Music
Music is a vital part of life at Caldwell University. Being part of our music program is a great way to meet your fellow students and enjoy making many different kinds of music. Most importantly, the Caldwell music major offers you the opportunity to grow into your musical potential and work toward a career in music.
Music majors develop the necessary skills to perform as artists and teachers through a variety of courses and ensembles. Caldwell music courses include music theory and history, ear-training and conducting, as well as electives like Roots: The Origins of Swing, Rock and Hip Hop, Women in Music, Introduction to Computers in Music, Introduction to Music Industry and many others. There are many exciting performance opportunities for music majors as well as for music minors and other qualified student musicians. Caldwell music department ensembles include the marching band, wind ensemble, chorale, jazz ensemble, and the percussion ensemble.
For additional information about the Caldwell music program, contact Professor Rebecca Vega at rvega@caldwell.edu.
This program of study is an excellent subject area for Elementary Education majors.
Each music major is required to present either a senior recital with prepared program notes or a senior lecture recital ( lecture presentation with recital) during their senior year. This 1 credit, independent study (MU 495/496) will be graded and, if necessary, re-taken according to university policy. The student’s advisor/major teacher and at least one other faculty member will be present at the performance to provide a written evaluation and the final grade. The music history and theory faculty members will assist in assessing research and analysis portions of the outcomes assessment project. Procedures and requirements are available from the department chair.
STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN MUSIC MUST COMPLETE:
Course Code : MU 100E
Course Description :
This class offers basic instruction in posture, breathing, resonance and support for classical singing. Presents basic principles for overcoming performance anxiety and proper performance etiquette. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
OR
Course Code : MU 101E
Course Description :
This class offers basic instruction in posture, breathing, resonance and support for classical singing. Presents basic principles for overcoming performance anxiety and proper performance etiquette. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Take 8 credits of Applied Music in an individual instrument. *Vocal majors are required to take one semester of piano or guitar in addition.
Take 8 credits of Applied Music on an individual instrument. Singers will take 7 credits of Applied Music (MU101-401) plus 1 credit of piano or guitar.
Course Code : MU 101
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 102
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 201
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 202
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 301
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 302
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 401
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 402
Course Description :
Provides individual instruction on an instrument, voice, or composition. Lesson fee required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 103
Course Description :
Study of tonal harmony beginning with fundamental review and covering part-writing using triads, figured bass and harmonic progressions, and analysis of cadences, formal structures and non-chord tones.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or Basic Skills Test.
Co requisites :
MU 118 and MU 126
Course Code : MU 104
Course Description :
Continues course of study in tonal harmony with non-chord tones, diatonic seventh chords, partwriting and analysis.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU 103.
Co requisites :
MU 119 and MU 127
Course Code : MU 118
Course Description :
Develops aural recognition, sight-performance, and dictation skills within the context of all major modalities and simple meters.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or placement test.
Co requisites :
MU 103 and MU 126
Course Code : MU 119
Course Description :
Extends aural recognition, sight-performance, and dictation skills within the context of minor modalities and compound meters.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU 118.
Co requisites :
MU 104 and MU 127
Course Code : MU 126
Course Description :
Practical application at the keyboard, of concepts studied in Theory I; Includes scales, arpeggios, intervals and melodies with chordal accompaniment.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU 117 or Keyboard test
Co requisites :
MU103, MU118
Course Code : MU 127
Course Description :
Practical application at the keyboard, of concepts studied in Theory II; Includes chord progressions, melodies with accompaniment figures.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU126
Co requisites :
MU104, MU119
Course Code : MU 203
Course Description :
Continues course of study in tonal harmony including Neapolitan and Augmented chords, more modulation and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU104
Co requisites :
MU218, MU226
Course Code : MU 218
Course Description :
Extends aural recognition to cadential patterns; sight-performance and dictation skills to include modulating and modal melodies; and including irregular meters and complex rhythmic patterns.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU119
Co requisites :
MU203, MU226
Course Code : MU 226
Course Description :
Continued application of theoretical principles of music. Study focuses on song accompaniments, 4-part chorales, and 2-part open scores.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU127
Co requisites :
MU 203 and MU 218.
