Ensembles
The following ensembles may be taken for 0–1 credit each semester. No more than four ensemble credits may be applied toward the total graduation requirement of 122 credits.
MU103 Chamber Orchestra 0-1 credits
Chamber Orchestra studies and performs a wide variety of challenging literature, fostering the musical growth of its members.
MU104 Percussion Ensemble (Batucada Nossa Senhora) 0-1 credits
This course is an exploration of world music with an emphasis on the styles of South America. By combining percussion with various other instruments and voices, unique performances are presented each semester representing diverse cultures.
MU105 Concert Band 0-1 credits
The concert band performs quality literature from all time periods and styles, and performs twice each semester. All musicians with high school band experience are encouraged to join; chair placement auditions are held early each semester. Open to all SMU students, SMU faculty, and community musicians.
MU107 Chamber Ensembles 0-1 credits
This course is a small select ensemble open to students by audition or consent of the director. Repertoire includes works from Renaissance to contemporary. Woodwinds, brass, percussion and keyboard players are welcome. Past ensembles included woodwind quintet, brass quintet, flute choir, sax quartet, mixed ensembles with keyboard, and string quartet. First year students and sophomores only; juniors and seniors should take MU307.
MU108 Jazz Ensemble 0-1 credits
This touring ensemble places emphasis on performance and improvisation through large and small ensembles. It is open to all students and faculty with the consent of the instructor.
MU110 Jazz Workshop Combo 0-1 credits
This group is for students interested in developing skills in jazz improvisation, technique and basic jazz repertoire. No previous experience is required although some knowledge of music theory and good basic sound and technique on your instrument is recommended. Recommended for Music Education majors.
MU140 Women’s Choir 0-1 credits
The SMU women’s choir performs a rich variety of repertoire composed for female voices. The choir is open to all female singers and rehearses weekly. The women’s choir performs twice each semester. Previous choral experience is helpful, but not required.
MU250 Concert Choir 0-1 credits
This large mixed choir enjoys a commitment to musical excellence and to a mission of artistic and spiritual outreach both on and off campus. The Concert Choir performs a varied repertoire ranging from choral/instrumental masterworks to spirituals and folk arrangements. Open by audition to all singers in the SMU community.
MU301 Chamber Singers 0-1 credits
This small, select ensemble is open to students by audition only. Emphasis is placed upon performance of the finest choral repertoire from all periods, including madrigals, motets, and contemporary literature. Sight reading ability and vocal experience are required.
MU305 Wind Ensemble 0-1 credits
This select instrumental ensemble is open by audition to wind, brass, keyboard and percussion players. Repertoire performed is from all periods with emphasis placed on original works. Advanced performance skills and sight reading ability are required.
MU307 Chamber Ensembles 0-1 credits
This course is a small select ensemble open to students by audition or consent of the director. Repertoire includes works from Renaissance to contemporary. Woodwinds, brass, percussion and keyboard players are welcome. Past ensembles included woodwind quintet, brass quintet, flute choir, sax quartet, mixed ensembles with keyboard, and string ensemble. Juniors and seniors only.
MU315 Jazz Combo I 0-1 credits
This is a group for intermediate/advanced students of jazz improvisation. The group tours regionally and internationally with performing faculty members. Prerequisites: MU110 or equivalent, audition, and consent of the director.
Department Courses
MT298 Field Exploration 1–3 credits
This course offers students opportunities for applied learning based on the students’ interests and professional goals. Students work with SMU faculty members and technical staff to develop individual plans for the on- or off-campus field exploration. The course requires the consent of department chair and music technology director.
MT302 Digital Music Technology 2 credits
This course is an extension of concepts explored in MU300. Advanced concepts of music notation, recording, sampling, sequencing techniques, applications of music education software and music on the internet are studied. The course is a combination of lecture demonstrations and creative assignments completed by the students. Presentations by industry professionals are a part of the course when relevant. Prerequisite: MU300 or equivalent experience.
