SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Major in Music - Teacher Certification | Choral Emphasis | Instrumental Emphasis (teaching) | Instrumental Principal (non-keyboard) | Piano/Organ Principal | Vocal Principal | Music Literature | Music Theory | Music Therapy | Music Minor | Applied Music Instruction | Course Descriptions

CHAIR: Rodney Cannon

FACULTY: Adams, Barrett, Cannon, Card, Corbin, Couvillon, Daniel, DeMers, Epps-Miller, Hanna, Hightower, Howey, Lake, McInturf, Meaux, Michel, Murphy-Manley, Phillips, Plugge, Smith, Whatley, Wilson

The study of music is as old as Western education itself and is as modern as digital technology. Music’s enriching role in countless facets of life and culture far exceeds attempts to summarize or to describe it. Employment opportunities abound in music-related fields. Students in the Sam Houston State University School of Music are grounded in both the study and the performance of great music, ranging from masterworks of the past to world premiers of newly-composed works. Each student receives personal attention from a superb faculty of musicians whose chief desire is to help the student realize his or her maximum potential as a musician, a scholar, and a music professional.

All music majors receive training in applied music, music theory, music history, and, where appropriate, professional training specific to a particular field. Each student receives private instruction in his or her principal applied area (such as piano, trumpet, or voice), participates in musical ensembles (such as wind ensemble, orchestra, choir, or jazz band), and is afforded a multitude of opportunities to grow and develop as a musician. Students develop keyboard skills in a state-of-the-art piano lab and have their musical training enhanced in a Computer Assisted Instruction lab. Numerous student organizations actively promote enrichment across a wide array of musical interests.

All in all, the School of Music is a community in which an exciting and busy life of music making and training is taking place in a myriad of ways. Graduates of the School of Music are successfully employed around the state, the nation, and internationally as music educators, music therapists, musical performers, and other music-related fields. Many of students choose to pursue graduate work after completing their bachelor degrees and find themselves prepared to do so by their training received in the School of Music.

General Requirements for Music Majors

• Students desiring to major in music must have previous musical experience. All students entering the School of Music as music majors must audition in their major performance area and be accepted for a specific degree plan (e.g., BM with Teacher Certification, BM in Music Therapy).
• All applied music students must take jury examinations at the end of each semester.
• Before students majoring in music are allowed to enroll for 300 level courses in applied music, they must pass a proficiency examination, normally administered at the end of their fourth semester of study.
• As a component of all music degrees, students must pass a proficiency examination in piano. Students who do not have the requisite skills may enroll in piano classes, which are designed to prepare students for the proficiency exam.
• Concert attendance (12 per semester) is required of all undergraduate music majors for at least six semesters of their college study. Transfer students may receive a credit or waiver for up to three semesters. Details of this requirement are printed in the School of Music Student Handbook.
• Enrollment in a major ensemble is required of full-time students each long semester. The minimum requirement is seven semesters for B.M. with teacher certification or eight semesters for other majors. For piano principals (non-performance majors), accompanying (ENS 110) will satisfy a portion of this requirement.

For piano performance majors, accompanying (ENS 110) satisfies the major ensemble requirement. Further details are printed in the School of Music Student Handbook.

The School of Music offers instruction in the following applied areas: Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, Guitar, Horn, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Saxophone, String Bass, Viola, Violin, Violoncello, and Voice.

Music students may pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music with Teacher Certification; in Music with emphases in Performance, Music Literature, or Theory/Composition; or in Music Therapy.

Scholarships: Scholarships in music are available both from the School of Music and from the University to support student study. For more information regarding scholarships, prospective or current students should contact the Chair of the School of Music. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html or telephone (936) 294-1672. Interested persons may also gather more information from the School of Music website.

REQUIRED COURSES FOR MAJORS

Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification: 70 hours in music. Bachelor of Music in Performance: 75 hours. Bachelor of Music in Music Literature: 78 hours in music. Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition: 82-86 hours in music. Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy: 86 hours. See curricula below.

The Bachelor of Music curricula of the School of Music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Curricula: Major in Music with Teacher Certification

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

A curriculum for the Bachelor of Music degree with teacher certification, when successfully completed, qualifies a candidate for All-Level State Certification to teach music in early childhood through twelfth grade.

PROGRAMS WITH CHORAL OR INSTRUMENTAL EMPHASIS

CHORAL EMPHASIS

(for students preparing to teach vocal music)

INSTRUMENTAL EMPHASIS

(for students preparing to teach instrumental music)

*class instrument requirement will be reduced by one semester in the student’s applied area

** Piano and guitar concentrates must take 4 semesters of applied lessons (8 hrs.) and 4 semesters of ensembles in the chosen teaching area (choir, band, or orchestra)

Curricula: Major in Music with emphasis in Music Performance

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The curriculum in music performance is designed to challenge and develop students with exceptional performance ability and potential. Among other goals, students who pursue this degree may be seeking careers as professional performers and/or planning to further their studies with graduate work.

