Bachelor of Art in Music (B.A.M.) Requirements
(108-116 credits)
B.A.M. Requirements (56 credits)
Concentrations (9 credits)
Note: Students may choose a minor in place of a concentration.
CAS General Education Curriculum (43-50 credits)
B.A.M. Requirements
(56 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choirs | ||
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir (2 terms) | 2 |
| CR 209 | Schola Cantorum (2 terms) | 2 |
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir (4 terms) | 4 |
| Applied Music and Diction | ||
| Choose one primary from Organ, Piano or Voice. | ||
| OR 168A | Applied Organ (Complete each semester for a total of 8 semesters) 1 | 16 |
| or PI 168A | Applied Piano | |
| or VC 168A | Applied Voice | |
| Piano or Voice secondary (4 terms) | 4 | |
| Piano Secondary I | ||
or PI 104 | Piano Secondary II | |
| Voice Secondary | ||
| VC 115 | English & Italian Diction 2 | 2 |
| VC 116 | French & German Diction 2 | 2 |
| Theory and Music History | ||
| TH 141 | Musicianship I | 4 |
| TH 142 | Musicianship II | 4 |
| TH 241 | Musicianship III | 4 |
| MH 247 | Music Historiography I | 3 |
| MH 248 | Music Historiography II | 3 |
| MH 433 | Seminar in Music History | 3 |
| TH 342 | Contemporary Trends | 3 |
| or MH 345 | Music Since 1900 | |
| Total Credits | 56 | |
- 1
The 8th semester may be waived in the event of an approved internship or off-site semester of study. Internship credits replace Arts and Sciences elective credits. A recital or lecture-recital is required.
- 2
VC 115 and VC 116 are required for voice primary students only. Organ and piano primary students may substitute four additional credits of free electives.
Concentrations
(9 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following concentrations: 1 | 9 | |
| Composition Studies Concentration | ||
| Composition Class | ||
| Select two additional Theory (TH) courses from the following: | ||
| Orchestration | ||
or TH 255 | Song Writing | |
or TH 259 | Electroacoustic Music | |
or TH 424 | Choral and Instrumental Arranging | |
| Music Education Concentration | ||
| Art of Teaching Music I | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following courses: | ||
| Instrumental Music: Strings | ||
| Instrumental Music: Winds/Percussion | ||
| Art of Teaching Music II | ||
| Music and Hip Hop Culture | ||
| Teaching/Learning:Urban Schools | ||
| Music in Special Educ | ||
| Music History Concentration | ||
| Music Since 1900 2 | ||
Select two additional Music History (MH) elective courses. | ||
| Music Theory Concentration | ||
| Contemporary Trends 3 | ||
Select two additional Theory (TH) electives, one of which must be a Level II elective. | ||
| Piano Accompanying Concentration | ||
| Note: Students in this concentration must be Piano Primary. | ||
| Accompanying Class | ||
| Chamber Music | ||
| Song Literature I | ||
or VC 434 | Song Literature II | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Italian Diction | ||
| French Diction | ||
| German Diction | ||
| Piano Studies Concentration | ||
| Note: Students in this concentration must be Piano Primary or approved by the department. | ||
| Fund of Piano Pedagogy I | ||
| Survey of Piano Literature I | ||
or PI 436 | Survey of Piano Literature II | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Fund of Piano Pedagogy II | ||
| Keyboard Skills | ||
| Sacred Music Concentration | ||
| Survey of Sacred Music Lit | ||
| Worship and Theology | ||
| Conducting Church Choirs: Pedagogy & Management | ||
| Voice Studies Concentration | ||
| Note: Students in this concentration must be Voice Primary. | ||
| Song Literature I | ||
| Song Literature II | ||
| Voice Science | ||
| Italian Diction | ||
or VC 119 | French Diction | |
or VC 120 | German Diction | |
- 1
Students may choose a minor in place of a concentration.
- 2
If MH 345 is selected as part of the core requirement, students must take TH 342 in place of MH 345 as part of their concentration.
- 3
If TH 342 is selected as part of the core requirement, students must take MH 345 in place of TH 342 as part of their concentration.
