Course Descriptions By Program

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MUS100 - Introduction to Music

The purpose of this course is to expose the student to the various historical, analytical and aesthetic elements of music, thereby providing an opportunity to broaden and enrich personal enjoyment. This exposure to music is made through the use of visual aids, audio recordings, radio, television, films and concerts.

MUS104 - Voice Class I

This course is designed for the student who wants to improve his/her unique singing (and speaking) voice as a musically expressive instrument. Understanding and practice of diaphragmatic breathing, breath management, vocal placement and deportment are emphasized.

MUS109 - Private Instruction

This course is designed for private instruction in the mechanics and artistry of particular instruments or voice. The goals and materials are specifically chosen to strengthen the technical, musical, and performing abilities of the individual student.

MUS119 - Private Instruction: Piano I

MUS129 - Private Instruction: Percussion I

MUS149 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds I

MUS159 - Private Instruction: Voice I

MUS170 - Private Instruction: Guitar I

MUS179 - Private Instruction: String I

MUS187 - Guitar Ensemble

The Guitar Ensemble will provide a music experience for students so they can actively engage in the artistic, cultural and social benefits of music presentations. This is a performance based course requiring the development of intellectual and physical demonstrations. Active participation by all members is required since the quality of the course and the experiences gained are dependent on the progress of all individuals. The University Guitar Ensemble performs at concerts both on and off campus. Membership in this ensemble is open to any interested guitarist. No audition is necessary, but a successful with and permission by the director is required. This course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 credits.

MUS188 - String Ensemble

The String Ensemble will provide a music experience for students so they can actively engage in the artistic, cultural and social benefits of music presentations. This is a performance based course requiring the development of intellectual and physical demonstrations. Active participation by all members is required since the quality of the course and the experiences gained are dependent on the progress of all individuals. The University Clavinova Ensemble performs at concerts both on and off campus. Membership in this ensemble is open to any interested keyboard player. No audition is necessary, but a successful interview with and permission of the director is required. This course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 credits.

MUS191 - University Choir

The California University Choir provides an opportunity for students to sing a wide variety of music from both contemporary and traditional repertoire. The choir performs frequently on campus and throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Choir membership is elective; an interview with the director is required. Repeatable up to 8 credits.

MUS192 - California Singers

A small (20-24 members) vocal ensemble, with membership determined by audition. The group performs entertainment music of all eras and many cultures; the style of performance is adapted to fit the music being performed, the audience and the season. Smaller groups within the ensemble, such as the A Capella Stella (all women a capella) and Vulcanize (all male acapella), may rehearse separately to prepare extra concert repertoire. Choreography, dialogue or mime is part of some performances. A student may participate with or without using credit. Repeatable up to a maximum of 8 credits.

MUS193 - University Gospel Choir

The California University Gospel Choir provides an opportunity for students to sing a wide variety of gospel music from both contemporary and traditional repertoire. The choir performs frequently on campus and at various venues throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Choir membership is elective; an interview with the director is required. This course is repeatable to a maximum of 8 credits.

MUS196 - Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble performs a wide variety of literature, from swing through fusion, funk, rock and ballad. Entrance is by an interview with the Jazz Ensemble director. Attendance is required at rehearsals and all public performances. Membership granted only by audition. Course is repeatable for up to 8 crs.

MUS197 - Pep Band

The Pep Band performs at select basketball games, other spring sporting events, and various campus activities where the need for a smaller ensemble exists. Membership in this ensemble is open to any interested instrumentalist or equipment technician. The audition is a required interview with the director.

MUS198 - Marching Band

The University Marching Band performs at football games and parades, and is the featured band at numerous marching band festivals. Membership in this ensemble is open to any interested instrumentalist or equipment technician. There is no audition, but an interview with the director is required. Membership is also open to any student interested in auditioning for feature twirler or for a position on the auxiliary unit as a silk, dancer or rifle. Repeatable up to a maximum of 8 crs.

