Music
The music major offers two possible areas of study leading to the baccalaureate degree: the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Arts in Music-Education . Students majoring in music have the option of either a performance or music history concentration. Students wishing to pursue the music history concentration will substitute a bachelor’s thesis for the full senior recital.
The music major prepares the student to continue music studies at the graduate level and to become a studio teacher and performer. The offerings in music education are designed for teacher certification at the elementary and secondary school level (grades K-12). Students majoring in music have two concentration options: 1) Performance, which requires a half recital (30 minutes) during the junior year and a full recital (60 minutes) during the senior year, or 2) Music History, which requires a half recital during the junior or senior years and a substantial research project culminating in a thesis during the senior year. Students with a concentration in music history must enroll for MU 445 Music Independent Study during at least one semester of their senior year.
An interview and musical audition with the music faculty is required so proper placement and advice may be given.
As part of their applied music experience, all Music and Music-Education majors are required to attend student, faculty, and guest recitals and perform at least once each semester in the weekly music seminar.
All music majors and minors enrolled full-time must register for MU 168 Mount Mercy University Choir or MU 170 University Band.
Objectives established for students in this major include, among others: write 4-part chorales using proper voice leading techniques of the 18th century; critically analyze large-scale musical forms; and distinguish among the major genres of Western art music (e.g. symphony, opera, choral works).
Career Opportunities
Teaching in schools, performing or teaching privately are the areas in which most music majors are employed. Many opportunities are also available in fields of music publishing and commercial music.
Course Offerings
Applied Music
Private lessons are available in the following areas, and may be taken for various duration and credit. All students enrolling for private lessons must obtain approval of the music department chair.
| Piano | ||
| MU 145 | Piano | 0 |
| MU 146 | Piano | 1 |
| MU 147 | Piano | 2 |
| Voice | ||
| MU 155 | Voice | 0 |
| MU 156 | Voice | 1 |
| MU 157 | Voice | 2 |
Applied music lessons are free to full-time music majors. Non-music majors may take private lessons as time and schedules of music faculty permit. The following fees are charged for non-major lessons:
No credit (half-hour lesson per week): $275.00 per semester
One semester hour credit (half-hour lesson per week): $275.00 per semester
Two semester hours credit (one hour lesson per week): $450.00 per semester
Students will be assigned teachers by the music faculty. The amount of college credit allowed will be determined by the music faculty.
Appearance in jury examination, recital, or other performance is required of all applied music students who are studying for credit. In addition these students will attend regularly scheduled seminars for performance preparation. Students majoring in music normally enroll for applied lessons in their major area of concentration for two credit hours per semester, they may elect to take up to 4.5 semester hours each year without a fee; those majoring in music education normally enroll for one credit hour per semester.
See the Graduate section of this Catalog for more information on Graduate programs offered at Mount Mercy.
Major
| MU 100 | Seminar | 0 |
| Applied Music for eight terms | ||
| MU 101 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MU 102 | Music Theory II | 4 |
| MU 202 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MU 203 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MU 257 | Vocal Techniques | 3 |
| or MU 315 | Piano Literature And Pedagogy | |
| MU 322 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| MU 324 | Form and Analysis | 3 |
| MU 332 | Music History | 3 |
| MU 333 | Music History | 3 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
Students with piano as their major concentration are required to take MU 315 Piano Literature And Pedagogy; those with voice as their major concentration are required to take MU 257 Vocal Techniques.
Academic Requirements
Music majors must maintain a 2.60 cumulative average in all music courses and are required to pass a piano proficiency examination in their senior year.
Major in Music-Education
| MU 100 | Seminar | 0 |
| MU 101 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MU 102 | Music Theory II | 4 |
| MU 107 | Instrumental Music Methods | 2 |
| MU 202 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MU 203 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MU 251 | Conducting | 3 |
| MU 257 | Vocal Techniques | 3 |
| or MU 315 | Piano Literature And Pedagogy | |
| or MU 322 | Counterpoint | |
| MU 324 | Form and Analysis | 3 |
| MU 332 | Music History | 3 |
| MU 333 | Music History | 3 |
| Plus Education Courses * | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
| * | See the Education section for full list of required courses. |
Music majors must enroll for applied lessons and an ensemble every semester except for the student teaching semester. Students majoring in Music-Education with an instrumental concentration will select MU 322 Counterpoint. Students majoring in Music with a piano concentration will select MU 315 Piano Literature And Pedagogy. Students majoring in Music with a vocal concentration will select MU 257 Vocal Techniques.
Students planning to pursue Music-Education should follow the program guidelines within the Education section of this Catalog. Music-Education majors will be assigned an advisor in the education division to ensure that all requirements for certification are met.
Academic Requirements
Music education majors should consult the Education section of this Catalog for GPA requirements. Music education majors are required to pass a piano proficiency examination in their senior year.
Music Minor
| MU 100 | Seminar | 0 |
| MU 101 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MU 102 | Music Theory II | 4 |
| MU 202 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MU 203 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MU 332 | Music History | 3 |
| MU 333 | Music History | 3 |
| Four semesters of Applied Music | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Courses
MU 100 Seminar: 0 semester hours
A weekly seminar which allows students to gain performing experience and discuss issues related to performance.
MU 101 Music Theory I: 4 semester hours
Fundamentals of notation, rhythm, intervals, simple triads, three and four-part writing including figured bass, sight singing, keyboard harmony, melodic and rhythmic diction. Deficiencies in rudiments must be made up during the first two weeks of the term. Two lectures and two one-hour labs per week. (offered alternate years during the spring semester).
