WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024 : SCHOOL OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Music and Music Education

MUS 509 Performing Organizations    1 SH

This course offers the study and performance of instrumental or choral works with the WCSU Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, or Chamber Ensemble. Admission is by audition only; one semester hour of credit is the maximum allowable credit earned in one semester. No more than three semester hours of credit are acceptable toward the M.S. degree. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Any semester.

MUS 510 Applied Music    1 SH

Work on a major or minor instrument may be undertaken for credit. Each student is expected to maintain progress commensurate with graduate-level study. Instructors’ fees are to be paid by the student and are higher than the regular semester-hour rate. No more than three semester hours in applied music are accepted toward the M.S. degree. A student may enroll for one semester hour of credit per major or minor instrument per semester or second summer session. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Any semester.

MUS 515 Chamber Music    3 SH

This course offers a study of chamber works from Haydn through Crumb, including score study, recordings, and actual performance. Formal, harmonic stylistic study of string trios, quartets, and larger chamber groups, as well as mixed ensembles with and without strings. Every sixth summer.

MUS 516 Opera    3 SH

The developmental process, with regard to style and innovations in form, will be traced by score reading and directed listening to recordings and live performances of the works of such composers as Monteverdi, Handel, Gluck, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, R. Strauss, and Berg. Also representative operas will be studied in depth to broaden musical concepts and provide a vehicle for intelligent interpretations. Every sixth summer.

MUS 520 Form and Analysis    3 SH

This course offers an analysis of the structural and tonal materials of music, with emphasis on understanding music so that it can be performed or taught with better interpretation. Every fourth spring.

MUS 522 Twentieth-Century Compositional Techniques    3 SH

Through theoretical analysis, recordings, original composition, philosophy, and live performance, this course will present various compositional techniques of the twentieth century. Every fourth spring.

MUS 523 Conducting    3 SH

This course will review the fundamentals and special problems of conducting; advanced training and experience in choral and instrumental conducting; and advanced application of score reading. Every third summer.

MUS 527 The Structure of Music    3 SH

This course represents a study of the techniques of music structure as it relates to style over the last eight centuries. Every other spring.

MUS 530 Music Supervision and Administration    3 SH

This course is designed to provide guidance in the development, administration, implementation, and supervision of the music curriculum. Every fourth fall.

MUS 533 Choral Techniques and Materials    3 SH

This course is designed for directors of choral groups from fifth through twelfth grades and college, community and church choirs. The course deals with problems of tone quality, intonation, diction, rhythm, repertoire selection, interpretation, and the conductor’s rehearsal and manual techniques. Every third summer.

MUS 534 Instrumental Techniques and Materials    3 SH

This course will examine techniques and materials for instrumental music instruction in public schools. Lecture-demonstration on brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments by resident and visiting performer-teachers will be included. Classical and jazz techniques will be covered in each instrumental area. The computer as a “tool” for instrumental music education will be presented, including musical and nonmusical (management) uses for the computer. Designed for music teachers currently teaching in public schools. Every third summer.

MUS 535 Contemporary Strategies in Elementary Music Education    3 SH

This course surveys current trends and practices in music education from preschool through grade six. Particular attention will be given to the methods and materials of Dalcroze, Orff, Kodaly, and Suzuki. Simulated experiences, combined with seminars, lectures, and discussions, will serve as the focal point of the course. Designed for music teachers currently teaching in the field. Every fourth fall.

MUS 536 Topics in Music Education    3 SH

This course represents an opportunity for students to pursue in greater depth topics introduced in other courses or topics not covered in present courses in music education. The subject matter would change each time the course is offered. Topics might include specific music education methodologies, ensemble management, program development, or updates in the field. Prerequisite: must hold valid teaching certificate. Every other fall.

MUS 541 Early Music    3 SH

This course offers an in-depth stylistic analysis of selected pre-Baroque compositions. Emphasis is on listening to and discussion of representative compositions from the Ars Nova to the late sixteenth century. Every sixth summer.

MUS 542 Music in the Baroque Era    3 SH

This course offers an in-depth stylistic analysis of selected Baroque compositions. Emphasis is on listening to and discussion of representative compositions from 1600 to 1750. Every third fall.

MUS 543 Music in the Classic and Romantic Eras    3 SH

This course offers an in-depth stylistic analysis of selected Classic and Romantic compositions. Emphasis is given to listening to and discussion of representative compositions from 1750 to 1900. Every third fall.

MUS 544 Music in the Twentieth Century    3 SH

Twentieth-century music in its varied expressions is studied chiefly through the historical analysis of works by representative composers. Every third fall.

MUS 545 Topics in Music Literature    3 SH

This course represents an opportunity for students to pursue in greater depth topics introduced in other courses or topics not covered in present courses in music literature. The subject matter would change each time the course is offered. Topics might include specific historiographical methodologies, ensemble repertoire, performance style, or updates in the field. Prerequisite: must hold undergraduate degree in music. Every other summer.

MUS 590 Music Department Seminar    3 SH

This seminar course is for students fulfilling the nonthesis requirements for the M.S. in Music Education degree. This culminating seminar includes a review of content in music education, music literature, and structure and organization of music courses and written comprehensive examination. (Final course) Every spring.

MUS 591 Independent Thesis Research in Music    6 SH

This course is designed for students fulfilling the thesis requirements for the M.S. in Music Education degree and who have submitted an acceptable thesis outline and choose to work independently on thesis research and writing. Individual conferences with the thesis adviser are scheduled as needed. Credit will be granted upon submission of one copy of an approved final draft of the thesis and the appropriate number of copies of the thesis abstract. Prerequisite: ED 501 and permission of the graduate program coordinator and Dean of Visual and Performing Arts. Any semester.

MUS 598 Faculty-Developed Course

This experimental course is offered by the Music Department as a means of determining its value to the total department program or in response to a particular request of a group from students. Any semester.

MUS 599 Student-Developed Study

This vehicle is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop his/her own learning experience. A student will design a project and secure a faculty sponsor. This vehicle may be utilized more than one time. Prerequisite: written permission of faculty sponsor and department. Registration through the Office of Graduate Admissions is required. Any semester.