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Church Music Major

About Church Music Major more

The Church Music major allows students to pursue music ministry in the area that best suits their interests and talents.

Students benefit from one-on-one relationships with highly skilled faculty who are active professional performers, composers and leaders in their professional organizations. Private instrumental and vocal lessons are available from faculty.

Careers in Church Music more

  • Church Music Director
  • Classroom Music Teacher
  • Composer/Arranger
  • Music Ensemble Director
  • Organist
  • Private Music Lesson Teacher
  • Worship Planner/Coordinator
Course for Church Music Major

CHM-120 Exploratory Lab in Christ. Min

Students explore Christian ministry through various roles and are introduced to the portfolio process leading toward consideration of and entry into the Christian Ministry professional programs.

CHM-266 Formational Models for Chr Min

Through an exploration of the scriptural, theological, historical, and social foundations of Christian ministry, students develop a personal philosophy of ministry and mission statement. Flowing out of this philosophy, students explore essential leadership skills for effective Christian ministry practice and service. As a major project throughout the course, students develop a professional Christian ministry portfolio.

MUS-101 Basic Musicianship

Basic Musicianship is designed for the student with little background in music. This course will present concepts needed for an understanding of the basic fundamentals of music theory. Students will also have an introduction to ear training and the keyboard. (Offered every spring. No prerequisite. This course can serve as a prerequisite for MUS201 and ED446. Studio course.)

MUS-111 Class Piano I

This is the first of two courses in a beginning piano instruction sequence. Through group class instruction students are given a practical knowledge of the keyboard and an understanding of the tonal-rhythmic structure of music. Keyboard skills requisite for handling classroom music situations or for personal enjoyment of music are developed. (Offered every fall and spring. No prerequisite. Players with previous keyboard experience may be exempt by examination. Can serve as a prerequisite to

MUS-112 Class Piano II

This is the second of two courses in a beginning piano instruction sequence. Through group class instruction students are given a practical knowledge of the keyboard and an understanding of the tonal-rhythmic structure of music. Keyboard skills requisite for handling classroom music situations or for personal enjoyment of music are developed. (Offered every fall and spring. No prerequisite. Players with previous keyboard experience may be exempt by examination. Can serve as a prerequisite to

MUS-115 Beginning Guitar I

This course is designed for those with no knowledge of the instrument. Areas covered include tuning the guitar, strumming techniques, chords-two keys, and transposing. Open to all students. (Offered every fall and spring. No prerequisite. Players with previous guitar experience may be exempt by examination and move on to private guitar if desired or needed for program. Studio course.)

MUS-120 Listening to Life:West. Clscl

Using music primarily from the classical Western tradition, this course teaches music listening skills, relates music to history and culture, and reveals music as a conveyer of human emotions, thoughts, and ideals. The course also touches briefly on ethnic folk music, global art music, and popular music (American jazz, musical theatre, and pop music.) (This course earns 2 credits towards the 4 credit Fine Arts component of the general education curriculum. Offered every fall and spring, summers

MUS-121 Listen to Life: Global & Pop

Using global folk and art music and contemporary popular idiom music, this course teaches music listening skills, relates music to history and culture, and reveals music as a conveyer of human emotions, thoughts, and ideals. This course contributes to the Fine Arts/Aesthetic component of the General Education curriculum. MUS121 is required for Music Education students.

MUS-201 Musicianship I

This course begins with a brief review of music fundamentals (scales, keys, intervals and triads) and continues with four-part harmonic writing, and basic analysis. Exercises in keyboard harmony, sight singing, and dictation are included in the course.(Offered every fall. Prerequisite: MUS101 or equivalent as determined by music placement test.)

MUS-202 Musicianship II

Students continue to learn four-part harmonic writing, including the use of inversions and seventh chords. Exercises in analysis incorporate the study of melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and form. Dictation, sight singing, and keyboard harmony are continued. (Offered every spring. Prerequisite: MUS201 or equivalent.)

