Course Descriptions

Please refer to the current Academic Bulletin for the most updated list of course descriptions for this major.

MUS 100: Introduction to Musical Notation
1 Semester Credit Hour  

Introduction to Musical Notation is a course designed for students who show, through a placement exam, that they need some additional preparation before successfully entering Music Theory I.  The course is designed to teach students the basics of the musical score, and to develop an active acquaintance with basic rhythms and meters, the treble and bass clefs, and understanding and writing basic melodic intervals (both major and minor).

MUS 105-405: Concert Band
1 Semester Credit Hour 

Performance opportunities related to concert literature in band and other instrumental ensembles.  Offered every semester.

MUS 106-406: Chamber Orchestra
1 Semester Credit Hour 

Performance opportunities related to concert literature in chamber orchestra, strings, and other instrumental ensembles.  Offered every semester.

MUS 107: Voice Class
1 Semester Credit Hour

Voice Class is an entry level course for students who wish to learn to sing.  The class works to build a solid foundation of vocal technique with an emphasis on good posture, breath management, developing resonance, proper vowel placement, accurate intonation, vocal health and an introduction to diction using the International Phonetic Alphabet.  Additionally, students learn to develop musical artistry through phrasing, dynamics, vowel timbre and articulation.  The class includes a variety of types of repertoire.  The instructor chooses half of the repertoire the students will sing and the students are allowed to choose half of the repertoire.  Students sing in front of the class very often, and those enrolled in the class learn how to be active and supportive listeners.  Offered every semester.

MUS 111: Applied Music
1-2 Semester Credit Hours  

Private instruction in voice, piano, organ, guitar, woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion.  Twenty-five or fifty minute lessons per week.  All vocal and instrumental students are responsible for paying accompanist fees as set by the Music program  Contact Music Program Director for details.  Offered every semester.

MUS 139: Aural Skills I
1 Semester Credit Hour

Aural Skills I is a beginning study of sight singing and dictation skills.  To enhance a comprehensive understanding of music through the development of skills in sight singing and aural dictation.  Through aural dictation exercises, students will demonstrate the ability to perceive aurally intervals, major and minor scales and triads, compound and simple meters, melodic outlines of scales and tonic and dominant harmonies, and harmonic progressions comprising primary triads.  Corequisite:  MUS 147 or permission of instructor.  Offered every Fall.

MUS 140: Aural Skills II
1 Semester Credit Hour

A continuation of the development of sight-singing an dictation skills to include recognition of melodies that outline primary triads, rhythms with subdivided beats, harmonies that include all diatonic triads, and elementary chromaticism.  Through aural dictation exercises, students will demonstrate their ability to perceive aurally intervals, diatonic harmonies and melodies, musical forms (especially binary and ternary) and compound or simple meters with rhythmic values on the level of the subdivided beat.  Prerequisite:  MUS 139.  Corequisite:  MUS 148.  Offered every Spring.

MUS 141-441: Panther Pianists
1 Semester Credit Hour 

Study and performance of piano solo, duet and ensemble repertoire combined with community outreach and performance.

MUS 143-443: Kentucky Wesleyan Singers
1 Semester Credit Hour 

Kentucky Wesleyan Singers is  a choral ensemble of Kentucky Wesleyan College. This ensemble is frequently called upon to represent the college in concerts and services. Selections from the world’s greatest choral repertoire of multiple periods and styles are combined with examples of indigenous music, musical theatre, gospel songs, spirituals and popular song to form the core repertoire performed by this choir annually. Participation in this ensemble is contingent upon a placement hearing appointment with the Director.  Offered every semester.

MUS 145-445: Kentucky Wesleyan Band
1 Semester Credit Hour

Performance opportunities in concert literature, band, and other instrumental ensembles.  Offered every semester.

MUS 147: Music Theory I
3 Semester Credit Hours 

Musical fundamentals, reading, ear-training, theory, rhythm, beginning analysis.  Corequisite:  MUS 139.  Offered every Fall.

MUS 148: Music Theory II
3 Semester Credit Hours

Musical fundamentals, reading, ear-training, theory, rhythm, beginning analysis.  Corequisite:  MUS 140. Offered every Spring.

