Courses Offered
Music
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and is subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
COURSES IN MUSIC HISTORY/CULTURE AND THEORY
MUS100. Fundamentals. (A) Every Semester
A first course in music for students with little or no formal training or background. Emphasis on basic musicianship, including keyboard orientation and the ability to read and sing simple melodies in treble and bass clefs, in both major and minor modes and in a variety of meters. Additional topics include the notation of pitch and rhythm, scales, key signatures, time signatures, intervals, triads and basic score navigation. No musical background is required. W. Wright
MUS101. Introduction to Music. (A) Every Spring
Survey of Western art music designed to develop perceptive listening, with emphasis on the study of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic organization, color, texture and form. No musical background is required. Alajaji
MUS102. Introduction to World Music. (A) (NW) Every Fall
Survey of music from a global perspective with emphasis on the study of music’s relation to culture. Includes cross-cultural comparison of music’s rhythmic, melodic and harmonic organization, in addition to color, texture and form. Features case studies from Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. No musical background required. Students who already read music should enroll in MUS 229. Alajaji
MUS104. Music and Stage: First-Year Seminar. (A)(W) Every Fall
A study of the conventions of the musical stage; how music functions as a vehicle for dramatic action in stage works based on differing theories of drama. At the core of the course are video recordings of operas and lighter works (operettas, musical comedies, etc.) by composers as varied as Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Britten, Gershwin, Bernstein, Sondheim and Picker. No musical background required. Gustafson
MUS105. Jazz. (A) Fall 2009
The origin of jazz, from its roots to the present day with emphasis on stylistic distinctions. Considers African and European contributions, blues types, New Orleans jazz, Harlem Stride, Swing, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, fusion, neo-classical and acid jazz, touching on most major figures and their contributions. Each stylistic period studied from an economic and sociological viewpoint with emphasis on form, texture, improvisation, harmony, rhythm and timbre. Butterfield
MUS106. History of the Blues. (A) Spring 2010
Blues history from its origins to the Blues Revival of the 1960s. Emphasis on the Delta blues tradition of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Additional topics include: oral formulaic composition; politics of race and sex in the blues; the blues as a “secular religion”; the music business; appropriations of blues style in jazz and rock; and the ongoing function of the blues as a core signifier of “blackness” in American culture. Same as AFS 106. Butterfield
MUS107. Composing: First-Year Seminar. (A)(W) Every Fall
Various aspects of the compositional process will be examined both through the study of composers’ writings and works and the creation of several short original pieces for various instrumentations. Ability to read music required. Carbon
MUS215. Composition. (A) Spring 2011
Fundamentals of musical composition based on appropriate models. Projects for solo instrument, voice or small ensembles will emphasize individual elements of music: form; rhythm; melody; harmony; and texture. Prerequisite: MUS 100, MUS 222, or permission of the instructor. Carbon
MUS222. Theory 1: Basic Harmony and Form. (A) Every Fall
Beginning with a review of fundamentals, the course covers harmonization in four parts, voice-leading, modulation and the composition of short binary pieces or variations. Prerequisite: MUS 100 or permission of the instructor; should be taken concurrently with MUS 224. Carbon
MUS223. Theory 2: Advanced Harmony and Form. (A) Every Spring
Chromatic harmonic practices, including enharmonic modulations and altered chords. Composition and analysis of rondo or sonata forms. Prerequisite: MUS 222; should be taken concurrently with MUS 225. Carbon
MUS224. Musicianship 1. (A) Every Fall
The course develops ear-training and keyboard skills by way of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation, sight-singing and beginning harmonization at the keyboard. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor; should be taken concurrently with MUS 222 (one-half credit). Norcross, W. Wright
MUS225. Musicianship 2. (A) Every Spring
A continuation of Music 224. Additional topics include modulation and score reading. (Prerequisite: MUS 224 and permission of the instructor; should be taken concurrently with MUS 223 (one-half credit). W. Wright
MUS229. Music in Cultural Perspective. (A) (NW) Every Spring
A study of the notion and role of music in selected music cultures. After exploring key concepts associated with music’s universal functions, the course will study rhythm, melody, timbre, texture, harmony, form and transmission from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisite: Ability to read music. Alajaji
MUS230. Music History 1: Antiquity to 1750. (A) Every Fall
Western art music from early Gregorian chant through the florid art of the Baroque period. Includes the major stylistic developments as found in the works of Josquin, Monteverdi, Bach, Handel and other composers. Prerequisite: Ability to read music. Gustafson
MUS231. Music History 2: 1750 to Present. (A) Every Spring
The stylistic development of Western art music in the Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. Selected works from each era are the focal point of the study. Prerequisite: Ability to read music. Gustafson
MUS323.Theory 3: Chromatic and Post-Tonal Vocabularies. (A) Every Fall
Analytical study of the rhythmic, harmonic and formal practices of Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartók, Schoenberg, Messiaen and other composers of the last century. Includes atonal and serial music, with an introduction to set theory. Composition of short pieces using course materials. Prerequisite: MUS 223 or permission of the instructor. Carbon
MUS430. Music Criticism. (A) Spring 2011
A seminar studying various genres of writing about music including musical diaries, analyses, musicological essays, program notes and reviews of performances. Major works being performed in New York City or on campus provide the central repertory for the seminar. Satisfies the writing requirement in the music major. Prerequisites: MUS 230, MUS 231, MUS 222, or permission of the instructor. Gustafson
MUS490. Independent Study. Every Semester
Independent study directed by the music staff. Permission of the chairperson.
