Music Courses

Music Courses

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MUS 0090

Performance Hour

0 unit

A weekly forum for students to perform in public before their peers and the faculty. Attendance at Performance Hour is required of all high school music students. Graded Pass/Fail.

MUS 0098

Special Topics in Music

.25 to .50 units per semester

The School of Music offers a variety of courses on topics of special interest. The school makes every attempt to respond to both faculty and student interest in the formulation and scheduling of such courses. The number of hours and units will vary according to the nature and scope of the project.

MUS 0110

Orchestra

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of representative works from the symphonic literature, including opera and dance. Performances on- and off-campus. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0120

Wind Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of representative works for wind ensemble. Performances on- and off-campus. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0130

Jazz Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of works for jazz ensemble using arrangements and improvisation. Performances on- and off-campus. Prerequisite(s): audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0140

Contemporary Music Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of contemporary music. Instrumental and/or vocal combinations vary from piece to piece. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0150

Large Ensembles for Winds

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of representative works for Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Contemporary Music Ensemble. Prerequisite(s): audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0160

Large Ensembles for Brass

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of representative works for Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Contemporary Music Ensemble. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment by ensemble director in consultation with the studio teacher.

MUS 0170

Large Ensembles for Percussion

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of representative works for Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Contemporary Music Ensemble. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment by the percussion teacher.

MUS 0180

Chamber Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Duets, Trios, Quartets, Quintets and small mixed ensembles as assigned by the studio teacher. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment with approval of studio teacher.

MUS 0210

Guitar Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of works for more than one guitar or guitar with other instruments. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment.

MUS 0220

Trombone Choir

.25 unit per semester

This course is designed to complement the student's weekly trombone lessons, to strengthen ensemble skills, and to build good teamwork skills within the discipline. Emphasis is placed on sight reading. Performances on- and off-campus. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment.

MUS 0230

Percussion Ensemble

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and public performance of a wide variety of contemporary percussion music. Performances on- and off-campus. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment.

MUS 0240

Collaborative Piano Class

.25 unit per semester

Introduction to collaborative skills, through work with both instrumental and vocal partners, in a class setting with individual coaching. Topics include sound and ensemble issues, quick study, stylistic versatility, repertoire, and professional behavior. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor and studio teacher.

MUS 0260

Cantata Singers

.25 unit per semester

Preparation and performance of choral works from the Renaissance through the Modern Period for unaccompanied chorus and chorus with instruments. Singers for the opera chorus of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute are drawn from Cantata Singers. Performances on- and off-campus. This ensemble is also open to members of the community by audition. Prerequisite(s): Audition/assignment.

MUS 0311

Music Theory & Musicianship

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school juniors and seniors, this course is designed to help students achieve fluency in written and aural fundamentals of music, including clef reading, intervals, major and minor scales, triads, seventh chords, and introductory melodic and harmonic analysis. Class work is reinforced at the keyboard.

MUS 0312

Music Theory & Musicianship

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school juniors and seniors, this course is designed to help students achieve fluency in written and aural fundamentals of music, including clef reading, intervals, major and minor scales, triads, seventh chords, and introductory melodic and harmonic analysis. Class work is reinforced at the keyboard. Prerequisite(s): MUS 0311.

MUS 0321

Aural Skills

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate strong ability with the written fundamentals of music, this course is designed to begin the systematic study of aural skills, including an emphasis on sight singing and rhythm performance. Prerequisite(s): MUS 0312 or equivalent and permission of instructor.

MUS 0322

Aural Skills

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate strong ability with the written fundamentals of music, this course is designed to begin the systematic study of aural skills, including an emphasis on sight singing and rhythm performance. Prerequisite(s): MUS 0321.

MUS 0341

Music Literature and Analysis

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school seniors, this course focuses on detailed stylistic consideration (both aurally and through score study) of selected representative works from the contrasting styles of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present. Works are placed in broad historical and cultural context with an emphasis on score study. Prerequisite(s): MUS 0312 or equivalant.

MUS 0342

Music Literature and Analysis

.25 unit per semester

Intended for high school seniors, this course focuses on detailed stylistic consideration (both aurally and through score study) of selected representative works from the contrasting styles of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present. Works are placed in broad historical and cultural context with an emphasis on score study. Prerequisite(s): Mus 0341.

MUS 0410

Lessons

.50 unit per semester

One hour per week of individual performance instruction.

MUS 0411

Master Class

.25 unit per semester

Weekly performance class for the purpose of refining performance skills. Included are in-class performance and critique, as well as specialized studies related to the particular concentration of study.

MUS 0470

Composition Lessons

.50 unit per semester

One hour per week of individual composition lessons.

MUS 0471

Composition Seminar

.25 unit per semester

This seminar will include presentations by guests, faculty and student composers on a variety of topics.

MUS 0533

Afro-Cuban Drumming: The Rhythmic Roots of American Popular Music

.25 unit per semester

This course explores the music and history of West African drumming through hands-on experience. Students learn to play djembe, dunun, shekere, iron bell, and their New World descendants: the conga drum, bongo, claves, maracas, and agogo bells. Class meetings take place in a drum circle ensemble setting. Over the last several decades the hourglass-shaped djembe has become the most popular hand drum in the world and is now used cross-culturally in many styles of popular music. Hand drums are also used in community drum circles and team building programs taught by interactive drumming facilitators. Class instruction involves playing hand percussion instruments in drum circles with the instructor. Analysis of audio and video recordings of African folk music, jazz, blues, rock, and Latin American music tracing roots

MUS 0831

Jazz Improvisation

.25 unit per semester

Provides students with the aural, technical, and theoretical skills required for jazz improvising. In addition, students learn a minimum of jazz repertoire. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

MUS 0832

Jazz Improvisation

.25 unit per semester

Provides students with the aural, technical, and theoretical skills required for jazz improvising. In addition, students learn a minimum of jazz repertoire. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

MUS 0841

Free Improvisation

.25 unit per semester

Free Improvisation is designed for individuals who want to develop their skills in spontaneous creative expression. The course will focus on building competency and confidence in solo and collective improvisation. Students will be led through a sequence specifically created to ease fears about improvisation and increase connectivity, creativity, and individual voice. Classes will be focused on practical experience as well as readings and activities to enhance artistic intuition. The semester will culminate in a performance of improvisation. This course is open to all UNCSA students who are willing to experiment in the art of free improvisation through the creation of sound, regardless of the art school in which they are enrolled for their major concentration.