Music Department
- Course Descriptions
Many music courses are offered alternate years. Consult the registrar’s website <www.augsburg.edu/enroll/registrar> or the Music Department for course offerings in each term. THEORY AND MUSICIANSHIP
MUS 101 Materials of Music I (.5 course)
Notation, scales, intervals, triads, keyboard harmony, and principles of part writing. To be taken concurrently with MUS 111. (Prereq.: Theory Placement Test)
MUS 102 Materials of Music II (.5 course)
Diatonic harmony, secondary dominants, and simple modulations. To be taken concurrently with MUS 112. (Prereq.: Passing MUS 101 with a minimal grade of 2.0)
MUS 111 Aural Skills I (.5 course)
Rhythmic and melodic dictation, interval and triad recognition, sight singing, and harmonic dictation to parallel progress in MUS 101. To be taken concurrently with MUS 101.
MUS 112 Aural Skills II (.5 course)
Development of listening and reading skills to parallel progress in MUS 102. To be taken concurrently with MUS 102. (Prereq.: MUS 111)
MUS 201 Materials of Music III (.5 course) Continuation of MUS 102 with chromatic harmony and modulation. To be taken concurrently with MUS 211. (Prereq.: Passing MUS 101 and 102 with a minimal grade of 2.0)
MUS 202 Form and Analysis (.5 course)
Musical structures of common practice period and introduction to 20th-century practice. To be taken concurrently with MUS 212. (Prereq.: Passing MUS 201 and 211 with a minimal grade of 2.00)
MUS 211 Aural Skills III (.5 course)
Melodic, harmonic dictation, and sight singing to parallel progress in MUS 201. To be taken concurrently with MUS 201. (Prereq.: MUS 112)
MUS 212 Aural Skills IV (.5 course)
Further development of listening skills to parallel progress in MUS 202. To be taken concurrently with MUS 202. (Prereq.: MUS 211)
MUS 311 Composition I (.5 course)
Ranges and characteristics of voices and orchestral instruments, standard notation and score layout; related 20th-century literature. (Prereq.: Passing MUS 202 and 212 with a minimal grade of 2.0)
MUS 312 Composition II (.5 course)
Contemporary approaches to melody, harmony, tonality, rhythm, and form. Atonality, serialism, indeterminacy, electronic music, minimalism, decategorization. Related literature (Prereq.: Passing MUS 202 and 212 with a minimal grade of 2.0)
HISTORY AND LITERATURE
MUS 130 Introduction to Music and the Fine Arts
Relationship between music of each period and the other fine arts. Live performance will be a feature of this course. The ability to read music is not required.
MUS 220 Worlds of Music
A survey of non-Western music, this course explores diverse musical styles and instruments from many cultures.
MUS 231 History and Literature of Music I
An intensive survey of the evolution of music from antiquity to 1750, studying music in its historical and cultural contexts as well as basic knowledge of repertory. (Prereq.: MUS 101, 102, 201)
MUS 232 History and Literature of Music II
Continuation of MUS 231 from 1750 to the present. (Prereq.: MUS 101, 102, 201)
MUS 241 History of Jazz
This course is a study of the musical elements, cultural perspectives, and the historical developments of jazz. Many styles of jazz are examined including early New Orleans Dixieland, swing, cool, jazz/rock/fusion, ragtime, bop, and progressive jazz.
MUS 331 Music of the Baroque Era (.5 course)
(Prereq.: MUS 231, 232)
MUS 332 Music of the Classical Period (.5 course)
(Prereq.: MUS 231, 232)
MUS 333 Music of the Romantic Period (.5 course)
(Prereq.: MUS 231, 232)
MUS 334 Music of the 20th Century (.5 course)
(Prereq.: MUS 231, 232)
Each course in the MUS 331-334 sequence offers a detailed investigation of Western European classical music from a specific era: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century. Significant repertoire is studied within cultural and historical contexts; listening is emphasized; and each course fulfills the LAF required skill in writing.