MUS199 - University Concert Band

The University Concert Band performs a wide variety of traditional and contemporary literature written for the idiom. The University Concert Band performs at convocations and concerts both on and off campus. Membership in this ensemble is open to any interested instrumentalist. No audition is necessary, but an interview with the director is required. Repeatable up to a maximum of 8 crs.

MUS209 - Private Instruction: Brass II

MUS211 - Keyboard Class

For the beginning level students interested in achieving facility at the piano. Includes playing of major and minor scales, patterns and fingerings, and chords (I, IV, V) in both major and minor keys followed by their inversions and the common tone chord sequence pattern. A student completing the course should be able to play simple songs by combining melody with chord accompaniment. It is expected that students will be at an entry level in keyboard experience.

MUS215 - Comprehensive Musicianship I

Provides a knowledge of the fundamentals of music and an ability to execute basic skills, including the study of notation, rhythms and meters, major and minor scales and key signatures, intervals and chords. Basic ear training and an introduction to piano keyboard is also included. Strongly recommended for elementary education students and any others interested in strengthening their knowledge of music fundamentals.

MUS219 - Private Instruction: Piano II

MUS229 - Private Instruction: Percussion II

MUS249 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds II

MUS259 - Private Instruction: Voice II

MUS270 - Private Instruction: Guitar II

MUS275 - Music & Recording Technology I

Careers in the music technology industry are often multifaceted in nature. This requires one to be prepared to utilize a wide range of skills in the workplace, rather than relying on a single skill set. Music and Recording Technology I is a course that is designed to provide students with a wide range of creative skills, so that they may be confident as they forge their careers in this industry. Students are also introduced to digital music concepts that will be explored in greater depth in future courses. Specific topics that are to be covered include: photo editing, movie editing/production, MIDI recording/editing, audio recording/editing and music notation.

MUS279 - Private Instruction: String II

MUS300 - Jazz: History, Form and Analysis

This course presents the historical background of jazz from 1900 to present; the important artists and ensembles and their contribution to the art form; and the analysis of jazz styles and forms via guided listening to recordings and live performances.

MUS304 - American Musical: History, Form and Analysis

This course presents the various historical, cultural and social elements of the American musical. This will be accomplished through the use of visual aids, audio recordings, television, video tapes, films and, whenever possible, attendance at live performances. Experts in the field will be utilized as guest lecturers.

MUS305 - African-American Gospel and Caribbean Music: History Form and Analysis

This course presents the historical background of gospel music, various styles of Caribbean popular and gospel music, and important artists and ensembles and their contributions realized through analysis of performance styles.

MUS306 - The Opera: History, Form and Analysis

This course will examine the origins, history and elements of opera and related dramatic works for voices with instruments. The analysis of various operas will reveal the relationship of plots and music to historical and national events taking place at the time of their composition. The entire class will attend a live opera performance if at all possible.

MUS307 - Special Music Project

This course revolves around a specific staged musical production. It encompasses all facets of this project from concept through delivery, including individual and ensemble performances, technical design and implementation, business and marketing.

MUS309 - Private Instruction: Brass III

MUS310 - Music in Media

This class will study the role of music in various media as a reflection and determinant of social behavior as well as an artistic expression. From its earliest roots to today’s top-selling film and TV scores, jingles, video games and other marketing media, the interaction of music with drama and narrative has served to elicit and motivate behavior and reaction among audiences. Sociological theories interact with popular theater, film and other media to act upon its audiences at a visceral level. This course aims to explore the evolution of and contemporary uses of the sociological implications of music as used in the media.

MUS313 - Rock and Roll: History, Form and Analysis

The course presents the various musical, historical, cultural, and social elements of Rock and Roll. The student will acquire from this course an aural and intellectual grasp of this facet of music. This will be accomplished through the use of lecture/discussion and individual projects as well as the use of audio and video methods to study the important artists and ensembles and their contributors to the art form.

MUS314 - The Music Industry: History, Form & Analysis

This course presents the historical background of the Music Industry in America. It will cover an overview of the music industry including song writing, publishing, live performance, the record industry, music merchandising and publishing, contracts and licenses, and career opportunities.