CAS General Education Curriculum
(43-50 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I. ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES: | ||
| Reading and Writing: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | ||
or BHP 100 | Honors Seminar: Great Ideas I | |
| Seminar in Writing and Research | ||
or BHP 150 | Honors Seminar: Great Ideas II | |
| Mathematical Reasoning: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Finite Mathematics 6 | ||
| Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
or MTH 106 | Precalculus | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency: 2 | 3-6 | |
| Select one language path below: | ||
| Chinese | ||
| Select one or two CHI courses below, depending on placement testing: | ||
| Chinese I | ||
| Chinese II | ||
| Chinese III | ||
| Chinese IV | ||
Or select one CHI 300-400 level course taught in the Chinese language | ||
| French | ||
| Select one or two FRE courses below, depending on placement testing: | ||
| French I | ||
| French II | ||
| French III | ||
| French IV | ||
Or select one FRE 300-400 level course taught in the French language | ||
| German | ||
| Select one or two GER courses below, depending on placement testing: | ||
| German I | ||
| German II | ||
| German III | ||
| German IV | ||
| Italian | ||
| Select one or two ITA courses below, depending on placement testing: | ||
| Italian I | ||
| Italian II | ||
| Italian III | ||
| Italian IV | ||
| Spanish | ||
| Select one or two SPA courses below, depending on placement testing: | ||
| Spanish I | ||
| Spanish II 5 | ||
or SPA 102 | Elementary Spanish II Abroad | |
or SPA 103 | Introductory Medical Spanish | |
| Spanish III | ||
| Spanish IV | ||
| Or select one SPA 300-400 level course taught in the Spanish language | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Speech Communication | ||
| II. DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES | ||
| Scientific Perspectives: 3 | 4-6 | |
| To fulfill the Scientific Perspectives requirement, students may take either a lecture/lab combination (4 credits) or two 3-credit non-lab courses (6 credits). Students who have taken a PSY course to fulfill the Social Perspectives requirement may not take a PSY course to fulfill the Scientific Perspective requirement. | ||
A. Lecture/Lab Combination Course | ||
| Chemistry in the Kitchen and Chemistry in the Kitchen Lab | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Introduction to Environmental Sciences Lab | ||
| Earth Systems Science and Earth Materials and Processes Lab | ||
| Oceanography and Introductory Oceanography Lab | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability Studies and Intro to Sustainability Lab | ||
B. 3-Credit Non-Lab Courses: | ||
| Chemistry and Conflict 3 | ||
| Idea to Innovation 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: The Environment: a Conflict of Interest 3 | ||
| The Rhetoric of Science 3 | ||
| Nature and Nurture 3 | ||
| Life Science 3 | ||
| Life Science: Brain and Behavior | ||
| Chemistry & Society | ||
| Fundamentals of Computer Science | ||
| Future of Natural Resources | ||
| Introduction to Climate Change | ||
| Earth Systems Science | ||
| Geology of National Parks | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Astronomy | ||
| The Science of Mental Illness | ||
| Introduction to Forensics | ||
| Social Perspectives: | 6 | |
| Select two of the following. The two courses selected in this category cannot be from the same academic discipline. Students who have taken a PSY course to fulfill the Scientific Perspectives requirement may not take a PSY course to fulfill the Social Perspectives requirement. | ||
| Nineteen Eighty-Four in Context: George Orwell’s Enduring Legacy 3 | ||
| Under the Influence: Drugs, Deviance, and Culture 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar:Politics/Literacy 3 | ||
| Children and the Media 3 | ||
| Creativity and Design Thinking 3 | ||
| A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Play 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: The Environment: a Conflict of Interest 3 | ||
| The Online Explosion: Radical Changes in Business and Communication 3 | ||
| The Rhetoric of Science 3 | ||
| The Law and Racial Progress 3 | ||
| Mirrors of the Mind: The Interplay of Literature and Psychology 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: 20th Century European Ideologies 3 | ||
| Nature and Nurture 3 | ||
| Moral Psychology 3 | ||
| Communication, Culture and Media | ||
| Global Film & Media Industries | ||
| Introduction to Gender Studies | ||
| Power and Privilege in a Multicultural Society | ||
| U.S. Politics in Crisis | ||
| Power, Politics and Justice | ||
| Explorations in Psychology Honors | ||
| Psychology:The Science of Well-being | ||
| Psychology of Creativity | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Sociological Imagination | ||
