Music Program

Purpose Statement

The McPherson College Music Department develops life-long musicians. The department provides an educational experience that unites the artistic standards of a professional music program and the academic breadth of the liberal arts.

The department achieves this purpose when its students successfully

  • analyze and perform music
  • develop musicianship skills through applied lessons, culminating in the senior recital
  • classify and interpret a common body of Western and non-Western music literature
  • meet Kansas State Department of Education and Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards for licensure in the area of music (education emphasis only).

Expectations for All Music Majors

  1. Students will be required to pass the Piano Proficiency Exam upon entrance to the program or enroll in MU330 Private Lessons (Piano) until such time as the requirement is satisfied.
  2. Students will be required to pass the Sight-Singing/Ear-Training Proficiency Exam after completion of MU 259, or continue working on those skills until such time as the requirement is satisfied.
  3. Students will be required to enroll in one large ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) per semester of residence, and in a secondary ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) for 2 semesters.
  4. Students will be required to enroll in the Music Major Lab each semester of residence.
  5. Before being allowed to enroll in junior level music courses, music faculty will formally review all music majors halfway through their sophomore years taking into account their progress in music courses and performance studies.
  6. Students will perform at a minimum of one studio class per semester.
  7. The Senior Recital course will serve to prepare all music majors for a full recital (50 minutes) after a minimum of six semesters of private lessons.
  8. Music licensure majors are required to be active members in music-related professional organization student chapters, such as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
  9. One solo public performance will be required of all music majors every year. This could take the form of a collaborative recital, a solo with a college ensemble, or as part of a student-run chamber group. Music faculty must be present or be provided with a recording of the performance.

Expectations for All Music Minors

  1. Students are required to participate in one large ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) per semester of residence.
  2. Approval from a Music Faculty member to pursue the music minor.
  3. One public performance during their time at McPherson College. This could take the form of a collaborative recital, a solo with a college ensemble, or as part of a student-run chamber group. Music faculty must be present or be provided with a  recording of the performance.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 hours)
MU 236 Music Theory II (3 hours)
MU 336 Arranging and Orchestration (3 hours)
MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 hour)
MU 259 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 hour)
MU 345 Conducting (1 hour)

Performance Study
Private lessons in a student’s major instrument are required for seven semesters (six for music licensure students). Additional semesters may be required to complete the Senior Recital. Ensemble participation is required unless a music licensure student is student teaching.
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour) – Music (non-licensure) majors only
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour) – Music (non-licensure) majors only
Secondary Ensemble (2 hours)
MU 475 Senior Recital (2 hours)
MU 150 Music Major Lab (0 hours)

History and Literature of Music
MU 210 Introduction to World Music (3 hours)
MU 356 Western Music History & Literature (3 hours)

Total: 38 hours (35 hours for music licensure students due to their semester off campus during student teaching)

Bachelor of Arts in Music Licensure

To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Music Licensure, students must:

  1. Meet all of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music,
  2. Meet all of the requirements for the Teacher Education program, and
  3. Complete specific courses for music teacher licensure.

Methods for Music Teaching and Learning
MU 376 Methods for Teaching Music at the Secondary Level 7-12 (3 hours)
MU 372 Methods for Teaching Music at the Elementary Level K-6 (3 hours)
MU 465 Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques (3 hours)

Instrumental Techniques Courses
MU 324 Woodwind and Percussion Techniques (1 hour)
MU 323 Brass and Strings Techniques (1 hour)

Specialized Emphasis Courses
MU 378 Vocal Pedagogy and Diction (1 hour)
or
MU 374 Marching and Jazz Band Methods (1 hour)

Total: 12 hours

Music Minor

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 hours)

Performance Study – Private lessons are required for four semesters.
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)

Enrollment in a large ensemble is required for six separate semesters. (Participation in one large ensemble per semester of residence is also required, even if not enrolled.)
MU 132 College Choir (1 hour) and/or
MU 134 College Band (1 hour)

History and Literature of Music
MU 161 Music Appreciation (3 hours)
or
MU 210 Intro to World Music (3 hours)
or
MU 355 Western Music History and Literature

Total: 16 hours



Music Course Descriptions

MU 132 College Choir
 0-1 hour, by audition with the choral director (can be repeated)
The McPherson College Choir welcomes students and members of the campus community via audition. This mixed choir performs choral works from the Renaissance to the present in various styles, genres, and languages. The choir regularly performs on campus, in the community, and on regional, national, and international tours. This course meets the Human Diversity requirement in the Humanities general education distribution requirement. Purchase of concert attire required.  (Fall, Spring)

