Bachelor of Arts
Music
Degrees and Certificates
Classes
MSM 5114: Private Music Instruction/ Applied Music
Private study Organ, piano accompaniment, or voice
MSM 5201: Research Methodology and Bibliography
The Bibliography course is usually taken during the first year of study and is taught by the music librarian. It introduces students to the resources necessary to do research in music courses.
MSM 5224: Applied Voice/Keyboard
Private study in area needed to strengthen student's skills.
MSM 5300: Sacred Music Seminar I
Masses, Passions and Requiems. An historical survey of Western sacred vocal repertoire, from Gregorian chant to the development of polyphony in Masses, Passions and Requiems by composers such as Leonin and Perotin, Shutz, Bach and Mozart.
MSM 5301: Survey of Sacred Choral Literature
Historical survey of choral repertory from the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
MSM 5302: Children's Choirs
Techniques for working with children singing in choirs. Including a survey of children's liturgical music literature. Home-schooled students may often be used as a resource.
MSM 5303: Chant
A study and practice of chant. An historical survey of Gregorian chant and its place in the liturgy. Latin chant and chant in other languages.
MSM 5304: Diocesan Choir
Participation in Diocesan Choir rehearsals, singing at masses, and other services.
MSM 5305: Theory Seminar
This is a synthesis course in which students will need to apply Music Theory Knowledge to analyze, criticize, compose and arrange music works.
MSM 5306: Survey of Organ Literature
Historical survey of organ literature and its application in a liturgical church setting.
MSM 5307: Sacred Music Seminar II
An examination of the beginnings of Church hymnody, the Western sacred vocal repertoire of French and Italian composers of the Romantic period, and British and American 20th and 21st century sacred music, including the African-American spiritual and Gospel repertoire.
MSM 5308: Multicultural Liturgy
A study of liturgical resources and practices available for the ever evolving multicultural church.
MSM 5311: Diction
A study of English, Latin, French, German, Italian and Spanish pronunciation. Presenting texts through music that are comprehensible for the worshiper.
MSM 5312: Conducting
The director's role in presenting liturgical choral music, including rehearsal techniques, diction, balance, phrasing, interpretation and working with instruments.
MSM 5313: Anatomy and Function of the Singing Voice
Techniques for singing as a soloist/cantor and the role of the voice in a choral setting. The student should have at least two semesters of previous collegiate-level private studio voice study for success in this course. A pianist/organist should have two semesters of voice lessons as a prerequisite and is required to accompany a student singer during several voice lessons. Students will be required to teach a short sequence of lessons to a non-major student, and demonstrate teaching for the class.
MSM 5320: Liturgy I
The Roman calendar, liturgical year, 3-year cycle of readings, the role of music in liturgy, liturgy of the mass.
MSM 5321: Liturgy II
Other forms of liturgy including liturgy of the hours, weddings, funerals and ordinations, role of cantors, chant, singing of psalms, hymnody, and documents of the Church.
MSM 5330: Practicum
1) MSM students will be invited to two or three larger Houston-area parishes with thriving amateur choral programs for adults and children to observe rehearsals and liturgies directed by professional church musicians.
2) MSM students will be mentored by musicians who have worked in the field and better understand how clergy and church musicians collaborate to prepare meaningful and thoughtful music appropriate for the liturgical year. They will accomplish this by attending worship committee and/or liturgy planning meetings; by learning fundamentals of administration, including planning, finances and budgeting; by developing procedures for forming a choir and engaging the congregation in the musical life of the church.
3) MSM students will write a paper on a topic related to observations made.
4) The MSM student will be required to plan and conduct or accompany a mass with appropriate liturgical music in the Chapel of St. Basil on the UST campus, with the permission of the clergy of the Chapel.
5) It is strongly suggested that the student sing with the RC Diocesan Choir as well as being more fully connected to the larger diocesan community. In the Houston area there often are opportunities also to sing larger oratorio and mass settings with an orchestra.
MSM 5392: Independent Study
Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance
of an assigned member of the faculty.
MSM 6293: Special Topics
Graduate level treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.
MSM 6393: Special Topics
Graduate level treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.
MUSC 0115: Supplemental Study
Special work in areas of need. Conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Fall, Spring.
MUSC 0116: Supplemental Study
Special work in areas of need. Conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Fall, Spring.
MUSC 1033: Concert Attendance
The Music Department offers a wide variety of musical programs and lectures by faculty, students and guests. Attendance at 10 of these offerings, or at similar Houston-area events, is required of all Music majors each fall and spring semesters. P/F
MUSC 1105: Jazz Ensemble
Repertoire emphasizes current and historical trends in jazz music. Open to all
members of the University community with permission of faculty member.
MUSC 1106: University Singers
A group of singers who perform music of many styles and periods. Open to all
members of the University community with permission of faculty member.