MUS315 - Comprehensive Musicianship II

This course is designed for the student who wishes to acquire comprehensive musicianship skills. The student will learn the sol-fa system of note reading and interval identification, using both stationary and moveable tonic. Through sight-singing and ear-training exercises, students will refine their aural skills. Students will learn to notate simple melodies dictated, as well as to sing, whistle, or hum melodies and chords represented by notation.

MUS316 - Comprehensive Musicianship III

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of the fundamentals of music and an ability to execute basic skills, including the study of notation, rhythms and meters, major and minor scales and key signatures, intervals and chords. Ear training and piano keyboard skills are also included. Comprehensive Musicianship III is designed for music majors as well as advanced music minors.

MUS319 - Private Instruction: Piano III

MUS329 - Private Instruction: Percussion III

MUS349 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds III

MUS359 - Private Instruction: Voice III

MUS370 - Private Instruction: Guitar III

MUS372 - Creative Arts for Elementary Education and Early Childhood

This course provides a survey of concepts, theories, and experiences for integrating Arts education into the elementary classroom curriculum. Students will have practical experiences in Art, Music, and Theatre along with Arts and Education theories. This course will enable future teachers to develop arts experiences and lesson plans for children.

MUS375 - Music & Recording Technology II

Music and Recording Technology II provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to begin a career in the recording arts. The primary focus of this course is to expose students to topics related to analog recording and engineering, including: acoustic and psycho-acoustic principles of sound, audio cables and connectors, connecting analog sound systems, operating principles of microphones, analog mixing console design and operation, analog recorders, signal routing and analog signal processing.

MUS379 - Private Instruction: String III

MUS390 - Music Production I

Music Production I provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to begin a career in the music technology industry. This course will incorporate topics such as audio and MIDI theory, recording technology basics, and also introduce students to various “industry standard” software titles. Prerequisite: MUS 380.

MUS409 - Private Instruction: Brass IV

MUS416 - Comprehensive Musicianship IV

Comprehensive Musicianship IV is the final theory course of the rotation and builds on the foundations of Comprehensive Musicianship I, II and III. It is the study of advanced theory of music including chromatic harmony. Stylistic differences between 18th- 19th- and 20th-century practice will be studied. Sight-singing and ear-training work will be continued. Ongoing practice of basic keyboard skills will continue to reinforce knowledge of these elements of music literacy. Original composition will be encouraged.

MUS419 - Private Instruction: Piano IV

MUS425 - Commercial Music Arranging

Commercial Musical Arranging will call upon the application of previously acquired skills and apply them to the task of creating imaginative and practical commercial arrangements in various musical styles.

MUS429 - Private Instruction: Percussion IV

MUS449 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds IV

MUS459 - Private Instruction: Voice IV

MUS470 - Private Instruction: Guitar IV

MUS475 - Music & Recording Technology III

Music Production III exposes students to the concepts and skills used in the field digital audio production. Students will accomplish this by exploring industry standard recording software titles as well as by completing various independent and group recording projects. At the conclusion of this course all students will take the Pro Tools User Certification Exam, which, if passed, will award them with Pro Tools User Certification.

MUS476 - Music & Recordning Technology IV

Music & Recording Technology IV introduces students to the topics of digital audio editing and mixing by exposing them to various post-production techniques commonly used in modern music production. Students will experiment with these techniques on recording projects they themselves completed in previous Music and Recording Technology courses throughout the semester. In addition to being exposed to these topics, students are also taught the official Avid Pro Tools 110 curriculum which further emphasizes the use of advanced production techniques specific to the Pro Tools software environment. Midway through the course, all students will take the Pro Tools User Certification Exam, which, if passed, will award them with Pro Tools User Certification.

MUS477 - Music & Recording Technology V

Music & Recording Technology V is the capstone course in the music department’s music technology course offerings. Throughout the semester, students will complete a comprehensive recording portfolio that consists of detailed written reports which outline all technical and artistic decisions, processes that were utilized to create five recording projects (four guided, one self-guided). While the completion of the portfolio is generally self-guided, each student’s work will be reviewed and critiqued by the professor of record three times throughout the semester (week 5, week 10, week 15). Once completed, the portfolio can be used as a tool for internship applications, future employment applications, and the like. All class lectures in MUS 477 will consist of discussions centered around the following topics: advanced editing and production skills used in Pro Tools software, figureheads in the fields of audio engineering and music production, proper engineering etiquette, communicating well with clients, understanding the role technology serves in helping to achieve artistic goals.