MU 134 College Band
0-1 hour, entrance interview and informal audition with the band director (can be repeated)
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to musically express themselves through the study and performance of band literature. It is open to all students with appropriate experience, regardless of major. The band and any ensembles developed from it will perform a variety of wind, band and jazz literature. This course meets the interdisciplinary requirement in the Humanities general education distribution requirement. Prerequisite: Entrance interview and informal audition with the band director. (Fall, Spring)

MU 161 Music Appreciation
3 hours
This course is designed to introduce students to the elements, vocabulary, history, and development of music in Western civilization. Students will be introduced to major style traits, composers, significant compositions, and genres within music thereby gaining greater awareness of how being human is experienced and expressed through the creative process. Music Appreciation assumes a holistic approach and affords students the unique opportunity to study connections between different musical genres and historical periods. This course meets the Human Diversity requirement in the Humanities general education distribution requirement. (Spring, odd years)

MU 136 Music Theory I
3 hours
This is a foundational course in harmonic concepts and their application in reading, studying and performing music. Students will learn the fundamentals of music including musical notation, major and minor scales, key and time signatures, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. This course is a core requirement for music majors and students seeking music licensure. This course meets the Interdisciplinary requirement int he Humanities general education distribution requirement. Co­-requisite: MU 159, Sight Singing and Ear Training I. (Fall, even years)

MU 150 Music Major Lab
0 hours
This course brings together music majors for lectures, recitals, concerts, guest speakers, masterclasses, and performance labs. Topical subjects, including those related to music professions, educational practices, literature, and musicianship, will be covered. This lab is a core requirement for music majors. (Fall, Spring)

MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I
I hour
A study including sight singing, rhythmic performance, improvisation exercises, dictation (melodic, harmonic, rhythmic), and related skills, all designed to develop the student’s musical ear to the highest degree possible. Co-requisite: MU 136, Music Theory I. (Fall, even years)

MU 210 Introduction to World Music
3 hours
This course addresses music as a social phenomenon, inseparable from its cultural context. Therefore, students will study not only a variety of styles and repertoires of music from around the world but also the behaviors, beliefs, and histories of those who make music. Students are encouraged to use the study of music as a tool to analyze broader patterns and dynamics of human activity. This course meets the Human Diversity requirement in the Humanities general education distribution requirement. (Spring, even years)

MU 223 Music Tour
1-3 hours, by consent of Instructor
Travel, lecture, and performance tour of a region of the U.S. or foreign country. Study involves the functions of music and its interaction with culture, emotion, language, dance, art, sculpture and architecture. Travel costs required. (Offered occasionally)

MU 232 Vocal Ensemble
0-1 hour (can be repeated), by consent of Instructor
Vocal ensemble is a select performance ensemble formed by audition from members of the McPherson College Choir. It is designed to give students the opportunity to sing and perform vocal chamber repertoire in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: simultaneous enrollment in college choir and consent of instructor. (Fall, Spring)

MU 234 Instrumental Ensemble
0-1 hour (can be repeated), by audition and/or consent of instructor
This course consists of select trios, quartets, quintets, jazz band or combos, and other like-instrument ensembles organized by audition according to interest and available students. Prerequisite: Simultaneous enrollment in college band and/or consent of instructor. (Fall, Spring)

MU 234A Drum Line
1 hour (can be repeated), by audition and/or consent of Instructor
This course is designed to help students further their musical skills in a drum line setting. Students will rehearse and perform with others as a percussion unit. They will be taught music reading skills, musicality, music terminology, music history, and music theory. We will work on musical exercises designed to build technique as well as music to be performed on our own as a percussion ensemble. There are no prerequisites to the class, and there is no experience necessary. Instruments are provided. An audition and/or permission of the instructor are required. (Fall, Spring)

MU 236 Music Theory II
3 hours
This course offers a foundation in analyzing and writing music that will benefit any musical endeavor and is essential for a music educator. Students will be introduced to structural elements of writing music including four-part voice writing using triads in root position, harmonic progressions and harmonic rhythm, and part writing using triads in first and second inversion. This course is designed for music majors and for students seeking music licensure. This course meets the interdisciplinary requirement in the Humanities general education distribution requirement. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MU 136, Music Theory I. Co-requisite: MU 259, Sight Singing and Ear Training II. (Spring, odd years)

MU 259 Sight Singing and Ear Training II
1 hour
A continuation of MU 159, Sight Singing and Ear Training I. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I. Co-requisite: MU 236, Music Theory II. (Spring, odd years)