Course Code : MU 310
Course Description :
Emphasizes skills necessary to rehearse and conduct choral and instrumental ensembles. Required participation in an ensemble and actual performances are part of the experience.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MU104
Course Code : MU 318
Course Description :
Surveys the music, musicians and musical life in Europe from antiquity to 1750.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU104 or permission of instructor.
Course Code : MU 319
Course Description :
Continues survey of music, musicians and musical life in Europe, and the Americas from the late eighteenth century to the present.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
MU318 or permission of instructor
Course Code : MU 323
Course Description :
Develops proficiency in arranging music for small instrumental ensembles, both with and without solo voice. Specific emphasis is placed on developing the skills necessary to arrange music published for specific instrumentation or voices for the available performers in the class.
Credit : 2
Prerequisites :
MU203
Course Code : MU 350
Course Description :
Introduction to general principles for using computers and electronic instruments in music, to the nature of sound and recording. Intensive instruction in music notation; introduction to computer based audio editing and recording
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU103 or permission of the instructor.
Course Code : MU 425
Course Description :
Analysis of musical structure and form from motives and phrases to compound structures such as Sonata Allegro or Theme and Variations form. Includes comparison of styles of major composers and composition projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MU203
Course Code : MU 495
Course Description :
Music majors are expected to synthesize their musical study with a final project developed with the assistance of a faculty advisor. The recital repertoire will be planned by the applied instructor, coach/accompanist and student. By permission of faculty advisor.
Credit : 1
OR
Course Code : MU 496
Course Description :
Music majors are expected to synthesize their musical study with a final project developed with the assistance of a faculty advisor. This provides the opportunity to explore areas of musical interest outside of regular course offerings. By permission of faculty advisor.
Credit : 1
Ensemble requirement: 8 credits from the following:
Course Code : MU 125
Course Description :
Provides rehearsal and performance of varied vocal literature. Performance in at least two concerts and many university celebrations. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 130
Course Description :
Preparation and performance of songs, arias, scenes and acts from musical theater, operetta and opera. Students will assist in all aspects of production, such as musical preparation, costuming, staging, program design. Open by audition to singers and pianists. Applied lessons for voice may be required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 135
Course Description :
Study of wind ensemble literature and performance in major concerts. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 136
Course Description :
This course provides the string student an opportunity to rehearse and perform with an orchestra. The rehearsals and performances take place off campus.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
Instructor approval.
Course Code : MU 137
Course Description :
In this performance class students will learn marching band music and perform at football games, pep rallies, homecoming, open houses, accepted students days, and basketball games. Students will rehearse and perform marching band music, marching fieldwork and parade marching. In addition, music education students will have the opportunity to develop drill design skills with the use of the Pyware software.
Credit : 1
Course Code : MU 140
Course Description :
Performance of jazz literature and study of improvisation. Placement audition required.
Credit : 1
*All instrumentalists participate in chamber ensembles (MU141) as required (see chamber ensemble requirement).
*All instrumentalists participate in chamber ensembles (MU141) as required (see chamber ensemble requirement).
Take six semesters of MU225
Take six semesters of MU225
Take two courses (6 credits) of music electives from the following:
Course Code : MU 212
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
This general survey course will introduce the student to American Musical Theatre from the late 19th century into the 21st century. Historical events and cultural trends will be considered in the study of the ever-changing musical and theatrical styles. An introduction to the music elements, melody, rhythm, texture and form, will provide the student with a basic knowledge and vocabulary necessary to consider the material critically.
Credit : 3
Course Code : MU 220
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
Students explore diverse styles of jazz, from early jazz to current styles. The course starts with musical basics, then examines the evolution of jazz from earlier musical traditions, including ragtime and blues. Students get acquainted with the musicians who created and changed jazz though its history. The course emphasizes listening to jazz, understanding how it evolved, and how it works.