MUSC 1107: Chamber Music Ensemble
Performance of instrumental duos, trios, quartets, etc., from the classic period to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of faculty member.
MUSC 1108: Wind Ensemble
An ensemble of wind, brass and percussion instruments that performs music from the 18th century to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of faculty member.
MUSC 1109: Opera & Musical Theater Workshop
This workshop is designed for students to explore and perform a varied repertoire from opera and musical theater in fully-staged productions. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 1110: Class Piano, Voice, or Guitar
Beginning group instruction in physical and intellectual mastery of a music instrument/voice. 3-4 students per class.
MUSC 1111: Percussion Ensemble
An ensemble of percussion instruments that performs music of various styles. Open to all members of the University community with permission of music director.
MUSC 1112: Keyboard Accompaniment
Techniques of collaborative playing, including vocal and instrumental repertoire. Open to all undergraduate piano majors or minors.
MUSC 1113: Class Composition or Improvisation
Melodic, harmonic and rhythmic approach toward form leading to composition or improvisation. Prerequisite: MUSC 2363.
MUSC 1114: Applied Music Lessons
Private study in piano, voice or other instrument.
MUSC 1120: Orchestra
An ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that performs music from the Baroque period to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 1224: Applied Music Lessons
Private study in piano, voice or other instrument.
MUSC 1331: Introduction to Music
An appreciation and understanding of music through study of its basic elements, aesthetics and role in society. Listening assignments and concert attendance required. Open to all students.
MUSC 2162: Music Theory I Laboratory for Music Majors
Sight singing, ear training, keyboard practice and aural memorization of classical works correlated to material presented in MUSC 2362.
MUSC 2340: The Story of Theatre I
A basic introduction to the major developments in the theater from antiquity to the restoration. This course will explore the people, the places and the performances in which the human story has come to life on the stage. Play attendance and practical projects are among requirements of this course. (Odd fall) No prerequisite
MUSC 2362: Music Theory I for Music Majors
An accelerated introductory course covering the elements of music, melody, harmony, texture, terms, ear training and sight singing.
MUSC 2363: Fundamentals of Music
An introductory course covering the elements of music, melody, harmony,
texture, terms, ear training and sight singing.
MUSC 2364: Music Theory II
Continued study of melody harmony, style, basic forms and seventh chords.
Prerequisite: MUSC 2362 or 2363.
MUSC 2463: Music Theory I
An accelerated introductory course covering the elements of music, melody, harmony, terms, rules and aural memorization.
MUSC 3105: Jazz Ensemble
Repertoire emphasizes current and historical trends in jazz music. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 3106: University Singers
A group of singers who perform music of many styles and periods. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 3107: Chamber Music Ensemble
Performance of instrumental duos, trios, quartets, etc., from the classic period to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the faculty member.
MUSC 3108: Wind Ensemble
An ensemble of wind, brass and percussion instruments that performs music from the 18th century to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 3109: Opera & Musical Theater Workshop
The workshop is designed for students to explore and perform a varied repertoire from opera and musical theater in fully-staged productions. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 3112: Keyboard Accompaniment
Techniques of collaborative playing, including vocal and instrumental repertoire. Open to all undergraduate piano majors or minors.
MUSC 3113: Class Composition or Improvisation
Melodic, harmonic and rhythmic approach toward form leading to composition
or improvisation. Prerequisite: MUSC 2363.
MUSC 3114: Applied Music Lessons
Private study in piano, voice or other instrument. Prerequisite: Department Consent.
MUSC 3120: Orchestra
An ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that performs music from the Baroque period to the present. Open to all members of the University community with permission of the music director.
MUSC 3141: Classical Music
A survey of Western music from 1750 to 1800: Music of the Enlightenment including opera, the development of the sonata, symphony and concerto, music of Haydn and Mozart. Prerequisite: MUSC 3342
MUSC 3142: The Life and Music of Beethoven
A study of the life and works of the composer with emphasis on the historical and cultural background of the time. Prerequisite: MUSC 3342
MUSC 3220: Diction
This course will emphasize pronunciation in singing in Italian, German, French and English.
MUSC 3221: Piano Literature
Study of keyboard literature from the Baroque period to the present as well as the history of piano performance.
MUSC 3224: Applied Music Lessons
Private study in piano, voice or other instrument. Prerequisite: permission of the
music faculty.
MUSC 3230: Techniques: Wind/Brass/Percussion Methods
Applied methods for learning to play and teach wind, brass, and percussion instruments.
MUSC 3231: Materials and Curriculum: Wind/Brass/Percussion
Methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development for stringed music. For practicum experience, the student will be assigned to work under a mentor teacher to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and requirements of the music teacher.
MUSC 3232: Techniques: String Methods
Applied methods for learning to play and teach stringed instruments.