INSTRUMENTAL (NON-KEYBOARD) PRINCIPAL

PIANO OR ORGAN PRINCIPAL

VOCAL PRINCIPAL

Curriculum: Major in Music with emphasis in Music Literature

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The major in music literature curriculum, strongly concentrated on the study of music history and literature, is designed principally to prepare the student for entry into graduate study in musicology.

Curriculum: Major in Music with emphasis in Theory/Composition

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The major in music theory/composition is designed to prepare the student for graduate study in the field. Students who normally pursue this degree are those who have career interests as composers or as teachers of theory/composition.

*For piano principals, this requirement is satisfied by applied lessons

Curriculum: Major in Music Therapy

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The music therapy curriculum prepares the student for a career as a music therapist and includes the requisite professional certification. A one-semester internship concludes this course of study.

Curriculum: Minor in Music

Students who elect music as a minor must complete a minimum of eighteen hours in theory, applied music, or music literature, six of which must be advanced (300 level and above). Up to twelve hours of applied music may be used in the minor. Students who desire to enroll in private instruction must audition for the school in their respective applied areas.

Students who choose music as a teaching minor must complete the following courses.

MUS 122, 123, 124, 125 , MUS 138, MUS 367, 368, Applied Music (4 hours), Music Electives (6 hours), Piano Proficiency Examination, Ensemble Enrollment for five semesters

All-level certification to teach music is not available to students who minor in music.

ENSEMBLES

The following performance groups are open to all students of the University who qualify by audition:

Not more than eight hours earned in ensembles may be counted toward a degree unless specified.

For information regarding Common Course numbers for Ensemble courses, please refer to the Common Course listing in this catalog.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

APPLIED MUSIC

MUS 110X CLASS PIANO FOR NON-MUSIC MAJORS. [MUSI 1101] Basic techniques of piano playing. Development of musical literacy with respect to the keyboard. Designed for the non-music major. Two hours lecture and practice. Credit 1.

MUS 111X CLASS PIANO, LEVEL 1. [MUSI 1181] Basic techniques of piano playing. Development of musical skills with respect to the keyboard. Designed for the music major who has little familiarity with the keyboard. Two hours lecture and practice. Credit 1.

MUS 112X CLASS PIANO, LEVEL 2. [MUSI 1182] Basic techniques of piano playing. Development of musical skills with respect to the keyboard. Prerequisite: MUS 111X. Credit 1.

MUS 113X CLASS PIANO, LEVEL 3. [MUSI 2181 ]Basic techniques of piano playing. Further development of musical skills with respect to the keyboard. Prerequisite: MUS 112X. Credit 1.

MUS 114X CLASS PIANO, LEVEL 4. [MUSI 2182] Basic techniques of piano playing. Enhancement of musical skills to provide minimum competencies on keyboard necessary for completion of the music degree. Prerequisite: MUS 113X. Credit 1.

MUS 113 [MUSI 1166]:116 [MUSI 1167] STUDY OF WOODWINDS. Basic techniques of playing clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, flute, and piccolo. Three hours lecture and practice. Credit 1 each.

MUS 117:118:119 SINGERS DICTION. 117: English and Italian. 118: French. 119: German. These courses are designed to familiarize singers with the pronunciation of each language as sung in choral music, recital literature, and opera. Prerequisites: MUS 117, none; MUS 118 and 119, MUS 117. Credit 1 each.

MUS 162 FUNDAMENTALS OF GUITAR. [MUSI 1303] Basic guitar technique for the beginning student is combined with a study of the fundamentals of music notation. Not open to music majors. No prerequisite. Credit 3.

MUS 165:166 FUNDAMENTALS OF SINGING. A study of the physiology of vocal music production and the development of the singing voice. Emphasis on correct breathing, tone placement, vowel formations, stage presence and musical interpretation. Not open to students majoring in Music. Credit 3 each.

MUS 213 [MUSI 1168]:216 [MUSI 2168] STUDY OF BRASSES. Basic techniques of playing trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, and tuba. Three hours lecture and practice. Credit 1 each.

MUS 226 CONDUCTING I. An introduction to the basic techniques of conducting choral and instrumental music. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Credit 2.

MUS 262 ADVANCED GUITAR. Continuation of fundamentals of guitar with guitar techniques for advanced students combined with study of fundamentals of music notation. Credit 3.

MUS 310 STUDY OF PERCUSSION. Basic techniques of playing all percussion instruments. Three hours lecture and practice. Credit 1.