Credit : 3
Course Code : MU 221
Course Description :
In the early 1940’s jazz reached a crossroads after having been America’s popular dance music for decades. Some jazz musicians followed a more esoteric path which led to modern jazz while others continued to embrace dance music. Their streamlined bands, including the “new” electric guitar, evolved into rock and roll and much of the popular music of the last 60 years. This course surveys early jazz and swing, jump swing, rock and roll, R&B, funk and hip-hop. Enriched Core: Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
Course Code : MU 231
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
This course will introduce the student to the music therapy profession. It will cover basic literature in music therapy, basic assumptions and practices and orient the student to clinical applications of music as therapy. An emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, research and writing.
Credit : 3
Course Code : MU 240
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
A survey of the music of the North American colonies and the United States from the 17th century to the present. The course will seek to establish the continuity of American music with the Western European tradition while exploring the diversity of influences from other world cultures. The continuing interactions of classical, folk, and popular music, which give American music its uniqueness, will be fully explored.
Credit : 3
Course Code : MU 250
Course Description :
Explores the concept of perspective and the changing roles of women in music, both historically and in contemporary society. Students will learn to describe a variety of music using appropriate musical terms and become aware of current “women in music” through interviews and concert attendance.
Enriched Core: Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
Course Code : MU 255
Course Description :
ntroduction to music as a world phenomenon, tracing many different cultures and societies through their musical traditions. Will include the study of selected art, folk, and popular music from world cultures through live performances, recordings, video and readings.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding.
Course Code : MU 260
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
Students will learn about music marketing, artist development, publicity, publishing, record producing and media partnerships. The course will provide historical insight into how music is monetized.
Credit : 3
Course Code : MU 325
Course Description :
This course presents a survey of current topics in music and ethics including study of the following issues: therapy, environmentalism, ethnomusicology, sound recording, music competitions, digital sampling, instrument restoration, composition, criticism, improvisation, pedagogy, musicology, sound archives, and performance. Students will read scholarly articles and participate in classroom discussions and writing assignments, and write two papers one of which will be based on independent research on a topic of their choosing and a related in-class research presentation.Enriched Core: Ethical Inquiry.
Credit : 3
Audition Requirement:
Students are required to audition for the music faculty to be accepted into the program as a major or minor. Auditions are held during the spring semester and audition requirements are listed on the music department Web page. (Students may contact the department chair with questions or exceptional needs.)
Performance Class Requirement:
All students registered in Applied Music courses MU 101-402 are required to register for and attend MU 225 Performance Classes. Students will perform in the class as required by their applied music instructor.
Ensemble Requirement:
Performing as part of an ensemble is a major factor in learning to be a well-rounded, informed and competent musician. All music majors and students receiving a scholarship are required to participate in at least one ensemble each semester whether for one credit or zero credit. Current ensembles are chorale, opera/musical theatre workshop, wind ensemble, orchestra, marching band, jazz ensemble and string ensemble.
Chamber Ensemble Requirement:
Performing in a chamber ensemble allows students to sharpen their musical and technical skills. There are solo opportunities and the challenge of playing in a group without the aid of a conductor. Participation in a chamber ensemble is required of all music majors and minors at the discretion of the applied music instructor. Current chamber ensembles are flute, clarinet, brass, string and percussion.
Sophomore Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated at the end of their sophomore year and a recommendation will be made as to whether they may continue as a major. This recommendation will be based upon:
- Satisfactory completion of Theory I, II, and III (Grade of C or higher).
- Satisfactory progress on their chosen instrument or voice, based upon a “Jury hearing” by at least two faculty including their private teacher, at the completion of their sophomore year or 4th semester of private study (whichever comes first).
Students who are not able to pass these requirements may use their credits for a minor, and are encouraged to continue to participate in ensembles and lessons, but will not continue as music majors.