Catalog 2018-2019

Music

Teaching Faculty

Professors Boehm and Krebs (chair)
Assistant Professors Morgan and Renshaw James

Description

The curriculum for the music major and minor is divided into three areas: Theory and composition, History and literature, and Applied lessons and ensembles. 

The theory and composition sequence includes MUSI 100, MUSI 201, MUSI 202, MUSI 301, MUSI 302, and electives MUSI 370, MUSI 380, MUSI 430, and MUSI 440. 

The history and literature sequence includes MUSI 101, MUSI 401, MUSI 402, MUSI 497 and electives MUSI 180, MUSI 230, MUSI 250, MUSI 255, MUSI 260, MUSI 270, and MUSI 280. 

The applied lessons and ensembles area includes MUSA 200, MUSA 300, and MUSA 400, and may be repeated to earn full course credits.

Major in Music

12 courses and other additional requirements distributed as follows:

  • MUSI 101 Introduction to Music Studies
  • MUSI 201 Musicianship Skills
  • MUSI 202 Introduction to Diatonic Harmony
  • MUSI 301 Introduction to Chromatic Harmony and Twentieth-Century Practices
  • MUSI 302 Form and Analysis in Western Music
  • MUSI 401 Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Music
  • MUSI 402 Classic, Romantic, and Modern Music
  • MUSI 497 Senior Seminar
  • MUSA SRP Senior Project
  • 4 course credits worth of music electives, which may include credits earned in MUSA 200, 300, and 400 (may be used to satisfy a music elective).
  • 6 semesters of applied music in the major instrument or voice (either MUSA 300 or MUSA 400) (may be used to satisfy a music elective) and
  • 6 semesters of the appropriate ensemble (MUSA 200)
  • 6 semesters of recital attendance (MUSA 1RA Recital Attendance )
  • 3 Music Proficiency examinations
              MUSA 1AS Aural Skills Proficiency
              MUSA 1PP Piano Proficiency
              MUSA 1SS Sight-Singing Proficiency

Senior Capstone Experience

The Senior Capstone Experience for the music major consists of a senior project. The senior project may take the form of a research paper, a lecture recital, a portfolio of original compositions, or a recital accompanied by written program notes. Preparation for this project is a part of MUSI 497 Senior Seminar. The option to select a composition portfolio requires students to have completed MUSI 370 Composition I and MUSI 380 Composition II.

Minor in Music

6 courses distributed as follows:

  • MUSI 101 Introduction to Music Studies
              or
    MUSI 150 Introduction to Western Classical Music
  • MUSI 201 Musicianship Skills
  • MUSI 202 Introduction to Diatonic Harmony
  • 1 music history/literature class from the following:
              MUSI 180 Film Music
              MUSI 230 History of Jazz
              MUSI 250 Introduction to Opera
              MUSI 255 Women in Music
              MUSI 260 Classical and Popular Music since 1900
              MUSI 270 Introduction to World Music
              MUSI 280 Topics in Music
              MUSI 401 Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Music
              MUSI 402 Classic, Romantic, and Modern Music
  • 1 course credit of private applied study (either MUSA 300 or MUSA 400)
  • 1 elective (MUSA 300/MUSA 400 classes may satisfy the elective requirement)

Note(s):

More specific information for Music Majors and Minors is available in the Music Department Handbook.

Lessons and Ensembles

Students interested in taking private music lessons and/or participating in any music ensemble should not pre-register. Instead, they should contact the appropriate member of the music faculty during the week of orientation and registration in the fall or during the first week of classes in the spring. Ensembles and lessons are open to all Hendrix students regardless of major.

The grade earned in each semester of a Music Activity class is included in the computation of the student's grade point average. However, to receive one complete course credit towards a music major, students must complete music activity partial course credits that sum to one whole credit.

    A complete course credit earned in this manner may be used to satisfy the Expressive Arts Learning Domain, except in the case where the student has opted to take a MUSA 300 private lesson on a credit-only basis with no grade. Any number of individual activity courses may be taken by a student. However, note that there is a limit of 2 course credits from partial credit courses from any department that can be used for the 32 courses required for graduation. Music majors may earn additional course credits toward the 32 required course credits for graduation from music activity classes as needed to meet the requirements of the major.

     

    Ensembles (for credit)

    Chamber Orchestra

    The Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra performs at least two concerts per semester and rehearses three times per week. Repertoire is drawn from all historic periods with emphasis on the classic tradition, historic performance practice, working with living composers, guest artists and student soloists, dance, theatrical, and symphonic genres. Student musicians who play woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, and stringed instruments enroll in HCCO by audition and/or permission of the conductor. The orchestra is conducted by Mr. Geoffrey Robson.