MUS479 - Private Instruction: String IV

MUS485 - Music Technology Practicum

Music Department Practicum offers the student the opportunity for practical, professional recording work and field experiences in various on & off-campus settings.

MUS488 - Music Tech Internship

Music Department Internship offers the student the opportunity for practical, professional recording work and field experiences in various on & off-campus settings. Internship are to be jointly administered by an on-site supervisor and a Departmental Internship Supervisor.

MUS499 - Senior Project/Recital

The Senior Project / Recital serves as the final demonstration of the student’s specialization within the Commercial Music Technology Program. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, the student seeks to make a substantive contribution to the discipline. Considerable latitude in the form of the contribution is permitted. Empirical and historical research as well as creative presentations are all appropriate. Other faculty members of the Music Department are assigned to independently pass judgment on the student’s scholastic effort. An oral defense, demonstration or display of the completed project / recital is required.

MUS-Music

Course Descriptions By Program

MUS100 - Introduction to Music

MUS104 - Voice Class I

MUS109 - Private Instruction

MUS119 - Private Instruction: Piano I

MUS129 - Private Instruction: Percussion I

MUS149 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds I

MUS159 - Private Instruction: Voice I

MUS170 - Private Instruction: Guitar I

MUS179 - Private Instruction: String I

MUS187 - Guitar Ensemble

MUS188 - String Ensemble

MUS191 - University Choir

MUS192 - California Singers

MUS193 - University Gospel Choir

MUS196 - Jazz Ensemble

MUS197 - Pep Band

MUS198 - Marching Band

MUS199 - University Concert Band

MUS209 - Private Instruction: Brass II

MUS211 - Keyboard Class

MUS215 - Comprehensive Musicianship I

MUS219 - Private Instruction: Piano II

MUS229 - Private Instruction: Percussion II

MUS249 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds II

MUS259 - Private Instruction: Voice II

MUS270 - Private Instruction: Guitar II

MUS275 - Music & Recording Technology I

MUS279 - Private Instruction: String II

MUS300 - Jazz: History, Form and Analysis

MUS304 - American Musical: History, Form and Analysis

MUS305 - African-American Gospel and Caribbean Music: History Form and Analysis

MUS306 - The Opera: History, Form and Analysis

MUS307 - Special Music Project

MUS309 - Private Instruction: Brass III

MUS310 - Music in Media

MUS313 - Rock and Roll: History, Form and Analysis

MUS314 - The Music Industry: History, Form & Analysis

MUS315 - Comprehensive Musicianship II

MUS316 - Comprehensive Musicianship III

MUS319 - Private Instruction: Piano III

MUS329 - Private Instruction: Percussion III

MUS349 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds III

MUS359 - Private Instruction: Voice III

MUS370 - Private Instruction: Guitar III

MUS372 - Creative Arts for Elementary Education and Early Childhood

MUS375 - Music & Recording Technology II

MUS379 - Private Instruction: String III

MUS390 - Music Production I

MUS409 - Private Instruction: Brass IV

MUS416 - Comprehensive Musicianship IV

MUS419 - Private Instruction: Piano IV

MUS425 - Commercial Music Arranging

MUS429 - Private Instruction: Percussion IV

MUS449 - Private Instruction: Woodwinds IV

MUS459 - Private Instruction: Voice IV

MUS470 - Private Instruction: Guitar IV

MUS475 - Music & Recording Technology III

MUS476 - Music & Recordning Technology IV

MUS477 - Music & Recording Technology V

MUS479 - Private Instruction: String IV

MUS479 - Private Instruction: String IV

MUS485 - Music Technology Practicum

MUS488 - Music Tech Internship

MUS499 - Senior Project/Recital