Music Performance (B.M.)

Final performance demonstrating the ability of performance majors.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

Student must attend 15 approved recitals, concerts, or performances during the semester. Pass/Fail only.

A continuation of MUSIC 1610 I including inversions of triads, non-harmonic tones, dominant seventh chords, and their resolutions. Emphasis is on four-part writing and analysis of music from the Common Practice Period.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1610 Fundamentals of Music Theory or permission of the instructor.

Continuation of MUSIC 1620 Fundamentals of Basic Musicianship.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1610 Fundamentals of Music Theory and MUSIC 1620 Fundamentals of Basic Musicianship or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite(s): MUSIC 1630 Music Theory II.

Seventh chords, including the diminished seventh chord; various types of modulation; introduction of secondary dominants; analysis and writing of the period, binary, and ternary song forms; choral harmonization; and modal scales.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1630 Music Theory II or permission of the instructor.

A review of advanced sight-reading and ear training, drills in more complex rhythmic and melodic materials including chromatic formations, and increased emphasis on individual part-singing and harmonic dictation.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 1630 Music Theory II and MUSIC 1640 Musicianship II or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite(s): MUSIC 2610 Music Theory III.

This course examines the development of new concepts and theories of music that led to significant departures from standard musical practices and ideals. Students will explore twentieth century pitch resources, and contrast late tonal techniques and styles of composers such as Debussy, Ives, Messiaen, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Webern and more. Analysis of specific works will promote discussions, tracing theoretical paths that led to the development of post tonal and avant-garde music. The content is designed to:

1. Widen your knowledge of, appreciation for, and ability to identify, describe, and critically assess musical works in light of the innovative ideas that led to their creation.
2. Give you a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, aesthetic, and stylistic relevence of these works in order to better comprehend the historical impact of radical departures from the norm.
3. To practically apply your knowledge of musical elements in order to create informed and appropriate musical interpretations within the body of music that forms your own repertoire.
4. To introduce you to the oral expression of your music in the style of a professional lecture presentation, so that you can improve your skills in verbally describing music and musical analysis.

Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2610 Music Theory III or permission of the instructor.

The study of arranging techniques for instrumental and vocal ensembles, including the ranges and capabilities of instruments and voices and scoring procedures.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2630 Music Theory IV.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

Beginning composition in small forms for voice, piano, and small instrumental groups. May be repeated one time.
Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 2630 Music Theory IV or permission of the instructor.

Key cultural concepts are used to explore music from selected global case studies. Social, cultural, and historical contexts are examined in relation to musical materials and their application in various traditions and repertoires. The fieldwork project (and experiential learning component) for this class requires some off-campus activities to be arranged by the student.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing and permission from instructor.

This course provides a rigorous and detailed examination of select pieces across the Western music tradition related to gender and/or sexuality, and also explores the relationships between music, history, and culture. Through historiography and musical analysis, we will discuss systems of domination and subordination along with stereotyped and biased assumptions about women and men pertinent to the music of specific cultures and time periods. The course is designed to:1) provide students with a foundational knowledge of key genres and social/cultural background from different historical periods across the Western music tradition; 2)  give students a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, aesthetic, stylistic, and performance practice issues related to select pieces, using scholarly articles, source readings, and stylistic analysis (scoring, dynamics, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form).
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.

Through historiography and musical analysis this course provides a rigorous and detailed examination of select pieces across the Western music tradition related to the environment, and also explores the relationships between music, history, and culture. Focusing on works that engage the environment, the course content is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of key genres and social/cultural background from different historical periods across the Western music tradition; and give students a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, aesthetic, stylistic, and performance practice issues related to select pieces, using scholarly articles, source readings, and stylistic analysis (scoring, dynamics, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form).
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.

An introduction to technique and conducting style with emphasis given to developing a nonbaton competency. Attention also will be given to vocal interpretation and choral score reading.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

The course is offered to explore the essential topics a musician should consider when using computers and technology - whether for the purpose of listening, performing, composing, or teaching. Covering subjects ranging from music CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) and desktop publishing to notation sequencing and MIDI and multimedia and CD audio, this course is designed as an introductory undergraduate course devoted to computers as applied to music technology for the musician and music educator.

This course introduces a systematic pedagogical approach to the study of voice production for use in the studio or classroom. Students examine basic anatomy and physiology, vocal health, and other topics relevant to voice teaching. Students will apply these concepts through supervised teaching experiences both in and out of class.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college voice study or permission of the instructor.

A study of teaching techniques, method books, and repertoire for the novice piano teacher.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college piano study or permission of the instructor.

A study of materials and pedagogy of the organ.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college organ study or permission of the instructor.

A study of materials and pedagogy of brass instruments.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college brass study or permission of the instructor.

A study of materials and pedagogy of woodwind instruments.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college woodwind study or permission of the instructor.

A study of materials and pedagogy of percussion instruments.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of college percussion study or permission of the instructor.

Weekly 30-minute piano lessons with one-on-one instruction. Lessons will explore piano repertoire appropriate to the student's ability level, and piano proficiency skills, including major and minor scales and cadence shords, harmonization and transposition, and improvisation.

Group piano instruction taught in the electronic piano laboratory once each week. Emphasis on mastering the piano proficiency skills of major and minor scales and cadence chords, harmonization and transposition and improvisation at the piano. P/F Only.

Weekly 30-minute piano lessons with one-on-one instruction. Lessons will explore piano repertoire appropriate to the student's ability level, and piano proficiency skills, including sight-reading hymn style piano writing and open score reading.

Group piano instruction taught in the electronic piano laboratory once each week. Emphasis on mastering the piano proficiency skills of sight-reading hymn style piano writing, and open score reading. P/F Only.

Advanced research methods, analytical writing, and professional presentation skills compromise the primary components of this rigorous culminating course, which focuses on the integration and application of knowledge and prepares students for the transition from their undergraduate education into their future profession. The Senior Capstone Seminar should be taken during the student's last year in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Prerequisite(s): Music major with senior standing or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)