MUSIC

Professors Marsh (Chair), J. Sandborg; Associate Professors Blaha; Teaching Associates Bachelder, M. Sandborg

A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music requires the completion of a minimum of 11 1/2 units, including, seven units of core courses beyond Music 150, three units of Applied Music, and one unit of Senior Project.

Major in Music
Core Courses (seven and one-half units)
MUSC 240        Music in Culture
MUSC 251        Diatonic Harmony*
MUSC 252        Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 261        Music History I: 300 A.D. to 1750
MUSC 262        Music History II: 1750 to present
MUSC 321        Instrumentation and Score Reading (one unit)
MUSC 323        Conducting (1 /2 unit)
MUSC 350        20th-Century Theory
*Completion of or Competency in MUSC 150: Fundamentals of Music is a prerequisite for MUSC 251/251L.

Senior Project (one unit total)
By the middle of their junior year, students, in consultation with the music faculty, declare their area of concentration (composition, performance, research). By the end of their junior year, students propose a senior project based on these guidelines:
1.     Performance: A public recital of no less than 60 minutes in length, with at least three style periods represented (including 20th century). Students will enroll in the appropriate applied music instruction course (one-quarter unit) during Fall of their senior year, and MUSC 420 (one half unit) and a second one quarter unit of applied music instruction during Spring of their senior year.
2.     Composition: Creation of an original work or works presented to the public and introduced by the composer. Students will enroll in MUSA 104 (one-quarter unit) during Fall of their senior year, and MUSC 420 (one-half unit) and MUSA 104 (one-quarter unit) during Spring of their senior year.
3.     Research:  An original thesis tailored to the student’s special interests, pursued in consultation with a music faculty member, and culminating in a public lecture. Students will enroll in either MUSC 420 and 422 (two one-half unit courses) or MUSC 421 (a one unit course) during their senior year.
Students may, in consultation with the faculty, propose a senior project combining more than one area of concentration (e.g., performance and composition, performance and research, composition and research).

Applied Music (three units)
Satisfactory completion of at least five one-quarter units of Applied Music Instruction in voice (MUSA 101),  keyboard (MUSA 102),  instrumental (MUSC 103), and/or composition (MUSA 104), and at least seven one-quarter units of Applied Music Ensemble (MUSC 109, 111, 112, 113, 114). Individual studios or areas of concentration may require additional one quarter units of Applied Music. Descriptions of the skill levels and literature of these courses are available from the Fine Arts department.
Applied Music Instruction
Applied music instruction includes private lessons in voice (MUSA 101), keyboard (MUSA 102), instrumental (MUSA 103), and composition (MUSA 104). Each lesson is one hour per week.
Applied Music Ensemble
Roanoke College ensembles include Concert Choir, Oriana Singers, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and various Chamber Ensembles.

Music Juries and Other Requirements
Juries are held at the end of each semester. Juries are intended for monitoring the progress of students enrolled in MUSA courses, especially those who wish to concentrate in music performance.
In consultation with music faculty, all students majoring in music must demonstrate appropriate progress in their applied studies. All students majoring in music (performance, composition, research) must pass the Music Area’s piano proficiency exams before graduation. These exams may be taken any time after completion of MUSC 251. Students who do not pass these exams by the end of their sophomore year may be required to enroll in MUSA 102 (applied piano instruction) or MUSC 106 (Class Piano) until the proficiency exam can be passed.
Attendance and/or participation in department activities such as seminars, master classes and recitals are required of all music major and minor students.

Music Education: Vocal/Choral
For courses in this sequence or requirements for teacher licensure, the student should consult the college catalog under Education.
Minor in Music
A minor in music consists of seven units, including the following five units of core course work: MUSC 251, 252, 261, 262; and either MUSC 240 or MUSC 321 or MUSC 350. MUSC 150 or competency is a prerequisite for MUSC 251. In addition, a minimum of four one-quarter units of applied music instruction and a minimum of four one-quarter units of applied music ensemble must be completed successfully.

105 Class Voice
Fundamentals of voice production including breath control, tone quality, range extension, flexibility, diction, and sight reading. Experiences include singing group exercises, solo songs of all styles, sight reading, and listening to recordings. (May be repeated for credit. This course does not count for credit toward the music major or minor.) (1/4)
Lecture-Laboratory: 1 hr/wk.

106 Class Piano
An introduction to functional keyboard skills including transposition, sight-reading, harmonization, and improvisation. Open to all interested students.  (May be repeated for credit. This course does not count for credit toward the music major or minor.) (1/4)

107 Studio Ensemble
Varying styles of an instrument’s repertoire taught on intermediate and advanced levels in a group context. In addition to issues in ensemble playing unique to the instrument, the following is covered: effective execution, physical position, tone production and intonation, extended techniques. (May be repeated for credit. This course does not count for credit toward the music major or minor.) (1/4)
Lecture-Laboratory: 1 hr/wk.

109 Oriana Singers
This choir for women explores the Western sacred and secular choral tradition but also those of other cultures.  Special attention is given to the development of vocal and music skills.  Women can expect travel and collaboration with men’s choirs when possible. - (1/4)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk. 
Prerequisite: Entrance by audition only. 

