University of Maine at Farmington 2019-2020 Catalog

 
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Music
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  MUS 110A - Chorus

Singing ensemble open to all college students. Rehearsal and performance of a wide range of choral music. Students may not enroll in Chorus (MUS 110A) and Chamber Choir (MUS 210A) in the same semester. May be repeated for up to a total of eight credits. (Pass/Fail only) Every semester.



Credit: 1

  MUS 113A - Instrumental Ensembles

This course is for students interested in playing in an ensemble (band, orchestra, jazz, other ensemble configurations). The conductor will contact students in advance of the semester with details about the ensembles and performances. No audition required.  May be repeated up to a total of eight credits. Every semester.



Credit: 1

  MUS 120A - Beginning Applied Music

Beginning level private lessons in voice or on an instrument. One credit given for 12 half-hour lessons per semester, or two credits for 12 one-hour lessons per semester; may be repeated up to a total of four credits. Additional fee charged for lessons. Prerequisite: Students must register through the office of the Division of the Arts. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester.



Credit: 1-2

  MUS 121A - Piano Class I

Piano lessons in a group setting using electronic keyboards. Students will develop the ability to read music and play simple pieces with proper technique, as well as learn basic music theory. A course fee will be charged in addition to tuition. Prerequisites: None. Every semester.



Credit: 2

  MUS 122A - Piano Class II

Piano lessons in a group setting using electronic keyboards. This course is a continuation of MUS 121A. A course fee will be charged in addition to tuition. Prerequisite: MUS 121A or permission of instructor. Every semester.



Credit: 2

  MUS 123A - Group Instrumental Lessons

Students study an instrument in twelve one-hour lessons over the semester. The group class usually consists of three to five students with the instructor. May be taken up to a total of four credits. Additional fee charged for lessons. Prerequisite: Students must register through the office of the Division of the Arts. Every semester.



Credit: 2

  MUS 124A - Group Voice Lessons

Students study voice in twelve one-hour lessons over the semester. The group class usually consists of three to five students with the instructor. May be taken up to a total of four credits. Additional fee charged for the lessons. Prerequisite: Students must register through the office of the Division of the Arts. Every semester.



Credit: 2

  MUS 149A - Composing Music I

Using composition and songwriting as the activities, this course develops skills in basic music theory, reading, and listening for the beginning musician and writer. Students will use topics covered in class to write music using standard notation, lead sheets, or other methods. Musical styles and genres touched on in the course will range from the Classical tradition to avant-garde practices, from Bebop to Pop, and much more. Every semester.



Credit: 4

  MUS 163A - Improvising Sound and Music

This course explores the ideas, practices, and techniques of improvising with sound or/and music. Any kind of aural improvisation will be accepted as valid coursework, and students will be rewarded for their willingness to experiment and innovate.  This class is open to all and no prior music or sound experience is needed. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 163A, ART 163A, MUS 163A, or THE 163A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  MUS 177 - Topics in Music

This course allows for the inclusion of electives in other areas of music interest not covered by other courses. (i.e. single artist or topic). Specific topics to be covered and course availability are variable. Prerequisites: none. Varies.



Credit: 4

  MUS 201A - Theory and Aural Skills I

Introduction to scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, rhythm, form, principles of melodic construction, harmony, and voice-leading, using primarily diatonic materials. While the emphasis is on traditional Western classical music, there will also be some study of popular music styles. Students will write music as well as analyze it. The study of theory will be supplemented regularly with training and drills in sight singing and ear training. Prerequisite: Previous musical experience. Every fall.



Credit: 4

  MUS 202 - Theory and Aural Skills II

A continuation of Theory and Aural Skills I, with the emphasis now on chromatic harmony. Topics will include secondary functions and modulation and a more in-depth study of formal structural principles. Work on sight singing and ear training will continue. Prerequisite: MUS 201 or permission of instructor. Every spring.



Credit: 4

  MUS 209A - Alternative Tunings

An examination of selected non-Western musical systems, including a study of their scales and tunings, instruments, principles of musical form, conceptions of rhythm, melody, and texture, and the social and cultural contexts in which the music is created, learned, played, and heard. The focus will be on the gamelan music of Java and Bali, but we will also touch on several other musical traditions. In considering alternative tunings, we may also look at microtonal or justly-tuned music by such American composers as Charles Ives, Harry Partch, Ben Johnston, and Lou Harrison. There will be excursions to attend rehearsals or concerts of gamelan ensembles in Boston or Lewiston. Prerequisites: None. Every other year.