| Social Movements Abroad | ||
| Historical Perspectives: | 6 | |
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Aesthetic Perspectives: | 6 | |
| Select two of the following, one course in Fine Arts and one course in Literature. | ||
Fine Arts | ||
| Depictions of Racism in American Literature, Music, and Film | ||
| Hip Hop and American Culture | ||
| American Identity in the Arts | ||
| Survey of Art History I | ||
| Survey of Art History II | ||
| Shakespeare: Page, Stage & Screen 3 | ||
| Presence of Mind — Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity 3 | ||
| Music and Social Justice 3 | ||
| Survey of Dance History | ||
| Survey of Music History I | ||
| Survey of Music History II | ||
| Music and Society | ||
| History of Pop and Rock Part I | ||
| History of Pop and Rock Part 2 | ||
| Theatre History to 1700 | ||
| Theater History Since 1700 | ||
| Theater Appreciation | ||
| American Theatre History | ||
| Literature | ||
| American Memoir and Autobiography | ||
| Poetry and Poetics in American Culture | ||
| Kurt Vonnegut’s America | ||
| Nineteen Eighty-Four in Context: George Orwell’s Enduring Legacy 3 | ||
| Under the Influence: Drugs, Deviance, and Culture 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar:Politics/Literacy 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: Existentialism in Literature 3 | ||
| Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Age of Empire | ||
| Shakespeare: Page, Stage & Screen 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: 20th Century European Ideologies 3 | ||
| Images of Women in Chinese Literature and Film | ||
| Understanding Literature | ||
| Arthurian Legends in Literature | ||
| Major American Authors | ||
| Major British Authors | ||
| Literature and Mythology | ||
| Monsters in Literature | ||
| Satire and Comedy | ||
| Introduction To Shakespeare | ||
| Literature and the Environment | ||
| Literature and Violence | ||
| Literature & Society | ||
| Literature and Psychology | ||
| Crime and Literature | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| Black American Lit | ||
| Multi-Ethnic Literature in America | ||
| Women In Literature | ||
| Major Poets | ||
| The Short Story | ||
| Human Relationships in Literature (HONORS) | ||
| Global Literature | ||
| An Introduction to French Literature | ||
| Cultural Expression in French Film and Television | ||
| Portrait of the Hero in French Fiction | ||
| Mask & Reality in French Theater | ||
| Self in French Prose & Poetry | ||
| A Quest for Identity: Francophone Literature and Culture | ||
| Sex, Gender, and Fairy Tales | ||
| Masterworks of Western Literature I | ||
| Masterworks of Western Literature II | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Literature | ||
| Introduction to Latin-American/Latino Literature | ||
| The Hispanic Short Story: Transatlantic Connections | ||
| The Spanish Golden Age | ||
| From Colonies to Nations | ||
| Latin American/Latino Film and Fiction | ||
| Philosophical Perspectives: | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Honors Seminar: Existentialism in Literature 3 | ||
| Presence of Mind — Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity 3 | ||
| Moral Psychology 3 | ||
| Philosophical Thinking | ||
| Logic and Language | ||
| Ethics | ||
| American Philosophy | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| Social Philosophy | ||
| Asian Philosophy | ||
| Symbolic Logic | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Modern Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy of the Sexes | ||
| Medical Ethics | ||
| Problems in 20th-Century Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Theories of Knowledge | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Theories of Reality | ||
| Indian Philosophy | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Ethics | ||
| Japanese Philosophy | ||
| III. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES | 3-4 | |
| Select one course below that emphasizes an international, global, and/or non-U.S. cultural perspective and follows the Global Perspective (GP) designation. | ||
| Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Age of Empire 3 | ||
| A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Play 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: The Environment: a Conflict of Interest 3 | ||
| Honors Seminar: 20th Century European Ideologies 3 | ||
| Moral Psychology 3 | ||
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Images of Women in Chinese Literature and Film | ||
| Chinese Culture and Civilization | ||
| Calligraphy As a Window to Chinese Language and Culture | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| International Communication | ||
| Survey of Dance History | ||
| Global Literature | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences | ||