110 Preparation for Music
Studies in music relating to its use in the classroom, grades one through six. (1/2)
Lecture-Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.

111 Concert Choir
Training in a cappella and accompanied music from all style periods. (Students must participate in all performances unless excused by the director prior to the performance. May be repeated for credit.) (1/4)
Lecture-Laboratory: 4 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Entrance by audition only.

112 Wind Ensemble
Experience in band literature. (Students must participate in all performances unless excused by the instructor. May be repeated for credit.) (1/4)
Rehearsals: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

113 Jazz Ensemble
Experience in jazz instrumental and ensemble. (Students must participate in all performances unless excused by the instructor. May be repeated for credit.) (1/4)
Rehearsals: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

114 Chamber Ensemble
Experience in chamber music of various periods and styles. (Students must participate in all performances unless excused by the instructor. May be repeated for credit.) (1/4)
Rehearsals: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

121 Collegium Musicum
Performance of selected areas of instrumental and vocal music for small groups. Emphasis will be placed on music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. (May be repeated for credit.) (1/4)
Rehearsals: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Entrance by audition.

125 Music Appreciation
An introduction to musical styles, forms, and genres, concentrating on the masterworks of the Western tradition. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

150 Fundamentals of Music
Pitch and rhythm fundamentals: reading music notation, sight singing, reading chord charts. Focus on intervals, key signatures, scales, meter, and chords. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

199 Special Topics
Ensemble/workshop experience in areas not normally offered, with the focus to be determined by the music faculty. May be repeated for credit. (1/4).
Lecture/Laboratory: hours vary.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

240 Music in Culture
An exploration of the role of music in cultures around the world and throughout history, introducing students to the discipline ethnomusicology. Emphasis will be placed on two aspects of musical culture: non-western (World) music and American popular music. The course includes a fieldwork component. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

251 Diatonic Harmony
Diatonic part writing; melodic harmonization and figured bass realization; basic species counterpoint; introduction to tonal theory, harmonic analysis, and composing simple forms. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: MUSC 150 or competency.

252 Chromatic Harmony
Chromatic part writing and figured bass realization; introduction to contrapuntal techniques. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: MUSC 251.

261 Music History I: 300 A.D. to 1750
A course of study tracing the development of styles and genres in the canon of Western music from Gregorian chant to the end of the Baroque. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
(Offered in alternate years or as demand indicates.)
Prerequisites: MUSC 150 or permission.

262 Music History II: 1750 to Present
A continuation of Music 261, tracing the development of styles and genres in the canon of Western music from the pre-classic era to the present. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: MUSC261 or permission.

299 Special Topics
Selected studies in specialized performance, composition or literature/history areas. May be repeated for credit. (1/2)
Lecture/Laboratory: hours vary.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

321 Instrumentation and Score Reading
Survey of the musical instruments and their use in composition and arranging for various ensembles. Primary emphasis on the study of clef transposition and keyboard reduction; secondary emphasis on arranging short excerpts for diverse ensembles. (1)
Lecture-Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
(Offered in alternate years or as demand indicates.)
Prerequisite: MUSC 252.

323 Conducting
Emphasis on practice with beat patterns, cues, phrasing, dynamics, tempo, and accent. Introduction to score preparation, rehearsal techniques for vocal and instrumental groups, balance control, and error detection. (1/2)
Lecture-Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
(Offered in alternate years or as demand indicates.)
Prerequisite: MUSC 321 or permission.

339 Music Education in the Elementary School
The objectives, content, and materials for the teaching of music in elementary school and kindergarten. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
(Offered in alternate years or as demand indicates.)

340 Music Education in Secondary School
Curriculum making, instructional planning, and organization of the secondary school music program. Current practices and trends. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
(Offered in alternate years or as demand indicates.)

350 20th-Century Theory
20th-century harmony and analysis, including atonal and jazz theory. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: MUSC 252 or permission.

399 Special Topics
A course, offered in various formats, designed to give students instruction in a subject not regularly offered. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture-Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
A program of advanced intensive study and experience in music under the guidance of the area staff. The student will submit a written proposal for specific study before the beginning of Examination Week of the term prior to the term in which the work is to be done. Admission by approval of the Music Area faculty on the recommendation of the directing professor. Students are alerted to consult the departmental “Guidelines for Independent Studies/Internships” prior to initiating their planning. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Lecture-Laboratory: Hours Vary.
Prerequisite: Basic through advanced courses in area of interest, or by permission.

416 Internship
Practical experience working in or with an artistic organization as participant-observer, leading to the preparation of a report which describes and evaluates that organization’s activities. The student will submit a written proposal for specific study before the beginning of Examination Week of the term prior to the term in which the work is to be done. Admission with approval of the faculty professor. Students are alerted to consult the departmental “Guidelines for Independent Studies/ Internships” prior to initiating their planning. (1)
Lecture-Laboratory: 110 hour minimum
Prerequisite: Basic through advanced course in area of interest, or by permission.

420, 421, 422 Senior Project
A public presentation by the music major in one of three areas of concentration: composition, performance, or research. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Lecture/Studio: Hours vary.
Prerequisites: Approval of the music faculty; Music Major with senior standing.

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)