MU 102 Music Theory II: 4 semester hours
Follows MU 101 and includes more advanced writing, sight singing, and chord construction. Harmonic dictation is now included. Two lectures and two one-hour labs per week. Prerequisite: MU 101. (Offered alternate years during the fall semester).
MU 107 Instrumental Music Methods: 2 semester hours
An introduction to basic instrumental techniques intended to enable students to become minimally proficient on a variety of wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments.
MU 127 Woodwinds: 2 semester hours
Applied Music lessons (additional fees may apply).
MU 145 Piano: 0 semester hours
Applied music lessons.
MU 146 Piano: 1 semester hour
Applied music lessons.
MU 147 Piano: 2 semester hours
Applied music lessons.
MU 155 Voice: 0 semester hours
Applied music lessons.
MU 156 Voice: 1 semester hour
Applied music lessons.
MU 157 Voice: 2 semester hours
Applied music lessons.
MU 167 Madrigals: 0 semester hours
A small, select vocal music ensemble that performs music from the Renaissance Period through the 21st century.
MU 168 Mount Mercy University Choir: 0 semester hours
Open to all students. The organization is dedicated to the development of an appreciation of choral music through participation. All styles of choral music are rehearsed, and concerts are presented on and off campus throughout the school year. This is a performing ensemble, and students are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts. Prerequisite: audition with the director.
MU 169 Mount Mercy Jazz Choir: 0 semester hours
Open to all students. This vocal ensemble specializes in singing jazz arrangements of popular music. Frequently called upon to be Mount Mercy's musical ambassadors, the group performs numerous times at both school and community functions. Prerequisite: audition with the director.
MU 170 University Band: 0 semester hours
Open to all students who play a musical instrument; no audition is necessary. This ensemble is dedicated to rehearsing and performing all styles of band repertoire (seasonal music, pep band, jazz and concert band). The band will perform with other university ensembles and alone, both on and off campus. Every effort will be made to assist students with the acquisition of instruments if the student doesn't own his own instrument.
MU 177 Madrigals: 1 semester hour
A small, select vocal music ensemble that performs music from the Renaissance Period through the 21st century.
MU 178 Mount Mercy University Choir: 1 semester hour
Open to all students. The organization is dedicated to the development of an appreciation of choral music through participation. All styles of choral music are rehearsed, and concerts are presented on and off campus throughout the school year. This is a performing ensemble, and students are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts. Prerequisite: audition with the director.
MU 179 Mount Mercy Jazz Choir: 1 semester hour
Open to all students. This vocal ensemble specializes in singing jazz arrangements of popular music. Frequently called upon to be Mount Mercy's musical ambassadors, the group performs numerous times at both school and community functions. Prerequisite: audition with the director.
MU 180 University Band: 1 semester hour
Open to all students who play a musical instrument; no audition is necessary. This ensemble is dedicated to rehearsing and performing all styles of band repertoire (seasonal music, pep band, jazz and concert band). The band will perform with other university ensembles and alone, both on and off campus. Every effort will be made to assist students with the acquisition of instruments if the student doesn't own his own instrument.
MU 189 Introduction To Music: 3 semester hours
This course provides a general survey of vocal and instrumental forms, terminology, and style of characteristics of composers from the medieval period to the present. It provides an emphasis is upon the musical experience (listening) and historical significance of Western art music. The course is taught each term with some live performances by faculty and guest artists. This course can be used to satisfy core curriculum requirements.
MU 202 Music Theory III: 3 semester hours
This course is a continuation theory study with chromatic and altered chords. It provides an analysis of compositions and original four-part writing. Keyboard harmony at sight in four parts. Prerequisite: MU 102. (Offered alternate years during the fall semester).
MU 203 Music Theory IV: 3 semester hours
More advanced theory with a study of ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords, their origin and application to music of the 19th and 20th centuries. The last part of this course is devoted to original compositions in the 20th century style. Prerequisite: MU 202. (Offered alternate years during the spring semester).
MU 251 Conducting: 3 semester hours
Conducting principles and techniques combined with a study of choral and instrumental literature. Prerequisite: MU 102.
MU 257 Vocal Techniques: 3 semester hours
This course focuses on principles of voice production, the selection of voices by range, and a study of procedures and problems in developing vocal ensembles and the solo singer. Prerequisite: MU 102.
MU 315 Piano Literature And Pedagogy: 3 semester hours
This course provides an examination and analysis of piano literature from 1700 through the late twentieth century along with an investigation of current and historical pedagogical methods. Prerequisites: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in MU 333.
MU 322 Counterpoint: 3 semester hours
This course focuses on the study of the polyphonic techniques of the 18th century, including analysis of the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. Original composition in 18th style is required. Prerequisite: MU 203.
MU 324 Form and Analysis: 3 semester hours
Forms from the simple one-part song to avant garde 20th century compositions are discussed and analyzed by examination of scores from every style period. Prerequisite: MU 203.
MU 332 Music History: 3 semester hours
This course provides a survey of the development of music from pre-Christian times to the present. MU 332 will be devoted to history of music up to 1750. Prerequisite: MU 102 and sophomore standing.
MU 333 Music History: 3 semester hours
This course provides a survey of the development of music from pre-Christian times to present. MU 333 will emphasize the literature written since 1750. Prerequisite: MU 102 and sophomore standing.
MU 445 Music Independent Study: 3 semester hours
Study topic will be negotiated by the student and his/her advisor.