MUS-261 Beginning Conducting

The goal of this introductory course is to begin to develop a clear and expressive conducting technique. Students will conduct in class frequently, videotaping their work and receiving immediate feedback and suggestions for improvement. Students will learn to conduct regular beat patterns, preparatory gestures, cues, cutoffs, deadbeats, fermatas, asymmetrical patterns, and subdivided gestures. Students will learn to make thoughtful decisions in varying their conducting pattern to show changes

MUS-301 Musicianship III

Students learn to write in the contrapuntal style of the 18th century. Chromatic harmonies and a study of classical period forms are also included in the course. Dictation, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are continued. (Offered every fall. Prerequisite: MUS202 or equivalent.)

MUS-302 Musicianship IV

Students explore the new directions composers have taken in the 20th century and compose their own pieces in various contemporary styles. Keyboard harmony, dictation, and sight-singing are continued. (Offered every spring. Prerequisite: MUS301.)

MUS-321 Music History I

This course explores the Ancient, medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque periods of Western music. (Offered every third semester in sequence with the other two Music History Courses). Prerequisites: MUS120 or MUS121, MUS201.)

MUS-322 Music History II

This course explores the 18th and 19th centuries of Western music. (Offered every third semester in sequence with the other two Music History Courses). Prerequisites: MUS120 or MUS121, MUS201. MUS321 is preferred, but not required.)

MUS-323 Music History III

This course explores Western Music from the late 19th century to the present. (Offered every third semester in sequence with the other two Music History Courses). Prerequisites MUS 120 or 121 and 201. MUS 321 and 322 preferred but not required.

MUS-366 Vocal Techniques & Pedagogy

This course is designed for advanced singers who wish to gain techniques and practice in teaching vocal technique, both in working with individual voice lessons and with choral groups. This course is required for the vocal tracks of the director of parish music (DPM) program and the music teaching major. Activities include leading warm-ups and teaching peer voice lessons. (Offered even falls. Prerequisites: private voice study and consent of instructor. Studio course.)

MUS-425 Choral Literature

A study of the choral literature from the Renaissance through the present (including global choral music) forms the material for this course. Choral composers and representative compositions from each era are studied. The historical perspective on choral music is discussed and a filing card reference library developed. (Offered odd falls. Prerequisites: MUS120, MUS202 or consent of instructor.)

MUS-439 Parish Music Admin Field Exp

This course offers experiences in parish music under the supervision of a cooperating parish musician. Activities include directing choirs, leading and accompanying congregational singing, performing attendant music, working with instrumentalists and cantors, planning worship, and composing practical service music. (Offered on demand. Prerequisite: approval of Music Department.)

MUS-445 Choral Arranging

This course is designed for the musician wishing to make effective settings for choral groups. (Offered odd springs. Prerequisites: MUS301, current or previous enrollment in MUS302.)

MUS-456 Choral Conducting & Methods

This advanced conducting course will apply and develop the skills gained in MUS261, focusing on leading choirs. Topics will include literature selection/programming for various school and church choirs, choral score study, audition procedures, seating formations, rehearsal planning and execution, working to develop vocal quality and musicianship in rehearsals and administration of church and school choral programs. A major component of the course will be the preparation and conducting of a

MUS-492 Composition Recital

The student is challenged to compose a major piece or group of pieces. Students are challenged to begin to develop a personal language, one that gives evidence of skill, imagination and originality and that communicates effectively to an audience. This project is the capstone experience for the Music Major in the Music Theory/Composition track. As part of this capstone, students will submit a written essay describing how the experience implemented and was supported by the Framework for

MUS-493 Senior Project: Thesis

The student will research a musicological topic, write a documented thesis and present their research in a public lecture/demonstration. This project is the capstone experience for the Music Major in the Music History/Literature track. As part of this capstone, students will submit a written essay describing how the experience implemented and was supported by the Framework for Learning. (Offered on demand. Prerequisites: MUS321, MUS322 and consent of instructor.) Honors Lesson fee applies.

