Discussion of music and the broad evolution of musical styles from both western and non-western traditions. Students will explore a variety of individual musical topics and participate in class discussions on the creation, performance, and reception of music.

This service-learning, practicum-based course will provide supervised teaching experience in public school and/or community musical settings. The course will emphasize practical teaching skills, including lesson planning, sequencing, communication, motivation, and assessment. Seminar discussions and faculty observation and feedback will build on the weekly practicum.

Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. The course uses service-learning as the primary pedagogical tool for teaching course objectives. Students will work on a comprehensive project(s) and may be required to spend considerable time outside the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 75- 100% of overall instructional time.

One-hour weekly lessons in a major or secondary applied instrument, voice, or composition for two and three credit hour students; thirty minute lessons for one credit hour students. Credit hours vary according to degree program and reflect differing performance expectations and literature difficulty.

Ear training involving advanced chromatic harmony and contemporary materials.

Advanced chromatic harmony and contemporary compositional methods and materials.

Directed chamber music experiences in variable instrumental and vocal catagories (percussion, clarinet, trombone, etc.).

Study of jazz theory with in-depth analysis of chord/scale relationships based on standard period compositions. Study of performance and compositional styles.

 

Weekly one-on-one jazz lessons on a major or secondary-applied instrument or voice.

Introduction to 12-bar blues form and rhythm changes. Compositional styles from Louis Armstrong, the Swing Era, Be-bop, and modern jazz will be studied and performed. The concept of rhythm in each of these styles will be studied.

 

Introductory level jazz big band. Instrumentation is saxophones, trombones, trumpets, plus rhythm section, including piano, bass, drums, and guitar. This ensemble rehearses music from all eras of big band jazz from Duke Ellington through contemporary composers. Students are accepted by audition.

 

The study of chords and corresponding scales and how they are used in jazz context. Students will practice the skill of creating melodies on all chord/scales qualities. Students will study a variety of song forms used in the jazz style, 12-bar major blues, 12-bar minor blues, 32-AABA song form.