Course Descriptions

COURSES FULFILLING LIBERAL ARTS REQUIREMENTS


18 College Choir
A large choral ensemble open by audition to all students. It sings a variety of choral literature, and performs on campus throughout the academic year. Its two principal activities are the Christmas Madrigal Feaste in December and the annual concert tour in the Spring. Recent tours include the Southeastern States, Northern California, Mexico, and Hawaii. VOCE is a select group of 12 to 16 voices chosen from the College Choir. Its repertoire includes madrigals, chamber choir literature, and popular and show music. It performs in community programs, before service clubs, and in most appearances of the Choir. 0-1 credits. May be repeated.

51 Chamber Music Ensemble
Provides students with the preparation and performance of small group/chamber music. Emphasis is placed upon high degree of musicianship and fi ne ensemble playing. Areas of concentration include the study of musical styles, phrasing, balance and blending techniques, intonation, rehearsal techniques, and performance. Groups ranging in size from 2 to 10 members are formed for this purpose. Performances take place on regularly scheduled Music Department activities. 0-1 credits. May be repeated.

71 Music in History
This course is designed to help the musically inexperienced gain a better understanding of the elements of music from a listener's perspective, its evolution throughout history, and its current place in a changing society. Emphasis is placed on identifi cation of genres, as well as social and political trends affecting musical development. Class members will attend a live music performance (extra fee required). One semester, 3 credits.

74 Music of Latin America
Provides an historical and philosophical survey of music in Latin America, in addition to a basic analysis of generic aspects of origins, influences, style, and development within that geographical area. Discussion of regional folkstyles, of the indigenous factor and popular trends (both traditional and progressive) and of the state of music among the Latin populations of the United States. This class will provide an overall understanding of Latin American music aesthetic and culture. One semester, 3 credits.

75 Music of Africa
Survey of sub-Saharan traditional and contemporary music cultures of Africa. This course examines the musical and extramusical forces that shape, maintain, and perpetuate Africa's musical and cultural expression. Discussion on the general characteristics, concepts, and ethnomusicalogical approach to the organization of sound and its meanings will be emphasized. One semester, 3 credits.

76 A World of Music
Introduction to the musics of non-Western cultures. Course discussions will focus on the music-cultures by geographical regions and socio-cultural performance context. Basic theories and methodologies of ethnomusicology, functions of music in society, and general musical characteristics and concepts are examined. One semester, 3 credits.

77* Approachable Opera
After establishing a musical vocabulary, useful in describing and analyzing music from a listener's perspective, the class will embark on a survey of Western opera. The diverse operas will be studied in their entirety and viewed in their historical context. Class members will attend a live operatic performance (extra fee required). One semester, 3 credits.

102 History of Jazz
This course examines the development of jazz from its African and African-American folk origins through the blues, early jazz, swing era, bebop, "cool" jazz, fusion and contemporary styles of Jazz. Discussion on the works of jazz musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, will emphasize their signifi cance in United States' historical and social contexts. One semester, 3 credits.

103 American Popular Music
This course examines the social and parallel musical development of postwar United States. American popular music will not be viewed as a trend in contemporary society, but as an expression: of commodifi cation, of the incorporation of experience, authenticity, and subjectivity (ideology), of textual schizophrenia, of the postmodern disappearance of reality, and of new forms of cultural resistance. One semester, 3 credits.

206 History of Film Music
An introduction to the history of fi lm music, from early dramatic film scores of Max Steiner and Alfred Newman to synthesized scores of Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, and other contemporary composers. Extensive viewing and commentary of films; brief technical explanation of fi lm scoring techniques. One semester, January, 4 credits; Fall/Spring


COURSES FULFILLING MAJOR REQUIREMENTS


100H Harmony I
The purpose of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of common-practice melody, harmony, and voice leading, and to demonstrate their analytical and compositional
uses. Music majors and minors in MUS 100H must enroll concurrently in MUS 100M. Prerequisite: 70 or permission. One semester, 3 credits.

100M Musicianship I
The purpose of this course is to develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary in the performance and teaching of tonal music. Music majors and minors must enroll concurrently in MUS 100H. Prerequisite: 70 or permission. One semester, 1 credit.

104 Music Business
Introduction to non-performance careers within the music business; performingright payments, music for stage and screen, marketing, etc. Techniques designed to assist in the transfer from academic to work environment will be presented in addition to discussion of current events within the music industry.

105 World Percussion
This course provides students with the opportunity to learn and execute the principles of world percussion. Emphasis is placed on the teaching methods for world percussion through rehearsal techniques and performing experiences. Prerequisite: MUS 70. One semester, 2 credits.

110 Class Piano for Majors
Introduction to the concepts of musicianship and technique at the keyboard while preparing
the student for successful completion of the required piano profi ciency examination administered by the music department; content includes scales, arpeggios, accompanying skills, repertory. May be repeated for zero credit until proficiency requirement is met. One semester, 1 credit.

