CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research 3 Credits

Introduces students to the process of library research and documented writing. Emphasis will be on the refinement of critical reading, thinking, and writing strategies applied to multiple sources and documented papers. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): CMP 120 or BHP 100.

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 215 Fundamentals of Conducting 3 Credits

This course provides the foundation of conducting technique and philosophy as it relates to choral ensemble. Primarily, it deals with the development of basic pedagogical proficiencies, specifically alignment, Laban gestural vocabulary, breathing, beat patterns, consistent tempo, and the development of expressive gesture for relaying various styles of music, i.e., legato, staccato and marcato. Basic philosophical understandings concerning the human aspects of the music making process and the role the conductor plays in that process also are emphasized. Specific techniques for dealing with technical elements, e.g., fermata, dynamics, changes of tempo, contrasts in style, also are covered. The overall focus of the course is to establish the important relationship between ear, body, and the choral sound.

Prerequisite(s): TH 141.

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.

FRE 100 French I 3 Credits

Conversational French is taught through basic vocabulary and grammar building. Students will enjoy an immersion-style method emphasizing real-life situations and vocabulary in authentic cultural context, through an interactive textbook, videos, on-line resources, and oral/aural skill building using the technology in the Foreign Language Media Center to enhance learning. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): Placement test if French has been studied elsewhere.

FRE 101 French II 3 Credits

Building on learning in French I, students will begin to converse using more complicated grammatical structures within immersion-style classroom interactions. While the focus is still on conversation and aural skill building, composition skills receive greater emphasis. Students will enjoy an interactive textbook, Internet usage, and authentic videos shot on location in France. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): FRE 100 or placement test.

FRE 200 French III 3 Credits

This course builds on linguistic skills previously acquired through an emphasis on conversation and oral comprehension, and through vocabulary building. Grammar study is continued at a more advanced level, and students begin to read short passages focusing mainly on francophone culture and civilization. Film clips, Internet resources, and other computer-aided learning tools are used to create a dynamic immersion-style learning experience. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): FRE 101 or placement test.

FRE 201 French IV 3 Credits

While continuing the emphasis on aural/oral production and grammar and vocabulary building, short passages of greater complexity taken from literary texts, newspapers, and magazines will become the focus of conversation/composition activities. Technological resources will continue to enhance the immersion-style learning experience consistent with a course in advanced French. Successful completion of this course, or its equivalent, serves as a prerequisite for French courses at the 300 and 400 level. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): FRE 200 or placement test.

ITA 100 Italian I 3 Credits

The language program objectives of our department are based on the premise that students must be able to demonstrate increased proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills as well as growth in cultural, literary and interdisciplinary knowledge as they move through a sequence of study. This course is the first part of the first year experience in Italian during which the development of communicative and cultural competencies are at the center of this experience. At the end of the course, successful students will be able to communicate short messages on highly predictable, everyday topics that affect them directly. They will also develop a sense of the cultural aspects of people who speak the target language. Cultural components include the importance or regions in the construction of Italian identity; differences in American and Italian school and university systems; the role of the family in Italian life. The course is conducted in Italian. This course fulfills LAS Core Curriculum Requirement I. Essential Competencies: Foreign Language.

ITA 101 Italian II 3 Credits

The language program objectives of our department are based on the premise that students must be able to demonstrate increased proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills as well as growth in cultural, literary and interdisciplinary knowledge as they move through a sequence of study. This course is the second part of the first year experience in Italian during which the development of communicative and cultural competencies are at the center of this experience. At the end of the course, successful students will be able to handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations. They will also develop a sense of the cultural aspects of people who speak the target language. Cultural components include differences between American and Italian cuisines, sports, routines, and healthcare systems. The course is conducted in Italian.

Prerequisite(s): ITA 100 or LL 145 or Placement Test.

ITA 200 Italian III 3 Credits

The language program objectives of our department are based on the premise that students must be able to demonstrate increased proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills as well as growth in cultural, literary and interdisciplinary knowledge as they move through a sequence of study. This course is the third part of the four-semester sequence in Italian. At the end of ITA 200, successful students achieve proficiency in Italian at the intermediate level in oral expression, listening comprehension, reading of short texts, and writing. Students will be able to successfully navigate conversational and written Italian in cultural contexts related to course themes: personal relationships, Italian communities, hobbies and free time activities, the value of social and political ideas, the Italian family across the generations. The course is conducted in Italian. This course fulfills LAS Core Curriculum Requirement I. Essential Competencies: Foreign Language.