MT303 Digital Music Technology Lab 1 credit
The lab for this course adds a “hands on” dimension to concepts introduced in MT302. Students use the lab time for guided assistance in completing assignments and projects pertaining to the class. Students run recording sessions and use lab assignments to explore various components of editing and mixing audio.
MT310 Introduction to Sound Recording 2 credits
This course is a basic introduction to various analog and digital recording techniques. It includes an overview of microphone selection and placement, multi-track recording, basic mixing, signal processing and basic acoustics. Prerequisite: MT302 and MU300.
MT311 Introduction to Sound Recording Lab 1 credit
This course includes work on student recording projects and assignments on and off campus. Students gain valuable hands on experience planning, recording and mixing their own multi-track recording sessions; must be taken concurrently with MT310.
MT320 Advanced Applications of Recording & Audio Production 2 credits
This course delves into the actual methods used to produce projects for business, communications, marketing and professional commerce driven music projects. Prerequisites: MT310 and MT311.
MT321 Advanced Applications of Recording & Audio Production Lab 1 credit
This lab focuses on “real projects” for business and music. The class works on a music project and a business project, both of which are designed to create solutions for the entertainment and communications industries. This course includes 2 track stereo recording, multi track recording, and an examination of how acoustics can effect recording.
MT330 Advanced Applications of Audio Post Production & Sound Design 2 credits
This course includes the work of post-production, editing, mastering and sound design concepts. Prerequisites: MT320 and MT321.
MT331 Advanced Applications of Audio Post Production & Sound Design Lab 1 credit
This course allows students to complete complex editing and master sound design projects that replicate the challenges they will encounter in their careers; must be taken concurrently with MT330.
MT340 Fundamentals of Live Audio Production 2 credits
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of live audio production including equipment selection and utilization. Prerequisites: MT310 and MT311.
MT341 Fundamentals of Live Audio Production Lab 1 credit
This course utilizes a hands-on approach to learning live audio by producing live shows on and off campus; must be taken concurrently with MT340.
MU125 Keyboard Musicianship I 2 credits
This course is an introduction to the keyboard for music majors with limited keyboard background. Emphasis is on functional skills such as reading, transposing, harmonizing, improvising, and playing by ear, along with keyboard theory, technique, and repertoire. A grade of “C” or higher in both the final exam and course are required to fulfill the piano proficiency requirement. Music majors only.
MU126 Keyboard Musicianship II 2 credits
This course is a continuation of Keyboard Musicianship I with further development of keyboard skills focused on raising the level of technical proficiency and increasing the students’ competence in keyboard improvisation, harmonization, sight reading, and scales. A grade of “C” or higher in both the final exam and course are required to fulfill the piano proficiency requirement. Prerequisite: MU125 and music majors only.
MU130 Music Fundamentals I 1 credit
This course is designed to be an introduction to music reading and understanding. The fundamentals of pitch and rhythm are covered along with ear training and score reading in this computer-assisted course.
MU131 Music Fundamentals II 1 credit
This is a continuation of Music Fundamentals I. Prerequisite: MU130 or permission of instructor.
MU150 Experiencing Music 3 credits
This course is designed to arouse interest in and enjoyment of music from its beginning through medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic music to the 20th century including various styles and genres of non-western music. This course is required for music majors and minors but is open to non-majors with the instructor’s permission.
MU160 Music Theory I 3 credits
This course is designed for students interested in increasing their knowledge of the basic elements of music. Concepts covered include: keys, scales, simple and compound rhythms, intervals, triads, 7th chords, principles of voice leading, harmonic progression, cadences, phrases and periods. Prerequisite: MU130 and MU131 or permission of instructor.
MU165 Music Theory II 3 credits
This course is a continuation of Music Theory I. Concepts covered are non-chord tones, use of triad inversions, secondary functions, modulation, binary and ternary forms, mode mixture. Prerequisite: MU160 or permission of instructor.