MUS 432 Church Music and Worship
Development and influence of church music as evidenced in contemporary worship practices. Designed for the general as well as the music and theology student.
MUS 435 Voice Repertoire (.5 course)
A survey of standard art song repertoire from Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and the Americas. Includes listening, writing, and performance. Required for vocal performance majors. (Prereq.: MUS 251, 252, 253, 254, or permission from instructor)
MUS 436 Piano Repertoire (.5 course)
A study of piano literature from the 17th century to the present. (Prereq.: MUS 231, 232)
METHODS AND PEDAGOGY
MUS 355 MUSIC METHODS: STRINGS (.5 course)
MUS 356 MUSIC METHODS: BRASS/PERCUSSION (.5 course)
MUS 357 MUSIC METHODS: WOODWINDS (.5 course)
MUS 359 MUSIC METHODS: VOCAL (.5 course)
MUS 456 Piano Pedagogy (.5 course)
Explores methods, materials, and techniques for teaching piano. This course has a community service-learning requirement that fulfills the LAF Augsburg Experience requirement.
APPLIED SKILLS AND GROUP LESSONS
MUS 129 Improvisation (.0 course)
Basic improvisational skills within a jazz combo format. Open to instrumentalists and vocalists.
MUS 152 Class Voice (.25 course)
Fundamentals of tone production and singing.
MUS 155A Class Piano (.25 course)
This class teaches basic piano skills including scales, chord progressions, harmonization, sight-reading, and improvisation. It will help music majors prepare for the piano proficiency test. (Prereq.: MUS 101 or permission from instructor)
MUS 158 Class Guitar Class Guitar (.25 course)
Beginning techniques of classic guitar.
MUS 235 Skills of Music Theatre
An interdisciplinary approach to the topic using music and theatre techniques to develop the student’s basic skills of Music Theatre. Concepts of diverse music-theatre forms are introduced. Course includes reading, writing, research, class discussion, exercises, small and large group participation, memorization, and public performance. Students will attend and review live productions.
MUS 251-254 English Diction (251), Italian Diction (252), German Diction (253), French Diction (254) (each .25 course)
Intensive course covering basic singing pronunciation of English, Italian, German, and French through the study of the art song repertoire. Includes regular class performances and phoneticization of texts using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Required for vocal performance majors and music education majors.
MUS 341 Basic Conducting (.5 course)
Study of fundamental conducting patterns and baton technique, score analysis and preparation, rehearsal techniques, basic nomenclature. (Prereq.: MUS 101, 111, 231)
MUS 342 Choral Conducting (.5 course)
Choral literature and organization, vocal methods and voice selection, advanced conducting techniques with class as the choir. (Prereq.: Pass piano proficiency test and MUS 341)
MUS 344 Instrumental Conducting (.5 course)
Preparation of and conducting instrumental literature, advanced conducting techniques, organization of instrumental ensembles. (Prereq.: Pass piano proficiency test and MUS 341)
PERFORMANCE STUDY/CHAMBER MUSIC/RECITALS/ACCOMPANYING
MUP 1xx-4xx Performance Studies
Performance Studies provide a unique opportunity for Augsburg students to study on an individual basis with artist/teachers who are active performers in this region. Performance Studies courses are available to music majors and non-majors and are individualized to meet the experience, ability, background, and goals of the student.
Music majors may register for 0.25 credits (half-hour weekly lessons); or 0.5 credits (one hour weekly lessons), in accordance with their specific degree requirements. Non-majors may register for credit or for 0.0 credit (half hour weekly lessons). First-years may qualify to have their lesson fee waived (one instrument per semester for half-hour weekly lessons, 0.0 or 0.25 credits), if concurrently registered for and playing that instrument for a large ensemble (MUE 111, 112, 114, 121, 141). Other ensembles may qualify upon petition to the music department.