MUS 153: Music Appreciation
3 Semester Credit Hours  

For non-music majors.  A survey of music from the Medieval era to the present time.  Emphasis upon enjoyment of music.  Not open to music majors.  Offered every semester.

MUS 210: Ritual in Life, Liturgy, and Worship
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course provides an introduction to the Biblical, historic, and aesthetic values of ritual in worship that includes an interpretive methodology for theological study, an introduction to the history and meaning of religious ritual, the development of Christian worship from Jewish roots, the structure and integrity of the Church Year, the anatomy of hymns and hymnals, the Psalter, the Revised Common Lectionary, and an overview of ritual and worship in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.  Meets General Education requirements.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 220: History of Music I: Beginnings through Baroque
3 Semester Credit Hours 

History and literature of music from its early beginning to 1650, encompassing Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras.  Offered every other Fall.

MUS 233: Lyric Diction for Singers
2 Semester Credit Hours 

Basic diction  in French, German and Italian.  Required for students majoring or concentrating in voice.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 235: Music Theory III
3 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the elements of simple and complex forms.  Involves both analysis and aural recognition.  Prerequisite: MUS 148.  Corequisite:  MUS 239.  Offered every Fall.

MUS 239: Aural Skills III
1 Semester Credit Hour

A course designed to continue the students’ development of sight singing, aural dictation, and listening skills to include chromatic material and complex meters.  To enhance a comprehensive understanding of music through the development of sight singing and aural skills with focus on chromaticism and advanced rhythmic organization.  Prerequisites:  MUS 139, MUS 140 or permission of instructor.  Corequisite:  MUS 235.  Offered every Fall.

MUS 276: Orchestration
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the instruments in the orchestra, their ranges and functions; basic techniques of instrumental orchestrating and arranging.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 277: Instrumental Music Literature
2 Semester Credit Hours 

Survey of instrumental literature.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 300: Rock and Roll: Its Influence in Our Society
3 Semester Credit Hours 

Although focusing largely on the field of rock music, this course exposes students to interdisciplinary material as they explore music and its relationship to history, sociology, psychology and communication.  Students explore the role of various types of music in effective communication, and the role of music in shaping individual and social values and actions.  Students will develop greater aesthetic awareness as regards various music styles, and will better understand music’s role in shaping, as well as being shaped by the human experience.

MUS 301: Applied Music Literature: Vocal
2 Semester Credit Hours

Survey of vocal literature.   Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 302: Applied Music Literature: Guitar
2 Semester Credit Hours

Survey of guitar literature. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 303: Applied Music Literature: Piano
2 Semester Credit Hours 

Survey of piano literature. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 308: Instrumental Methods
2 Semester Credit Hours

A comprehensive study of the methods and materials currently used by the instrumental conductor at the middle and high school levels.  Required for instrumental music education majors.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 310: Methods of Teaching Music in the Elementary School
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A comprehensive study of the methods and materials currently used by the music specialist in the elementary school.  Required for music education majors seeking certification at the elementary level. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 319: Methods of Teaching Music in the Middle School
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of new methods and materials now used by the music specialist at the middle school level.  Required for music majors seeking certification at the middle school level.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 320: Methods of Teaching Music in Secondary School
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of new methods and materials now used by the music specialist at the high school level.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 322: Piano / Organ Pedagogy
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the various techniques and approaches in the teaching of Piano. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 323: Guitar Pedagogy
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the various techniques and approaches in the teaching of guitar.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 324: History of Music II: Classical/Romantic Periods (1750-1850)
3 Semester Credit Hours 

A survey of the major composers of the classical and romantic eras and a study of the development of national styles.  Offered every other Fall.

MUS 325: Music for the Elementary School
3 Semester Credit Hours 

General preparation of teachers in the elementary grades.  Teaching of role songs, ability to read music, rhythmic devices for general use and expansion of songs learned.  May not be used as humanities elective.  Offered every Fall.