MU170 Ear Training I 2 credits
This is a lab course. The objective of this course is to develop aural skills involving melody, rhythm and harmony. Concepts covered include: identification of intervals and scales, sight-singing and one voice melodic and rhythmic dictations.
MU171 Piano Class 3 credits
This course is a basic introduction to music and the piano Students learn to read music and become familiar with basic music vocabulary while developing keyboard skills. In addition, students develop an understanding of the historical and social context surrounding piano music and performing pianists.
MU175 Ear Training II 2 credits
This is a lab course and is a continuation of Ear Training I. The objective of this course is to continue to develop aural skills involving melody, rhythm and harmony. Concepts covered include: sight-singing, advanced one voice dictation, simple two voice dictation, identification of chord structures, error detection and simple harmonic dictation. Prerequisite: MU170 or permission of instructor.
MU181 Voice Class 2 credits
An introduction to vocal production, breathing, tone development, diction, vocal improvisation and appropriate repertoire.
MU191 Guitar Class 1 credit
A practical introduction to the guitar designed for beginning students. Basic technique, chords, styles and simple melodies will be covered. Recommended for Music Education majors.
MU240 Percussion Methods 2 credits
MU241 Brass Methods 2 credits
MU242 Woodwind Methods 2 credits
MU243 String Methods 2 credits
These courses are designed to acquaint the music student with the materials, techniques and problems involved in the teaching, conducting and performance of the various instruments. Courses required for music education majors.
MU255 Jazz History 3 credits
This course examines unique Western and non-Western aspects of jazz and its relationship to the Afro-American culture. It is intended to give students an introduction to various styles of jazz from its beginning in the early 1900s to the present. Students study the cultural context of jazz, what to listen for and some basic aspects of how it is performed.
MU260 Music Theory III 3 credits
This course is a continuation of Music Theory II. Music Theory III, along with its predecessors, Music Theory I–II, enables the student to think critically about music of all periods and styles. The course teaches the student the technical vocabulary to discuss music with other music professionals, and how to approach music intellectually to enhance the understanding and performance of the music. Concepts covered include Neapolitan and Augmented Sixth chords, Sonata form, Rondo, Sonata-Rondo and Fugue. Prerequisite: MU165 or permission of instructor.
MU270 Ear Training III 2 credits
This is a lab course and is a continuation of Ear Training II. The objective of this course is to continue to develop aural skills involving melody, rhythm and harmony. Concepts covered include: complex one voice dictation, two voice dictation, harmonic dictation and complex sight singing. Prerequisite: MU175 or permission of instructor.
MU299 Sophomore Review 0 credit
A comprehensive review of transcripts, a portfolio of work, and a juried performance examination normally occurring during the second semester of the sophomore year.
MU300 Introduction to Electronic Music & MIDI 2 credits
This course is intended to give students an introduction to the history of electronic music, MIDI applications including computer interfacing, and provide an introduction to music scoring, editing, recording and printing music using computers, music education software and music resources on the internet.
MU341 Music History I 3 credits
This course is a writing intensive study of music history covering ancient, medieval, renaissance, and baroque western art music. A basic understanding of the history of western civilization is expected. Prerequisite: MU130 or equivalent.
MU342 Music History II 3 credits
This course is a continuation of MU341. It is a writing intensive study of music history continuing through the classical, romantic and contemporary periods. Prerequisite: MU341 or consent of instructor.
MU360 20th Century Analysis 2 credits
This course is a continuation of Music Theory III. Concepts covered include: Atonality, Dodecaphonic music, Serialism. Prerequisite: MU260 or permission of instructor.
MU365 Counterpoint 2 credits
This course will examine specific counterpoint techniques as practiced by J.S. Bach and later composers of the 18th Century. Prerequisite: MU260 or permission of instructor.
MU366 Piano Pedagogy 3 credits
Survey of teaching methods and materials for piano majors comprises the course.
MU368 Keyboard Literature 3 credits
This is a course designed to survey literature available for keyboard, to help potential teachers choose solos, duos, and duets for all levels of performance.
