Music Theory (MUTH)
MUTH M100 Elements of Music Theory 3 crs.
This course covers pitch and rhythmic notation, intervals, rhythmic and melodic music reading, and dictation. Open to non-music students.
MUTH M102 Theory I 4 crs.
This course covers theory rudiments and species counterpoint, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of diatonic materials in the major mode.
Prerequisite: MUTH M100 or appropriate placement
MUTH M103 Theory II 4 crs.
This course covers harmonic and contrapuntal processes in the context of Bach chorale style, including modulation, secondary dominant chords, and part-writing, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of diatonic materials in the major and minor modes.
Prerequisite: MUTH M102
MUTH M150 Theory of Popular Music I 4 crs.
This course introduces the elements of music theory with an emphasis on popular styles of music including rock, pop, roots and jazz. Basic cognitive, ear training, keyboard and singing skills aid in the learning of music theory for the Music Industry Studies student majoring in Popular and Commercial Music.
Prerequisites: Students must successfully pass the audition for the Bachelor of Commercial and Popular Music degree and be admitted to the Department of Music Industry Studies.
Co-requisite: MUPC-M110 Class Piano I, except for piano majors
MUTH M151 Theory of Popular Music II 4 crs.
This course covers in-depth chord theory and the harmonic constructions used in popular and commercial music. Students will sight-sing, transcribe melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation with keyboard skills reinforcing cognitive knowledge.
Prerequisites: MUTH M150 Theory of Popular Music I; or permission of instructor
Co-requisite: MUPC-M111 Class Piano II except for piano majors
MUTH M200 Student Composer's Forum 1 cr.
This course covers selected topics in music composition in a seminar format, with writing problems in a particular genre or technique emphasized each semester.
MUTH M202 Theory III 4 crs.
This course covers the harmonic syntax of the 19th century and small forms, including binary and ternary forms, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of conventional chromatic techniques such as secondary dominants, Neapolitan sixth chords, and augmented sixth chords.
MUTH M203 Theory IV 4 crs.
This course covers fugue, larger forms, including sonata form and rondo form, and 20th-century compositional techniques, with musicianship skills focused on aural perception of non-diatonic materials and exotic chromaticism.
MUTH M210 Composition I 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers simple homophonic compositions in small forms such as binary form and ternary form.
MUTH M211 Composition II 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers simple polyphonic devices such as canon, and short compositions with texts.
MUTH M250 Theory of Popular Music III 4 crs.
This course covers advanced chord theory and harmonic constructions used in popular and commercial music, including sight singing, melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and keyboard skills reinforcing cognitive knowledge.
Prerequisites: MUTH M151 Theory of Popular Music II, or permission of instructor
Co-requisite: MUPC M200 Piano for Popular Music except for piano majors
MUTH M302 Counterpoint I 2 crs.
This course covers writing and analysis of sacred, polyphonic vocal music in the style of the late Renaissance.
Prerequisite: MUTH M202
MUTH M303 Counterpoint II 2 crs.
This course covers writing and analysis of instrumental and vocal music in the style of the late Baroque.
Prerequisite: MUTH M202
MUTH M304 Jazz Composition 2 crs.
This course is the study of jazz composition and arranging with the emphasis on writing for small groups.
Prerequisites: MUJZ M107, MUJZ M108, or permission of instructor
MUTH M305 Electronic Music 3 crs.
This course explores techniques of original composition using electronic media with emphasis on digital synthesis. Students will complete a large scale original composition project by the end of the semester.
MUTH M306 Orchestration I 2 crs.
This course is a study of the capabilities and limitations of orchestral string, wind, and percussion instruments.
Prerequisite: MUTH M103
MUTH M307 Orchestration II 2 crs.
This course is the study of the history of orchestration procedures from the early Classical era to the present. The relationship of orchestration to formal processes will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: MUTH M306
MUTH M308 Commercial Arranging 4 crs.
This class is an overview of commercial arranging from technical, theoretical, historical, and business perspectives. Various techniques for writing melodies and harmonies of 2- parts to full big bands will be studied and practiced through writing assignments.
Prerequisites: Completion of MUTH M203 Music Theory III, MUTH M250 Theory of Popular Music III or equivalent; or permission of instructor;
MUTH M309 Modern Arranging 2 crs.
Modern Arranging is designed to introduce students to the techniques and practices of large ensemble (big band) jazz arranging. Ranges, transpositions, and the properties of the more commonly used instruments, theory, voicing principles, reharmonization, orchestration, and the organization of an arrangement are studied. A final project is a short arrangement for big band, which will be performed and recorded by Jazz Band I.
Prerequisite: MUJZ M107
MUTH M310 Composition III 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers problems of larger forms such as variation form or rondo form, and writing for a variety of instrumental combinations.
Prerequisite: MUTH M211
MUTH M311 Composition IV 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction for many students covers problems of larger forms such as sonata form, and writing for a variety of instrumental combinations.
Prerequisite: MUTH M310
MUTH M402 Form and Analysis I 2 crs.
This course is a formal and harmonic analysis of fugue and musical works from the classical through post-romantic periods.
Prerequisite: MUTH M203
MUTH M403 Form and Analysis II 2 crs.
This course covers analysis of 20th-century music and Schenkerian analysis of tonal music.
Prerequisite: MUTH M203
MUTH M410 Composition V 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction is focused on preparation of a senior recital of original compositions in a variety of media.
Prerequisite: MUTH M311
MUTH M411 Composition VI 2 crs.
Private instruction in composition. Course content varies with the background and experience of the student. Instruction is focused on preparation of a senior recital of original compositions in a variety of media.
Prerequisite: MUTH M410
MUTH M420 Topics in Music Theory 3 crs.
A seminar-style study of a single analytical technique, such as Schenkerian analysis or pitch-class set theory, or analytical survey of a particular body of literature, such as the Classical string quartet or 20th-century sacred music for chorus and orchestra.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
MUTH M430 Song Writing 2 crs.
This course addresses the art, the structure, and the method of songwriting, including lyric writing, construction of melody, and form. It includes all genres and styles.
Prerequisite: MUGN M105 Music Industry Musicianship, MUTH M150 Theory of Popular Music I, or MUTH M102 Theory I
MUTH M435 Film Scoring 3 crs.
This course provides students with an overview of film and TV scoring, focusing on both composition and music supervision. The following topics will be addressed: a film’s “music team” (director, producer, music supervisor, film editor, composer) and the respective roles of each will be discussed; the general functions of music in film and TV; budgeting for music; “temp scores; music licensing (master and sync), spotting a film; general vocabulary of the industry; the “tools” used by composers. Students will work with each other in creative teams to “score” scenes from projects.
Prerequisites: MUGN M105 Music Industry Musicianship or MUTH M102
This course has a lab fee associated with it for the purpose of supporting supplies specifically needed for the functioning of this particular course. Please check LORA for the amount of the lab fee.
MUTH M499 Independent Study Credits Vary
A student may apply for an independent study only in the following two cases: the student needs a course for graduation which is not presently being offered, or the student desires to study a topic(s) not covered in courses offered by the college. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required in order to be eligible to enroll in independent study. In general, students applying for independent study should possess at least junior standing. Exceptions must be discussed with and approved by the associate dean. Students must also complete a formal application prior to registration and obtain approval from the desired tenured instructor and the associate dean.