MU 323 Brass and Strings Techniques
1 hour, by consent of Instructor
Class instruction in trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, violin, viola, cello, and bass with emphasis on the development of individual performance skills and diagnostic pedagogical techniques and materials. This course is designed for instrumental emphasis music majors seeking music licensure. (Spring, odd years)

MU 324 Woodwind and Percussion Techniques
1 hour, by consent of Instructor
Class instruction in flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, and percussion instruments with emphasis on the development of individual performance skills and diagnostic pedagogical techniques and materials. This course is designed for instrumental emphasis music majors seeking music licensure. (Fall, even years)

———-Private Lessons———-

1 hour (can be repeated)
These lessons offer an intensive learning experience through a one-on-one setting. Students will develop their musicianship and technical ability through the preparation, interpretation and performance of representative works of the past and the present.

MU 330B Brass/MU 330P Percussion/MU 330S Strings/MU 330W Woodwinds
Students will 1) address personal levels of skill and technique as appropriate for their instruments; 2) become aware of professional recordings and performances on their instruments; 3) study appropriate literature for their instruments. Instructor permission is required. Course fee is required.

MU 330G Guitar
Students will 1) address personal levels of skill and technique as appropriate for guitar; 2) become aware of professional recordings and performances on the instrument; 3) study appropriate literature for the instrument. Open to all students. Course fee is required.

MU 330K Piano-Organ
Students will have the opportunity for musical growth both in performance of keyboard literature and in knowledge of the interrelationships between performance, history, and theory. Open to all students. Course fee is required.

MU 330V Voice
Students will develop their ability to access musical and literary resources for vocal music; their understanding of appropriate vocal pedagogy; their ability to identify, through visual and aural analysis, composers and music representing diverse styles, periods, cultures, genres, and techniques of musical organization; and their ability to evaluate musical performances. Instructor permission is required. Course fee required.

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MU 336 Arranging and Orchestration
3 hours
This course is a continuation of Music Theory II. It offers a deepening foundation in analyzing and arranging music that will benefit any musical endeavor and is essential for a music educator. Students will be introduced to the use of Dorico Music Notation software. This course is designed for music majors and students seeking music licensure. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MU 236 Music Theory II. (Fall, odd years)

MU 345 Conducting
1 hour
A study of the fundamental conducting gestures, techniques, and score preparation. Additional focus is given to oral communication and writing related to the art of conducting and self­-evaluation. Prerequisites: MU 236 or Instructor approval. (Fall, odd years)

MU 356 Western Music History and Literature
3 hours
Historical survey of styles, forms, genres, and composers of Western music from antiquity to the present. Prerequisites: MU 236 or Instructor approval. (Fall, even years)

MU 372/CI 372 Methods for Teaching Music at the Elementary Level K-6
3 hours, by consent of Instructor
Materials and procedures for teaching classroom music and music ensembles in grades PreK-6. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic concepts of music as they relate to specific age levels, as well as studying the major approaches to music education. Proper Vocal technique for young students and the teaching of music fundamentals is covered as well. This course is designed for music majors seeking music licensure. (Fall, odd years)

MU 374 Marching and Jazz Band Methods
1 hour, by consent of Instructor
Materials and procedures for teaching marching band and jazz band at the secondary level. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic concepts of jazz music and marching band as they relate to specific age levels, as well as studying the major approaches to music education. Proper marching technique and the teaching of jazz fundamentals are covered as well. This course is designed for music majors seeking music licensure. (Fall, even years)

MU 376/CI 376 Methods for Teaching Music at the Secondary Level 7-12
3 hours, by consent of Instructor
This course provides an overview of and practical applications in the basic technical aspects of organizing, administration, teaching, and conducting music ensembles at the 7-12 public school level. This course is designed for music majors seeking music licensure. (Spring, even years)

MU 378 Vocal Pedagogy and Diction
1 hour, by consent of Instructor
A study of the mechanics of vocal production, including the physiology of the voice and methods of voice training. Also, through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, training in diction for French, German, And Italian languages. This course is designed for choral emphasis music majors seeking licensure. (Fall, even years)

MU 465 Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques
3 hours, by consent of Instructor
This course provides students an in-depth study of band or choral teaching methods and advanced study and practice in band or choral conducting. Topics will include conducting and rehearsal techniques, score study and repertoire. This course is designed for music majors seeking music licensure. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MU 345. (Spring, even years)

MU 475 Senior Recital
2 hours, by consent of Instructor
Music majors are required to complete this capstone experience. The student will complete an intensive preparation of skills and research in conjunction with a 50 minute performance recital. Prerequisite: Private lessons.