Music Courses
MUS 105 THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC / 3 credits
An introduction to the Western musical traditions. Students will begin by surveying the fundamental aspects of musical language, including notation and basic theory, and then proceed to an examination of several compositions, ranging from symphonies and operas to the avant-garde and popular works of the 20th century.
MUS 110 MUSIC THEORY / 3 credits
A study of diatonic harmonic practice, beginning with triads and ending with seventh chords. Other topics include cadence types, nonharmonic tones, phrase structure, voice leading, and harmonic progression. Prerequisite: MUS 105.
MUS 111 MUSICIANSHIP I / 1.5 credits
An introduction to sight singing, keyboard harmony, and the development of aural skills.
MUS 112 MUSICIANSHIP II / 1.5 credits
Continued study of sight singing, keyboard harmony, and the development of aural skills. Prerequisite: MUS 111.
MUS 114 PIANO CLASS / 1 credit
Designed for students with little or no piano background. Explores basic methodology of keyboard technique, sight-reading, and repertoire building. Must be taken with little or no piano experience as preparation for piano proficiency. May be substituted by the music major for one semester of MUS 151P.
MUS 115 VOICE CLASS / 1 credit
Basic principles of singing for the student with little or no previous vocal training. Can be used to prepare music majors and non-majors to take private lessons. May be substituted for one semester of MUS 151V.
MUS 120 LYON COLLEGE MARCHING BAND / 2 credits
An ensemble that marches and plays at football games. Smaller pep bands will be drawn from the full ensemble to play at other events. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 125 LYON COLLEGE JAZZ BAND / 1 credit
Instrumental training in a variety of jazz styles. Performances will be scheduled for appropriate occasions both on- and off-campus. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 130 LYON COLLEGE CONCERT BAND / 1 credit
Training in band literature to all students with abilities on woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Performances will be scheduled for appropriate occasions both on- and off-campus. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 135 LYON COLLEGE FLUTE CHOIR / 1 credit
Training in flute to all interested students with playing ability. Repertory ranges from classical to popular. Performances will be scheduled for appropriate occasions on and off campus. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 140 LYON COLLEGE CONCERT CHORALE / 1 credit
Vocal performance in a wide variety of literature, ranging from larger choral-orchestral works to folksongs and spirituals. The Concert Chorale presents several concerts each year, both on- and off-campus. The Concert Chorale is open to any interested student who passes a brief audition. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 145 LYON COLLEGE ORCHESTRA / 1 credit
Open to college and community participation. Utilizes woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion. Literature includes full orchestra and chamber works with scheduled performances on- and off-campus. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 150 BEGINNING GUITAR / 1 credit
Instruction for beginning students in the fundamentals of guitar playing. Students must provide their own instrument. This course may be taken only once for credit.
MUS 163 PIPE BAND / 1 credit
Instruction for beginners and experienced players in playing the Great Highland Bagpipe, including applicable music theory. Experienced players may audition to join the performing pipe band, which holds weekly practice sessions and performs at numerous public events and competitions throughout the region. The band takes one to two major trips each year. Students without practice chanters must purchase their own. May be repeated for credit.
MUS 205 ADVANCED MUSIC THEORY / 3 credits
A study of chromatic harmonic practice, including secondary, borrowed, Neapolitan, and augmented-sixth chords. Other topics will include modulation, counterpoint, and form. A major project will be the composition of a fugue. Prerequisite: MUS 110.
MUS 263 CEOL MOR I (CLASSICAL BAGPIPE I) / 3 credits
An introduction to the fundamentals of piobaireachd (the technique and literature of the classical Highland bagpipe). Students can expect to learn all basic embellishments used in ceol mor, as well as the use of cadenceds and simple phrase structures. The student will learn a minimum of one complete tune.
MUS 291 TOPICS IN MUSIC HISTORY / 3 credits
An examination of a major composer, genre, or repertory from a historical perspective.
MUS 292 TOPICS IN MUSIC THEORY / 3 credits
An examination of a major composer or a group of works defined by genre or repertory from a theoretical perspective. Topics may also include particular analytical methods or the history of music theory.
MUS 293 TOPICS IN PERFORMANCE PRACTICE / 3 credits
An examination of a particular aspect of applied music studies, including historical performance practices.
MUS 295 WORLD MUSIC / 3 credits
A survey of the music of the world’s peoples in its social context, including the Americas, Africa, Europe, Indonesia, India, and Asia.