Prerequisite(s): ITA 200 or LL 247 or placement test.

ITA 201 Italian IV 3 Credits

The language program objectives of our department are based on the premise that students must be able to demonstrate increased proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills as well as growth in cultural, literary and interdisciplinary knowledge as they move through a sequence of study. This course is the fourth and final part of the four-semester sequence in Italian. At the end of ITA 201, successful students achieve proficiency in Italian at the intermediate level in oral expression, listening comprehension, reading of short texts, and writing. Students will be able to successfully navigate conversational and written Italian in cultural contexts related to course themes: societal changes in Italian culture, science and technology, Italian contributions to the arts, media, and the culture of business in Italy. The course is conducted in Italian.

Prerequisite(s): ITA 200 with a minimum grade of D or LL 247 with a minimum grade of D. This course fulfills LAS Core Curriculum Requirement I. Essential Competencies: Foreign Language.

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.

GER 100 German I 3 Credits

An introduction to German stressing the spoken language and the fundamentals of grammar. Students are required to work extensively with audio CDs. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): placement test if German has been studied elsewhere.

GER 101 German II 3 Credits

A continuation of German 100. Communication skills are broadened, fundamental grammar is studied in more depth, and basic vocabulary is expanded. Students are required to work extensively with audio files. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): GER 100 with a minimum grade of D or placement test.

GER 200 German III 3 Credits

Intensive review of German grammar and syntax with a systematic approach to oral expression and composition. Readings on contemporary German life and selections from modern literature. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): GER 101 or placement test.

GER 201 German IV 3 Credits

Continuation of grammar review and readings. Special emphasis on oral expression and composition of increasing sophistication, proceeding from concrete observations to theoretical and abstract discussion. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): GER 200 or placement test.

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.

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 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 342 Contemporary Trends 3 Credits

An analytical study of the compositional techniques of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Prerequisite(s): TH 241.

VC 114 Introduction to Lyric Diction 2 Credits

Introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and the sounds of all major sung languages through oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only.

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 191 Movement for the Performer 2 Credits

Movement exercises and etudes help students develop proper alignment, physical freedom, unification of voice, breath, and body, and help them explore the body as an expressive instrument.

VC 291 The Singing Actor 2 Credits

The introduction to vocal performance entails coaching of selected songs, arias or repertoire from music theater and techniques for performance preparation through intensive research. A final written project involves a musical and dramatic analysis of all chosen repertoire.

Prerequisite(s): successful completion of Level I voice jury.

VC 168A Applied Voice 2 Credits

One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.

VC 305 Singing in Italian and French 2 Credits

Master class and private coaching in vocal performance of Italian and French language song, recitative and opera arias. The class will focus on pronunciation, inflection and nuances of sung Italian and French.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Level I jury; VC 118, VC 119.

VC 306 Singing in German and English 2 Credits

Master class and private coaching in vocal performance of German and English language song, recitative and opera arias. The class will focus on pronunciation, inflection and nuances of sung German and English.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Level I Jury; VC 120.

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.

VC 591 Performing in Lyric Theater 2 Credits

Performing in Lyric Theater offers techniques for the preparation of lyric roles in a theatrical setting. It will develop elements of stagecraft, systematize a process for preparations and exploration, and introduce the working relationship with director and conductor.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates, VC 291 and the successful completion of Level II jury, or permission of the Chair.

VC 592 Opera Workshop 2 Credits

Introduction to opera performance. Acting exercises, character development, dramatic exploration and musical coaching culminating in a workshop-format presentation. It is recommended that VC 491 or 691 be taken before this course. This course may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates, successful completion of the level II voice test or permission of the chair.

VC 593E Opera Theater (Ensemble) 1 Credits

This course involves preparation and performance of a role or in the chorus of a fully staged opera production. Open only by audition. May be repeated for credit.

VC 593R Opera Theater (Role) 2 Credits

This course involves preparation and performance of a role or in the chorus of a fully staged opera production. Open only by audition. May be repeated for credit.

VC 593T Opera Theater (Tech) 1 Credits

This course involves preparation and performance of a role or in the chorus of a fully staged opera production. Open only by audition. May be repeated for credit.