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.
- Offered: Winter
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition and department permission.
A select ensemble performing upper level wind band literature. Open by audition to all students. A zero-credit option to MU115. See department webpage for requirements.
Notes: May be repeated as often as desired with permission.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition. Winds/percussion chosen by director in consultation with studio faculty.
Ensemble performing a variety of works for either string or full orchestra. Generally two on-campus performances each semester.
Notes:May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition and department permission.
Ensemble performing a variety of works for either string or full orchestra. Generally two on-campus performances each semester. A zero-credit option to MU116. See department webpage for requirements.
Notes: May be repeated as often as desired with permission.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition.
Big band ensemble performing throughout the school year and featured at the NMU Jazz Festival in April.
Notes:May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition and department permission.
Big band ensemble performing throughout the school year and featured at the NMU Jazz Festival in April. A zero-credit option to MU117. See department webpage for requirements.
Notes: May be repeated as often as desired with permission.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: A/F
Chamber groups organized by a faculty member according to availability and department objectives. Groups are formed during the first week of the semester. Ensembles generally rehearse two times per week with one session coached by the faculty member.
Notes:May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition and department permission.
Chamber groups organized by a faculty member according to availability and department objectives. Groups are formed during the first week of the semester. Ensembles generally rehearse two times per week with one session coached by the faculty member. A zero-credit option to MU118. See department webpage for requirements.
Notes: May be repeated as often as desired with permission.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition.
Repertoire ranges from standard, established pieces for percussion ensemble to newly composed, improvisational, or experimental media-performed literature.
Notes:May be repeated for credit as often as desired.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: Open to all students by audition and department permission.
Repertoire ranges from standard, established pieces for percussion ensemble to newly composed, improvisational, or experimental media-performed literature. Open by audition to all students. A zero-credit option to MU120. See department webpage for requirements.
- Offered: Contact Department
- Prerequisites: Instructor's permission.
One individual lesson a week exploring jazz harmony and improvisational techniques in common practice in the jazz tradition.
Notes:May be repeated for credit. Music majors may not use this course as substitute for lessons on their primary instrument.
- Offered: Fall Winter
An introduction to the variety of human musical expression, aimed at increased understanding and appreciation for musical traditions and styles of various times and cultures. In addition to an overview of Western art/concert music, the course examines significant American musical styles (e.g. blues, jazz, rock) and exposes students to representative non-Western musical traditions.
- Offered: Fall
A course exploring the music, personal lives, production techniques, social ramifications, and technological impact of The Beatles. In addition to increased appreciation for the music itself, students will increase their comprehension of the social, economic, political, and cultural upheavals that gave rise to the musical trends of the Sixties.
- Offered: Winter
A course designed to introduce students to musical notation software programs. Students will be introduced to intermediate to advanced skills using Finale and Dorico software. A basic understanding of music notation and musical terminology is required.
- Offered: Fall Winter Summer Depending on demand.
The aim of MU 130 is to introduce students to rock and roll, and to help them develop an understanding and appreciation of this unique style of music. The course covers the history of various rock styles, the characteristics of these styles, and examines the contributions of notable rock musicians. Classes will be made up of listening, lectures, demonstrations, and discussion. The course is intended for either majors or non-majors (i.e. no prior musical experience is necessary for success in the class). Students learn to identify forms of artistic expression within the genre in relation to historical and cultural contexts, and recognize and articulate reasons why these forms of expression developed and evolved in the manner they did.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: Audition.
Trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium or tuba. One individual lesson per week with emphasis on proper embouchure development, breath control, styles of articulation, major and minor scales and solo literature compatible with the student’s level of proficiency.
Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.- Offered: Contact Department
- Prerequisites: MU 106 or equivalent as determined by instructor.
A continuation of MU106, focusing on further development of keyboard facility, sight reading, harmonization and transposition. Pieces up to grade three are studied.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: Audition.
One individual lesson per week with emphasis on development of repertoire, technical dexterity and musicianship.
Notes: May be repeated for credit as often as desired.- Offered: Contact Department
- Prerequisites: Audition.
One individual half-hour lesson per week with emphasis on development of repertoire, technical dexterity and musicianship in playing the harp. Prior harp playing experience is not required.
Notes:May be repeated for credit (no limit on repeats).
- Offered: Contact Department
- Prerequisites: MU 140 or equivalent as determined by instructor.
Continuation of MU 140, focusing on further development of facility, score reading, harmonization, transposition and sight-reading.
- Offered: Fall (even years)
- Prerequisites: Music major standing.
A course for choral music education students, presenting techniques for effectively organizing, rehearsing, and conducting instrumental ensembles of varying levels and types. Students will perform on a secondary instrument in a lab ensemble setting.
- Offered: Fall
A survey of Western classical music and music literature. Topics include musical terms, forms, styles, genres and historical periods. Emphasis is placed on primary composers, critical listening to their masterworks, and understanding their influence in the development of the Western art music. The ability to read music is a necessary skill for successful completion of this course.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: This course is open to all university students.
A course designed for prospective P-6 elementary music educators teaching basic playing and pedagogy for instruments commonly used in the classroom. Instruments include autoharp, Orff instruments, small percussion, guitar, and keyboard.
- Offered: Winter
A functional approach developing basic skills in playing the acoustic guitar.
Notes:Students must provide their own instrument.
- Offered: Fall Winter
A course for elementary education or special education majors, introducing musical concepts, skills, and pedagogical principles used in teaching music in the elementary classroom. Students become familiar with music of various eras, styles, and cultures.
Notes: This course may be taken by music majors as an elective.- Offered: Winter, Odd Years
- Prerequisites: Music major at 200 level or instructor permission.
Designed for music education majors to learn the fundamentals of playing and teaching standard percussion instruments.