COURSES IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
MUS240. Conducting. (A) Every Spring
Develops skills in conducting, including score study, conducting gestures, aural discrimination skills and rehearsal strategies. Final project is to rehearse and conduct a performance of a large college ensemble. Course includes an individual weekly lesson and two weekly master classes. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Norcross
One-half credit for participation in the following performing ensembles is accumulated over any consecutive two-semester sequence and is awarded at the end of the second semester of participation; students who wish to receive credit should enroll in the 100-level course in the first semester of participation and the 200-level course in the second.
MUS150, 250. The Franklin & Marshall College Chorus. Every Semester
A large choral group of approximately eighty singers that concentrates on the masterpieces of the choral repertory, both a capella and with orchestra. Two rehearsals per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. W. Wright
MUS151, 251. The Franklin & Marshall Chamber Singers. Every Semester
A select vocal ensemble of twenty-four singers selected by audition. Repertory includes music from a wide range of musical styles and time periods. In addition to on-campus performances, the group embarks on annual tours. Two rehearsals per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. W. Wright
MUS152, 252. The Franklin & Marshall Orchestra. Every Semester
A full orchestra with approximately seventy performers focusing on masterpieces of the orchestral repertoire. Two rehearsals per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. Norcross
MUS153, 253. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Every Semester
A large ensemble for woodwinds, brass and percussionists with approximately fifty performers. Repertory ranges from masterworks of the concert band tradition to new works written for wind ensemble. Two rehearsals per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. Norcross
MUS154, 254. The Philharmonia. Every Semester
The elite chamber orchestra and chamber wind ensemble with approximately thirty performers. Repertory includes works for full small orchestra as well as just strings and just winds. Two rehearsals per week. Prerequisite: Permission of the director and member of either the Franklin & Marshall Orchestra or The Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Norcross
MUS155, 255. The Jazz Ensemble. Every Semester
Performs music from big band to progressive jazz. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. Laboranti
In addition to the credit-bearing courses above, faculty-directed, non-credit performance opportunities such as opera workshop and the pep band are also a part of musical life at the College.
Studio lessons receive one-half credit per semester and at the 200 level may be repeated.
The semester before a Senior Recital (only), students may enroll for lessons at the 300 level as “Recital Preparation” (e.g., MUS 385 Recital Preparation: Voice). Prerequisite: a minimum of two semesters of credit-bearing lessons in the same instrument at the 200 level.
The semester of a Senior Recital (only), students may enroll for lessons at the 400 level as “Senior Recital” (e.g., MUS 485 Senior Recital: Voice). Prerequisite: one semester of Recital Preparation at the 300 level.
MUS280 A. Flute. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Flute. Admission by audition with the instructor. Trolier
MUS280 B. Oboe. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Oboe. Admission by audition with the instructor. Deemer
MUS280 C. Bassoon. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Bassoon. Admission by audition with the instructor. Kelley
MUS280 D. Clarinet. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Clarinet. Admission by audition with the instructor. Hall-Gulati
MUS280 E. Saxophone. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Saxophone. Admission by audition with the instructor. Laboranti
MUS281 A. Trumpet. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Trumpet. Admission by audition with the instructor. Laudermilch
MUS281 B. Horn. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Horn. Admission by audition with the instructor. Pfaffle
MUS281 C. Low Brass. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Low Brass. Admission by audition with the instructor. Walls
MUS282 A. Violin. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Violin. Admission by audition with the instructor. Jamanis
MUS282 B. Viola. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Viola. Admission by audition with the instructor. Mu
MUS282 C. Cello. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in ’Cello. Admission by audition with the instructor. Male
MUS282 D. Double Bass. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Double Bass. Admission by audition with the instructor. Howell
MUS283. Percussion. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Percussion. Admission by audition with the instructor. Yingling
MUS284 A. Piano. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Piano. Admission by audition with the instructor. Keller
MUS284 B. Harpsichord. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Harpsichord. Admission by audition with the instructor. Gustafson
MUS285. Voice. Every Semester
Private lessons and masterclass in Voice. Admission by audition with the instructor. Geyer, Noel
The Music Department also offers private non-credit lessons for a fee in the above areas through its “Artist/Teacher Program.” Students with a financial aid package may request the Student Aid Office to take this fee into account in their aid award.
TOPICS COURSES TO BE OFFERED IN 2009–2010
Bebop.
Popular Music and Societies.
