Symphonic Listening focuses on the sounds and forms of symphonic music. Listening skills are emphasized, with no prior musical knowledge required. We will learn to recognize orchestral instruments by their timbre, discern levels of consonance and dissonance, identify types of textures, and think critically about how musical content expresses cultural context. Students will gain a framework for understanding symphonic music of any genre.

We often wonder about an artist's immense creativity, seemingly harnessed with ease. Each of us has tremendous resources of creativity, often under-explored. In this course, students learn to unlock their own potential. No previous artistic experience is required. Activities include readings & discussions; weekly responses; two reflective papers; a presentation on a "found" resource; & one creative project in a medium of the student's choice.

Concert Band

This course seeks to develop the playing, singing, and improvising skills necessary for the idomatic performance of bluegrass music, while also providing an opportunity for discussion of its origins and development. Appropriate for experienced players working to improve their knowledge or for players versed in other genres to learn new styles.

This course seeks to develop the advanced playing, singing, improvising, and collaborating skills necessary to perform in a bluegrass band, along with knowledge of bluegrass history and repertoire. Prerequisite: MUEN 3645

Selected topics, announced in advance, exploring the study of music within cultural and historical frameworks.

Studies in computer music studio techniques, sound synthesis using a variety of software packages based on the Macintosh platform, and the creation of original music using new technologies. Prerequisite: MUSI 3390 or instructor permission.

The class is designed to give an introductory look at wind band music development from the early 20th century to present. The class does not require any previous musical experience. The course provides students with historical facts surrounding the wind band movement while allowing students to experience the music aurally.

"Learn to Groove" hand drumming and rhythmic fluency with Robert Jospe. This is the intermediate level of the class. It is a hands on drumming/percussion class using congas, djembes, claves, shakers, etc. This class is designed to enhance ones knowledge of syncopated patterns associated with jazz, rock, African and Latin American music and to improve ones facility in playing these patterns.

University Singers Prerequisite: Instructor permission by audition. Note: Because the subject matter changes each semester, courses numbered MUEN 3600-3690 may be repeated for credit, but no more than sixteen performance credits may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree in the College.