Music Courses
Ensembles
MUS 100/101-400/401 - Chapel Choir (1 credit)
A mixed choral ensemble open to all students. The course provides practical experience in singing choral literature of various periods and styles. The Chapel Choir performs in concerts on campus and in area churches. May be repeated for credit. No audition required. May be used as a humanities elective.
MUS 102/103-402/403 - Emmaus Ensemble (1 credit)
A performance course designed to equip students with the musical skills necessary for involvement in vocal music ministry in the local church. The course includes discussion and application of choral music concepts relating to diction, tone production, blend, and musicianship. The second semester tour allows students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in sacred music ministry. May be repeated for credit. May be used as a humanities elective. Pre-requisite: audition with the director.
MUS 108/109-408/409 - Small Vocal Ensemble (1 credit)
A performance course designed to equip students with the musical skills necessary for involvement in vocal music ministry in the local church. The course encourages the development of independent singing skills and the application of vocal music concepts relating to diction, tone production, blend, and musicianship. Groups could include a ladies trio, male quartet, or other vocal combinations. May be repeated for credit. May be used as a humanities elective. Pre-requisite: audition with the director.
MUS 160-460 - Praise Team (1 credit)
Auditioned praise team that rehearses weekly. Emphasis on creating, planning, rehearsing, and leading contemporary music in a variety of ministry settings. Experience with various styles and techniques in an ensemble format. May be repeated for credit. May be used as a humanities elective. Pre-requisite: audition with the director.
MUS 180/1-480/1 - Dubuque Community String Orchestra (1 credit)
The Dubuque Community String Orchestra is made up of over thirty adult string players from the Tri-State area. The orchestra presents classical concerts in the fall and spring, along with a pops concert at the Arboretum in August. Some concerts include a full orchestra and local soloists. The ensemble rehearses Monday evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Emmaus Choral Room. The DCSO is an official ensemble of the Northeast Iowa School of Music. May be used as a humanities elective.
Applied Music
MUS 104/105-404/405 - Applied Private Instrumental (1 credit)
Individual instruction on a chosen instrument at levels from the beginner up to the college level. One half-hour lesson and 5 hours of practice per week are required. Lessons are provided through the Northeast Iowa School of Music. May be repeated for credit. Private lesson fee.
MUS 106/107-406/407 - Applied Private Piano (1 credit)
Individual instruction in piano at levels from the beginner up to the college level. One half-hour lesson and 5 hours of practice per week are required. All private piano students perform in a recital at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Private lesson fee.
MUS 106A/107A-406A/407A - Applied Private Piano (2 credits)
Individual instruction in piano at levels from the beginner up to the college level. One hour lesson and 10 hours of practice per week are required. All private piano students perform in a recital at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Private lesson fee.
MUS 120/121-420/421 - Applied Private Voice (1 credit)
Individual instruction voice at levels from the beginner up to the college level. One half-hour lesson and 3 hours of practice per week is required. All private voice students perform in a recital at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Private lesson fee.
MUS 120A/121A-420A/421A - Applied Private Voice (2 credits)
Individual instruction voice at levels from the beginner up to the college level. One hour lesson and 6 hours of practice per week is required. All private voice students perform in a recital at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit. Private lesson fee.
MUS 124 - Class Voice (1 credit)
Group instruction in the fundamental singing skills. All students perform in class. Cannot be repeated for credit.
MUS 126 - Class Guitar (1 credit)
A class for beginning guitar students who want to learn to play guitar for a variety of ministry settings. Will include basic music theory related to contemporary praise and worship music, chord and rhythm knowledge, and song-leading techniques. Cannot be repeated for credit.
MUS 140/1-440/1 - Accompanying (1 credit)
Advanced pianists can earn one credit serving as accompanist for Chapel Choir or the Emmaus Ensemble. Directed study will be under the supervision of the conductor and piano instructor. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 233/4 - Concert Attendance (for music minors) (Pass/Fail)
All music minors are required to complete two semesters of concert attendance during their academic program. Music Ministry minors are required to attend three concerts/recitals per semester.
MUS 235/6-435/6 - Concert Attendance (for music majors) (Pass/Fail)
All music majors are required to complete six semesters of concert attendance during their academic program. Music majors are required to attend five concerts/recitals per semester.
MUS 328 - Keyboard Skills (1 credit)
Directed piano study to gain keyboard proficiency in sight-reading, harmonization, transposition, score reading, and other necessary technical skills.
Music
MUS 050 - Music Fundamentals (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the rudiments of music theory through reading and writing music. Concepts that will be learned are rhythmic and pitch notation, key signatures, scales, chords and inversions, intervals and tonality. Emphasis on fundamental ear training and dictation. Credits do not apply to the Music Ministry degree. May be used as an elective for the certificate program only.
MUS 110 - Music Theory/Sight-Singing/Ear-Training 1 (3 credits)
Foundational study in diatonic harmony and melody. Study of chords, progressions, cadences, part-writing, species counterpoint, and soprano harmonization. About one third of the course is devoted to sight singing and ear training. Pre- requisite: MUS 050 Music Fundamentals or demonstrated proficiency
MUS 173 - Survey of Music History (3 credits)
A chronological survey of western music history from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Emphasis will be on musical terminology, style, vocal and instrumental genres, and major composers. No previous musical experience is required, but since the course aims to develop stronger listening skills, students will attend off-campus musical events and listen to musical masterworks in class. May be used as a humanities elective.