| Future of Natural Resources | ||
| Introduction to Climate Change | ||
| Global Film History: Origins to 1960 | ||
| Global Film History: 1961 to Present | ||
| French for Business | ||
| An Introduction to French Literature | ||
| French Culture | ||
| Cultural Expression in French Film and Television | ||
| Portrait of the Hero in French Fiction | ||
| Mask & Reality in French Theater | ||
| Self in French Prose & Poetry | ||
| A Quest for Identity: Francophone Literature and Culture | ||
| Global Film & Media Industries | ||
| Earth Systems Science | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles | ||
| Understanding Global Relations | ||
| The Social Construction of Global Society | ||
| Politics of the Global Economy | ||
| The Student Global Village | ||
| Ethnographic Film | ||
| Global Perspectives on Health and Illness | ||
| Gender, War and Peace | ||
| Witch Hunts: Femicide Through Centuries | ||
| Seminar in Transcultural Gender and Sexuality | ||
| Global Health and Human Rights | ||
| Imperial Russia | ||
| Modern Russia | ||
| 20th-Century Europe | ||
| The Era of World War II | ||
| Nazi Germany & Hitler's Europe | ||
| Ottoman Empire and the Balkans | ||
| History of Socialism | ||
| Masterworks of Western Literature I | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Philosophical Thinking | ||
| Asian Philosophy | ||
| Theories of Knowledge | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Theories of Reality | ||
| Indian Philosophy | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Japanese Philosophy | ||
| Great Buddhist Thinkers | ||
| Global Politics | ||
| Nationalism in World Politics | ||
| Sex & Gender in International Politics | ||
| Global Justice | ||
| American Political Film | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Global Issues | ||
| Model United Nations | ||
| Conflict Resolution | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Comparative Environmental Policy | ||
| Geopolitics of Energy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy and Security Policy | ||
| Global Immigration | ||
| Disabilities Across Cultures | ||
| Human Rights in Global Context | ||
| Social Movements Abroad | ||
| Spanish for Business | ||
| Advanced Communication and Popular Cultures | ||
| Spanish Culture & Civilization | ||
| Latin American Cultures | ||
| Latinx Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Literature | ||
| Introduction to Latin-American/Latino Literature | ||
| The Spanish Golden Age | ||
| From Colonies to Nations | ||
| Latin American/Latino Film and Fiction | ||
| Latinx Community Engagement | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability Studies | ||
| Total Credits | 43-50 | |
- 1
Students enrolled in MTH 102 will be given a brief test, prepared by the Department of Mathematics, during the first five business days of the semester. Those placing below a minimum score set by the Department of Mathematics on the test will be required to participate in one hour of structured tutoring once per week concurrent with taking MTH 102. All others enrolled in the class are strongly encouraged to participate in available tutoring.
- 2
Students who place at the 101-level or above are required to take a minimum of 3 credits at the level of placement. Students who are native speakers of languages not offered at Rider University may have their requirement waived upon documentation of proficiency. This documentation could be in the form of a transcript on letterhead sent by the accredited institution abroad, or fee-based proficiency tests. To initiate a request for a waiver, students should see the chairperson of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Students beginning a new language must complete the language placement form and are not required to take a placement test. Once completing the form, they will have met the prerequisites to register for CHI, FRE, GER, ITA, or SPA100.
- 3
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of BHP classes, upper-level seminars may satisfy two different categories from the Disciplinary Perspectives. For courses that satisfy more than one DP category, BHP students must select which general education requirement they would like the course to fulfill.
Certificate in Music Composition Studies
(9 credits)
The Certificate in Music Composition Studies is intended for any Rider undergraduate student who is not in the B.A.M. degree but who has an interest in composition, arranging, and orchestration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required course: | ||
| TH 237 | Composition Class | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Orchestration | ||
| Song Writing | ||
| Electroacoustic Music | ||
| Choral and Instrumental Arranging | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Note: Elective composition lessons are optional and are available for an additional fee.
