Music Courses

101 Music Theory I. 4.
This course in basic musicianship examines the materials and structures of diatonic music: time, melody, harmony, and form. Students must be able to read music; diatonic ear training and sight singing are required components of the class. Fulfills arts requirement.
102 Music Theory II. 4.
A continuation of MUS 101 in which resources of the tonal system are analyzed with emphasis on seventh chords, both diatonic and chromatic. Traditional part writing is stressed; some chromaticism is introduced in ear training and sight-singing. Prerequisite: MUS 101 or permission of instructor.
103 Diction I. 1.
This course includes the study of articulation, phonetics, the International Phonetics Alphabet (IPA) and the application of IPA to Italian, Latin, and English song texts. It is required for music majors (in voice) and recommended for students enrolled in MUS 120: Choir, MUS 132: Class Voice, and/or MUS 272: Private Voice.
104 Diction II. 1.
This course continues the study begun in MUS 103 and includes the application of IPA to German and French song texts. It is required for music majors (in voice) and recommended for students enrolled in MUS 120: Choir, MUS 132: Class Voice, and/or MUS 272: Private Voice. Prerequisite: MUS 103 or permission of the instructor.
110 Jazz Appreciation. 4.
Explores the many facets of jazz as a musical art form with regards to ethnicity, cultural, historical, and musical evolution. Live performances in and out of the classroom enhance the experience. Fulfills arts and diversity in the U.S. requirements.
111 Music Appreciation. 4.
Introductory course designed to train students in perceptive, intelligent listening. Selected representative works from plainsong through contemporary music. Fulfills arts requirement.
113 Music and Contemporary Culture: Reflections On the Ways Music Affects and Is Affected By Humanity. 4.
Explores specific facets of music which affect and are relevant to contemporary culture. Students will be asked to question the significance of music within social structure, religion, politics, economics, education, and issues of gender and race. Fulfills arts and diversity in the U.S. requirements.
119 Music and Social Conflict. 4.
Examines a period of history that includes both the continuation of Classical/Romantic traditions and the dramatic and sometimes sudden shifts in Western musical style directly affected by world crisis. The music studied will include works from the various movements of Modernism, Neoclassicism and specific works inspired by the Holocaust. Fulfills historical perspectives requirement.
120 Guilford College Choir. 1-2.
Provides opportunities for growth, enrichment, and service through quality performances that share the choral art with the college and larger communities.The choir's repertoire includes extended choral works with orchestra as well as smaller selections in a variety of languages and styles. The choir is non-auditioned; all students with a desire to work hard, build community and explore the art of choral singing are welcome.
122 Guitar Ensemble. 1.
The Guilford College Guitar Ensemble is a dynamic group that performs on and off campus. Weekly rehearsals include work on ensemble techniques, and a wide variety of literature ranging from renaissance to 20th century. Students involved build a strong sense of community with fellow ensemble members. Guitar Ensemble is open to music majors, students concentrating in music, or through an audition process of all other main campus students.

124 Jazz Ensemble. 1.
Allows the young jazz musician to rehearse and perform within a small combo. Techniques for improving are explored as well as the role of each instrument in the jazz tradition. Students are expected to read music and develop their soloing skills through practice.
125 Chamber Singers. 1.
A select choir of 20 singers who perform primarily a cappella literature spanning a variety of musical periods. The choir performs in a number of venues around the Guilford campus and Greensboro community. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.
127 Concert Band. 1.
129 Orchestra. 1.

