Music Course Descriptions

Instructional Music Courses

*Required for Major

CVFA 102 Music of the West: Renaissance to Revolutions (3)
Survey of developments in the music of the West from the Renaissance through the Age of Revolutions, about 1400-1850. (Spring)

CVMU 201 The West in the Modern World: Music (3)
Study of important historical developments and cultural history through the lens of the music of the West from the late 19th century through the present. (Fall)

*FAMU 100 Fundamentals of Music (3)
An introduction to the musical foundations of pitch and rhythm. Also aims at development of skills in reading and writing music notation and sight singing. Specific topics will include intervals, key signatures, scales, meter and chords. Students with high school or advanced placement credits in music theory may test out of this course with the permission of the instructor. (Fall, odd years)

*FAMU 101 Basic Music Theory (3)
A study of the basic elements of music theory, including notation, rhythm, scales, intervals, time signatures, triads and fundamental harmonic patterns. Some keyboard harmony and sight-reading. (Spring, even years)

FAMU 200 Special Topics (3)
Designed to supplement regular offerings in music history by permitting the study of topics of special interest suggested by faculty or students. (As needed)

*FAMU 201 Intermediate Music Theory (3)
A continuation of FAMU 101 with greater emphasis on harmonic and melodic analysis. Prerequisite: FAMU 101. (Spring, even years)

*FAMU 205 Foundations of Western Music History I (3)
An in-depth study of Western European art music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque. Required for a concentration in music. (Fall, even years)

*FAMU 206 Foundations of Western Music History II (3)
An in-depth study of Western art music from the classical era to the late 20th century. Continuation of FAMU 205. Required for a concentration in music. Prerequisite: FAMU 205. (Spring, odd years)

FAMU 230 Mount St. Mary’s Chorale (1-2)
The university’s concert choir, performing small and large works that represent the wide repertory and many eras of choral music. Emphasis on performance, good vocal production and concepts of musicality and ensemble technique. A minimum of four contact hours per week is required. Prerequisite: Audition. Open to all students. (Fall and Spring)

FAMU 231 Instrumental Ensembles (1-2)
The common course number for the Mount St. Mary's University Wind Ensemble, DuBois Players (String Ensemble), Lab Band, and the Mountaineers Pep Band.  Ensembles perform new and standard works from their repertoires.  A variety of performance venues provide opportunities to share our music with the community.  Participation in the Wind Ensemble is required for participation in the Lab Band.  All members of the Wind Ensemble will participate in the Mountaineers Pep Band. Each group meets twice a week. Open to all students. (Fall and Spring)

*FAMU 300 Advanced Seminar (3)
Seminar course covering a specific genre, period, or composer. Emphasis on individual research and class presentation. Required for a concentration in music. Prerequisites: FAMU 205 and 206, or permission of the instructor. (As needed)

*FAMU 301 Topics in Advanced Theory (3)
Advanced exploration and experience in such areas as contrapuntal practices, chromaticism, 20th-century musical developments and the issue of form with an emphasis in larger contexts. Aims toward greater musical comprehension as well as preparation for a career in music or for additional study at the graduate level. Prerequisite: FAMU 201 or permission of instructor. (Spring, odd years)

FAMU 305 Topics in Music Education (3)
A substantial introduction to music education in the preschool, elementary and secondary classrooms. A broad survey of methods and materials from which students begin to formulate original concepts and philosophies of teaching. Addresses the Maryland Standards of Learning and the National Standards of Music Education as well as the fundamental elements of literature, ensemble direction and professional development. (As needed)

*FAMU 402 Senior Project Tutorial (3)
Prerequisite: Senior status or permission of instructor. (As needed)

FAMU 398 Independent Study (1-3)
Open to senior music majors. Approval of instructor, chair and dean for academic affairs required. (As needed)

FAMU 480 Internship (credits to be determined)
Open to junior and senior music majors. Approval of chair and dean for academic affairs required. (As needed)

Applied Music Performance

100-Level: Basic Lessons
Basic instruction in voice or the selected instrument. Emphasis on technique, essential musicianship and reading skills. Open to all students, but seniors may not enroll in their first 100-level course in the spring semester. May be repeated for credit. Music majors may enroll in a maximum of one 100-level course. Instructional fee.

FAMU 150 Basic Piano (1)
FAMU 151 Basic Voice (1)
FAMU 152 Basic Guitar (1)
FAMU 153 Basic Woodwinds (1)
FAMU 154 Basic Brass (1)
FAMU 155 Basic Percussion (1)
FAMU 156 Basic Strings (1)

200-Level: Intermediate Juried Lessons
Intermediate to advanced instruction in voice or the selected instrument. Emphasis on technique, development of repertory and musicality. Students must present a juried performance at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: 100-level course or permission of instructor. Required for music concentration. Instructional fee.

FAMU 250 Intermediate Piano (1)
FAMU 251 Intermediate Voice (1)
FAMU 252 Intermediate Guitar (1)
FAMU 253 Intermediate Woodwinds (1)
FAMU 254 Intermediate Brass (1)
FAMU 255 Intermediate Percussion (1)
FAMU 256 Intermediate Strings (1)

300-Level: Advanced Juried Lessons
Advanced instruction in voice or the selected instrument. Emphasis on technique, development of repertory and musicality. Students must present a juried solo performance and perform in the group recital at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: 200-level course or permission of instructor. Required for music major. Instructional fee.

FAMU 350 Advanced Piano (1)
FAMU 351 Advanced Voice (1)
FAMU 352 Advanced Guitar (1)
FAMU 353 Advanced Woodwinds (1)
FAMU 354 Advanced Brass (1)
FAMU 355 Advanced Percussion (1)
FAMU 356 Advanced Strings (1)