MUS-101 Applied Music I
3 Credits
The study of an instrument, or voice. This course is aimed at the development of performance skills and the study of appropriate literature drawn primarily from the Western music tradition. Lessons taught at the Berkshire Music School require that students register at both BCC and BMS, and pay an additional fee to BMS.
MUS-102 Applied Music II
3 Credits
A continuation of MUS 101. Prerequisite: MUS 101.
MUS-105 Music History I
3 Credits Offered Fall
An introduction to the principal styles and masterworks of western music from the Middle Ages to 1750. Students will investigate Gregorian chant, Renaissance sacred and secular works, and the music of Baroque masters Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Purcell. Music is examined through lecture, listening, and video presentations. Some musical proficiency is recommended. Skills prerequisites: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-106 Fundamentals of Music
3 Credits Offered Fall
A study of the fundamentals of musical language: pitch, intervals, scales, keys, rhythm, and basic triads. Basic keyboard skills and principles of musical organization will also be studied, using examples from classical and popular music. Students will learn to read, play, and listen more effectively to music. No musical background is required.
MUS-108 Music Theory I
3 Credits Offered Spring
Introduces the technical elements of music, beginning with a review of scales and chord structure, and continuing through major/minor tonality, chord progressions, melodic harmonization, and harmonic analysis. Students will begin to write their own musical compositions. Prerequisite: MUS 106 or permission of the instructor.
MUS-110 American Popular Music
3 Credits Offered Spring
An introduction to the history and diversity of American popular music. This course begins with an examination of the sources of American popular music and then follows the development of popular styles up to contemporary vernacular styles. The discussions include folk, blues, gospel, country, jazz, musical theater, popular song, and rock. No musical background is required.
MUS-120 Choral Ensemble I
1 Credit
Rehearses and performs choral works for mixed voices. The BCC Chorale prepares music of all styles, including classical, pop, jazz, and show tunes. For beginning and experienced singers.
MUS-130 Choral Ensemble II
1 Credit
A continuation of MUS 120. Prerequisite: MUS 120.
MUS-136 American Musical Theatre
3 Credits Offered As Needed
A thorough investigation of the history and structure of American musical theatre. Lectures and demonstrations will be augmented with films and recordings. Students will prepare and present scenes and songs from selected musical plays, illustrating integration of libretto, score and dance in American musical theatre. No music background is required.
MUS-141 Introduction to Jazz
3 Credits Offered As Needed
A chronological and stylistic investigation of jazz. Beginning with a study of the roots of jazz in African music and blues, the course will examine Dixieland, swing, bebop, post-bebop, cool jazz, avant-garde, modern, and fusion styles through lectures, listening, videos, and live performances. The effect of jazz on other musical styles will also be studied.
MUS-144 Contemplating Opera
3 Credits Offered As Needed
An introduction to opera through a study of selected masterworks, including Don Giovanni, Othello, Carmen, Madame Butterfly, Porgy and Bess, Treemonisha, and Nixon in China. Special emphasis will be placed on how composers create the dramatic action and characters indicated by the libretto. Videos will augment lectures and recordings. No musical background is required. Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-145 World Music
3 Credits Offered As Needed
A survey of the indigenous musics of Africa, South and North America, Eastern Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelationships between music and society. Course work will include lecture, listening, live performances, videos, and student experiments in performance of non- Western music. No musical background is required. Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-146 The Art of Listening
3 Credits Offered As Needed
An introduction to music for audience members, dealing primarily with the standard classical repertoire. Focus will be placed on musical forms and how programs and basic knowledge about composers and style periods can enhance understanding and enjoyment. Attendance at concerts will be stressed. No musical background is required. Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-147 Women Composing
3 Credits Offered As Needed
An investigation of the role women composers have played in Western music. Their works, contemporary views of their accomplishments, and their own assessment of their compositions and of their place within music society will be considered. While no musical background is required, MUS 105 or the equivalent is recommended. Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-151 Instrumental Ensemble I
1 Credit
Introduction to the ensemble technique, using a broad range of instrumental repetoire and culminating in a public performance. Open to players of traditional band and symphonic instruments. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
MUS-155 Jazz Theory and Practice
3 Credits
A study of the theoretical principles that derive from common jazz performance practice. The application of these principles to improvisation will be stressed. Prerequisites: basic instrumental proficiency and music reading skills.
MUS-162 Music Creativity with Computers
3 Credits
A music creativity course for non-music majors. This course focuses on the computer as a tool for exploring musical creativity and as an introduction to basic elements of musical composition. Using entry-level sequencing software, students will access their innate musicality and sonic creativity. Students will learn principles of music by manipulating pre-recorded materials and mixing them with computer generated elements. No musical background is required.
MUS-163 Jazz Ensemble I
3 Credits
A study of the major principles of small group jazz performance. Students develop repetoire, apply appropriate chord/scales to improvisation and accompaniment, participate in ensemble rehearsals and perform publicly. Prerequisite: Instrumental proficiency and permission of instructor.
MUS-164 Jazz Ensemble II
3 Credits
A continuation of MUS 163. Prerequisite: MUS 163 or permission of the instructor.
MUS-175 Music History II
3 Credits
An introduction to the principal styles and masterworks of Western music from 1750 to the 21st century. Students will investigate the music of such composers as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Stravinsky, and Copland. Music is examined through lecture, listening, and video presentations. Some musical proficiency is recommended. Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060.
MUS-187 Music Theory II
3 Credits
A continuation of MUS 108. This course includes the study of secondary chords, modulations, mode mixtures, secondary dominants, and dominant sevenths. Ear training, sight singing, and keyboard skills will be further developed, and students will compose within the topics studied. Computer applications will be integrated for both composition and ear training. Prerequisite: MUS 108.
MUS-201 Applied Music III
3 Credits
A continuation of MUS 102. Prerequisite: MUS 102.
MUS-202 Applied Music IV
3 Credits
A continuation of MUS 130. Prerequisite: MUS 130.
MUS-220 Choral Ensemble III
1 Credit
A continuation of MUS 130. Prerequisite: MUS 130.
MUS-230 Choral Ensemble IV
1 Credit
A continuation of MUS 220. Prerequisite: MUS 220.
MUS-242 Jazz Composition
3 Credits
A study of the process of jazz composition for small ensembles. Students will examine strategies for creating original melodies, rhythms and harmonies as situated within standard jazz compositional forms such as the blues, song form, modal, ballad and Latin. Students will perform works in progress in class. The class will culminate in a public performance of the best of these compositions. Prerequisites: basic instrumental proficiency and music reading skills
MUS-249 Song Writing
3 Credits
A course in song writing for the professional musician. After analyzing examples from a variety of folk, popular, jazz and art song anthologies, the student will practice setting texts to music, writing melodies, and creating accompaniments. Each student will write no less than three songs during the semester, two with texts and one without. Prerequisites: MUS 106, or basic music reading, notation and keyboard skills or permission of the instructor.
MUS-275 Independent Study in Music
1-3 Credits
Student and instructor determine the project and the number of credits to be earned. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
MUS-297 Special Topics in Music
3 Credits
Specific course content at the discretion of the department. Details are included in preregistration materials.
MUS-297A Special Topics in Music: Introduction To Caribbean Music
3 Credits
A study of the diverse musical genres of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and other Caribbean nations. No musical background required. Prerequisites: ENG 020 and ENG 060.