     

    Choir

    The Hendrix Choir is an auditioned mixed voice choral ensemble that studies and performs repertoire from a broad spectrum of musical traditions and historical time periods. Recent projects have included performances of Latin American vocal music, gospel, and collaborative programs with the Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The Choir performs several times yearly, including the annual Candlelight Carol Services, and campus-wide events such as convocations and commencement. The Choir is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan and rehearses 80 minutes three times per week.

     

    Pep Band

     

    Open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion students with appropriate background. Pep Band rehearses for 110 minutes per week and performs at home football games. Students must perform an audition at the beginning of fall semester. Pep Band may not be used to satisfy the music major ensemble requirement. Pep Band carries neither EA Learning Domain nor Odyssey coding. The Pep Band is led by Dr. Gretchen Renshaw James.

     

    Wind Ensemble

    The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group composed of students from a wide variety of majors on campus. Drawing from symphonic band, wind ensemble, and chamber winds repertoire, the ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary works. The Wind Ensemble performs four concerts annually and rehearses 80 minutes three times per week. It is conducted by Dr. Gretchen Renshaw James.

    Ensembles (non-credit)

    Chamber Chorale

    Chosen from the membership of the Choir, the Hendrix College Chamber Chorale is a small select group that specializes in vocal chamber works from the Renaissance to the present. The Chamber Chorale rehearses two hours weekly. and is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan. Prerequisite: concurrent participation in Choir.

    Chamber Players

    Chamber music ensembles at Hendrix such as string quartet, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, percussion ensemble, flute choir and others. For the fall semester, Dr. Stephen James is conducting a brass group. Co-requisite: concurrent participation in wind ensemble or orchestra.

     

    Jazz Ensemble

    The Hendrix College Jazz Ensemble is open to musicians interested in performing jazz literature that ranges from big band arrangements to progressive jazz. The ensemble rehearses ninety minutes weekly and is conducted by Dr. Barry McVinney. Prerequisite: concurrent participation in Wind Ensemble except for guitar. 

     

    Women's Ensemble

    Open to all women without audition, the Women's Ensemble performs music of all styles for treble voices. The ensemble rehearses two hours weekly and is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan.

     

     

     

    Program Course Listings

    The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

    Music Courses

    MUSI 100

    Music Fundamentals

    Introduces and developes basic skills in reading and writing musical notation, keyboard and sight singing skills and aural skills.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 101

    Introduction to Music Studies

    A course for music majors, music minors, and students contemplating the music major. An introduction to skills required for advanced music study and success in professional music careers. Emphasis on research, oral and written communication, and the acquisition of appropriate listening skills through the study of history and literature. Course includes an introduction to concepts associated with the study of music outside the Western tradition.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 150

    Intro to Western Classical Music

    A course designed to develop skills in listening to music and to introduce the literature of Western art music. For all students regardless of background.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 180

    Film Music

    An overview of film music from the silent era to the present, covering important composers and discussing the various techniques and aesthetic approaches involved in combining music and film. Designed for all students.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 201

    Musicianship Skills

    Develops sight-singing, keyboard, and aural skills begun in MUSI 100, and introduces rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic principles of tonal music. Development of ear training and music writing skills. Students may elect to test out of MUSI 201 and receive credit upon successful completion of MUSI 202. For students with an interest in music as a major or minor; students must successfully complete or test out of MUSI 100 in order to enroll in MUSI 201. Prerequisite: MUSI 100 or successful completion of a placement exam. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in MUSA 300 voice and/or piano lessons as needed.

    MUSI 100 or successful completion of a placement exam. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in MUSA 300 voice and/or piano lessons as needed.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 202

    Intro to Diatonic Harmony

    Continues the development of solfege, aural, composition, analysis, and keyboard skills begun in MUSI 201 and introduces the principles of diatonic harmony, counterpoint, and structural analysis. Laboratory course. Students must successfully complete or test out of MUSI 201 in order to enroll in MUSI 202. Prerequisite: MUSI 201. Co-requisite: MUSA 300 piano (or equivalent).

    MUSI 201. Co-requisite: MUSA 300 piano (or equivalent).
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 230

    History of Jazz

    A study of America’s true art form, jazz music, in its various forms and styles, with a goal of understanding and appreciating how jazz music reflects the culture and society of its time. For all students regardless of background.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 240

    Pedagogy

    A study of the principles and techniques of teaching applied music. Offered as needed.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 250

    Introduction to Opera

    An introduction to some of the major works in the active operatic repertoire. Designed for all students.

