Music Degrees Online

MUS 333 Percussion Methods (1)
Fundamental techniques of playing and teaching the percussion instruments are explored. Minimal proficiency on the various instruments is expected. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in fall of even academic years.)

MUS 336 String Methods (1)
Fundamental techniques of playing and teaching the string instruments are explored. A minimal proficiency on the various instruments is expected. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in spring of even academic years.)

MUS 337 Woodwind Methods (1)
Fundamental techniques of playing and teaching the woodwind instruments are explored. A minimal proficiency on the various instruments is expected. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in spring of odd academic years.)
MUS 338 Survey of Instrumental Techniques (1)
Study of basic performance and pedagogy skills for wind, string and percussion instruments. Required for vocal music education majors. (Offered in spring of even years.)
MUS 341 Marching Band Materials and Methods (1)
Specialized study of the techniques and skills associated with the preparation and management of marching bands, including organization, show design, music arranging, teaching of marching fundamentals and rehearsal of marching routines and marching show music. Also included will be specific instruction on working with percussion sections and auxiliary units. Required for instrumental music education majors. (Offered in the May term of odd years.)
MUS 349 Methods and Materials for Teaching Music in the Secondary S
Procedures for teaching vocal and instrumental music in the secondary school, as well as philosophy and principles of secondary school music curriculum design. Emphasis on organization, administration and pedagogy for ensemble instruction. Includes 15 hours of clinical and field experience. (Offered in spring of even academic years.)
MUS 361 Choral Conducting (2)
Fundamentals of conducting, with emphasis on choral conducting techniques, including gestures, score study and rehearsal methods. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in fall.)
MUS 362 Instrumental Conducting (2)
Advanced course, following MUS 361, with emphasis on instrumental conducting techniques. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in spring.)
MUS 390 Independent Study (1-4)
A research project to be undertaken by music performance majors in their junior or senior year. Project should involve research into the history, pedagogy or performance practices of their principle instrument. Variable credit approved by instructor.
MUS 461 Rehearsal Strategies (2)
A capstone course to be taken by music education students prior to student teaching. Topics covered include advanced conducting skills, artistic decision making, rehearsal planning and organization, error-detection in the rehearsal setting, motivational aspects for performing ensembles and evaluating ensembles from an adjudicator’s perspective. (Offered in the spring semester of odd years.)
MUS 480 Theory Seminar (2)
Application of music theory skills to advanced topics including detailed analysis of extended works, orchestration, arranging and composition. (Offered in fall.)
MUSIC: GROUP PERFORMANCE
MUS 230 Instrumental Groups (1)
Concert Band (C)
Performs standard band literature including marches, contemporary composition, transcribed orchestral literature and combined band and choral literature. Periodic public appearances are required. Membership is open to interested and reasonably competent musicians. (Offered fall and spring.)
Instrumental Ensembles
The following instrumental ensembles are available for one credit and are offered upon student demand and available faculty:
Brass Ensemble (B)
Flute Choir (F)
Guitar Ensemble (G)
Horn Ensemble (H)
Percussion Ensemble (D)
Sax Ensemble (X)
String Ensemble (S)
Orchestra (O)
Membership in Jackson Symphony Orchestra is available to those who qualify by audition.
Jazz Ensemble (J)
A 20-member group that performs big-band and jazz-oriented compositions. Membership is open by invitation and/or audition.

MUS 240 Choral Groups (1)
Concert Choir (CC)
A 40 to 70-voice mixed choir. Performs a variety of literature for churches, schools and civic groups. Tours during the spring of each year, but only tours during spring break once each four years. Members must participate in all public appearances throughout the year. An audition is required. (Offered fall and spring.)
Chamber Singers (CS)
A 16 to 20-member mixed group, chosen from concert choir, specializing in literature for small choral groups: madrigals, motets, anthems and contemporary chamber works. Performs for churches, schools, civic groups and festivals. (Offered fall and spring.)

MUS 260 Contemporary Music Ensemble (1)

A music ministry group with an emphasis in contemporary worship music. Other groups may be formed if potential enrollment permits. A very active performance schedule. Membership by audition. Sophomore standing is required, except by permission. Open to all music students regardless of major. (Offered fall and spring.)