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
| PI 103 or VC 103 |
Piano Secondary I or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| TH 141 | Musicianship I | 4 |
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| Foreign Language level I | 3 | |
| Arts &Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
| PI 104 or VC 103 |
Piano Secondary II or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| VC 115 | English & Italian Diction 1 | 2 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| TH 142 | Musicianship II | 4 |
| Foreign Language level II | 3 | |
| Literature elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 209 | Schola Cantorum | 1 |
| PI 203 or VC 203 |
Piano Secondary III or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| TH 241 | Musicianship III | 4 |
| MH 247 | Music Historiography I | 3 |
| VC 116 | French & German Diction 1 | 2 |
| Philosophy/Religion elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 209 | Schola Cantorum | 1 |
| PI 208 or VC 203 |
Piano Secondary BAM or Voice Secondary |
1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| MH 248 | Music Historiography II | 3 |
| Writing Intensive elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science/Math elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| MH 433 | Seminar in Music History | 3 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| TH 342 or MH 345 |
Contemporary Trends or Music Since 1900 |
3 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences electives | 6 | |
| History elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences electives | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
| OR 168A |
Applied Organ or Applied Piano or Applied Voice |
2 |
| Arts & Sciences electives | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 125 | |
Courses and Descriptions
CR 109 Chapel Choir 1 Credits
Comprised of undergraduate students in their first year of study, Chapel Choir focuses on music for men’s, women’s, and mixed chorus. The ensemble provides the fundamentals of artistic choral ensemble singing and a foundation for all Westminster choral ensembles. Placement hearing required.
CR 209 Schola Cantorum 1 Credits
Comprised of undergraduate students in their second year of study, Schola Cantorum focuses on music for mixed chorus and continues to build and refine the skills developed in Chapel Choir. This ensemble presents campus, community, and regional performances. Placement hearing required.
CR 509 Symphonic Choir 1 Credits
A large mixed chorus comprised of students above the lower division, including graduate students from all disciplines. The ensemble regularly performs in the region and focuses on the major choral/orchestral repertoire along with a wide variety of repertoire for large mixed chorus. Placement hearing required.
MH 247 Music Historiography I 3 Credits
Historiography I begins by exploring similarities and differences between various music cultures around the world, and continues with an examination of selected genres of Western Art Music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Basic information literacy skills, such as searching library catalogs, databases and reading academic articles also will be covered.
Prerequisite(s): CMP 125.
MH 248 Music Historiography II 3 Credits
Examines Western Art Music since 1750 and includes a research assignment that builds upon the information literacy skills gained in MH 247.
Prerequisite(s): MH 247.
MH 345 Music Since 1900 3 Credits
Examines controversies and aesthetic movements in 20th and 21st century music. Emphasis is placed upon critical reading and writing skills.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
MH 433 Seminar in Music History 3 Credits
The contents of courses carrying this number will vary with the special interests and qualifications of the instructors teaching them. Possible topics include period courses, courses from a distinct perspective, composer courses and genre courses.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
OR 168A Applied Organ 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
PI 168A Applied Piano 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
PI 297 Fund of Piano Pedagogy I 3 Credits
Fundamentals I is devoted to study of techniques, methods, and materials suitable for beginning through early intermediate level students. Other areas of study include motivational strategies, establishment of effective practice habits, recital preparation, technique, and elementary duet materials. Students analyze and demonstrate teaching from three different beginning piano methods. Observation of professional teaching is done in the context of class and private lessons at the Westminster Conservatory.
PI 298 Fund of Piano Pedagogy II 3 Credits
In Fundamentals II, students continue to apply their experience with piano methods to the teaching of students. In addition, the semester is devoted to the study of materials from all style periods for upper elementary and intermediate level students. Students observe private and group lessons appropriate to these levels. The course culminates in an individual lecture recital demonstrating music from a variety of style periods.
Prerequisite(s): PI 297.
PI 435 Survey of Piano Literature I 3 Credits
A study of representative works from 1650-1800 by composers including J. S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, J.C. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
PI 436 Survey of Piano Literature II 3 Credits
A study of representative works from 1800 to the present by composers including Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, and Bartók.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
PI 413 Accompanying Class 2 Credits
This course is designed with the twofold purpose of allowing undergraduate pianists to fulfill their piano ensemble elective requirement within the professional studies area as well as providing an opportunity for voice primary students to further their piano study in a challenging forum in situations directly related to their repertoire. The students in the class will receive instruction in the stylistic, technical, analytical and linguistic aspects of vocal literature. The many issues involved in vocal collaboration will be discussed along with in-depth study of the pianist’s role in musical partnerships. Issues of musical freedom, language, and the varieties of sonic treatment unique to vocal literature will be discussed. Italian, French, German and English song repertoire from various style periods will provide the assignments for performance and discussion.
