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Music > Courses

Courses

Department of Music

From the 2012-2013 Millsaps Catalog

1002 Creating Music @ the Computer (2 sem. hours). A study of basic music using the computer, this course emphasizes creative thinking in manipulating music gestures
and culminates in an original composition. One hour of lecture and two hours of music lab per week. Partially fulfills the fine arts requirement.

2000 Concepts and Design in Music I (4 sem. hours). Explores the basic underlying principles and concepts related to musical abstraction. Students discover and apply
thought processes utilized by composers. Independent creative activities that have expressive intent form the core of student work. Aural concepts are emphasized. Fulfills the fine arts requirement.

2010 Concepts and Design in Music II (4 sem. hours). Emphasizes music conventions and constructs that shape and define music style. Modal, tonal, and serial approaches to composition are studied. Student compositions and performances provide focus for the study. Aural concepts are emphasized. Prerequisite: Music 2000.

2100 History of Jazz (4 sem. hours). A survey course that charts the stylistic evolution of jazz, from its humble beginnings to its status as a respected art form. The course will investigate the early roots of jazz, the importance of the art of improvisation, and recent trends. The social and cultural contexts surrounding the evolution of jazz styles will also be studied. Fulfills the fine arts requirement.

2112 Music in the Marketplace (2 sem. hours). The study will lead to a critical analysis of how performance and reception of music has evolved historically in response to patronage and market forces. The course will emphasize ways musicians today can respond to a market economy. Offered in alternate years.

2122 The Musical World of the Age of Enlightenment (2 sem. hours). This course explores the effects of Enlightenment thought and its influence on the composers of the later 18th century, and will include readings from 18th-century philosophers and explore a variety of genres which reflect this thought. Specific studies will involve study of individual works including one selected opera, an instrumental concerto, and a symphony of Mozart. Offered in alternate years. Partially fulfills the fine arts requirement.

2132 Women and Music (2 sem. hours). Explores contributions of women to the art of music, with special emphasis on women composers and performers beginning with Hildegaard von Bingen in the Middle Ages and concluding with contemporary composers and performers. Offered in alternate years.

2142 Musical Style in World Cultures (2 sem. hours). This course will aim for an understanding and appreciation of various music cultures around the globe, applying analytical listening and selected readings in ethnomusicology. Prerequisite: MUSC 1002 or permission of the instructor. Partially fulfills the fine arts requirement.

3000 Critical Skills and Music Analysis (4 sem. hours). Investigates the presentation, development, and relatedness of musical ideas through harmonic and structural analysis of music forms. Student-written analyses and class presentations are an integral part of the study. Prerequisite: MUSC 2010

3012 Counterpoint (2 sem. hours). Probes 18th-century polyphony. Strict species counterpoint and period contrapuntal forms such as invention and fugue are studied. Drill and practice culminate in student contrapuntal compositions. Prerequisite: Music 3000. Offered in alternate years.

3100 The Evolution of Style in Western Music (4 sem. hours). An investigation into the connection between style and musical expression. This course begins with medieval plainchant and follows musical thought down an evolutionary path to the music of late Romanticism. Listening and score study of selected works required. Prerequisite: MUSC 2000 or permission of the instructor.

3102 Contemporary Music (2 sem. hours). A music literature course that focuses on the most important developments and trends in 20th-century art music, beginning with Impressionism’s reaction to late Romanticism and ending with a study of recent works by important composers of our time. Prerequisite: MUSC 2000 or permission of the instructor.

3112 Romanticism (2 sem. hours). A study of the European 19th century in music, beginning with Schubert and ending with the late Romantic works of Wagner and R. Strauss. The course will not only examine scores and recordings but will require readings in contemporary criticism on Romanticism’s socio-cultural roots. Prerequisite: MUSC 1002 or permission of the instructor. Offered in alternate years.

3122 Symphonic Literature (2 sem. hours). A study of the most significant symphonic works from the 18th century to the present. Prerequisite: MUSC 1002 or permission of the instructor. Offered in alternate years.

3132 Beethoven (2 sem. hours). An in-depth study of selected works of Beethoven, and assessment of his influence on composers who followed him. The course will
incorporate readings on his life and personal struggles to understand Beethoven the man. Prerequisite: MUSC 1002 or permission of the instructor. Offered in alternate years.

3142 History of Opera (2 sem. hours). A survey of the history of opera, from its beginnings in the 17th century to selected recent operas with an emphasis on placing the art form in the context of social history. Offered in alternate years.

3532 Choral Conducting I (2 sem. hours). Provides theoretical and practical background for leading a choral ensemble. The class functions as a laboratory for developing conducting techniques. Prerequisite: MUSC 1002. Offered in alternate years.

3542 Choral Conducting II (2 sem. hours). Provides additional support for developing conducting/analytical skills while utilizing significant choral literature. The class functions as a laboratory. Prerequisite: MUSC 3532. Offered in alternate years.

3591 Junior Recital (1 sem. hour). Junior performance concentrators only.

4102 Literature for the Piano (2 sem. hours). Surveys standard piano repertoire with emphasis on discovery of stylistic characteristics of major keyboard composers. Student research forms an integral part of the study.

4110 Church Music Literature/Hymnology (4 sem. hours). Explores significant large and small forms of sacred music during the first half of the course. The second half examines hymnody with emphasis on English and American development of the form. Offered as needed.