Note: all courses in the 130's have additional fees.
130 Guitar: Hum and Strum. 1.
Designed for the beginning player who wishes to learn basic song accompaniment. Students will build a strong foundation of chordal knowledge, finger-picking patterns, right-hand technique, and a general understanding of the fretboard in the first position. Students do not need to know how to read music; however, they must own their own instrument.
131 Guitar: Picks and Tabs. 1.
For guitarists who play either electric or acoustic guitar and are familiar with picks and tablature notation. The class will learn pieces in the following styles: folk, country, rock, and jazz. A prerequisite semester of private or class instruction is recommended and a working knowledge of chords is most helpful.
132 Class Voice. 1.
This class is a prerequisite for MUS 272: Private Voice. Students learn healthy effective technique for solo singing in a supportive group environment.
134 African Drumming. 1.
Learn techniques and patterns commonly employed in traditional West African cultures. The primary focus is on the djembe, but other drums are employed as well. No musical background is required, although students will be expected to furnish their own instruments.
136 Alexander Techniques (THEA 128). 1.
CR/NC.
140 Opera Scenes. 1-4.
Students study, prepare, and perform selected solo and ensemble literature from scenes taken from opera and musical theater. Roles are assigned on the basis of audition.
201 Music Theory III. 4.
Beginning with the chromatic material that ended MUS 102: Music Theory II, this course studies historic developments that led to post-romanticism and beyond. An overview of 20th-century compositional practices including impressionism, atonality, and serialism is presented. Ear training and sight singing are involved with modulation and chromaticism. Prerequisite: MUS 102 or permission of instructor.
202 Music Theory IV. 4.
Traditional formal structures are explored and analyzed. Great works from the Western repertoire are studied both intellectually and aurally. Ear training and sight singing are involved with chromaticism. Prerequisite: MUS 201 or permission of instructor.
205 Guitar Pedagogy and Literature. 4.
Examines two important facets of the classical guitar. The first half of the semester explores the history of the classical guitar, its players and music. The second half deals with teaching the guitar. Students will observe lessons, compare and analyze methodologies, and gain hands-on teaching experience. This class is intended for the guitar major or concentrator, but no prerequisite is required.
210 Conducting. 2.
A beginning course that introduces students to the basic skills of conducting. Emphasis is placed on the mastery of conducting patterns, techniques of expressive conducting, and an interpretative knowledge of musical terms. Prerequisite: must have taken or be enrolled in MUS 102.
215 Music of the World. 4.
This survey studies and documents traditional music cultures from Africa, India, Japan, and Indonesia. Student presentations focus on other cultures of the world. Fulfills intercultural requirement.

Note: all courses in the 270's have additional fees.
270 Performance Studies in Piano. 1-2.
272 Performance Studies in Voice. 1-2.
Prerequisite: MUS 132 or instructor's permission.
273 Performance Studies in Guitar. 1-2.
274 Performance Studies in Strings. 1-2.
275 Performance Studies in Brass. 1-2.
276 Performance Studies in Winds. 1-2.
277 Performance Studies in Bass Guitar. 1-2.
278 Performance Studies in Percussion. 1-2.
279 Composition. 1-2.
302 Junior Recital. 1.
A public performance comprised of 20-30 minutes of literature standard to the instrument/voice. The selection is determined by the Applied teacher and must have departmental approval. A juried recital hearing must be passed approximately four weeks prior to the public performance.
310 Music History I. 4.
Explores Western art music from ancient times through 1750. Music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods is examined with an emphasis on the place of art music in society. Ability to read music is helpful. Fulfills arts requirement.
311 Music History II. 4.
Explores Western art music from the classical period through the contemporary period. Music from the Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and 20th-century stylistic periods is examined with an emphasis on the place of art music in society. Ability to read music is helpful. Fulfills arts requirement
402 Senior Recital. 1.
A public performance comprised of 40-60 minutes of literature standard to the instrument/voice consisting of several stylistic periods (and languages for voice). The selection is determined by the Applied teacher and must have departmental approval. A juried recital hearing must be passed approximately four weeks prior to the public performance. The student is expected to write program notes (and translations as applicable) that reflect in-depth scholarship. CR/NC.
403 Senior Project. 2.
Under guidance of their music faculty project advisor, students research an aspect of music of special interest. For example, a student may wish to research a topic and write a thesis; another student may wish to rehearse a small ensemble and direct its performance. The project must be approved by the department approximately at least 10 weeks before the expected completion of written work/public presentation.
450 Special Topics. 1-4.
460 Independent Study. 1‑4. May also be offered at 260 and 360 levels.
470 Senior Thesis. 1-4.
490 Departmental Honors. 4-8.
College requirements as well as specific rules and standards may be obtained from department chair.