MU374 Vocal Pedagogy 3 credits
This course is a survey of techniques and problems of voice instruction for individuals and vocal groups. Prerequisite: MU181 and/or two semesters of private voice study. Required for classroom/vocal education majors.
MU375 Vocal Literature 3 credits
This course is designed to help potential teachers choose literature for all types of voices.
MU377 Instrumental Literature 1 credit
This course is designed to help potential teachers and performers choose literature appropriate to specific instruments and chamber music ensembles.
MU378 Instrumental Pedagogy 1 credit
This course is a survey of techniques and problems of instrumental instruction, designed for the future studio teacher.
MU382 Conducting 3 credits
This is an advanced course designed for students who plan to conduct instrumental and choral groups in private and public schools, churches, communities. Prerequisite: MU160 or equivalent.
MU383 Arranging 3 credits
This course presents a detailed study of the major instrument families and the human voice, and how to score and arrange for them. Prerequisite: MU160, MU170, and MU300, or consent of instructor.
MU390 Junior (Half) Recital 1 credit
The half recital is required for music performance majors as a preparation for senior recital and for music education majors.
MU392 Music Business 3 credits
A series of guest presenters representing diverse fields within the music business offers insight as to their work in the music industry. This course provides an overview of some basic aspects of the music business including: copyright and publishing, music merchandising, some aspects of licensing, career management and promotion, networking and influences of technology.
MU429 Teaching Music K–6 3 credits
This course content includes current methodologies, teaching strategies, procedures and resources specific to elementary and middle school music teaching.
MU430 Teaching Music 7–12 3 credits
This course includes resources, methodology, strategies, and procedures for meeting problems specific to teaching music at the middle and secondary level.
MU449 Seminar 1–2 credits
Selected topics in world music, instrumental and vocal literature, pedagogy, and technology.
MU450 Arts Administration: Theory and Practice 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of arts administration as it applies to the performing arts, visual arts, and arts services organizations. Arts explored include management models, marketing, development, finances and facilities management and planning. Students apply knowledge in these areas to an arts organization which they create in class. The course culminates with the students presenting their projects in executive session. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
MU451-469 Special Topics 1–3 credits
Special topics may be offered depending on student and faculty interests. Past topics have included advanced conducting, chamber music literature and current issues in music education.
MU490 Senior (Full) Recital 1 credit
The culmination of four years of university private music instruction and music department recital performing experience; required for music performance majors.
MU496/7 Music Internship 1-17 credits
The music internship is designed for both music education majors and music technology majors. For music education majors, this pre-student teaching internship is a partnership program with Bluffview Montessori School in Winona, MN. Students work in a supervised environment teaching 7-8th grade general music. This internship is designed only for music education majors and may be repeated.
Off campus music internships are also available for credit using a wide range of professional venues for students in the music industry tracks, which are required for the music business track and available for the music technology track. Music industry internships are generally done in the senior year. They provide students with experience and valuable networking contacts in the professional world of music. Students should meet with the internship office in their junior year.
Applied Music (Private Instruction) 0-2 credits
Private lessons are available to students with a strong commitment to practice and meet all of the obligations of their private instruction. Students who do not display this commitment may be dropped by the instructor at mid-term. Students who take private lessons are strongly encouraged to participate in ensembles. Students must schedule a lesson time with their instructor by signing up in the music department by the second day classes are in session; students may forfeit their right to instruction if they delay in signing up for a lesson. As part of their private study students are required to attend music department recitals. Students who take instruction for 0 credit must have approval from the department chair and a full 17 credit load.
Students are placed in lesson levels according to major and initial proficiency level. The following table lists typical initial placement and minimum graduation proficiency levels. All 100 and 200 level lessons are one thirty-minute lesson per week; all 300 and 400 level lessons are one hour lesson per week. No more than four 100 and 200 level lesson credits may be applied toward the total graduation requirement of 122 credits. |
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