4132 Literature for the Voice (2 sem. hours). Surveys solo song form of the Renaissance through the 20th century. The course emphasizes recital/concert program building from a historical perspective. Class performance is expected. Offered in alternate years.

4200 Music Methods for Today’s Schools (4 sem. hours). Explores strategies for teaching grades K–12. Elementary topics include Suzuki, Dalcroze, Kodaly, and Orff techniques, while secondary topics emphasize choral methods. Offered in alternate years.

4202 Piano Pedagogy I (2 sem. hours). Emphasizes techniques and materials used in teaching piano to children and older students in both private and class instruction. Papers on topics relating to piano teaching are expected. Offered in alternate years.

4220 Vocal Pedagogy (4 sem. hours). Explores the physical musculature and mechanics of singing, the use of technical exercises, and the psychology of vocal teaching. Investigation of basic repertoire for the beginning teacher forms an integral part of the course. Offered in alternate years.

4230 Instrumental Literature and Pedagogy (4 sem. hours). Surveys standard instrumental repertoire with an emphasis on its major composers. Additional techniques of applied and classroom teaching will be explored. Student research, papers, class performance, and teaching demonstrations are expected. Offered as needed.

4500 Conducting from the Organ Console and Service Playing (4 sem. hours). Emphasizes choral conducting techniques and literature for the church organist during the first half of the semester. The second half focuses on organ style for accompanying hymns and anthems. Offered as needed.

4592 Senior Recital (2 sem. hours). Senior performance concentrators only.

4800–03 Directed Study (1–4 sem. hours). Students may elect to design a course that allows them to pursue an area of special interest not included in other courses. Faculty approval is required.

4852 Internship for Church Musicians (2 sem. hours). Provides the prospective church musician practical experience under the guidance of a practicing, full-time church musician. Five to eight hours each week are spent in the church setting.

4862 Piano Pedagogy II (2 sem. hours). Continues work begun in Piano Pedagogy I. Actual teaching in an internship context is required. Offered in alternate years.

4900 Senior Seminar in Music: Readings in Critical Musicology (4 sem. hours). A study of recent trends in music scholarship.

4902 Music Study as Aesthetic Contemplation (2 sem. hours). A study that places in context the main aesthetic philosophies of music performance and education. Offered in alternate years.

4910 Undergraduate Thesis (4 sem. hours).

Applied Music

15S1 Singers (1 sem. hour). Students perform important choral works from all major style periods, often with orchestra. A cappella and accompanied presentations are balanced. Four semester hours fulfills the fine arts requirement.

1501 Ensembles (1 sem. hour). Gives students opportunities to perform significant works for small ensembles. Vocal and instrumental opportunities are offered according to student needs. To receive academic credit for these ensembles, students must enroll for both fall and spring semesters. Students enroll for audit credit during the fall. In the spring, enroll for regular one-semester-hour academic credit.

MUSC 1531 Piano Class I (1 sem. hour). A study of the rudiments of playing the piano designed for non-piano concentrators and other music students who have had no previous piano study. Competency in reading keyboard music, scales and arpeggios, harmonization of short melodies, accompanying, transposition, choral score reading, ensemble, and solo repertoire are stressed.

MUSC 1541 Piano Class II (1 sem. hour). A continuation of study begun in MUSC 1531. Prerequisite: MUSC 1531 or consent of instructor.

MUSC 2531 Piano Class III (1 sem. hour). A second year continuation of the studies initiated in MUSC 1531 and 1541. Prerequisite: MUSC 1541 or consent of instructor.

MUSC 2541 Piano Class IV (1 sem. hour). A continuation of study begun in MUSC 2531. Following the completion of these courses, one should be prepared to take the piano proficiency required of all music majors. Prerequisite: MUSC 2531 or consent of instructor.

Voice 1511, 1521, 2511, 2521, 3511, 3521, 4511, 4521, 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, 4522 (1–2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for nonmusic and music majors. Employs basic vocal repertoire appropriate for individual vocal growth. Historical style development as well as breath support, posture, phonation, enunciation, articulation, and related singing skills are emphasized. Weekly repertoire class is required.

Piano 1511, 1521, 2511, 2521, 3511, 3521, 4511, 4521, 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, 4522 (1–2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for nonmusic and music majors. Introduces appropriate literature from the major style periods and technical drill

Organ 1511, 1521, 2511, 2521, 3511, 3521, 4511, 4521, 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, 4522 (1–2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for nonmusic and music majors. Provides keyboard and pedal technique needed to perform major organ literature. Sufficient piano background is necessary. Weekly repertoire class is required.

Instrumental Study 1511, 1521, 2511, 2521, 3511, 3521, 4511, 4521, 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, 4522 (1–2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for nonmusic and music majors. Provides fundamental technique for performance on orchestral instruments. Literature appropriate for each student is utilized.

Voice 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, and 4522 (2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for voice concentrators. Covers a larger body of literature than elective voice. Intensive development of technique is approached through works of Vaccai, Shakespeare, Marchesi, Vennard, McCloskey, Miller, and others. Weekly repertoire class is required. Emphasizes literature and technique needed for church organists, performers, or teachers. Weekly repertoire class is required.

Instrumental Study 1512, 1522, 2512, 2522, 3512, 3522, 4512, and 4522 (2 sem. hours). Private studio lessons for instrument concentrators. Provides technique for performance on orchestral instruments at the level appropriate for a music minor. Literature to enhance student technique and musical development is employed.