Lessons are numbered sequentially to reflect each year of performance study (i.e. 1xx is two semesters, first year of study; 2xx is second year of study, etc.) and lessons for credit must be registered by ADD/DROP form, signed, and delivered to registrar’s office by the student. Please check with the music office or use the search option on AUGNET Records and Registration to get the correct course section for instruments with more than one teacher.
- MUP 111-211-311-411 Voice
- MUP 116-216-316-416 Electric Bass
- MUP 121-221-321-421 Violin
- MUP 122-222-322-422 Viola
- MUP 123-223-323-423 Cello
- MUP 124-224-324-424 Bass
- MUP 131-231-331-431 Oboe
- MUP 132-232-332-432 Bassoon
- MUP 133-233-333-433 Clarinet
- MUP 134-234-334-434 Saxophone
- MUP 135-235-335-435 Flute
- MUP 137-237-337-437 Horn
- MUP 141-241-341-441 Trumpet
- MUP 142-242-342-442 Trombone
- MUP 143-243-343-443 Baritone
- MUP 144-244-344-444 Tuba
- MUP 152-252-352-452 Piano
- MUP 161-261-361-461 Guitar
- MUP 171-271-371-471 Percussion
- MUP 181-281-381-481 Organ
- MUP 191-291-391-491 Harp
- MUP 192-292-392-492 Improvisation
- MUP 193-293-393-493 Composition
- MUE 122 String Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 125 Guitar Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 131 Woodwind Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 142 Brass Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 144 Percussion Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 145 Piano Chamber Music (.0 course)
- MUE 143 Jazz Ensemble (.25 course)
MUE 294 Opera Workshop (1.0 course)
Experience the process of preparation, rehearsal, and performance of operatic repertoire.
MUE 494 Opera Workshop (.25 course)
Experience the process of preparation, rehearsal, and performance of operatic repertoire.
MUP 159 Piano accompanying
Professional accompanying/weekly coaching for singers and instrumentalists. Recommended for students preparing recitals, auditions, or special performance projects who would benefit from individualized collaboration and coaching with a professional pianist. MUP fee schedule applies. (see Handbook)
MUS 358 Junior Recital (.0 course)
B.M. candidates only. One-half hour recital at repertoire level III for music education majors, one hour recital at level IV for music performance majors. No course credit. Private instructor may request a pre-recital hearing.
MUS 458 Senior Recital (.0 course)
One-half hour recital at repertoire level III for B.A. or B.S. candidates. No course credit. Private instructor may request a pre-recital hearing.
MUS 459 Senior Recital (.0 course)
B.M. candidates only. One hour recital at repertoire level IV for Music Education majors, one hour recital at level V for Music Performance majors. No course credit. Private instructor may request a pre-recital hearing.
LARGE ENSEMBLES
Please note that only large ensemble participation (Augsburg Concert Band, Augsburg Chamber Orchestra, Augsburg Choir, Masterworks Chorale, or Riverside Singers) for credit will satisfy the ensemble requirements of the music major, music minor, and Liberal Arts Foundation requirements. Large ensemble requirements are fulfilled by yearlong participation with 0.25 credit granted each semester, and non-music majors may choose traditional or P/N grading or an audit (V) designation. (A maximum of two credits for large ensemble participation may be used towards graduation requirements.) Transfer students must participate in an Augsburg ensemble during their entire residency.
Auditions for membership in a large ensemble are scheduled during the first week of each semester or by contacting the ensemble director.
- MUE 111 Augsburg Choir (.25 course)
- MUE 112 Riverside Singers of Augsburg (.25 course)
- MUE 114 Masterworks Chorale (.25 course)
- MUE 121 Orchestra (.25 course)
- MUE 141 Concert Band (.25 course)
MUS 199 Internship
MUS 299 Directed Study
MUS 399 Internship
MUS 498 Independent Study (.5 course)
Advanced research and projects not otherwise provided for in the department curriculum. Open only to advanced students upon approval by the faculty.
MUS 499 Independent Study/Research
Open only to advanced students upon approval of the faculty.