MUS 210 - Music Theory/Sight-Singing/Ear-Training 2 (3 credits)
Continuing study of chords, part-writing, harmonic progression, and melody. Introduction to non-chord tones, diatonic 7th chords, secondary dominants, and modulation. About one third of the course is devoted to sight singing and ear training. Pre-requisite: MUS 110 Theory/SS/ET 1 or demonstrated proficiency
MUS 250 - Foundations of Church Music (3 credits)
A course exploring the use of music in the church. Emphases on the biblical foundations of church music, church music practices, and issues relating to music from Old/New Testament times through the present day. Includes study of hymnology and church music materials across a variety of performance media and periods. May be used as a humanities elective.
MUS 255 - Principles and Methods of Music Ministry (2 credits)
An in-depth study on the management and implementation of a music ministry. Includes musical, administrative, and event-planning training along with the essentials of service preparation.
MUS 273 - Music History 1 (3 credits)
A detailed study of western music history from antiquity to 1750 through score study and analysis, listening, and source readings. Musical thought and theory in classical Greece, ancient Christian music, Gregorian chant, Medieval and Renaissance polyphony, and Baroque vocal and instrumental genres will be covered. A research paper involving stylistic and formal analysis will focus on a sacred choral work from the Baroque. Pre-requisite: MUS 173 Survey of Music History
MUS 286 - Survey of Choral Literature (2 credits)
An overview of choral repertoire from the Renaissance to the present. A wide variety of genres and styles will be discussed, including choral music suitable for elementary-, middle-, and high-school choirs. Students will observe off-campus rehearsals in local schools.
MUS 287 - Leading Contemporary Music (2 credits)
A comprehensive study on the presentation of contemporary praise and worship music in a variety of service settings. It will include basic theory, music set building, rehearsal techniques, and song-leading styles.
MUS 310 - Music Theory/Sight-Singing/Ear-Training 3 (3 credits)
Advanced study in diatonic and chromatic harmony, modulation, and part-writing. Analysis of small forms and fugues. About one third of the course is devoted to sight singing and ear training. Pre-requisite: MUS 210 Theory/SS/ET 2
MUS 350 - Vocal Techniques (1 credit)
Techniques of vocal production, the function of the voice, and application of these concepts to choral singing; special emphasis on the training of young and maturing voices.
MUS 365 - Conducting 1 (2 credits)
Training in technical aspects of conducting, score reading/preparation, rehearsal techniques, and musical interpretation. Emphasis on choral conducting. Pre-requisite: MUS 210 Theory/SS/ET 2 or consent of instructor
MUS 373 - Music History 2 (3 credits)
A detailed study of Western art music from the Classical Era to the present through score study and analysis, listening, and source readings. Special emphasis will be placed on the forms of 18th century music, the Enlightenment and its effect on music in society, Romanticism and 20th century reactions to the Romantic revolution. American vernacular styles are also discussed. A research paper will focus on a major work within the student's primary performing area. Pre-requisite: MUS 173 Survey of Music History
MUS 383 - Piano Literature (2 credits)
A study of music for solo piano by selected composers from the Baroque to the present. Elements of musical style, genre and performance practice will be discussed.
MUS 385 - Diction and Song Literature (3 credits)
A study of the fundamentals of lyric diction and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Pronunciation of English, Italian, French and German art song and arias with IPA annotations is emphasized. Art song styles specific to these four languages will be introduced with incidental study of composers in this genre.
MUS 388 - Composing/Arranging (2 credits)
Practical composing and arranging for the music ministry of the church. Primary focus will be vocal, but instrumental composing/arranging will be introduced. Idiomatic use of harmony, melodic figures, voicing, modulation, tonal colors, and notational processes will be covered. Pre-requisite: MUS 210 or consent of instructor
MUS 410 - Music Theory/Sight-Singing/Ear-Training 4 (3 credits)
Advanced study in chromatic harmony, modulation, and large forms. Overview of Impressionism and 20th-century "harmony" and compositional techniques. Analysis of 19th (and some 20th) century literature. About one third of the course is devoted to sight singing and ear training. Pre-requisite: MUS 310 Theory/SS/ET 3
MUS 455 - Music Ministry Practicum (2 credits)
A supervised practicum within or beyond the institution which allows for application of music ministry skills, preferably guided leadership experience. Normally completed in the last semester of study. Pre-requisite: MUS 365 Conducting
MUS 465 - Conducting 2 (2 credits)
Advanced training in technical aspects of conducting, score reading/preparation, rehearsal techniques, and musical interpretation. Pre-requisite: MUS 365 Conducting 1
MUS 470 - Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)
Principles and techniques of teaching voice. The course will discuss vocal philosophy, psychology, and physiology. A component of the course will involve teaching three voice lessons to a beginning student under the supervision of the course instructor.
MUS 471 - Piano Pedagogy (2 credits)
This course will provide the fundamentals of teaching piano through the examination and evaluation of piano methods, discussion of the learning process, and classification of pre-college piano music. Primary focus will be on developing technique, musicality, and stylistic precision in the elementary through intermediated level piano student. Observation and directed teaching required.
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