Academic Bulletin Music - 2012-13

Currently viewing 2012-13 bulletin

Faculty: P. Hulen (chair), R. Bowen,  J. Makubuya, A. White

A. Abel, Director of Chamber Orchestra
S. Robinett, Director of Jazz Band

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, MUS 101, 102, 104, and 105-06 are designed for the student with little or no musical background. MUS 101 introduces students to musical ideas, styles, and language and enables the listener to become more sophisticated and articulate. MUS 102 is an introduction to world music apart from the Western classical art-music tradition. MUS 107 is intended to introduce students to the rudiments of musical language (rhythm, scales, keys, triads) and assumes that the student has no prior experience with reading music,  This course prepares students for the music theory sequence (MUS 201, 301-02). MUS 104 is a 1/2 credit special-topics course open to all students; previous topics have included Bach, Jazz, and African American Music. MUS 204 is a 1-credit special-topics course open to all students: previous topics have included computer-driven algorithmic composition.

Intermediate courses include MUS 201, 202, 217, 218, 219, 220, and 221. MUS 201 (Theory I) assumes (and requires) that a student already has the minimum background provided by MUS 106. Engaging the student with the simultaneous and sequential aspects of music, it begins to illuminate the subtle richness of functional tonality. MUS 211 through 213 focus upon discrete historical periods. MUS 202 provides an introduction to a variety of world-music instrumental types as constructed and used by various cultures. MUS 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. MUS 224 focuses on the ethnography of music in a variety of cultures.

The advanced student is served by MUS 287, 288, 301, 302, 313, 387, 388, and 401. MUS 301 (Theory II) and 302 (Theory III) emphasize the linear and harmonic aspects of diatonic and chromatic harmony, advanced ear-training, rhythm, and keyboard exercises. MUS 313 is a special topics seminar created especially for music majors, minors, and those students with sufficient musical background. In MUS 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, MUS 387 or 388. MUS 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: MUS 201, 301, and 302 (the music theory sequence); 220 plus two of the three courses numbered 211, 212, and 224 (the musicology sequence, taken in any order); 261 and 361 (individual applied instruction, each 1/2 credit for a full year of study); and 401 (the senior seminar). Additional credit(s) may be taken in music. MUS 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 (especially 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 onehour oral examination as part of the comprehensive examinations.

Requirements for the Minor: Five course credits, including MUS 201, 261, and one course credit in Music History (217, 212, 213, or 224). MUS107 does not count toward the minor. 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 persemester 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 MUS 261 and 361.