MUS-494 Sr Project:Conducting Recital

The student will conduct a public recital of an instrumental and/or vocal ensemble for which they have selected literature, prepared scores, rehearsed the ensemble, and prepared a program. The conducting experience may involve regularly scheduled university ensembles and student organized ensembles. This project is done with the supervision of the appropriate faculty conducting teacher. This is an option for the capstone experience for the Music Major in the Applied Music track. As part of this

MUS-495 Sr. Project: Recital

The student will present a public recital on their primary instrument, building on private lesson study over several semesters. This project is done with the supervision of the student's primary applied teacher. This is the capstone experience for the Music Major in the Applied Music track. As part of this capstone, students will submit a written essay describing how the experience implemented and was supported by the Framework for Learning. (Offered on demand. Prerequisites: MUS9xx and consent

MUS-713 Jubilate Choir

This choir regularly provides music for chapel worship. Special projects include the Fine Arts Christmas Concert and choral worship services throughout the year. While full-year membership is desired, students may audition to enter the choir at semester breaks. Jubilate is an excellent ensemble for students who wish to sing but are involved in other touring ensembles or will be off-campus part of the year as student teachers or interns. (Offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: choral

MUS-860 Voice

1 credit each, repeatable. Meets 1/2 hour per week. May not be taken pass/no pass. These courses may be repeated with credit. Individual lessons on the standard orchestral and band instruments and voice stress proper tone production, phrasing and style. Special techniques unique to the instrument are studied. Material covered includes standard works for the instrument. All lessons include studio classes scheduled throughout the term as a lab time. (Offered every semester. Prerequisites:

THL-203 Old Testament Narrative

A survey of the narrative of the Torah, the Former Prophets, and the Writings. Special attention is paid to the concepts of promise, law, covenant, grace, and the presence of God in the story of God's people. The course concludes with a survey of the intertestamental period and the Old Testament apocryphal literature. This course is required for the minor in Confessional Lutheranism. It is not a general education course.

THL-206 New Testament

An introduction to the historical context and literature of the New Testament. Students master the stories and teachings of early Christianity, practice the use of the tools of biblical interpretation, and grow in their ability to read texts of the Bible in their historical and literary contexts. This course fulfills the introductory general education requirement for Theology, counts toward the minor in Religion, and is required for the minor in Confessional Lutheranism.

THL-241 Church History

A panoramic survey of Christian history and thought from the apostolic age to the present. As such, the course traces the church's institutional history, its theology, its worship life, and the history of its missionary expansion against the larger political, intellectual, and socio-cultural back drop. This course is required for the minor in Confessional Lutheranism. It is not a general education course.

THL-303 Old Testament II

A study of the major and minor prophets; Psalms and wisdom literature; and apocalyptic literature. The course will examine the nature of prophecy, and the nature of worship and response to God's gifts and struggles in life. The overarching framework is God's covenant promise to be with His people and an analysis of how the people responded. (Prerequisite: THL203, Old Testament Narrative; THL206, New Testament)

THL-330 Our Living Faith

A study of the content and effective application of the Christian understanding of creation, redemption, and sanctification; with an exploration of the biblical basis, the conceptual framework and the contemporary significance of the historic doctrines of the church. This course is required for the minor in Confessional Lutheranism. (Prerequisite THL203 Old Testament, THL206 New Testament)

THL-341 Lutheran Confessional Writings

A survey and analysis of the gospel-centered doctrinal content of the Book of Concord in its 16th century historical and theological context. The eleven confessional documents are studied and interpreted as the church's normative exposition of Holy Scripture, to which exposition the evangelical Lutheran church is committed in terms of both theological method and doctrinal substance.

THL-422 Christian Ministry & Practice

The concepts of call, vocation, ministry and team ministry are studied in relation to the worship, witness, teaching, service and fellowship of the church. Students will develop an awareness of the oneness of the church as the body of Christ gathered around Word and Sacrament. The nature of the ministry as servant hood is explored in the context of the life of local churches. Students spend time off campus in local congregations observing and participating in the life of the church.

THL-460 Worship for Lutherans

A study of the interaction between the essential tenets of Lutheran Christianity and the structures of democratic society. Among the topics considered are Christian vocation, the nature of culture and the ways Christianity has historically related to culture (with a special emphasis on the interplay of religion, church and race in North American cultural experience), the functions of Law and Gospel, the Lutheran understanding of the two governments, and the role of Christians in society at

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