Academic Bulletin Music - 2006-07

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Faculty: L. Bennett (chair), D. Akombo, P. Hulen, J. Makubuya*  
    A. Abel, Director of Chamber Orchestra 
    R. Bowen, Director of Glee Club 
    S. Robinett, Director of Jazz Band

* Sabbatical Leave - Full Year

The music curriculum is designed to serve students from a variety of backgrounds. Students choose courses to satisfy distribution requirements, to enrich their ensemble experience, or to pursue a music major or minor. The department offers courses at all levels in the theoretical, historical, and creative aspects of music.

If a student is unsure about his preparation for a given course, he should consult a member of the music faculty. In general, however, Music 101, 102, 104, and 105-06 are designed for the student with little or no musical background. Music 101 introduces students to musical ideas, styles, and language and enables the listener to become more sophisticated and articulate. Music 102 is an introduction to world music apart from the Western classical art-music tradition. Music 105 and 106 are two half courses intended to introduce students to the rudiments of musical language (rhythm, scales, keys, triads); Music 105 assumes that the student has no prior experience with reading music, and Music 106 is a continuation of work completed in Music 105. Together these two half courses prepare students for the music theory sequence (Music 201, 301-02). Music 104 is a special-topics course open to all students; previous topics have included Bach, Jazz, and Music and Technology.

Intermediate courses include Music 201, 202, 217, 218, 219, 220, and 221. Music 201 (Theory I) assumes (and requires) that a student already has the minimum background provided by Music 106. Engaging the student with the vertical and broader horizontal aspects of music, it begins to illuminate the subtle richness of functional tonality. Music 217 through 220 focus upon discrete historical periods. Music 202 provides an introduction to a variety of world-music instrumental and/or vocal cultures. Music 221 fosters creativity through work in electronic media; it is an introductory course, but is restricted to sophomores and above because of the considerable workload and time demands.

The advanced student is served by Music 287, 288, 301, 302, 313, 387, 388, and 401. Music 301 (Theory II) and 302 (Theory III) emphasize the linear and vertical aspects of diatonic and chromatic harmony, advanced ear-training, rhythm, and keyboard exercises. Music 313 is a special topics seminar created especially for music majors, minors, and those students with sufficient musical background. In Music 287, 288 the individual student pursues a special topic in depth; recent topics have included the operas of Tchaikovsky and the Chicago blues. Advanced music students who have completed the music theory sequence may take Composition, Music 387 or 388. Music 401 is a capstone course for senior music majors.

Music students participating in the New York Arts Program, a special semester-long internship program in New York, apprentice themselves to professional musicians or arts managers. The Institute of European Studies in Vienna broadens and strengthens some music majors, particularly in vocal and instrumental instruction. A program in the humanities at the Newberry Library in Chicago offers opportunities to students of musicology.

Requirements for the Major: Music majors must complete at least nine course credits in music, including the following eight: Music 201, 301, and 302 (the music theory sequence); 220 plus two of the three courses numbered 217, 218, and 219 (the music history sequence, taken in any order); 261 and 361 (applied lessons, each 1/2 credit for a full year of study); and 401 (the senior seminar). Additional credit(s) may be taken in Music 102, 202, 221, 287/288, 313, and 387/388. Music 101, 104, and 105-06 do not count towards the major. Majors are required to participate in ensembles a minimum of two full years. Ensembles are taken in addition to the 34 course credits required for graduation and the nine courses required for the major. Grades are assigned only on a credit/no credit basis and do not compute in the student's GPA; however, this information is listed on transcripts. Majors must also complete a Senior Project in music.

Music majors are strongly encouraged to take courses in the following areas in fulfillment of their distribution coursework: Art History, Language Studies (Classical and Modern), Literature (and Culture), Philosophy (esp. aesthetics), Psychology (especially perception), and General Physics (especially physics of sound).

For Senior Comprehensives, majors must pass a written departmental examination, which draws upon a broad knowledge and understanding of music history, theory, formal analysis, and musicianship. Majors must also pass a one-hour oral examination.

Requirements for the Minor: Five course credits, including Music 201, Music 261, and one course credit in Music History (217, 218, 219, or 220). Minors are required to participate in an ensemble a minimum of one full year. Ensembles are taken in addition to the 34 course credits required for graduation and the five courses required for the minor. Grades are assigned only on a credit/no credit basis and do not compute in the student's GPA; however, this information is listed on transcripts.

Music Lessons
The Department offers lessons in piano, voice, guitar, organ, or any standard orchestral instrument. Instruction is given by professional artists who teach at Wabash one or two days per week. Wabash students pay for lessons on a per-semester basis, though the Department subsidizes the cost of lessons. Students who wish to take lessons for credit must audition and pass a music theory exam to receive departmental permission; the cost of lessons for students who enroll for credit is covered by tuition. For further details, see the course description for Music 261, 361.