MUS 296 BACH’S GERMANY / 3 credits
An investigation of four cities (Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, and Weimar) where the composer J.S. Bach lived and worked, with emphasis on compositions written by Bach in each of these locales. (Same as HST 296).
MUS 311 MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE MUSIC / 3 credits
A study of the history and literature of the music of Medieval and Renaissance eras. Prerequisite: MUS 105.
MUS 320 BAROQUE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC / 3 credits
A study of the history and literature of the music of Baroque and Classical eras. Prerequisite: MUS 105.
MUS 325 NINETEENTH- AND TWENTIETH-CENTURY MUSIC / 3 credits
A study of the history and literature of the music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: MUS 105.
MUS 330 HYMNODY / 3 credits
A survey of Christian hymnody and its role in worship from the first century of Christianity to the present, incorporating the study of selected texts, tunes, authors, and composers.
MUS 363 CEOL MOR II (CLASSICAL BAGPIPE II) / 3 credits
A continuation of MUS 263 to include a comparison of the various canntaireachd sources. There will be further study of phrase structures and the various advanced embellishments. Students can expect to learn additional tunes. Prerequisite: MUS 263.
MUS 399 MUSIC INTERNATIONAL STUDIES COURSE: Variable topics / 1 credit
Study of varying topics in music. Includes a 2-week Nichols trip. Prerequisites will vary.
MUS 420 CONDUCTING / 3 credits
Conducting techniques for the music major, including score reading, rehearsal techniques, and performance practices.
MUS 425 METHODS AND MATERIALS IN TEACHING MUSIC / 3 credits
Preparation for music majors working toward public school certification in music.
MUS 430 CHURCH MUSIC / 3 credits
A course designed to develop the variety of skills required of the church musician, including service playing and anthem accompaniment, console conducting, the planning and selection of music for worship, and the development of a church music program.
MUS 431 VOCAL PEDAGOGY / 3 credits
This course presents the materials for and the methods of singing. It is designed for prospective teachers of singing. Prerequisite: MUS 351V.
MUS 432 INSTRUMENTAL PEDAGOGY / 3 credits
This course presents the materials for and the methods of working with students of orchestral instruments. It is designed for prospective teachers of orchestral instruments. Prerequisite: MUS 351I.
MUS 433 KEYBOARD PEDAGOGY / 3 credits
This course presents the materials for and the methods of working with keyboard instruments. It is designed for prospective teachers of keyboard instruments. Prerequisite: MUS 351O or 351P.
MUS 450 INDEPENDENT STUDY / 1-3 credits
Directed individual study in an area accepted for professional growth.
MUS 463 CEOL MOR III (CLASSICAL BAGPIPE III) / 3 credits
Involved study including the various accepted styles of the current year’s Silver Medal tunes. Students will learn how to interpret music based on accepted fundamentals of ceol mor. Prerequisite: MUS 363.
MUS 499 SENIOR RECITAL / 1 credit
A capstone experience for the music major consisting of a project culminating in the form of a public recital, lecture recital, or lecture of a musicological nature. Prerequisite: MUS 351V, 351O, 351I, or 351P and permission of instructor.
Instrumental Courses
All instrumental courses are by permission of instructor only.
MUS 151I, 152I FIRST YEAR INSTRUMENT, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 251I, 252I SECOND YEAR INSTRUMENT, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 351I, 352I THIRD YEAR INSTRUMENT, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 451I, 452I FOURTH YEAR INSTRUMENT, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
Piano Courses
All instrumental courses are by permission of instructor only.
MUS 151P, 152P FIRST YEAR PIANO, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 251P, 252P SECOND YEAR PIANO, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 351P, 352P THIRD YEAR PIANO, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 451P, 452P FOURTH YEAR PIANO, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
Organ Courses
All instrumental courses are by permission of instructor only.
MUS 151O, 152O FIRST YEAR ORGAN, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 251O, 252O SECOND YEAR ORGAN, INDIVIDUAL LES-SONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 351O, 352O THIRD YEAR ORGAN, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 451O, 452O FOURTH YEAR ORGAN, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
Voice Courses
All instrumental courses are by permission of instructor only.
MUS 151V, 152V FIRST YEAR VOICE, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 251V, 252V SECOND YEAR VOICE, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 351V, 352V THIRD YEAR VOICE, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits
MUS 451V, 452V FOURTH YEAR VOICE, INDIVIDUAL LESSONS / 1-2 credits