Course Descriptions

MUS 101 Introduction to Music I (1)
Selected musical works and traditions from antiquity through the nineteenth century will be considered from a variety of formal, historical, and cultural perspectives. Emphasis on developing a) the ability to listen actively, critically, and creatively; and b) the ability to discuss music clearly, engagingly, and persuasively. ARTS; S.Day-O'Connell; L.Lane;

MUS 102 Introduction to Music II (1)
A survey of major developments in the history of Western music in the 20th and 21st centuries and an introduction to a selection of related non-Western musics. Selected major musical works will be considered from a variety of analytical, historical, and cultural standpoints.ARTS; N.Malley;

MUS 112 Music in the Western Tradition (1)
A survey of Western music with particular emphasis on developing listening skills and vocabulary. Works studied include examples of mass, symphony, string quartet, opera, chamber music and song. Students are required to attend musical performances. Listening assignments give students increased musical understanding, which is demonstrated through written reports and basic musical vocabulary. HUM; B.Polay;

MUS 140 The Art of Rock & Roll (1)
A chronological survey of American popular music styles that led to the development of rock 'n' roll, beginning with the blues styles of the late 1800s. Historical, social, cultural, and aesthetic issues are explored. Cross Listing : BKST 140; Staff

MUS 145 Music Theory I (1)
Begins a three-course introduction to tonal harmony. MUS 145 will emphasize the foundational concepts and terminology of music theory, in particular those pertaining to note, interval, scale, chord, texture, counterpoint, phrase, and cadence. Work will include analysis and composition, as well as general musicianship training (i.e., sight-singing, transcription, and basic keyboard skills). ARTS; J.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 180 Applied Music: Group Performance (1/2)
Performance for one year in one of the faculty-supervised performing groups. Participation in all rehearsals and public performances is required for credit. Register in the final term in which the requirements for credit are to be completed. A maximum of six credits in applied music (MUS 180, MUS 181, MUS 300 or any combination of these) may be counted towards graduation; Staff

MUS 180A Knox College Choir (1/2)
L.Lane;

MUS 180B Knox-Galesburg Symphony (1/2)
B.Polay;

MUS 180C Knox College Chamber Singers (1/2)
L.Lane;

MUS 180D Knox College Jazz Ensemble (1/2)
N.Malley;

MUS 180E Knox-Sandburg Community Band (1/2)
B.Potter;

MUS 180F Knox College String Ensemble (1/2)
C.Suda;

MUS 180G Combos (1/2)
N.Malley;

MUS 180H Galesburg Community Chorus (1/2)
T.Pahel;

MUS 180I Small Ensembles (1/2)
Staff

MUS 180J Umoja Community Gospel Choir (1/2)
J.Dixon;

MUS 181 Applied Music (.0 or 1/2)
Private instruction at an elementary level in piano, organ, most stringed and wind instruments, and voice. No single set of lessons may be taken for more than 1.5 credits at the 100 level. A maximum of six credits in applied music (MUS 180, MUS 181, MUS 300 or any combination of these) may be counted toward graduation. Note: see Other General Fees, under Tuition and Fees; Staff

MUS 181A Bassoon (.0 or 1/2)
A.Lyle;

MUS 181B Cello (.0 or 1/2)
C.Suda;

MUS 181C Clarinet (.0 or 1/2)
J.Marasa;

MUS 181D Double Bass (.0 or 1/2)
G.Fowler;

MUS 181E Flute (.0 or 1/2)
R.Huff;

MUS 181F Classical Guitar (.0 or 1/2)
R.Pobanz;

MUS 181G Harpsichord (.0 or 1/2)
A.Clark;

MUS 181H French Horn (.0 or 1/2)
S.Filzen;

MUS 181I Oboe (.0 or 1/2)
S.Faust;

MUS 181J Organ (.0 or 1/2)
A.Clark;

MUS 181K Percussion (.0 or 1/2)
K.Hart; B.Zeglis;

MUS 181L Classical Piano (.0 or 1/2)
A.Clark; A.Mack; J.Andrews; M.Harlan;

MUS 181M Saxophone (.0 or 1/2)
K.Malley;

MUS 181N Trombone (.0 or 1/2)
J.Spurgeon;

MUS 181O Trumpet (.0 or 1/2)
D.Hoffman;

MUS 181P Tuba (.0 or 1/2)
D.Petrie;

MUS 181Q Viola (.0 or 1/2)
T.Shifeling;

MUS 181R Violin (.0 or 1/2)
L.Polay;

MUS 181S Voice (.0 or 1/2)
M.Elliott; L.Lane; G.Etzel; S.Moran;

MUS 181SS Jazz Voice (.0 or 1/2)
Staff

MUS 181T Jazz Guitar (.0 or 1/2)
J.Miller;

MUS 181U Jazz Piano (.0 or 1/2)
K.Hart; D.Hoffman;

MUS 181UU Jazz Composition (.0 or 1/2)
D.Hoffman;

MUS 181V Euphonium (.0 or 1/2)
D.Petrie;

MUS 181W Jazz Percussion (.0 or 1/2)
K.Hart; B.Zeglis;