PI 512 Chamber Music 2 Credits
Emphasis is placed upon rehearsal and performances of representative collaborative literature for strings and piano, and woodwinds and piano. Students will be assigned movements from major chamber works selected from different style periods. Professional instrumentalists will join them for rehearsals and performances in class. An overview of the development of this repertoire will be presented and listening assignments will augment the study of specific works. A project involving the study and presentation of a piano quartet or piano quintet will be included. Attendance at three concerts of instrumental chamber music is required. Permission of applied teacher and instructor is required.
PI 540 Keyboard Skills 3 Credits
The course includes in-depth study of numerous aspects of musicianship skills essential for all pianists within the broader categories of technique and practice strategies; memorization and sight reading; improvisation and lead sheet realization. All aspects of piano musicianship skills will be addressed from practical, pedagogical, and collaborative points of view. Assignments will include examples of studies from a wide range of levels all within the current and developing skill level of each student enrolled in the class.
Prerequisite(s): UG - Eight credits of applied keyboard study or permission of keyboard instructor or course instructor. GR - Permission of course instructor.
SM 121 Survey of Sacred Music Lit 3 Credits
Broad survey of Christian music. Through standard repertoire, major historical genres of sacred music are explored from biblical roots in the Old and New Testament to the postmodern expressions of our time.
SM 122 Worship and Theology 3 Credits
A study of the content, theology, and history of the Old and New Testament narratives that the church recounts and celebrates in its liturgical year.
SM 541 Conducting Church Choirs: Pedagogy & Management 3 Credits
A practical course devoted to the building and maintenance of church music programs serving persons of all ages.
TH 141 Musicianship I 4 Credits
This course assists students in learning and integrating aural, performance, analytical and composition skills involving diatonic melody and harmony. Both the theoretical and the practical portion must be passed individually in order to receive a passing grade.
Prerequisite(s): TH 045 or passing a placement test.
TH 142 Musicianship II 4 Credits
A continuation of TH 141 involving chromatic melody and harmony with an introduction to binary and ternary form.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 141.
TH 237 Composition Class 3 Credits
Class instruction in original composition. May be taken as a level I elective.
Prerequisite(s): For non Theory/Composition majors only, minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 241 Musicianship III 4 Credits
A continuation of TH 142 with an introduction to larger musical forms and counterpoint.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 253 Orchestration 3 Credits
A study of the orchestra and its individual instruments from the standpoints of the composer, arranger and conductor. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 259 Electroacoustic Music 3 Credits
An introduction to the history and literature of electroacoustic music emphasizing hands-on creative opportunities in sequencing and digital sound processing. May be taken as a level I theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): minimum "C-" grade in TH 142.
TH 342 Contemporary Trends 3 Credits
An analytical study of the compositional techniques of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Prerequisite(s): TH 241.
TH 424 Choral and Instrumental Arranging 3 Credits
Arranging for various ensembles of voices and instruments. May be taken as a level II theory elective.
Prerequisite(s): TH 241.
VC 168A Applied Voice 2 Credits
One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
VC 115 English & Italian Diction 2 Credits
Introduction to the rules of singing English and Italian through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) with oral and written drill.
VC 116 French & German Diction 2 Credits
Introduction to the rules of singing French and German through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) with oral and written drill.
Prerequisite(s): VC 115.
VC 118 Italian Diction 2 Credits
Introduction to the rules for singing Italian through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only.
Prerequisite(s): VC 114.
VC 119 French Diction 2 Credits
Introduction to the rules for singing French through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only.
Prerequisite(s): VC 114.
VC 120 German Diction 2 Credits
Introduction to the rules for singing German through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only.
Prerequisite(s): VC 114.
VC 408 Voice Science 3 Credits
Study of the physics and physiology of voice production. Musical and vocal acoustics are explored using the facilities of the Westminster Voice Laboratory. Anatomic and physiologic underpinnings of respiration, phonation, articulation, registration and hearing are explored in depth.
VC 433 Song Literature I 2 Credits
A survey of solo literature for voice and accompanying instrument including solo vocal music of the Baroque period and German lieder.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
VC 434 Song Literature II 2 Credits
A survey of solo literature for voice and accompanying instrument including French mélodie, songs by nationalist composers, English and American song.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.