MUSC 3233: Materials and Curriculum: Stringed Instruments
Methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development for stringed music. For practicum experience, the student will be assigned to work under a mentor teacher to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and requirements of the music teacher.
MUSC 3236: Piano Pedagogy
The teaching of piano in private and school settings. Emphasis on music resources for piano teachers. Prerequisite: permission of faculty member.
MUSC 3237: Techniques: Vocal Pedagogy
The teaching of voice in private and school settings. Emphasis on music resources for voice teachers. Prerequisite: permission of faculty member.
MUSC 3238: Materials and Curriculum: Vocal/Choral
Materials and Curriculum: Methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development for vocal and choral music. For practicum experience, the student will be assigned to work under a mentor teacher to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and requirements of the music teacher.
MUSC 3241: Medieval Music
A survey of early Western music through the 14th Century: Pre-Christian roots, Roman liturgy and chant, early polyphony and secular music. Prerequisite: MUSC 3341
MUSC 3242: Renaissance Music
A survey of Western music of the 15th and 16th Centuries: English and Continental composers, the Reformation, madrigal and rise of instrumental music. Prereq: MUSC 3341
MUSC 3243: Baroque Music
A survey of Western music from 1600-1750: the development of opera, sacred music and instrumental genres up to the death of J.S. Bach. Prereq: MUSC 3341
MUSC 3244: Music from WWII to the Present
A survey of Western music from the end of WWII to the Present: Postwar diverging traditions, including popular, non-Western and technological influences. Prereq: MUSC 3342
MUSC 3333: Form and Analysis
The structure of music from its smallest motival elements through larger complete movement forms; simple and compound song forms, rondo, sonata, dance forms, techniques of variation, fugue and canon. Prerequisites: MUSC 3164, 3364.
MUSC 3335: Orchestral Conducting
This course is an introduction to basic conducting skills with an emphasis on baton technique, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, conducting terminology, transpositions and score reading. Co-requisites: MUSC 3364, 3164. Permission of faculty member.
MUSC 3336: Choral Conducting
Study of the director’s role relative to choral music, including rehearsal techniques, auditions, tone, balance, diction, phrasing and interpretation. Practical experience in rehearsing choral, ensemble. Selection of appropriate literature. Prerequisites: MUSC 3364, 3164. Permission of faculty member.
MUSC 3337: Counterpoint
A study of two–, three– and four–part contrapuntal compositions in the style of 18th century composers. Writing of exercises of two and three and four parts, culminating in composing three–part inventions. Prerequisites: MUSC 3164, 3364.
MUSC 3341: Music History I
Western Music to 1750: Medieval through Baroque Music.
MUSC 3342: Music History II
Western music from 1750: Classical through Contemporary.
MUSC 3344: Music from 1827 through WWII
A survey of Western music from the death of Beethoven through the mid-20th Century: Music influenced by romanticism, nationalism, impressionism and modernism. Prereq: MUSC 3342
MUSC 3351: Art Song
A historical survey of the art song, Leider, chanson and vocal chamber music repertoire from the Baroque period to the present.
MUSC 3363: Music Theory III
Introduction of contrapuntal procedures, further study of dissonances and larger forms. Prerequisite: MUSC 2364.
MUSC 3364: Music Theory IV
Chromaticism, extended musical forms, analysis and composition; extension of
traditional harmony. Prerequisite: MUSC 3363.
MUSC 3375: Orchestration
This course will cover the fundamentals of writing and/or arranging for different types of performing groups, including vocal and instrumental ensembles.
MUSC 4132: Workshops
Short–term (one or two weeks, usually in summer) intensive study (morning, afternoon, evening) of limited scope. Master classes, lecture demonstrations, etc. Fees vary with the event.
MUSC 4191: Internship in Music
Practicum or on–the–job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists
in the music field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the program chair.
MUSC 4192: Directed Reading/Independent Study in Music
Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance
of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: MUSC 2364, 2164.
MUSC 4193: Special Topics in Music
Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.
MUSC 4232: Workshops
Short-term (one or two weeks, usually in summer) intensive study (morning, afternoon, evening) of limited scope. Master classes, lecture demonstrations, etc. Fees vary with the event.
MUSC 4291: Internship in Music
Practicum or on–the–job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists
in the music field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the program chair.
MUSC 4292: Directed Reading/Independent Study in Music
Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance
of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: MUSC 2364, 2164.
MUSC 4293: Special Topics in Music
Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty
member and students.
MUSC 4391: Internship in Music
Practicum or on–the–job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists
in the music field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the program chair.
MUSC 4392: Directed Reading/Independent Study in Music
Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance
of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: MUSC 2364, 2164.
MUSC 4393: Special Topics in Music
Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.
MUSC 4492: Directed Reading/Independent Study in Music
Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance
of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: MUSC 2364, 2164.