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.
112 The History of Rock. 4. This course covers half a century of popular music, beginning with the birth of rock and roll out of rhythm and blues. We examine a diversity of genres, including rockabilly, blues, soul, the British Invasion, folk and folk-rock, psychedelia, singer/songwriters, funk and disco, classic rock, punk-rock, New Wave and indie-rock. We study important artists, defining songs, and the fundamental musical characteristics of these many subgenres. The evolution of popular music is also linked to historical events and societal trends, such as the Civil Rights and antiwar movements. Fulfills arts and diversity in the U.S. requirements.
113 Music and Contemporary Culture: Reflections On the Ways Music Affects and Is Affected By Humanity. 4. Explores specific facets of music that 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 HP: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.
121 Classical Instrumental Ensemble. 1. This course is designed for string instruments to experience playing together while studying rehearsal techniques and learning standard repertoire. This course will culminate in a performance experience each semester.
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 improvising 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. Weekly rehearsals of standard concert band literature with the Greensboro Concert Band in the Cultural Arts Centre (transportation required, carpooling is often available). Most performances take place in Dana Auditorium on the Guilford College campus.
129 Orchestra. 1. Weekly rehearsals of standard orchestral literature with the Philharmonia of Greensboro in the Cultural Arts Centre (transportation required, carpooling is often available). Most performances take place in Dana Auditorium on the Guilford College campus.
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 Voice Class. 1. This class is a prerequisite for Private Voice (MUS 272). 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. 1. This course is designed to teach the basic foundations of the Alexander Technique including posture, body awareness, and body alignment. Students will study ways of avoiding and dealing with music-related injuries associated with RSI, tension and tendonitis. 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.
141 Class Piano I. 1. This course in group piano instruction is the first in a four-semester series of performance studies courses required for beginning piano students. Successful completion of the four-semester course, or permission of the instructor, is a prerequisite for Performance Studies in Piano (MUS 270, private piano instruction). One (1) credit. Students should expect to spend approximately three hours per week of individual effort in preparation for this class.
142 Class Piano II. 1. This course in group piano instruction is the second in a four-semester series of performance studies courses required for beginning piano students. Successful completion of the four-semester course, or permission of the instructor, is a prerequisite for Performance Studies in Piano (MUS 270, private piano instruction). One (1) credit. Students should expect to spend approximately three hours per week of individual effort in preparation for this class.
143 Class Piano III. 1. This course in group piano instruction is the third in a four-semester series of performance studies courses required for beginning piano students. Successful completion of the four-semester course, or permission of the instructor, is a prerequisite for Performance Studies in Piano (MUS 270, private piano instruction). One (1) credit. Students should expect to spend approximately three hours per week of individual effort in preparation for this class.
144 Class Piano IV. 1. This course in group piano instruction is the fourth in a four-semester series of performance studies courses required for beginning piano students. Successful completion of the four-semester course, or permission of the instructor, is a prerequisite for Performance Studies in Piano (MUS 270, private piano instruction). One (1) credit. Students should expect to spend approximately three hours per week of individual effort in preparation for this class.
150 Special Topics. 4. May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
152 HP:America and Its Musicals: 1900-1975 (THEA 152). 4. Traces development of the American musical theatre from 1900 to 1975 with a primary focus on the years of significant transformation that begin in 1940. Studies the art from sociological, political, cultural, economic, artistic and historic perspectives. Analyzes individual artists and productions that have influenced and been influenced by the evolving American national identity. Fulfills historical perspectives requirement.
201 Music Theory III. 4. Beginning with the chromatic material that ended Music Theory II (MUS 102), 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.
260 Independent Study. 1-4. May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels.
Note: all courses in the 270’s and 280’s have additional fees.
270 Performance Studies in Piano. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of piano technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
271 Performance Studies in Jazz Piano. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of jazz piano technique, musicality, and literature. Focus on improvisational skills and chart-reading. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
272 Performance Studies in Voice. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of vocal technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits). Prerequisite: MUS 132 or instructor’s permission.
Prerequisite: MUS 132 or instructor’s permission.
273 Performance Studies in Guitar. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of guitar technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
274 Performance Studies in Saxophone. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of saxophone technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
275 Performance Studies in Brass. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of brass instrument (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba)techniques, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
276 Performance Studies in Winds. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of wind instrument (oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon) techniques, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
277 Performance Studies in Bass Guitar. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of electric bass technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
278 Performance Studies in Percussion. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of percussion technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
279 Composition. 1-2. This course is designed to instruct students in the craft of classical music composition including: basic compositional techniques, theoretical concepts, and study of the foundational tools of composing. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
280 Performance Studies in Violin. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of violin technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
281 Performance Studies in Viola. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of viola technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
282 Performance Studies in Cello. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of cello technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
283 Performance Studies in Double Bass. 1-2. Private instruction in foundations of double bass technique, musicality, and literature. Weekly lessons one-on-one occur between student and teacher for 30 minutes (1 credit) or an hour (2 credits).
290 Internship, 1-4. May also be offered at the 390 level.
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. Prerequisite: MUS 101 Music Theory I.
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. Prerequisite: MUS 101 Music Theory I.
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.
410 Jazz Theory. 4. Jazz Theory explores the fundamental musical concepts of the American musical art form, Jazz. Students will study jazz notation and nomenclature, jazz chord and scale structures and relationships, voice-leading and guidetones, melodic conception and melodic paraphrase, common forms, tonicization, common chord substitutions, and basic reharmonization. Concepts covered will be reinforced through graded written assignments, weekly piano exercises, and exams. This course is intended for students pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree. Students enrolled in this course must have completed all four semesters of music theory.
490 Departmental Honors. 4-8. College requirements as well as specific rules and standards may be obtained from the department chair.