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.

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 traditional 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.

"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.

Study of rhythmic patterns associated with rhythms from West African, the Caribbean, Brazil, and the United States, through theory and performance.

Technosonics is an introduction to the history, theory, and practice of electronic music and sound art. We will focus on the role of new technology in shaping musical thought, production, and culture from the turn of the century through today. Listening examples are drawn from a broad range of styles and genres, including experimental computer music, ambient and dance music, sound art, and multimedia.

When we think about knowing the world through the senses, we are likely to think of the visible world. But sound, hearing, and listening are crucial too. How do sound art, technology, and design create the world we inhabit and our everyday social and political experience? How can vibrations both heal and destroy? We will ponder such questions through theoretical, experiential, and creative explorations.