Music

The music department offers courses that develop vocal and/or instrumental performance abilities as well as knowledge of music history and theory. Ensemble experience is gained by participation in the College of Saint Mary Chorus and CSM Singers.

Individual applied music instruction is available for any student from the complete beginner to the accomplished performer. A student wishing to minor in music is required to take a preliminary examination in music theory and perform an audition in her chosen applied music area. The exam and audition will allow the Fine Arts Program Director to effectively advise each student regarding her course of study. A student should declare a music minor no later than her sophomore year in order to complete the required courses.

All MUS courses are approved for General Education credit.

MUSIC COURSES TAKEN FOR NON-CREDIT

Select music courses, to be determined by Fine Arts Director, may be taken as non-credit, instead of as a graded course. The following process should be followed: Contact the Fine Arts Director for permission, who will then notify the Registrar’s Office to register the student for non-credit. The Registrar Office enters the course on the student’s schedule with zero credits and a grade of NC. A course may be changed to no credit any time during the semester by a written request to the Registrar’s Office. Courses may not be changed from NC to credit after add/drop period.

Applied Music

Any student may register for beginning level applied music courses. Intermediate or advanced level courses require permission of the instructor and necessary prerequisites. Beginning private lessons will be 30 minutes in length and intermediate or advanced level private lessons are 50 minutes in length. Daily practice is expected of all students enrolled in applied music courses. Practice requirements are outlined in each instructor’s syllabus. Any applied music course number may be repeated for credit. (Does not apply to MUS 108 and 109.) Instruction in additional instruments may be offered. Contact the Fine Arts Program Director for information.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

MUS 108: Class Piano I

Beginning level instruction in piano is offered in a digital computer lab. This course is designed for students with no previous musical background. Daily practice is expected of all students.

MUS 109: Class Piano II

Beginning level instruction in piano is offered in a digital computer lab. This course will allow students who have completed Class Piano I to continue piano studies in a second semester class.

MUS 118: Musicianship I

A general introduction to the language of music intended to help the student gain fluency in reading and understanding conventional musical notation. Fundamental theoretical concepts (melodic and rhythmic notation, intervals, scales, meter, tonality) are studied and rudimentary applied skills (ear training, sight singing, keyboard harmony) are developed.

MUS 119: Musicianship II

An introduction to the harmonic theory of the common practice period. The course begins with a review of music fundamentals and then examines the nature of triads and seventh chords, basic principles of voice-leading and harmonic progression, chord inversion, and non-chord tones. Skills such as ear training, sight singing and keyboard harmony are simultaneously cultivated.

MUS 204: Music of the People

A listening course which explores types of folk music, instruments and dances important to people of specific cultures and countries throughout the world.

MUS 205: Women in Music

This course, taught from an historical perspective, focuses on the accomplishments of women as composers and performers from the early days of the Christian church to the present.

MUS 206: Music of Western Civilization

An introduction to the great music of Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the present. The course begins with a discussion of the elements of music and proceeds with a chronological overview of music history. Classical masterworks from all style periods are studied.

MUS 247: CSM Chorus

Choral literature in a variety of styles is learned and performed. The CSM Chorus typically performs one major concert each semester and sings occasionally for events both on and off-campus. Choir tours are included in this course in some semesters. Participation in rehearsals and performances in addition to scheduled class time is required. Students may enroll in chorus for credit or on a non-credit basis. Enrollment in the non-credit section requires permission of the instructor. Students may re-elect this course every semester. Open to all students.

MUS 307: Old Man River: American Music and the Mississippi River

This course provides an introduction to the history and development of popular and folk music styles from the American culture, and the importance of the Mississippi River in creating and disseminating musical styles. The Course will provide an overview of the development of American musical styles and their historical relationships with the Mississippi River. Students will experience a wide variety of music from different genres and style periods, become familiar with basic musical forms and concepts from American folk and popular traditions and develop informed listening skills.

MUS 346: History of Music I

A survey of music and its development in Western civilization from earliest examples through the Baroque period. Emphasis is given to representative musical works and styles and to the understanding of musical concepts in relation to their historical and cultural background.

MUS 347: History of Music II

A survey of music and its development in Western civilization from the Classical period through the present day. Emphasis is given to representative musical works and styles and the understanding of musical concepts in relation to their historical and cultural background.

MUS 348: Twentieth Century Music

Study of the forms and styles of classical music from Debussy to the present, including impressionism, serialism, neo-classicism, minimalism, aleatoric music, electronic music, and music in traditional major-minor systems.

MUS 349: Masterpieces of Sacred Music

A survey of compositions for chorus and orchestra that have achieved the status of musical and spiritual masterpieces. Musical examples from the Middle Ages through the present will be studied.

MUS 357: CSM Singers

CSM Singers is a select choral ensemble whose members are chosen by audition from students enrolled in CSM Chorus. Students will have the opportunity to develop advanced choral skills, explore additional choral repertoire, and perform in concerts both on and off campus. In order to register for this course, a student must also register for MUS 247 (CSM Chorus) during the same semester.

MUS 375: The American Musical

A music appreciation course that also includes the dramatic and artistic elements of the musical. From an historical perspective, the students study the development of the American musical from 1866 to the present. Through readings, video viewing, and music listening, the students learn about this uniquely American style of performance that has derived from jazz, folk, and opera.