Credit: 4

  MUS 220A - Intermediate Applied Music

Intermediate-level private lessons in voice or on an instrument. Two credits for 12 one-hour lessons per semester; may be repeated up to a total of eight credits. Prerequisites: Successful completion of audition and permission of the music faculty. Students must register through the office of the Division of the Arts. Every semester.



Credit: 1-2

  MUS 241A - Improvising Music

This course will approach improvisation from three perspectives: practicing ways of improvising, listening to relevant music (jazz, jam bands, experimental, etc.), and reading/discussing texts about improvisation. Students do not need proficiency on an instrument (there are plenty of digital options for first-time performers), but should have an interest in exploring the ideas and practice of improvisation. Class includes an additional lab time determined by individual schedule. Prerequisites: None. Odd fall.



Credit: 4

  MUS 260A - Language of Performance

This course challenges students to develop a greater understanding of the “language” of performance by exploring the numerous prisms (e.g. sound, image, space, language, text, etc.) through which performativity is/can be refracted.  Does a sound carry meaning?  What is the difference between space and place?  What does the presence of stillness suggest?  What does a piece of clothing reveal about its wearer?  How does light shift our perspective?  In order to foster a corporeal interrogation of these questions and others, this course will be run as an interactive workshop and seminar in which we will: engage in various forms of play; analyze and critically evaluate our ideas, arguments and points of view; and learn to apply course material to improve our own performance practices. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 260A, ART 260A, MUS 260A, or THE 260A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every two years.



Credit: 4

  MUS 264A - Art and Social Change

This course challenges us to foster a historical, comparative, and tactile understanding of the relationship between art and social change.  How do artists address social issues?  Can art transform lives?  How can art serve as a force for encouraging ethical dialogue and action within the public sphere? How do we make our ideas and revelations actually matter within our collective place and space? Through lectures, discussions, presentations, and projects we will set about to engage ourselves with the work of contemporary artists who have addressed issues related to the environment, racial and cultural identity, human rights, healthcare, and social justice.



Credit: 4

  MUS 265A - Sound as Art

This course will explore the ways that musical composers, sound artists, and visual artists have composed with sound. Students will go through a process of reading, listening and creating in order to gain an understanding of how sound works, and can be used to achieve different outcomes for a viewer or listener. Students have the option of signing up for this course under SPV 265A, ART 265A, MUS 265A, or THE 265A, but may only receive credit for one. Prerequisite(s): None. Every year.



Credit: 4

  MUS 266A - Art: What is It Good For?

Art is foundational to human life.  But who said this and why?  Starting from this fundamental question, this course will gradually evolve to look at how different disciplines have (and can) use the arts to address the very concerns about social justice and equality that seem to be so crucial as the suspended state of global life brings us into closer contact with one another.



Credit: 4

  MUS 277 - Topics in Music

Intensive study of a specific musical topic not covered in another music course. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or permission. Varies.



Credit: 1-4

  MUS 305 - Advanced Composition

The study and creation of extended compositions for instruments, with or without voice. Students will have several assigned projects for solo, duet, and trio, and will also have the opportunity to develop compositional projects of their own. All compositions will be performed in class, and possibly in a public recital at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: MUS 202 or permission of instructor. Odd spring. 



Credit: 4

  MUS 320 - Advanced Applied Music

Advanced-level private lessons in voice or on an instrument. Two credits for 12 one-hour lessons per semester; may be repeated up to a total of eight credits. Additional fee charged for the lessons. Prerequisites: At least three credits of MUS 220, successful completion of audition, and permission of the music faculty. Students must register through the office of the Division of the Arts.  Every semester.



Credit: 2

  MUS 377 - Topics in Music Theory

Advanced study of a specialized topic in music theory. Some possible subjects include the piano music of Chopin, the principles of serial composition, an introduction to Schenkerian analysis, the American experimentalists, and so on. Prerequisite: MUS 202. Varies.



Credit: 4

  MUS 397 - Independent Study in Music

Independent work on a special project of the student's choice under the supervision of a member of the music faculty. Acceptance of the proposal by the faculty member must precede registration. Prerequisites: Sixteen credits of music courses and permission of instructor. Completed Independent Study form. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  MUS 477 - Topics in Music

The study of a specialized topic not offered in the usual curriculum. Varies. 



Credit: 2-4

  MUS 497 - Independent Study in Music

Independent work on a special project of the student's choice under the supervision of a member of the music faculty. Acceptance of the proposal by the faculty member must precede registration. Prerequisites: Sixteen credits of music courses and permission of instructor. Completed Independent Study form. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  MUS 499 - Senior Project in Composition or Theory

The culminating experience for students in the composition or theory concentration. Composers will write an extended composition and have it performed; theorists will produce a significant paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. Prerequisite: MUS 305 or MUS 377. Every year.



Credit: 4

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