Undergraduate Courses

An extension of MPAJZ-UE 1119 with an emphasis on 3-5 part writing and arrangements for larger ensembles.

Analysis of jazz as a dance discipline- introductory level. Includes composition.

Introduction analysis & practice of jazz music.

Ensemble participation focusing on a variety of jazz styles.

This course surveys the history and development of jazz music in America from the mid 1800s to current trends in popular music. Through a historical timeline, student will study jazz music’s range of styles as informed by social, regional, cultural, technological, and political trends. Realizing that all music is a reflection of historical events and the cultures they are informed by, students will analyze the close connection between jazz music and why it is known as America’s true original artform.

An introduction to the techniques used in jazz instrumental improvisation. Performance & analysis of transcribed jazz solos from periods of Early Jazz, Swing & Bebop.

A continuation of MPAJZ-UE 1075 with an emphasis on the melodic, harmonic, & rhythmic aspects of jazz music from the Modal, Free, Fusion and Modern eras (1960-present)

Examination of the melodic, harmonic, and notational resources used in jazz composition, jazz arranging, and jazz performance. Sight-singing, and ear-training activity is correlated with theoretical study.

Examination of the melodic, harmonic, and notational resources used in jazz composition, jazz arranging, and jazz performance. Sight-singing, and ear-training activity is correlated with theoretical study.

What is jazz music and how was it shaped and developed byu the specific regions around the world? This class will explore the diverse musical cultures that helped shape jazz music into an original art form. Today, music from around thr world has been integrated into modern jazz styles including Latin America, Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. By exploring the history and culture of specific geographic poitns, we hope to better understand the process of jazz through it's history as a model that supports diversity in culture as well as art.

Liberal Arts Core/CORE Equivalent - satisfies the requirement for Expressive Cultures

This class analyzes the role of media concentration and technological innovation as twin driving forces in the inception of the "big leak era" in media in recent years. We study the consequences of media leaks from three angles: (i) the legal consequences for whistleblowers; (ii) the resulting birth of global networks and partnerships that expose technical, cultural and economic limitations in the traditional media; and (iii) the geopolitical implications, as a breach in one government ́s security apparatus is a victory for that government ́s opponents.

In this course, students present their compositional work in a public performance. Students receive guidance and resources for the presentation of a marathon style concert featuring work by all Juniors in the composition program. Students will work with the instructor to coordinate and develop all aspects of the concert experience including production, marketing, and programming. The class will be a combination of group and individual meetings culminating in a marathon concert at the end of the semester,

Explores world history through demographic and technological change, urbanization, nomadic invasions, cross-cultural interactions, empires, and major religious and philosophical world views. Provides broad framework though which to approach teaching and learning of world history: Seeing global patterns and processes over time and space while connecting local developments to global ones; comparing within and among societies; analyzing multiple perspectives of peoples and major debates among historians; exploring persistent relevance of world history to contemporary developments.

Surveys key developments in American Civilization since the Civil War. Explores the rise of the U.S. to world power, the impact of industrialization, mass immigration and urbanization on American society, the evolution of the political system, reform and radical dissent, and the role that race, class, and gender played in post-1865 U.S. history. Combines historical with geographical analysis of the U.S., introducing cultural and physical geography as tools for studying and teaching the American past.

For pre-service music teachers to gain practical experience in meeting the various accompaniment performance demands in Pre K-12 music classroom and ensemble settings.

Development of functional keyboard skills for music majors. Emphasized skills: technique, score reading, melodic harmonization, transposition, popular chord reading, & harmonization.

Development of functional keyboard skills for music majors. Emphasized skills: technique, score reading, melodic harmonization, transposition, popular chord reading, & harmonization.

Development of functional keyboard skills for music majors. Emphasized skills: technique, score reading, melodic harmonization, transposition, popular chord reading, & harmonization.

This course is required for Piano Performance majors, Music Education major with piano as their major instrument, and other music majors with extensive piano experience. The main focus is the development of sight-reading, transposition, and score reading skills. Special attention is given to Czech folk songs and Czech composers.

Development of functional keyboard skills for music majors. Emphasized skills: technique, score reading, melodic harmonization, transposition, popular chord reading, & harmonization.