MUS 181X Jazz Saxophone (.0 or 1/2)
K.Malley;

MUS 181Z Jazz Bass (.0 or 1/2)
J.Wegge;

MUS 181ZZ Jazz Improvisation (.0 or 1/2)
D.Hoffman; K.Malley; K.Hart; J.Miller; A.Crawford;

MUS 182 Voice Class (1/2)
Class instruction in singing. Basic techniques, skills and vocal literature. This course is particularly for those who have musical ability but little or no previous vocal instruction. May be repeated once for credit; Staff

MUS 201 Music in the Elementary Schools (1)
Students are introduced to practical teaching techniques for use in the elementary/general school classroom. In addition to learning to establish an appropriate learning environment, students will also become familiar with necessary materials currently used by successful elementary/general music teachers. Field and clinical experiences are required. P.Fox;

MUS 210 Jazz History (1)
Survey course and topical seminar designed to broaden student's knowledge of the spectrum of recorded jazz with a heavy emphasis on listening, primary source readings, speaking, and critical writing. The course examines the basic musical elements that define jazz as a unique musical idiom by examining stylistic periods, major innovators, performers and composers, issues of improvisation, and musical practices. Primary source readings contextualize music through discussions of the complex relationships between jazz, ethnicity, gender economics, politics and social history.HUM; DV; Cross Listing : BKST 210; N.Malley;

MUS 212 Elements of Music (1)
A study of the elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, and form with particular emphasis on developing critical listening skills and comprehension. Examples are from the Euro-centric tradition dating from medieval through contemporary times. B.Polay;

MUS 220 Opera Workshop (1)
This course focuses on the vocal and dramatic techniques required to perform opera, with some exploration of technical aspects of opera production. Each student is cast in at least one scene from an opera, appropriate for his/her voice, and is responsible for at least one aspect of production. The course culminates in a public performance of scenes from opera. ARTS; Prereq : permission of the instructor; May be repeated once for credit; S.Moran;

MUS 230 Case Studies in Musics of the World (1)
Survey course designed to broaden the student's knowledge of non-Western musics with a heavy emphasis on listening, speaking, and writing critically about music. Through case studies from regions around the world, we will examine musical sound, production, and consumption, and investigate the role music plays in culture, as it is incorporated into the worlds of family, community, religion, Diaspora, politics, ritual, and aesthetic experience. HUM; N.Malley;

MUS 245 Music Theory II (1)
A continuation of MUS 145, with an emphasis on music of the Classic Era and on techniques related to diatonic modulation. Work will culminate in an original composition in the style of Mozart or Haydn. Prereq : MUS 145; J.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 246 Music Theory III (1)
A continuation of MUS 245, with an emphasis on music of the Romantic Era and on chromatic materials. Work will culminate in an original composition in the style of Chopin or Schubert. Prereq : MUS 245; J.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 248 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

MUS 250 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

MUS 251 Music of the United States (1)
The course provides a survey of both cultivated and vernacular music composed in the United States from colonial times to the present, and addresses the influences of western European style on this country's musical heritage--including the impact and assimilation of African American culture and women composers. Prereq : sophomore standing or permission of the instructor; B.Polay;

MUS 254 Music of the African Diaspora (1)
This course examines the transmission of music from Africa throughout Europe, South America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. We examine the ways in which African musical systems have traveled, changed, and incorporated new sounds, how the African experience differs around the globe and how displaced communities share core social processes and characteristics. Students examine the concept of blackness as a broad and heterogeneous set of qualities that extend beyond the boundaries of Africanism and African-Americanism. Music studied includes West, North and South Africa, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Afro-Cuban Santeria, Samba, Candomble, Copeira, Merengue, and World Beat. Prereq : Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor; O; Cross Listing : BKST 254; N.Malley;

MUS 260 Seminar in Ethnomusicology (1)
Ethnomusicology can be defined as the study of music outside the Western classical tradition, or as the study of music as cultural practice. Our modes of ethnomusicological inquiry may include structural functionalism, paradignatic structuralism, Marxist explanations, literary and dramaturgical theories, performance theory, gender and identity issues, and postcolonial and global issues.DV; Cross Listing : ANSO 261; S.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 295 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Music not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

MUS 300 , A-Z Applied Music (1/2)
Private instruction at an advanced level in voice, piano, organ and most stringed and wind instruments. For full list of instruments, see MUS 181. Public performance is required. Prereq : 3 half-credits of MUS 181 in the same instrument or voice, plus approval of the department chair; May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 6 credits in applied music (MUS 180, MUS 181, MUS 300 or any combination of these) may be counted toward graduation. Note: see Other General Fees, under Tuition and Fees; Staff

MUS 300SS Jazz Voice (.0 or 1/2)
ARTS; Staff

MUS 303 Composition (1)
The fundamental issues of music composition and practice. Short instrumental and/or vocal compositions are analyzed and created. Prereq : MUS 246 and permission of the instructor; B.Polay;

MUS 306 Orchestration (1)
Principles of scoring for instrumental combinations leading to works for full symphony orchestra. Prereq : MUS 246; B.Polay;