    Expressive Arts EA
    Writing Level 2 W2
    MUSI 255

    Women in Music

    Examines women’s music, women’s roles in the music profession and in arts patronage, the societal, economic, and political factors that contributed to gender exclusion within the profession, the ways in which women have worked to change their access to the profession and overcome exclusion, and the broader effect of women’s changed access to roles within the profession.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 260

    Popular Music Since 1900

    An introduction to popular music since 1900. Works covered range from the late 19th century up to today. Designed for all students.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 270

    World Musics

    Survey of selected folk, classic, and popular musics from around the world. Designed for all students regardless of background.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 280

    Topics in Music

    An introduction to individual composers, specific musical genres, or the art music of a particular country. For all students regardless of background.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 301

    Intro ChromHarm&20th-CentPrac

    Continues the development of solfege, aural, composition, and keyboard skills and introduces the principles of chromatic and twentieth-century harmony, counterpoint, and structural analysis. Laboratory course. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: MUSI 202. Co-requisite: MUSA 300 Piano

    MUSI 202. Co-requisite: MUSA 300 Piano
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 302

    Form&Analysis in Western Music

    Form and analysis of music. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: MUSI 301.

    MUSI 301.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 310

    Conducting

    The study of scores, interpretation, and movement. Emphasis is on the development of a non-verbal vocabulary to artistically communicate with members of an ensemble to solicit a predetermined musical result. Prerequisite: MUSI 202 or permission of instructor.

    MUSI 202 or permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 340

    Choral Literature and Techniques

    A study of choral literature, performance practice, rehearsal techniques, and various aspects of administration related to choral ensembles. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: MUSI 310 and permission of instructor.

    MUSI 310 and permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 350

    Instrumental Literature&Techniques

    A study of instrumental music literature, performance practice, conducting, and pedagogy. Prerequisite: MUSI 310 and permission of instructor.

    MUSI 310 and permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 360

    Instrumental Methods

    A study of instrumental performance techniques for winds, strings, and percussion. Offered as needed.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 370

    Composition I

    Introduces principles of compositional craft, listening skills, and musical philosophies and develops musical creativity through written projects, score study, readings, and listening assignments. Required before the senior year for students pursuing a senior project in composition. Prerequisite: MUSI 201 and permission of instructor.

    MUSI 201 and permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 380

    Composition II

    Continuation of MUSI 370. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: MUSI 370 and permission of instructor.

    MUSI 370 and permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 401

    Medieval, Renaissance&Baroque Music

    A study of the history and literature of Western art music from Antiquity through the Baroque period. Offered in alternate years.. Prerequisite: MUSI 101 or MUSI 150, and MUSI 202, or permission of instructor.

    MUSI 101 or MUSI 150, and MUSI 202, or permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    Historical Perspectives HP
    MUSI 402

    Classic, Romantic, Modern Music-WII

    A study of the history and literature of Western art music of the late eighteenth through early twenty-first centuries. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: MUSI 101 or MUSI 150, and MUSI 202, or permission of instructor.

    MUSI 101 or MUSI 150, and MUSI 202, or permission of instructor.
    Expressive Arts EA
    Historical Perspectives HP
    Writing Level 2 W2
    MUSI 430

    Orchestration

    Development of principles introduced in MUSI 202 using a standard species approach to tonal contrapuntal techniques. Recommended elective for students pursuing a senior project in composition or music theory. Prerequisite: MUSI 202.

    MUSI 202.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 440

    Counterpoint

    Development of principles introduced in MUSI 202 using a standard species approach to tonal contrapuntal techniques. Recommended elective for students pursuing a senior project in composition or music theory. Prerequisite: MUSI 202.

    MUSI 202.
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSI 497

    Music: Senior Seminar

    A culminating seminar course for music majors intended to synthesize analytical techniques, stylistic sensitivity, and interpretive or creative skills. Emphasis on oral and written communication. A primary focus is the preparation of the senior project. Prerequisite: senior standing.

    senior standing.
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    Music Proficiency Exams

    All music majors are required to pass proficiency examinations in piano, solfege (sight singing), and aural skills. Music majors may attempt these exams at any time during their course of study, but no later than the semester in which MUSI 302 Form and Analysis in Western Music is completed. In addition, students are required to study piano each semester during the theory sequence until this part of the requirement is met. If a given Proficiency Exam is passed early, the student is not required to enroll in further study in this area of examination. Students who are unable to pass proficiencies in any of these areas are required to take the exams each successive semester until they are successfully completed. No grade will be awarded for MUSI 302 Form and Analysis in Western Music until all three examinations are passed.