MUS 330: Special Topics
1-3 Semester Credit Hours 

Various courses dealing with specific topics in music.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 333: All That Jazz
3 Semester Credit Hours

The history of jazz from its turn of the 20th  century beginnings to its growth into a worldwide American musical export. The history will be studied in the context of elements that make up all music and then the specific application of these elements in the history and performance of jazz. Special emphasis will be given to the development of jazz styles and innovations and an examination of the music itself through listening to performance of jazz styles and musicians.

MUS 340: History of Music III : Late Romantic to Present (1850-Present)
3 Semester Credit Hours 

A survey of the music of the late 19th century and twentieth century with emphasis on current trends and development of electronic, aleatoric and other modern forms of musical expression. Study of our current century and musical innovations and trends.  Offered every other Spring.

MUS 343: Wesleyan Singers
1 Semester Credit Hour

Kentucky Wesleyan Chamber Singers, the most select vocal ensemble of the College., serves as musical ambassadors for the college, and is regularly called upon to represent the college in concerts and services.  Selections from the world’s greatest chamber choir repertoire of multiple periods and styles are combined with examples of indigenous music, musical theater, gospel songs, spirituals and popular song to form the core repertoire performed by this choir annually.  Entrance into this ensemble is by audition and permission of the instructor.  Corequisite:  Kentucky Wesleyan Singers.  Offered every semester.

MUS 348: Accompaniment
2 Semester Credit Hours 

An intensive study of standard concert vocal and instrumental literature as regards the art of accompaniment and collaborative piano.  Required for piano performance majors.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 350: Junior Recital
1 Semester Credit Hour 

A public performance of at least 30 minutes which demonstrates a variety of styles in classical music.  Required for music majors, recommended for music education majors.  All vocal and instrumental students are responsible for paying accompanist fees as set by the Music program  Contact Music Program Director for details.  Offered every semester.

MUS 351: Voice Pedagogy
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the various techniques and approaches in the teaching of voice. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 360: History of Musical Theater
3 Semester Credit Hours

A study of the history and traditions of theater, dramatic literature, and theater/performance studies as constitutive of the evolution of theater as a social institution in the United States.

MUS 370: Music in Religion
3 Semester Credit Hours

Although focusing largely on the field of music, this course will expose students to interdisciplinary material as they explore music and its relationship to religion, as well as history, art, sociology, ethics, and communication. Students will explore the role of music in religion through the ages. Students will explore the role of music in shaping individual religious, social, and ethical values. Students will develop greater aesthetic awareness regarding various musical styles, and they will better understand music’s role in shaping, as well as being shaped by, the human experience.

MUS 377: Conducting
2 Semester Credit Hours 

A study of the art of conducting, including the elements of gesture, score study and preparation, rehearsal technique and developing musical artistry. Particular attention will be given to proper posture, conducting patterns, hand independence, attacks and releases, dynamics and phrasing. Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 390/490: Ensemble Assistantship
1 Semester Credit Hour

This advanced ensemble assistantship course is designed to prepare the student for ‘live” rehearsal and conducting performances through proper preparation of scores, music analysis, advanced conducting techniques, communication techniques, and the basic understanding of successful rehearsal techniques. In addition, each student will serve as an assistant to one of the directors of a major performing ensemble at Wesleyan. In this role, the student will prepare works for rehearsals, conduct and teach rehearsals, and conduct these works in concerts. The student will also develop “the spirit of conducting” within physical and mime techniques/skills, listening skills, and verbal communication skills.

MUS 393: Internship
1-3 Semester Credit Hours  

Practical application of music training in a professional setting.  Offered every semester.

MUS 400: Independent Study
1-3 Semester Credit Hours 

Reading, research, and performance in music.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 427: Music and Computer
2 Semester Credit Hours

This course is a hands-on musical project that will directly apply to and incorporate the use of a computer.  The degree emphasis of the student (vocal, etc.) will determine the nature of involvement with the computer.  Offered on an irregular basis.

MUS 450: Senior Recital
1 Semester Credit Hour 

A public performance of at least 50 minutes which demonstrates a variety of styles in classical music.  Required for all music majors.  All vocal and instrumental students are responsible for paying accompanist fees as set by the Music program  Contact Music Program Director for details.  Offered every semester.