Credit 3.

The development of the symphony orchestra with particular attention to its vast musical repertory, and the colorful personalities associated with it; the organization and management of this musical institution including local arts support and volunteerism. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

324. Music in World Cultures. (3-0). Credit 3.

Examines music from an ethnomusicological perspective focusing on musical performance and the complex interrelationship of music to culture, society, and daily life; surveys music from a variety of cultures through a series of case studies. Prerequisite: MUSC 102 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with ANTH 324.

325. Dance and World Cultures. (3-0). Credit 3.

Examination of international relationships between dance, culture, identity, gender, youth and politics; relationships between dancing, gender and politics in northern Greece; variety of dance practices around the globe. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross-listed with PERF 325.

326. Dance and Identity in the United States. (3-0). Credit 3.

Analysis of dance events as complex sites for social action; examines dances performed by diverse groups of people; considers such issues as identity, community, diversity, gender and representation in the United States. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross-listed with PERF 326.

327. Popular Musics in the African Diaspora. (3-0). Credit 3.

Examines a range of popular musics from the twentieth century that have emerged in conjunction with the historical global spread of peoples and cultures from the African continent; technical knowledge about music is not required; focuses on social and cultural contexts for popular music. Prerequisite: MUSC 324 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with PERF 327.

345. Composition II. (0-2). Credit 1.

Advanced instruction in composition; the writing of large-form musical compositions employing contemporary styles; techniques in writing for instrumental, vocal, electronic and mixed-media resources. May be taken 2 times for credit. Prerequisite: MUSC 245 or approval of instructor.

350. Individual Performance--Piano II. (0-2). Credit 1.

Advanced instruction in piano performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: MUSC 250 or approval of instructor.

351. Individual Performance--Voice II. (0-2). Credit 1.

Advanced instruction in vocal performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: MUSC 251 or approval of instructor.

352. Individual Performance--Band and Orchestra Instrument Performance II. (0-2). Credit 1.

Advanced instruction in instrumental performance; the study of a broad range of literature with special emphasis on the historical and theoretical aspects that reveal the performance practices of specific periods; individual and group laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: MUSC 252 or permission of instructor.

400. Senior Seminar and Project. (3-0). Credit 3.

Senior thesis on an individually-chosen research topic, presentation of a recital, or composition of a major work. Prerequisite: Senior classification (completion of all 300- and 400-level coursework required for the B.A. in Music).

402. Music and Sound for Media. (3-0). Credit 3.

Study of theory, history literature and techniques of music composition and sound design for film, theatre, dance and interactive media; examination of the collaborative creative process; projects in sound design and composition. Prerequisites: MUSC 317 and 318 or approval of instructor.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 3.

Directed studies in specific problem areas of music. May be repeated for credit up to 9 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of music. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.