Music (MUS)

This is a basic performance skills class for instrumental and vocal solo or small group expression in American Blues and Jazz. Students learn basic improvisation and listening skills, how to express their original ideas through the acquisition of chord and scale relationships and communicate their musical ideas in personally recorded or inter-personal collaboration. Students must demonstrate basic competency on their instruments. The title of this course was previously Jazz Combo and Improvisation I. Level I Prerequisite: No Basic Skills

This is a second level performance skills class for instrumental and vocal solo or small group expression in American Blues and Jazz. Students learn basic improvisation and listening skills, how to express their original ideas through the acquisition of chord and scale relationships, and how to communicate their musical ideas in personally recorded or inter-personal collaboration. Students must demonstrate basic competency on their instruments. The title of this course was previously Jazz Combo and Improvisation II. Level I Prerequisite: No Basic Skills; MUS 105 or equivalent performance experience with an instrument or voice

The Washtenaw Community Concert Band is a performance-oriented course with an emphasis on learning and performing conventional concert band music. It will focus on melodic, harmonic and rhythmic skills necessary for high-quality performance in a concert band setting. The class will be combined with players from the community for rehearsals and will perform in the community and on campus. This course may be completed for credit up to a maximum of three times. Level I Prerequisite: No Basic Skills; consent required

In this course, students will demonstrate basic guitar techniques and practice disciplines related to chord, chord changes, and fingerstyle techniques. Beginning and intermediate chord progressions, found mostly in popular and folk music, will also be practiced and are relevant to all styles. Level I Prerequisite: No Basic Skills

In this course, students will learn advanced chord formations (Major 7th, Minor 7th, and Dominant 7th chords) and how to apply them in a song. It also covers major scales, minor scales and melodic performance in diverse keys. Students will also explore improvisation and self-expression in musical performance. Students with experience equivalent to MUS 133 may contact the instructor for permission to waive the MUS prerequisite. Level I Prerequisite: No Basic Skills; MUS 133 minimum grade "C"

In this course, students will learn musical form, rhythm, meter, pitch notation, analysis of compositional elements, and the creative use of music. Students will also explore the basic concepts of self-motivated learning as it applies to music theory and career-life building. This course is designed to give prospective musicians (hobbyist to professional) a basic foundation in music listening, reading and writing musical notation, as well as understanding keys, scales, and chords for their self-selected needs. Students taking this course should have an interest in playing or advancing musical vocabulary and applying music theory. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

In this course, students will continue to advance their skills in self-motivated regimentation of musical listening, reading and writing musical notation, as well as applying keys, scales and harmony to their development. With instructor guidance, students will work on self-designed instruction and establish a peer learning community (a requisite life skill for musicians). Students will also analyze and create music compositions as a means of applying learned theory skills. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; MUS 140

For the prospective song writer, this class is designed to enhance the various phases of songwriting: observation, lyric writing, musical accompaniment and collaboration skills. Students collaborate using their talents to produce songs and also become acquainted with musical styles through recordings and demonstrations. Students will be expected to write or collaborate with others to write a song at least twice in the semester. The title of this course was previously Songwriting and Creative Improvisation. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

In this course, students will study basic agreements, contracts, royalties, copyrights and other legal aspects of the Music, Arts and Video industries. Students who intend to perform, publish, record or produce artistic media artifacts need this important information. The title of this course was previously Arts, Media and Entertainment Law. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

This class is designed for those who wish to learn the fundamentals of playing the piano, including the ability to read and execute keyboard music harmonically and melodically. The course covers basic musicianship, piano technique fundamentals, elementary keyboard harmony, basics in reading music, pedal technique and keyboard facility for use in and support of other music classes. The course also offers an introduction to how the piano works, its development, and composers and pianists in various styles. This course was previously MUS 210. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 3

This course is a continuation of Functional Piano I, providing studies beyond the beginning stage. It focuses more on individual development in terms of technique, expression, and performance, as well as providing further keyboard skills, historical and theoretical background. This course was previously MUS 211. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 3; MUS 154 minimum grade "C"

In this course, students will connect the world's musical creativity to the world's diverse cultures, assets, histories and values. Through these topics, students will have the opportunity to increase their global competency, life skills and appreciation for diversity, equity, justice and inclusion (DEJI), which are key components of a balanced liberal arts education. The "stories" behind the music and the connection of the music to cultures and histories will encourage students to increase their awareness of creativity, artistry, critical thinking and socio-cultural histories and assets, as may best enhance their lives and careers. The title of this course was previously Music Appreciation: Our Musical World. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

In this course, students will be introduced to fundamentals of vocal technique, basic anatomy and physiology of the voice and exposed to various vocal styles and genres. Students will study and perform a beginning repertoire in class and receive instruction in a group setting.

In this course, students will continue to develop and expand vocal techniques by studying a diverse and challenging repertoire of song. Students will apply technique using the basics of the anatomy and physiology of the voice to enhance vocal skills. Student will study and perform an extended repertoire in class and receive instruction in a group setting as well as assist the class in production of at least one performance event.

In this course, students will develop fundamental entrepreneurial skills in the Music, Arts or Creative industries. Students will focus on developing creative entrepreneurship and interpersonal skills, creating a portfolio, development of business and marketing best practices and determining the value and marketability of student assets. Students will explore how to manage their business while creating a multi-faceted career. Students may not earn credit in both ART 285 and MUS 285. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

In this capstone course, students will create, produce, or develop a "business" initiative for external clients or personal artistic interests. With guidance from the instructor, students will demonstrate promotional and social media techniques in real-life scenarios. Specifically, students will organize, promote, and produce initiatives, events, exhibits, performances, and/or showcases within the community. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; HUM 181 or MUS 180; ART 285 or MUS 285; BMG 250; BMG 155 or BMG 168