MUS 313:316 STUDY OF STRINGS. Basic techniques of playing violin, viola, violoncello, and string brass. Three hours lecture and practice. Credit 1 each.

MUS 417 RECITAL. A public solo performance reflecting the work of one full semester of preparation at the upper division level under supervision of the applied music faculty. The student must be concurrently enrolled for applied music instruction and must have his/her program approved by his/her professor. An audition must be passed at least three weeks prior to the scheduled performance. Credit 1.

MUS 424 CONDUCTING II. The study and application of advanced conducting technique as applied to instrumental and choral ensembles with emphasis on the development of analytical and interpretative skills. Prerequisite: MUS 226 or consent of instructor. MUS 314 must be taken concurrently. Three hours lecture. Credit 2.

MUS 461 TECHNIQUES FOR WIND AND STRING INSTRUMENTS. A study of the literature, methods, and teaching techniques of wind and string instruments. May be taken by conference. Prerequisites: Senior standing in music performance and consent of instructor. Credit 3.

MUS 462 VOCAL PEDAGOGY AND TECHNIQUES. Introduction to the teaching of voice, in both the private and group settings. Students will survey different schools of approach and study of the physiology of singing. Credit 3.

APPLIED MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Applied Music Fees. Students enrolled in Applied Music Instruction are required to pay a fee at the time of registration on a per-course basis as follows:

There is no additional charge for use of practice rooms.

MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION

MUS 122 THEORY OF MUSIC I. [MUSI 1211] An introduction to the fundamental materials and structures of music. All diatonic scales and intervals, notation and structure of basic rhythmic organizations, and simple vertical sonorities are explored, using the keyboard as an adjunct tool. A study of tonality, key systems, and simple phrase and period forms are applied to creative work in order to integrate all concepts with the student’s work in applied and historical studies. The semester ends with an introduction to the study of tertian harmony as exemplified in tonal music and including diatonic triads. Credit 2.

MUS 123 THEORY OF MUSIC II. [MUSI 1212] Continuation of THEORY OF MUSIC I, expanding the tertian harmonic vocabulary to include the dominant seventh chord, and an introduction to secondary sevenths, secondary dominants and leading tone chords, and modulation. The study of ternary, binary, and through-composed forms and their application to creative work. Prerequisite: MUS 122. Credit 2.

MUS 124 MUSICIANSHIP I. [MUSI 1216] Intensive drill in the development of sight-singing and aural skills. The material used is coordinated with that of THEORY I. Credit 2.

MUS 125 MUSICIANSHIP II. [MUSI 1217] Continuation of MUSICIANSHIP I. Material is coordinated with that of THEORY II. Prerequisites: MUS 122 and 124. Credit 2.

MUS 161 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF MUSIC. [MUSI 1301] The study of the fundamentals of music, including major and minor scales, rhythm, chords, sightreading, and ear-training. Not open to music majors or minors. Credit 3.

MUS 222 THEORY OF MUSIC III. [MUSI 2211] A continuation of the study of harmonic and melodic materials of tonal music expanded to include all characteristic diatonic and chromatic resources and their application in keyboard work and creative projects. Formal procedures studied include the larger traditional structures such as the rondo, sonata, and contrapuntal forms. Prerequisites: MUS 123 and 124. Credit 2.

MUS 223 THEORY OF MUSIC IV. [MUSI 2212] A study of musical materials and structures that evolved in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of the entire panorama of twentieth century music including folk, ethnic, and jazz idioms in addition to the developments in the classical tradition. Prerequisite: MUS 222. Credit 2.

MUS 224 MUSICIANSHIP III. [MUSI 2216] Continuation of MUSICIANSHIP II. Material is coordinated with that of THEORY III. Prerequisites: MUS 123 and 125. Credit 2.

MUS 362 ORCHESTRATION AND ANALYSIS. A study of basic techniques of instrumentation, including ranges, transpositions, and characteristics of band and orchestral instruments. Practical application in the form of projects for various instrumental combinations. Prerequisite: MUS 222. Credit 3.

MUS 363 STRUCTURE AND ANALYSIS. A study of musical structure and design from all historical periods. Introduces diverse methods of musical analysis to gain an ability to distinguish various stylistic idioms. Emphasis is placed on analytical findings as it relates to application in teaching, performance, music therapy, conducting, and/or composition. Prerequisite: MUS 223. Credit 3.

MUS 370 CLASS COMPOSITION. An introduction to the craft of composition. Projects involve the application of basic creative techniques which generate complete pieces, diverse stylistic idioms, and aesthetic considerations. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: MUS 222 and 224 or permission of instructor. Credit 3.

MUS 371:372 JUNIOR COMPOSITION. The study and practice of strict composition. Reference is made to the practices of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but with emphasis on the stylistic idioms of the twentieth century. May be taken by conference. Prerequisite: MUS 223. Credit 3 each.

