MUSI 100 – Introduction to Music
Provides a general historical survey of music and introduces basic music theory. The
objective of the course is to help students become conversant in the styles and genres
of music in the history of western civilization. Popular music styles are discussed
in their historical context as well as for their influences on contemporary culture.
Course attributes: CCA. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 120 – Piano I
Classroom piano instruction for students with little or no musical background or experience.
Emphasis on basic piano technique and elementary music theory. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 159 – Music Theory I
Develops various ear training skills, including: sight singing, melodic and rhythmic
dictation, and an introduction to harmonic dictation. These skills will be developed
in conjunction with an introduction to music theory: simple and compound meter, scales,
intervals and chords. Includes Piano Lab. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 175 - Home Studio Recording
Introduces basic concepts of recording, mixing and editing music on a macbook. Course
material includes microphone placement, recording, mixing and basic composition. Prerequisite:
None
MUSI 253 – World Music
Compares world music and the study of music in the context of culture. Introduces
students to the field of ethnomusicology and explores the folk and classical music
of Asia, the Balkans, the Americas, and the wealth of ethnic culture in the North
Adams area. Course attributes: CCA, CRCU, SOCJ. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 256 – Guitar I
Provides students with a proficiency of basic guitar techniques through study and
performance of appropriate repertoire. Assumes no musical background or experience.
Guitars provided on loan. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 258 – Private Lessons
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10, one-hour instrumental
or voice lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique as well as
improve their musicianship. Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire
with the studio instructor and will prepare at least one piece for a final evaluation
or performance. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Two sections may
be taken concurrently on different instruments. Additional fee required. Prerequisite:
Department approval
MUSI 259 – Music Theory II
Introduces musical notations and modes of analysis in a sequential format beginning
with basic staff and note symbols, scale and chord structure, major and minor tonality,
etc., and continuing through key signatures, chord function, seventh chords, inversions
and harmonic analysis and ear training. Mastery of skills is required before admission
to the next level (B or better). Prerequisite: MUSI 159 or Instructor approval
MUSI 275 – Performance Workshop Topic
Studies in depth a specific aspect of music performance. Designed to provide advanced
work in analysis, interpretation and research. Offerings may include, but are not
limited to: Building a Vocal Portfolio, Broadway, Gershwin, Flute Choir, Performing
Mozart. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 350 – Instrumental Ensembles
Perform with one or more of the following: The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Community Band; The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Jazz Band; Chamber Ensembles.
These groups perform music from standard and contemporary literature and are intended
for experienced instrumentalists. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 351 – Topics in Music History
Studies the composition, performance, reception and criticism of music over a specified
time period. A historical study of music concerned with a composer’s life and works,
performance practice, developments of styles and genres, and place of music in society.
Offerings may include but are not limited to genre history, period history, composers
or specific works. Prerequisite: MUSI 100
MUSI 352 – Piano II
Develops keyboard skills. Attention given to chording, sight reading, accompanying,
improvising, performance practice and the development of a repertoire. Prerequisite:
MUSI 120 or equivalent
MUSI 356 – Guitar II
Develops intermediate-level performance skills. Prerequisite: MUSI 256 or equivalent
MUSI 357 – Vocal Ensembles
Perform with one or both of the following: The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Concert Choir; The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Chamber Choir; repertoire
includes choral literature from all periods. Prerequisite: None
MUSI 358 – Private Lessons
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10, one-hour instrumental
or voice lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique, as well as
improve their musicianship. Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire
with the instructor and will prepare at least two pieces for a final evaluation or
performance. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Two sections may be
taken concurrently on different instruments. Additional fees required. Prerequisite:
MUSI 258 and Department approval
MUSI 359 – Music Theory III
Continues materials presented in MUSI 259. Advanced work in harmonic analysis, secondary
dominants, higher tertian chords, dictation and solfeg. Opportunities to improve conducting,
performance, and composition skills. Further analysis of form, orchestration and arranging
and ear training. Prerequisite: MUSI 259
MUSI 360 – Composing with Software
Introduces students to compositional techniques and formal components of music composition
using music composition software. Students will write several pieces of music and
practice exercises to demonstrate the compositional principles under study. The course
will include lecture and studio settings. Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 375 – Advanced Studio Recording/Live Sound
Continues MUSI 175. This course investigates advanced techniques of recording and
live sounding mixing on hardware and software. Techniques include microphone placement,
speaker and monitor mixing, cabling and soundboard principles. Students will be prepared
for internships, graduate school and employment. Prerequisite: MUSI 175
MUSI 410 – Orchestration/Arranging
Studies the technique of orchestration. Instruments of the orchestra, instrumental
colors, preparing the score, adapting music for different mediums. Students will create
one large project (arrangement for band or orchestra). Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 415 – Counterpoint
An in-depth study of 18th century counterpoint with an historical approach. Students
will write an invention, a trio-sonata and a fugue. Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 450 – Topics in Music Seminar
Provides advanced work in analysis and interpretation and research. Offerings: Improvisation,
Composition; Conducting; History of Musical Theatre, Recording. Prerequisite: MUSI
159
MUSI 458 – Private Lessons
Studying privately with a professional musician, students will take 10 one-hour, instrumental-voice
lessons. Through this study they will advance their technique and improve their musicianship.
Students will study a selection of exercises and repertoire with the instructor and
will prepare at least two advanced pieces for a final evaluation or recital performance.
Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. Additional fee required. Prerequisite:
MUSI 358 and Department approval
MUSI 459 - Music Theory IV
Examines traditional techniques of musical form and their applications in historical
and contemporary styles. Prerequisite: MUSI 359
MUSI 475 - Music Production Film
Continues MUSI 375. This course will examine the techniques and procedures in composing
and recording for specific uses with film. Students will create footage or explore
outside sourced film and composed and/or mixed music to be connected aforementioned
film. Students will explore the creative as well as the technical aspects of film
music recording. Prerequisite: MUSI 375