     

    MUSA 1AS

    Aural Skills Proficiency

    MUSA 1PP

    Piano Proficiency

    MUSA 1SS

    Sight Singing Proficiency

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    Music Activities

    Any number of individual activity courses may be taken by a student. However, note that there is a limit of 2 course credits from partial credit courses from any department that can be used for the 32 courses required for graduation. Music majors may earn additional course credits toward the 32 course credits required for graduation from music activity classes as needed to meet the requirements of the major.

    MUSA 000

    Music Ensembles (non-credit)

    Individual ensembles, their rehearsal times and other requirements are described in the Music Department section above the course lists. Prerequisite: Please consult the individual ensemble descriptions.

    Please consult the individual ensemble descriptions.
    MUSA 100

    Recital Attendance

    In order to broaden their understanding of performance skills, artistry, and repertorie, music majors are required to attend a minimum of 7 performances per semester for 5 semesters. Although no course credit is awarded for this requirement, each successfully completed semester is recorded on the student's transcript. Students document their attendence of concert events online. Students may count up to 2 concepts per semester in which they are a performer. Furthermore, students may attend up to 2 concert events off campus.

    MUSA 2CH

    Choir

    The Hendrix Choir is an auditioned mixed voice choral ensemble that studies and performs repertoire from a broad spectrum of musical traditions and historical time periods. Recent projects have included performances of Latin American vocal music, gospel and collaborative programs with the Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The Choir performs several times yearly, including the annual Candlelight Carol Service, and campus-wide events such as convocations and commencement. The Choir rehearses 80 minutes three times weekly and is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

    Artistic Creativity AC
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSA 2OR

    Chamber Orchestra

    The Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra performs at least two concerts per semester and rehearses four hours per week. Repertoire is drawn from all historic periods with emphasis on the classic tradition, historic performance practice, working with living composers, guest artists and student soloists, dance, theatrical, and symphonic genres. Student musicians who play woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, and stringed instruments enroll in HCCO by audition and/or permission of the conductor. The orchestra is conducted by Dr. Karen Griebling. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

    Artistic Creativity AC
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSA 2PB

    Pep Band

    Open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion students with appropriate background. Pep Band rehearses for 110 minutes per week and performs at home football games. Students must perform an audition at the beginning of fall semester. Pep Band may not be used to satisfy the music major ensemble requirement. Pep Band carries neither EA Learning Domain nor Odyssey coding. The Pep Band is led by Dr. Gretchen Renshaw. (Taken for letter-grade only with 1/4 credit weight.)

    MUSA 2WE

    Wind Ensemble

    The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group composed of students from a wide variety of majors on campus. Drawing from symphonic band, wind ensemble, and chamber winds repertoire, the ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary works. The Wind Ensemble performs four concerts annually and rehearses 80 minutes three times per week. It is conducted by Dr. Gretchen Renshaw. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

    Artistic Creativity AC
    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSA 2A1

    Accompanying

    Piano students may receive music activity credit if they rehearse and accopany lessons for at least four hours each week during the course of a semester. Must be taken for a grade.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSA 300

    Applied Music (30 minutes)

    One half-hour instruction weekly. Fee: Private instruction, $150 per semester. Fee is waived for students who must study piano or voice in order to complete MUSI 201 or MUSI 202 successfully. Private and class instruction in piano, organ, voice, string, wind, and percussion instruments. Adequate piano proficiency is a prerequisite for organ study. Three hours practice (30 minutes daily for six days) required each week. Non-majors and music majors taking MUSA 300 in a secondary area may elect to take MUSA 200 on a credit-only basis. In this case the student must declare intention to take this course for credit only within the first two weeks of the semester at the Office of the Registrar. All other policies regarding Credit Only courses also apply.

    Expressive Arts EA
    MUSA 400

    Applied Music (60 minutes)

    One hour instruction weekly. Fee: $300 per semester. Private instruction in piano, organ, voice, and string, wind, and percussion instruments. Adequate piano proficiency is a prerequisite for organ study. Six hours practice (60 minutes daily for six days) required each week. Students may enroll in MUSA 400 only after successful completion of an audition before the music faculty. MUSA 400 is intended primarily for music majors and minors. After successful completion of the audition, non-majors may enroll in MUSA 400 if there is space available. MUSA 400 is a graded music activity course.

    Artistic Creativity AC
    Expressive Arts EA
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