Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

MU 151 Performance 1 - Percussion 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Audition.

One individual lesson per week with emphasis on the fundamental performance concepts and techniques of percussion instruments. Snare drum and keyboard instruments are stressed at this level of study.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
MU 161 Performance 1 - Strings 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Audition.

Violin, viola, violoncello, string bass. One individual lesson per week with emphasis on the development of independence of the left hand, scales and shifting in seven positions.

Notes: May be repeated for credit.
MU 161G Contemporary Guitar 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Audition.

Instruction in jazz, blues, rock guitar or bass guitar styles for intermediate or advanced players. One individual lesson per week.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
MU 170 Class Voice 1 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

Classroom instruction in vocal technique for those students with little or no previous instruction.

Notes:

May be repeated for credit.

MU 171 Performance 1 - Vocal 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Audition.

One individual lesson per week with emphasis on basic singing technique (posture, breathing, diction, and resonance). Repertoire is at the discretion of the instructor but normally begins with Italian and English-language art songs and progresses to more challenging pieces as skill develops. 

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
MU 172 Diction for Singers 2 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department

A functional approach to clear, expressive diction for singing, emphasizing Italian and German as used in the concert and operatic repertoire.

MU 174 Opera Theatre Workshop 1 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department

Practical experience in operatic performance and production. Projects range from full operas to scenes, depending on student aptitude and interest. May include tech and support work. 

Notes:

May be repeated for credit.

MU 181 Performance 1 - Woodwind 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Audition.

Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone. One individual lesson per week using representative solos and technical exercises to develop tone, embouchure, breath control and articulation. Clarinetists will focus on Bb soprano clarinet. Saxophonists will focus on Eb alto saxophone before branching out to any secondary saxophone.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
MU 201 Theory 3 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: "C" or better in MU 104 and MU 105.

A continuation of harmonic processes through analysis and composition. The course will introduce counterpoint, chromatic harmony and arranging of small vocal and instrumental forms.

MU 202 Aural Skills 3 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: "C" or better in MU 104 and MU 105.

Continuation of development begun in MU 105; emphasis on transient modulations and altered chords.

MU 204 Theory 4 2 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: "C" or better in MU 201 and MU 202.

A continuation of chromatic materials and extended harmony. 19th, 20th, and 21st century harmonic devices are explored. The course includes analysis, composition and arranging.

MU 208 Conducting 1 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, Odd Years
  • Prerequisites: Music majors at 200 level (see department) or instructor’s permission.

Skills required for the effective conducting of musical rehearsals and performances, including score study and comprehension, clear conducting gestures, and verbal communication. 

MU 209 Conducting 2 2 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: MU 208.

Continuation of MU 208, refining rehearsal technique, score comprehension and expressive conducting.

MU 210 Aural Skills 4 2 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: "C" or better in MU 201 and MU 202.

Further development of the skills involving more complex modulations, changing meters and 20th century melodic and harmonic idioms.

MU 211 Orchestration and Arranging 2 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Co-requisites: May be taken concurrently with MU 204.
  • Prerequisites: MU 201 with a “C” or better.

The fundamentals of musical orchestration and arranging. Students will create arrangements for a variety of ensembles, notating and preparing them for performance and/or publication.

MU 212 Choral Methods 2 cr.
  • Offered: Winter, Even Years
  • Prerequisites: MU 208 or instructor's permission.

A course for choral music education students, presenting techniques for effectively organizing, rehearsing, and conducting choral ensembles of varying levels and types.

MU 218 Introduction to Music Education 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Bachelor of Music Education program.

A course for music education students to explore the essence of teaching, characteristics of master teachers, principles of effective teaching and learning, and to personally reflect on your own strengths, weaknesses, and journey towards becoming a music educator. This course serves as an introduction to the profession of music teaching and will prepare you for your music methods courses. Students will perform peer-teaching episodes during class.

MU 222 Basic Jazz Improvisation 2 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: MU 101 and an audition or instructor’s permission.

Explores jazz harmony and improvisational techniques in common practice in the jazz tradition. Skills will be applied in a performance situation.

MU 230H High Brass Class 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, Even Years
  • Prerequisites: Music major at 200 level (see department) or instructor permission.

Designed for music education majors. Fundamentals of playing the trumpet and horn, with emphasis on pedagogy. 

Notes:

May be repeated once for credit.

MU 230L Low Brass Class 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, Odd Years
  • Prerequisites: Music major at 200 level (see department) or instructor permission.

Designed for music education majors. Fundamentals of playing the trombone, euphonium and tuba, with emphasis on pedagogy.

Notes:

May be repeated once for credit.

MU 231 Performance 2 - Brass 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Passing 200-level proficiency exam.

A continuation of MU 131. One individual lesson per week.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as required.
MU 241 Performance 2 - Keyboard 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Passing 200-level proficiency exam.

A continuation of MU 141. One individual lesson per week.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as required.
MU 251 Performance 2 - Percussion 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Passing 200-level proficiency exam.

A continuation of MU 151. One individual lesson per week.

Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as required.
MU 260L Lower Strings Class 1 cr.
  • Offered: Winter, Even Years
  • Prerequisites: Music major at 200 level (see department) or instructor permission.

Designed for music education majors. Fundamentals of playing the cello and string bass, with emphasis on pedagogy.

Notes:

May be repeated once for credit.

MU 260U Upper Strings Class 1 cr.
  • Offered: Winter, Odd Years
  • Prerequisites: Music major at 200 level (see department) or instructor.

Designed for music education majors. Fundamentals of playing the violin and viola, with emphasis on pedagogy.

Notes:

May be repeated once for credit.