MUSIC: APPLIED

One half-hour private lesson per week for one semester hour of credit. Private lessons may not be taken for audit. Two-credit-hour lessons given to students who are not performance majors must have the approval of the music department chair.
MUS 210 Applied (1)Not available to majors or minors in music. (See listing below for options.)
MUS 310 Applied (1-2)Open only for music majors and minors.
Private Brass (B)
Private Composition (M)
Private Conducting (C)
Private Guitar (G)
Private Harp (H)
Private Organ (O)
Private Percussion (D)
Private Piano (P)
Private Strings (S)
Private Voice (V)
Private Woodwinds (W)

MUS 220 Music Appreciation (3)
The student gains a thorough exposure to musical literature through extensive listening to examples of music by significant composers. Details of the lives of these composers are placed in historical perspective in reading and taped lectures. During the course a foundation is laid for a lifelong process of discovery and enjoyment of music. Student may not take both MUS 152 and MUS 220. Does not count toward music major or minor. (Offered on-line.)

MUS 250 Applied Pedagogy Methods (1,1)
This is the “student teaching” segment for the associate in piano pedagogy degree. The student has one or two students, is observed five times each semester, with follow up meetings, writes a journal and a paper. Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in pedagogy program. (1 hour each semester for one year.)
MUS 260 Contemporary Worship Ensemble (1)
A music ministry group with an emphasis in contemporary worship music. Other groups may be formed if potential enrollment permits. A very active performance schedule. Membership by audition. Sophomore standing is required, except by permission. Open to all music students regardless of major.
MUS 302 Music in Praise and Worship (2)
The use of music in modern Christian ministry, including an historical overview, administration of the church music program, use of music in Christian outreach ministries and a survey of the Contemporary Christian Music industry. (Offered in fall of even academic years.)

MUS 306 Music in Ministry (2)
A survey of 19 centuries of music in Christian worship, including hymnology and varieties of liturgical and non-liturgical services. Will include Sunday field trips to participate in a number of different church worship services. (Offered in fall of odd academic years.)

MUS 308 Survey of Keyboard Literature (2)
Survey of keyboard literature and composers from the late 1500s through the 1900s and an in-depth study of the various style characteristics and performance practices of literature surveyed. Prerequisite: MUS 101 or permission. (Offered in spring of even academic years.)
MUS 309 Piano Pedagogy (3)
Methods and techniques used in teaching piano. Emphasis on study of materials available. Required of piano performance majors and associate in piano pedagogy majors. Prerequisite: audition and/or two semesters of private piano. (Offered in interim of even academic years.)
MUS 311 Vocal Pedagogy (2)
Methods and techniques used in teaching voice. Emphasis on study of the anatomy involved in vocal production. Required of vocal education majors and vocal performance majors. Prerequisite: Two semesters of private voice. (Offered in spring of even academic years.)

MUS 312 Diction (2)

Elementary singing pronunciation techniques in English, Latin, Italian, French and German. Students prepare songs in all five languages. Required of vocal education majors and vocal performance majors. Prerequisite: At least two semesters private voice study. (Offered in spring of odd academic years.)

MUS 313, 314 The History and Literature of Music (3, 3)

Survey of the history and literature of music. Emphasis on style, periods, composers and form. 313 covers medieval through baroque periods. (Offered in fall of even academic years.) 314 covers classical through 20th Century. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in fall of odd academic years.)

MUS 319 Methods and Materials for Teaching Music in the Elementary School (3)

Principles, methods and materials for teaching general, vocal and instrumental music in the elementary school. Required of music education majors. Includes 15 hours of clinical and field experience. Prerequisites: MBST and grade of 2.0 in EDU 200, 262 or 263. (Offered in fall of even academic years.)

MUS 323 World Music (2)

A survey of traditional music outside the Western Classical heritage, including genres from Africa, South America, the Far East, the South Pacific, the mid-East and Europe. Special emphasis is given to the role of music within culture. (Offered in the interim of even years.)

MUS 332 Brass Methods (1)

Fundamental techniques of playing and teaching the brass instruments are explored. A minimal proficiency on the various instruments is expected. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (Offered in fall of odd academic years.)

MUS 101, 102 Music Theory I, II (3, 3)

Comprehensive study and application of the basic materials of music and the fundamentals of common practice harmony, with an emphasis on the development of analytical skills. MUS 101 is a prerequisite to 102. (MUS 101 offered in fall, MUS 102 offered in spring.)

MUS 103, 104 Aural Harmony, I, II (1, 1)

Application of principles covered in MUS 101 and 102, through ear training, sight-singing, error detection and keyboard skills. To be taken with 101 and 102. (MUS 103 offered in fall, MUS 104 offered in spring.)

MUS 115 Music Perspectives (2)

An introductory survey of a wide range of musical styles and issues. Emphasis on cultural understanding, informed judgment and understanding the challenges of preparing for a career in music. Required for all music majors and minors. (Offered in the fall.)