MUS 307 Instrumental Teaching Techniques I (1)
This sequential, two-term course is dedicated to the preparation of successful teaching of scholastic instrumental performers. The first term will concentrate on the logistics, literature and techniques of conducting the Marching Band, Pep Band and Wind Ensemble. In addition, time will be spent on appropriate music technology, drill writing, discussion and proficiency on woodwind and brass instruments. Clinical observation/experience will be required. Prereq : MUS 246; D.Petrie;

MUS 308 Instrumental Teaching Techniques II (1)
Following the format of MUS 307, this course concentrates on conducting the Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra, Chamber groups, discussion and proficiency on the instruments in the string and percussion families. Prereq : MUS 307; D.Petrie;

MUS 309 Secondary School Choral Methods (1)
This course will identify objectives, problems, and methods of teaching vocal music in the schools. Students will acquire functional knowledge of fretted and classroom instruments; methods of teaching singing, rhythmic, and listening activities; the changing voice; and beginning and intermediate choral techniques. Directed observation in elementary and secondary schools required. Prereq : MUS 246; C.Kellert-Griffiths;

MUS 310 Vocal Pedagogy/Rehearsal Techniques (1/2 or 1)
Vocal pedagogy will include methods of teaching voice, concentrating on posture, breath management, vowel clarity and placement, legato singing, diction, and developing good choral tone. Students will demonstrate their understanding by singing and by teaching each other. Students will learn how to teach voice in both private lessons and in a choral setting through vocal warm-ups. Some observation is required. Course may be taken for 1.0 or .5 credits. 1 credit is required for certification in Music Education; that full credit may be earned by taking the course twice for .5-credits each; the grade for the course will not be recorded until the second .5-credit is completed. Prereq : MUS 246; Staff

MUS 311 Fundamentals of Conducting (1)
A study of basic conducting techniques, including conducting patterns, beat styles, attacks and releases as they apply to a variety of musical phrases and shorter pieces of music. Prereq : MUS 246; Staff

MUS 312 Intermediate Instrumental Conducting (Independent Study) (1)
The rudiments of conducting, concentrating on baton techniques, but including preparation of scores, rehearsal principles, and interpretation. Prereq : MUS 246 and MUS 311; B.Polay;

MUS 313 Intermediate Choral Conducting (Independent Study) (1)
Students continue to develop their conducting technique, both with and without the baton. Students study score preparation and rehearsal techniques, with a focus on choral literature. Prereq : MUS 311; L.Lane;

MUS 322 Seminar in 18th Century Music (1)
This course considers musical culture of 18th century Europe, in light of developments such as: the rise of attentive listening, the birth of public concerts, the creation of the canon and concept of genius, the centrality of aesthetic categories (such as sensibility, the beautiful, and the sublime), the contested place of improvisation, and dialectics of reason (Enlightenment) and subjectivity (Romanticism). Our texts will include musical scores and recordings; treatments of music in contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, and criticism; and present-day scholarship. Foci vary from year to year. Prereq : MUS 101; DV; Course may be repeated for credit; S.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 324 Seminar in 20th Century Music (1)
This course examines the development of musical styles in the 20th and 21st centuries in relation to a variety of aesthetic, social and compositional concerns such as: modernism in the visual and musical arts, the role of nationalism and political movements in both musical conservatism and new compositional approaches, the boundaries of tonality and the advent of serialism, the problem of form in post-tonal music, and representations of gender and sexuality in modern opera. Coursework includes score study, analysis and listening, readings in literary theory and critical writings on the visual arts, and readings from current musicological and music theory scholarship. Foci vary from year to year. Prereq : MUS 102, 145, and 245; W; Course may be repeated for credit; N.Malley;

MUS 345 Form and Analysis (1)
This course examines, from both historical and critical points of view, some basic problems and techniques of musical structure as manifest in European art music of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Prereq : MUS 246; J.Day-O'Connell;

MUS 346 Contemporary Tonal Harmony (1)
This course examines harmonic and compositional procedures in tonal works from the 20th century. Included for study are works representing a wide variety of styles including that of Debussy, Delius, Ravel, Satie, Griffes, Scriabin, Bartok, Glass, and Ginastera. Prereq : MUS 246; B.Polay;

MUS 348 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

MUS 350 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

MUS 361 Music of the Renaissance and Baroque Eras (1)
This course examines the music, composers and compositional styles of European music written between 1450 and 1750. Course work includes reading, listening, score study and discussion. Prereq : MUS 101 and 145; W,O; L.Lane;

MUS 363 Music of the 19th Century (1)
This course surveys 19th century composers from Beethoven to Mahler by examining symphonies, concertos, lieder, chamber music, piano music and opera. Prereq : MUS 101 and 145; B.Polay;

MUS 395 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Music not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

MUS 399 A-D Senior Capstone in A. Music Theory; B. Musicology; C. Performance; D. Composition (1)
Independent study in one of the above areas with a faculty mentor. The capstone will be designed and agreed upon by the student and instructor according to the student's particular needs and interests. The capstone experience could include projects such as: A one-hour lecture/recital, a one-hour senior recital; a significant composition; or a major research paper.Staff

MUS 400 Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff