BSU Catalog Home | Music Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

Music Course Descriptions

(MUS) College-Program: 12-03. Check with Department for quarter when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

102 FOLK, JAZZ, AND ROCK MUSIC-F-W-S (3 credits). A survey of American folk, jazz, and rock music and its place in American culture. Presentations include lectures, readings, and listening to representative compositions. Open to all students. (Applies to Liberal Education Areas II and VII ). (May not be offered every year.)

104 WORLD MUSIC (3 credits). Explore the musical cultures of a relatively small number of representative human groups, through case studies. Students will indirectly experience what it is like to be an enthomusicologist puzzling out his or her way toward understanding an unfamiliar music and its context in an unfamiliar culture. This course may also be used to fulfill Liberal Education requirements. (Applies to Liberal Education Areas II and VII).

111 MUSIC PRINCIPLES-F-W-S (4 credits). Basic concepts of music, notation, and beginning theory, introduction to singing and piano. Open to all students. (Applies to Liberal Education Area II ).

115 PIANO FUNDAMENTALS I (1 credit). Familiarization with the piano. Basic techniques of playing scales, intervals, and chord progressions. Required of all majors, minors and fields of emphasis: others by consent of Department Chair and Instructor. Co-requisite: Concurrent registration each quarter with Music Theory until requirements for the Piano Proficiency Exam (Music 117) are completed.

116 PIANO FUNDAMENTALS II (1 credit). See Music 115. Open to music majors and minors only. May be repeated for credit until Piano Proficiency Exam (Music 117) has been completed. Credits may be used as music electives. Co-requisite: Concurrent registration each quarter with Music Theory until requirements for the Piano Proficiency Exam (Music 117) are completed.

117 PIANO PROFICIENCY I (0 credits). Students register for this Exam when prepared to complete all material outlined in the Piano Proficiency Syllabus. Required of all music majors, minors and music emphasis students. Prerequisite to conducting fundamentals and student teaching. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

118 PIANO PROFICIENCY II (0 credits). Students may register for this exam when they have successfully completed all material outlined in the piano proficiency syllabus. Required of all music majors. It is usually completed by the end of the sophomore year and is a prerequisite to conducting fundamentals. Prerequisite: MUS 116, MUS 117.

126, 226, 326, 426 PRIVATE ORGAN (Fee Basis) (1-2 credits). One thirty minute lesson per week per quarter hour. Consult schedule for current fee. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. Level determined by instructor. Prerequisite: piano proficiency.

127, 227, 327, 427 PRIVATE PIANO-F-W-S (Fee basis) (1-2 credits). One thirty minute lesson weekly per quarter hour. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. Level determined by instructor.

128, 228, 328, 428 PRIVATE VOICE-F-W-S (Fee basis) (1-2 credits). One thirty minute lesson weekly per quarter hour. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. Level determined by instructor.

129, 229, 329, 429 PRIVATE INSTRUMENT-F-W-S (Fee Basis) (1-2 credits). One thirty minute lesson weekly per quarter hour. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. Level determined by instructor.

130 PIANO, LEVEL I (1 credit). Group instruction at the beginning level. Sections may be offered for students with no experience and students with some experience. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ). (May not be offered every year.)

131 VOICE, LEVEL I (1 credit). Group instruction at the beginning level. Sections may be offered for students with no experience and students with some experience. Open to all students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

132 STRINGS, LEVEL I (violin, viola, violoncello, doublebass, guitar) (1-2 credits). Group instruction at beginning level. Some sections open to all students; others open only to majors, minors, elementary fields of emphasis. Open to students by consent of Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ). (May not be offered every year.)

133 WOODWINDS, LEVEL I (flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone) (1 credit). Group instruction at beginning level. Some sections open to all students; other open only to majors, minors, elementary fields of emphasis. Consult Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ). (l III) (May not be offered every year.)

134 BRASS, LEVEL I (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium/tuba) (1 credit). Group instruction at beginning level. Some sections open to all students; others open only to majors, minors, elementary fields of emphasis. Consult Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ). (May not be offered every year.)

135 PERCUSSION, LEVEL I (snare drum, timpani/mallets, traps) (1 credit). Group instruction at beginning level. Some sections open to all students; others open only to majors, minors, elementary fields of emphasis. Consult Department Chair and instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ). (May not be offered every year.)

136 PERFORMANCE LAB (0 credits). Registration required of all majors and minors. Consult Department Chair for guidelines.

152 VARSITY SINGERS (1-2 credits). Open to all students by consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

153 BEMIDJI CHOIR (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

154 CHAMBER SINGERS (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition. Performance of choral literature for small vocal ensemble. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

155 VOCAL ENSEMBLE (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition or consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

160 UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with MUS 161 required unless excused by instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

161 UNIVERSITY BAND (1-2 credits). Open to all students by consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

165 BEMIDJI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (1-2 credits). Open to all students by consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

166 INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES (1-2 credits). Chamber music experience in strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano, and miscellaneous chamber groups. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

173 JAZZ BAND (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition. Enrollment demand usually permits the formation of two groups. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

174 JAZZ ENSEMBLE (1-2 credits). Open to all students by audition. Small jazz group(s) for students interested in improvisation. (Applies to Liberal Education Area III ).

200, 201, 202 SIGHT SINGING AND EAR TRAINING I, II, III F-W-S IN SEQUENCE (1,1,1 credit). Visual and aural recognition of the elements of music through music performance, dictation, improvisation, using a variety of musical styles from Western and non-Western traditions. Open to all majors, minors, and fields of emphasis; others by consent of Department Chair and instructor. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with the music theory sequence.

203, 204, 205 MUSIC THEORY I, II, III-F-W-S IN SEQUENCE (3,3,3 credits). First year study of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of music, through analysis, composition and improvisation of a variety of musical styles and traditions in Western and non-Western music.

218 PIANO SIGHT READING AND ACCOMPANYING-S (2 credits). (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 130.

220 JAZZ IMPROVISATION (2 credits). The means of improvisation including jazz theory and style are studied. Students will also perform in class. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisites: MUS 203, 113, 205 or consent of the instructor. (Prequisites updated from 96-98 hard copy catalog.)

230, 330, 430 PIANO, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). Private or group lessons in piano, voice, string, wind, brass or percussion instruments, using a variety of technical exercises, improvisation and repertoire appropriate to the student's chosen performance medium. Level of study determined by audition or discretion of the instructor. Corequisite: Concurrent registration in MUS 136, Applied Lab (Recital Hour) every quarter. NOTE: Course requirements include solo performances in Master Classes, Recital Hour and quarterly Juries (performance finals) at the discretion of the instructor.

231, 331, 431 VOICE, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). See Music 230.

232, 332, 432 STRINGS, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). See Music 230. Applied lessons in violin, viola, cello, and doublebass.

233, 333, 433 WOODWINDS, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). See MUS 230. Applied lessons in flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.

234, 334, 434 BRASS, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). See MUS 230. Applied lessons in trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba.

235, 335, 435 PERCUSSION, LEVEL II, III, IV-F-W-S (1-2 credits). See MUS 230. Applied lessons in snare drum, timpani, mallets. Percussion students are required to perform on all percussion instruments.

270 PIANO METHODS (2 credits). Materials, methods and problems in teaching piano. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 230.

271 VOCAL TECHNIQUES w (2 credits). Problems, practices and procedures connected with the development of the singing voice. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: Contact Department Chair for specific requirements in Voice Level I or II.

300, 301, 302 SIGHT SINGING AND EAR TRAINING IV, V, VI F-W-S IN SEQUENCE (1,1,1 credit). Visual and aural recognition of the elements of music through music performance, dictation, improvisation, using a variety of musical styles from Western and non-Western traditions. Open to all majors, minors and fields of emphasis; others by consent of department chair and instructor. Prerequisite: MUS 202. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with the music theory sequence. (Prerequisites updated from 96-98 hard copy)

303, 304, 305 MUSIC THEORY IV, V, VI-F-W-S IN SEQUENCE (3,3,3 credits). Second year of music theory sequence. Prerequisite: MUS 205.

312 COUNTERPOINT (3 credits). Advanced study in counterpoint for students who have completed the basic two-year theory sequence. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 305. (Prerequisites updated from 96-98 hard copy catalog.)

315 TWENTIETH CENTURY HARMONY (3 credits). Advanced study in theory for students who have completed the basic two-year theory sequence. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 214.

330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335 PIANO, VOICE, STRINGS, WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION, LEVEL III (See MUS 230.) (1-2 credits).

340 CONDUCTING FUNDAMENTALS (2 credits). Basics of choral and instrumental conducting. Must be taken prior to student teaching. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 108, 114, 117, 118.

341 INSTRUMENTAL CONDUCTING (2 credits). Refinement of conducting skills, score reading, and rehearsal procedures. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 340.

343 CHORAL CONDUCTING -W (2 credits). Selecting, interpreting and conducting choral music. Open to majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 340.

348 MUSIC METHODS AND MATERIALS: PRE-K THROUGH SECOND GRADE (3 credits). Examine the current curriculum, methodologies, techniques, materials, and instruments appropriate for the teaching of music in pre-Kindergarten through second grade, including Orff, Kodaly, Dalcroze and eclectic methodology, lesson planning, effective communication, evaluation, behavior management, multi-cultural materials, and structure in music learning for students with varying disabilities. Prerequisites: MUS 111 or 112; ED 310 and 325.

349 MUSIC METHODS AND MATERIALS: GRADES THREE THROUGH FIVE (3 credits). Examines current curriculum, methodologies, techniques, materials, and instruments appropriate for the teaching of music at the upper elementary level, including methodology, lesson planning, effective communication, evaluation, behavior management, multi-cultural materials, and structuring music learning for students with varying abilities. Prerequisites: MUS 111 or 203; ED 310 and 325. (Prerequisites updated from 96-98 hard copy catalog.)

350 MUSIC METHODS AND MATERIALS: GRADES 6-12 (3 credits). Examines current curriculum, methodologies, techniques, materials, and instruments appropriate for the teaching of general music at the secondary level. (May not be offered every year.)

359 JAZZ ENSEMBLE TECHNIQUES (2 credits). Designed to prepare students to teach and conduct jazz ensembles and related courses at the secondary school level. (May not be offered every year.)

369 HONORS IN MUSIC (1-4 credits). Guided study in areas not covered by current department offerings. Required for Honors scholars. Also offered to music majors with 3.50 GPA in music. (May not be offered every year.)

370 MUSICAL PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES (2 credits). Laboratory and classroom study of the various phases of musical productions. Usually offered concurrently with the production of a musical or opera.

371 DICTION FOR SINGERS (2 credits). Enunciation and projection of English, German, Italian, French, and Latin text. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 231.

372 SPECIAL MARCHING BAND TECHNIQUES-F (2 credits). Drill routines, show plotting, and guidelines for continuity. (May not be offered every year.)

386, 387, 388 HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF MUSIC -F-W-S (3,3,3 credits). Survey of the history of music from antiquity to the present; emphasis on the music of the Western Civilization, and including study in non-Western musical traditions. A sequential course in three segments with an approximate division as follows: (F) Antiquity to 1750. (W) 1750-1890. (S) 1890-present. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

389 ELECTRONIC SYNTHESIZER (2 credits). Open to all students. (May not be offered every year.)

402 JAZZ ARRANGING (2 credits). Techniques of arranging for jazz ensemble. Jazz theory, reharmonization of "standard" melodies, and jazz voicings. (May not be offered every year.)

411 FORM AND ANALYSIS (3 credits). Advanced study in the structural forms in music for students who have completed the basic two-year theory sequence. Open to music majors and minors only. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 214.

412 ORCHESTRATION I (3 credits). Advanced study in techniques of orchestration for students who have completed the basic two-year theory sequence. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 214.

415 CHORAL ARRANGING (2 credits). Advanced study in techniques of choral arranging for students who have completed the basic two-year theory sequence. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 214.

416 COMPOSITION I (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 214, or consent of instructor. Level to be determined by instructor.

420 PIANO LITERATURE (2 credits). Late Middle Ages to the present including an analysis of style, texture, and form. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 230.

421 CHORAL LITERATURE (2 credits). A survey of standard choral literature of all periods, with emphasis on school needs. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with MUS 343. (May not be offered every year.)

422 WIND AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT LITERATURE (2 credits). A survey of standard literature for band and other instrumental ensembles, with an emphasis on school needs. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with instrumental conducting. (May not be offered every year.)

424 STRING INSTRUMENT LITERATURE (2 credits). A survey of standard literature for orchestra and string chamber ensembles, with an emphasis on school needs. Corequisite: Concurrent registration with instrumental conducting. (May not be offered every year.)

425 CHORAL SEMINAR (3 credits). An in-depth study of various aspects of the choral art, such as tone production, vocal timbres, phrasing, Western and non-Western styles, balance, literature, ornamentation and improvisation, with emphasis on the individual needs of students. (May not be offered every year.)

426 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SEMINAR (3 credits). Topics in teaching musicianship in school band and orchestra programs. Prerequisites: MUS 340, 341, and 343

430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435 PIANO, VOICE, STRINGS, WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION, LEVEL IV (1-2 credits). See MUS 230.

436 SENIOR RECITAL-F-W-S (0 credits). Prerequisite: Level IV applied music, consent of instructor and Department Chair, concurrent registration in Level IV. Departmental approval required to allow substitution of an alternate project. Consult Department Chair or adviser for specific guidelines.

440 ADVANCED CONDUCTING (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: conducting sequence and consent of instructor.

450 MUSIC ADMINISTRATION (3 credits). Supervision of music, procedures, materials, techniques, and equipment. Prerequisites: ED 310 and 325

461 READINGS IN MUSIC-W (2 credits).Readings in philosophy, psychology and aesthetics related to music in a variety of Western and non-Western traditions. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: consent of instructor for non-majors/minors.

472 SURVEY OF SYMPHONY (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.)

473 SURVEY OF OPERA AND CHAMBER OPERA (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.)

474 SURVEY OF ORATORIO AND CANTATA (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.)

475 SURVEY OF CHAMBER MUSIC (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.)

476 SURVEY OF CONCERTO (3 credits). (May not be offered every year.)

477 SURVEY OF SOLO SONG LITERATURE (2 credits). (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MUS 101 or consent of instructor.