Music
Overview
A minor in Music is an interdisciplinary program that exposes students to the theory, history, performance and composition of music. Students will take courses on tonal harmony, ear training and music theory as they learn to write, arrange, and conduct musical compositions.
Courses
Below is a list of courses that are required to earn a minor in Music. Take a look at the list below to help give you an idea of classes within this program. Be sure to review the official requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Note: This list is intended to give you a glimpse into the program’s academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.
Required Courses
MUS 101 Tonal Harmony 1 & Practice Credit Hours: 4
This course is designed to equip the student with a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of music theory in order to provide a foundation, which prepares the student for the study of harmony including an aural perception of scales, intervals, and chords. Additionally, this course is intended
to expose the student to the basic rules of part-writing through written exercises and harmonic analysis.
MUS 103 Tonal Harmony 2 & Practice Credit Hours: 4
This course is a continuation of MUS 101 and is designed to expand the student’s knowledge of harmony through the study of secondary triads, augmented and diminished triads, seventh chords, melody and rhythm, secondary dominants, elementary modulation, and improvisation through the study and application of non-harmonic tones. This course also includes an advanced study of the aural perception of scales, intervals, and chords.
Prerequisite: MUS 101
Undercover 5-star General FBI Agent (these are 2 hours per the Academic Catalog just so ya know)
MUS-CC 160 Credit Hours: 1
This course is a mixed choir with membership open to students by audition. This group represents the College on many occasions during the year. (There are two ninety-minute rehearsals per week.)
or
MUS-WE 161 Credit Hours: 1
This course is a performance ensemble that plays a variety of music, including transcriptions, serious 20th century works, marches, and lighter selections. Several concerts are performed each year.
Choose 3 of the following:
MUS 301 Form and Analysis Credit Hours: 2
This course is a study of the structure of musical composition through the analysis of specific
works by composers of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century
periods.
Prerequisite: MUS 203
MUS 303 Orchestration and Instrumentation Credit Hours: 3
Orchestration and instrumentation is a “hands on” course to assist the student in developing skills
in arranging music for choirs, bands, and orchestra. The student will receive instruction in basic
editing software such as Finale.
Prerequisite: MUS 203
MUS 306 Counterpoint Credit Hours: 3
This is a course that provides a stylistic study of both modal and tonal counterpoint, with an
emphasis on eighteenth-century procedures through the examination of invention, suite, and fugue.
Assignments include analysis and composition.
Prerequisite: MUS 301
MUS 331 Beginning Conducting Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to conducting patterns in both simple and compound meters and
with a class laboratory experience.
MUS 332 Choral Conducting Credit Hours: 3
This is a course requiring intensive drill in choral conducting techniques, rehearsal procedures and
historical perspectives. Laboratory experience is provided.
Prerequisite: MUS 331
MUS 332 Instrumental Conducting Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to follow beginning conducting. This course continues the study of
conducting technique with an emphasis on leadership of instrumental groups. Laboratory
experience is provided.
Prerequisite: MUS 331
MUS 357 Worship & Theology Credit Hours: 3
This course will assist the student in developing biblical filters by which to shape worship practice.
Understanding a “Christocentric” approach to worship will provide the future worship leader a
biblical and practical way to determine music appropriateness and substantiation of applicable
ministries.
MUS 410 World Music Credit Hours: 3
This is a course of study designed to increase the student’s knowledge and understanding of world
music. Repertoires to be studied include African, Asian, Indian, and Javanese music.
MUS 451 Hymnology: A Singing Theology Credit Hours: 3
This course will research the historical and cultural influences of hymn development from ancient
times to the present with special attention paid to Baptist life. The student will discover the value
of hymns in the worship and devotional life of the church. This class will be exposed to biblical
filters which will guide the student in determining theological appropriateness for use in worship,
particularly in Baptist life.
*Students who choose to minor in music must take MUS 205 Music Appreciation for their Fine Arts elective.