MUS 464 SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION. Creative activity in the composition of larger forms under individual faculty supervision. Prerequisite: MUS 372. Credit 3.

MUS 465 COUNTERPOINT AND ANALYSIS. A survey of polyphony of the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries with emphasis on creative projects. Prerequisite: MUS 223. Credit 3.

MUS 474 TWENTIETH-CENTURY MUSICAL STYLES. Trends, techniques, and the various styles of musical composition in the twentieth century, beginning with Impressionism, studied conceptually and aurally. Concepts are applied to exercises in composition. Prerequisite: MUS 223. Credit 3.

MUSIC EDUCATION, LITERATURE AND HISTORY

MUS 138 SURVEY OF MUSIC LITERATURE. [MUSI 1308] The fundamentals of music terminology, standard instrumental and vocal forms, and representative composers and compositions from secular and sacred music of most eras are. Prerequisites: MUS 122, 124 or school consent. Credit 3.

MUS 264 HISTORY OF ROCK, JAZZ, AND POPULAR MUSIC. [MUSI 1310] A survey of the history of jazz, rock, and popular music beginning with their common origins in African, European, and late 19th-century southern folk music. Continues through the latest trends and includes individual musicians as well as stylistic details. No prerequisite; for non-music majors. Credit 3.

MUS 265 MUSIC APPRECIATION. [MUSI 1306] A general survey of music literature designed for the non-music major. Representative composers and their works are studied through recordings, lectures, reports, and live performances. Credit 3.

MUS 339 INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC EDUCATION. A survey of the responsibilities, competencies, and contemporary issues that pertain to the professional music educator. Credit 3.

MUS 367:368 STUDIES IN MUSIC FOR CHILDREN. Introduction to Kodály philosophy and materials, Orff instruments, folk song materials, solfege and basic theory for children. Several types of curricula for grades K-6 are presented. Prerequisite: MUS 123. Credit 3 each.

MUS 376:377:378 HISTORY OF MUSIC. A study of musical styles, forms, and textures in history from antiquity to the present. The first course includes music from antiquity through the Renaissance. The second course covers the period from Monteverdi to Beethoven. The third course begins with the later works of Beethoven and extends to the present era. Prerequisites: MUS 138; junior standing or consent of instructor. Credit 3 each.

MUS 468 SEMINAR IN RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES. A course in which the undergraduate student may pursue advanced specialized study under faculty supervision in the areas of composition, music literature, analysis, and research. May be repeated for credit. (This course may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalog.) Credit 3.

MUSIC THERAPY

MUS 210 PRACTICUM IN MUSIC. Supervised pre-clinical experience in community settings; each semester of study is correlated with the population being considered in the corresponding core music therapy course. Credit 1 (4 semesters).

MUS 238 INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THERAPY. A survey of the role of music as therapy in educational, psychiatric, hospital, nursing home, and prison settings. No prerequisite. Credit 3.

MUS 239 PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC. A study of the effect of music on the mind. Topics include musical acoustics, music perception, and experimental research in music. No prerequisite. Credit 3.

MUS 336 INSTRUMENTAL SKILLS FOR THE MUSIC THERAPY SETTING. Study of instrumental skills as applied in the music therapy setting utilizing guitar, dulcimer, keyboard percussion, and Latin American instruments. Research findings in the music therapy literature will be used in structuring improvisational opportunities for specific music therapy populations. Prerequisite: Music or music therapy major. Credit 3.

MUS 365 OBSERVATION AND MEASUREMENT IN MUSIC THERAPY. A study of current assessment and evaluation procedures used in music therapy and the application of observational recording techniques in educational, social, and therapeutic settings. Prerequisite: Admission to music therapy program. MUS 210 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

MUS 366 MUSIC THERAPY TECHNIQUES I. An examination of music therapy techniques used in the special education setting and current legislation related to education of students with disabilities and music/music therapy to be provided. Prerequisite: MUS 365. MUS 210 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

MUS 495 MUSIC THERAPY TECHNIQUES II. A study of music therapy procedures used with adults in aging adult settings and an examination of issues concerning the use of music therapy within this population. Prerequisites: MUS 366. MUS 210 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

MUS 496 MUSIC THERAPY TECHNIQUES III. A seminar presentation of contemporary issues in the field of music therapy. Prerequisite: MUS 495. MUS 210 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

MUS 497 INTERNSHIP IN MUSIC THERAPY. First three-month period of supervised clinical experience at site approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Prerequisite: Completion of music therapy core sequence. Credit 3.

MUS 498 INTERNSHIP IN MUSIC THERAPY. Second three-month period of supervised clinical experience. Prerequisite: MUS 497. Credit 3.