MUS 152 Music Foundations (2)

A survey of music literature and history focusing on critical listening and enjoyment. Works by significant composers are discussed in terms of their design, place in history and aesthetic impact. Designed to satisfy the fine arts liberal arts requirement for art majors and minors. A number of field trips will be taken in order to provide a greater understanding of various music forms. Student may not take both MUS 152 and MUS 220. Does not count toward music major or minor. (Offered in fall, interim and spring.)

MUS 201, 202 Music Theory III, IV (3, 3)

Comprehensive study and application of nineteenth and twentieth century harmony, with an emphasis on the analysis of style and form of representative works from this period. MUS 202 will include the study and application of practical orchestration. Prerequisite: MUS 102. (MUS 201 offered in fall, MUS 202 offered in spring.)

MUS 203, 204 Aural Harmony III, IV (1, 1)

Continuation of skills taught in MUS 103 and 104. (MUS 203 offered in fall, MUS 204 offered in spring.)

MUS 212 Introduction to Electronic Music (2)

Hands-on practice with equipment and strategies for sound recording and playback: multi-channel tape recording; using synthesizers and “drum machines”, mixers and digital sound “effects”; networking synthesizers and computers (MIDI). (Offered in spring.)

A new option (JQ) will qualify the candidate to teach K-12 music on a secondary certificate only. This expanded K-12 music-education major does not require a certifiable minor. The new standards are incorporated in the requirements listed below.

Students interested in teacher certification should opt for the major in instrumental music education or vocal music education. Other career opportunities include ministry in performing groups and/or churches, careers in music business and private studio teaching. A bachelor’s degree in music provides the foundation for graduate studies leading to careers in fields such as ministry, college teaching, arts management and music therapy.

Students must perform an entrance audition to be formally admitted as a music major. At the end of the sophomore year, music majors must perform a “sophomore check,” a more elaborate jury including sight reading and technical skills, to be admitted to upper division standing. (Details about requirements for the sophomore check are available in the music department handbook.) Students transferring to Spring Arbor University as juniors or seniors must audition for admission to the program and perform a jury during their first semester on campus.

The Department of Music offers majors in performance, secondary music education (vocal or instrumental), worship arts, and an associates degree in piano pedagogy. Music may also be selected as a minor, but the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) does not allow teaching certification in music with a music minor. In addition, private lessons, performance ensembles and survey courses provide enrichment for many interested students and community members who are not music majors or minors.

Excellence in music study requires dedication, self-discipline and consistent practice, as well as talent. Private lessons and recital requirements increase performance skill. Group performance develops interaction skills and knowledge of literature. Courses in music theory and history develop musical understanding and knowledge base. Other required courses are designed to develop specific skills, such as the ability to conduct or teach a woodwind instrument. Specific degree requirements are carefully aligned with national and state standards and are designed to provide a balance of skills needed for success in a chosen profession or in graduate study.

Progress made by music majors is monitored in annual “juries” in which the students perform selected compositions and technical skills for the music faculty.

Music students are also required to attend a minimum number of performances each semester. (Details of all music department policies are available in the music department handbook.

SFCC career and technical education programs provide avenues for students to enter high-skill and high-wage occupations, or to transfer to university-level technical education programs. Developed with business and industry input, these programs continue to have oversight from professionals actively employed in the occupations.

In addition to traditional classroom study, SFCC provides self-paced individualized learning programs available evenings and weekends. Earn a Certificate of Completion or Associate of Applied Science degree in over 100 technical and professional specialties. Our Cooperative Education/Work Experience program partners with industrial, professional and service organizations enabling our students to apply skills learned in an actual job setting.

Audio technicians work in many different areas including recording and producing music for CDs, radio, television, motion pictures, and video games. They may also set up and run PA systems for concerts, festivals, sporting arenas, conventions, churches, live theater and nightclubs. Audio techs are responsible for recording or reinforcing live sound with all the instruments in proper sonic balance and clarity. In addition to having a “good ear” and an understanding of music, they must have a thorough knowledge of acoustics, microphones, mixing boards, signal processing and digital audio software.

What’s your interest? Do you enjoy top 40 hits, dance bands, opera, or jazz? The music industry needs people with talent and ability in all areas. Consider the following career possibilities:Music Education
Performance/ Entertainment
Conducting
Audio and Video Engineering
Religious Music
Music Therapy Composing/ Arranging/ Publishing
Music Sales and Service
Music Business/ Management
Recording Industry
Radio/TV/Film