111 Introduction to Music Technology
This course is designed to introduce the student to the practical applications of music software on the Macintosh platform, including Finale, and Digital Performer. Techniques and exercises are used to discover the capabilities of each program, culminating in a semester
project specifi cally coordinated to individual student interest. Technology fee required. Prerequisite: MUS 70. One semester, 2 credits.

200H Harmony II
The purpose of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of common-practice melody, harmony, voice leading, and musical form, and to demonstrate their analytical and compositional uses. Music majors and minors in MUS 200H must enroll concurrently in MUS 200M. Prerequisite: 100H. One semester, 3 credits.

200M Musicianship II
The purpose of this course is to develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary in the performance and teaching of tonal music. Music majors and minors must enroll concurrently in MUS 200H. Prerequisite: 100M or permission. One semester, 1 credit.

201H Harmony III
The purpose of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of common-practice melody, harmony, voice leading, and musical form, to demonstrate their analytical and compositional uses, and to introduce nontonal musical practices. Music majors and minors in
MUS 201H must enroll concurrently in MUS 201M. Prerequisite: 200H. One semester, 3 credits.

201M Musicianship III
The purpose of this course is to develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary to perform and teach tonal and nontonal music. Music majors and minors must enroll concurrently in MUS 201H. Prerequisite: MUS 200M or permission. One semester, 1 credit.

203* Music History I
Understanding music through score study and guided listening; principal forms, structures and compositional techniques in instrumental and vocal music from Medieval through Baroque periods. Prerequisite: 100H. One semester, 3 credits.

204* Music History II
Music and its development in Western civilization from 1750 to the present; acquaintance with formal and stylistic problems through representative works; understanding musical concepts in their historical and cultural contexts. Prerequisite: 203. One semester, 3 credits.

211* Music Technology II
Continuation of techniques and applications obtained in Introduction to Music Technology with emphasis on integration of software programs for optimal project success. Technology fee required. Prerequisite: 111. One semester, 2 credits.

300* Instrumentation
The purpose of this course is to understand the properties of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. To understand scoring procedures for small and large ensembles using the above instruments, and to gain a basic understanding of the computer notation software used in this scoring process. Prerequisite: 201H. One semester, 2 credits.

305* Conducting
Score reading and baton technique; study and execution of basic patterns using standard orchestral and choral literature, score reading, performance, and stylistic analysis. Prerequisite: 201H or by Permission. One semester, 3 credits.

310* Recording Techniques
Introduction to the basic principles and properties of sound: frequency, intensity, timbre, resonance, reverberation; study of multi-track recording techniques, signal processing devices, and MIDI techniques including sequencing, analog to digital transfer, and editing. Prerequisite: 211. One semester, 2 credits.

330* Introduction to Ethnomusicology
This course introduces the student to the theory and methodology in the field of Ethnomusicology. Emphasis is placed on the systematic study of non-western music cultures. Topics for discussion include fieldwork, musical transcription, description of musical compositions, organology, historical and geographical approaches, context and
communication, and bibliographic resources. Prerequisite: 204. One semester, 2 credits.

400 A&B Capstone Experience
Arranged as a directed study, this course is the capstone experience for all music majors. It is also designed to satisfy the College "Paper in the Major" requirement and the Communication IV (Senior Presentation) component of the Liberal Education Program. By the end of the junior year all music majors will have submitted to the music department chair a proposed topic and the name of the primary music department faculty sponsor. Upon approval, students will enroll in MUS 400 during the fall semester of their senior year. Students will be given wide latitude while selecting a topic so their topic can be carefully tailored to meet their needs and goals. All approved topics will have both a written and public presentation component. The written portion will include the integration of appropriate musical considerations (theoretical, historical, etc.) along with personal reflection. The public presentation (which will normally take place during the spring semester of the senior year) will involve an appropriate performance component and/or oral presentation. Examples of approved topics for the recent past include: "Astor Piazolla and the New Tango," "Avian Melody - Birdsong as Transcribed and Used in Olivier Messiaen's Catalogue d’Oiseaux," and engineering/recording/producing original student compositions. Instructor permission required. Two semesters, ) & 2 credits.

190, 290, 390, 490* Selected Topics in Music
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

295, 395, 495 Independent Study
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

198, Private Instruction
Private lessons are offered by an outstanding artist faculty in all instruments, voice and composition. One half-hour lesson with a minimum of fi ve hours practice weekly yields
one credit per semester; two half-hour lessons with corresponding practice carry two credits. Lessons may be arranged without credit. Fees for lessons are listed in the fees and charges sections.

STUDENT RECITALS


Each month Whittier College students studying privately with an Artist-in-Residence have the opportunity to perform in the Poet Musicale. Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in partial or complete recitals as part of their upper-division work. These recital
opportunities exist for all students studying privately, whether or not they are music majors.

ENSEMBLES


In addition to the ensembles listed above, students may participate in either of two community ensembles: RIO HONDO SYMPHONY: A regional, semi-professional community orchestra for the advanced student. Audition required. CHORALE BEL CANTO: A community masterworks chorale of 80 voices which performs large choral works with orchestra. The chorale is open to faculty, staff and students by audition.

*Not offered every year.