Music
Department Head: Barry E. Kopetz
Department Office:
Music Building A
Telephone: (662) 325-3070
Fax: (662) 325-0250
http://music.msstate.edu/
Mailing Address:
Department of Music
PO Box 6240
Mississippi State, MS 30762
University Bands
Ms. Elva Kaye Lance, Director of Bands
Telephone: (662) 325-2713
http://msuband.msstate.edu
University Choirs
Dr. Gary Packwood, Director of Choral Activities
Telephone: (662) 325-7801
http://www.statesings.com/
University Orchestra
Dr. Barry E. Kopetz, Director
Telephone: (662) 325-3070
Mission
The mission of the Department of Music at Mississippi State University is to contribute to the development of broadly acculturated citizens in our state and region through enhanced musical understanding and enriching musical experiences, providing access and opportunity to our diverse population through programs of teaching, research, and service.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Department of Music offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree in a liberal arts tradition of music study. This degree is designed to provide foundation coursework to apply to a variety of interdisciplinary careers including music, in preparation for graduate study, or for self-improvement.
Auditions
All potential music majors and minors are required to audition for appropriate faculty in order to determine their preparedness to enter the program, participate in any ensemble, and determine eligibility for a scholarship or service award.
Although alternate dates are available, the preferred audition date for music majors and minors in all areas is the third Saturday in February. Other audition dates are available by contacting the applied faculty of your area of concentration, the department office (662) 325-3070, or the major ensemble offices.
Transfer Information
After successful admission to the University, and in addition to the music major audition, transfer students are required to complete a music theory and aural skills entrance exam to determine preparedness for upper division study. For more information see the Department of Music website or call 662-325-3070.
Music Minor
Mississippi State University offers MSU students the opportunity to complete a minor in music. The Music Minor is a comprehensive set of courses designed to increase student musicianship and knowledge.
Students must audition and be accepted as a music minor before the minor may be declared. Acceptance in any given studio area is on a space available basis. The requirements for the music minor cannot be completed after graduating from MSU.
For information and required courses, visit the Department of Music website: http://www.music.msstate.edu/academics/minorinmusic/
General Education and College Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1163 | Accelerated Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Foreign Languages | ||
| 3 semesters - Foreign Language - see advisor | 9 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Literature Elective - see A&S requirements | 3 | |
| History Elective - see A&S requirements | 3 | |
| Philosophy Elective - see A&S requirements | 3 | |
| Must be from 2 areas - EN, HI, PHI or REL | 6 | |
| Met in Major Core | 3 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MA 1313 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Math higher than MA 1313 | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Physical Sciences w/lab (CH, GG, PH) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Biological Sciences w/lab (BIO, EPP, PO) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| MU 2323 | Music History III | 3 |
| Social Science | ||
| See A&S requirements | 6 | |
| Must be from 3 areas - AN, CO, EC, GR, PS, PSY or SO | 9 | |
| Met in Major Core | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| MU 1162 | Music History I | 2 |
| MU 2322 | Music History II | 2 |
| MU 1213 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MU 1321 | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MU 1413 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MU 1521 | Ear Training II | 1 |
| MU 2613 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MU 2721 | Ear Training III | 1 |
| MU 2813 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MU 2921 | Ear Training IV | 1 |
| MU 3412 | Conducting | 2 |
| MU 2111 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MU 2121 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MU 3111 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MU 3121 | Piano Class | 1 |
| or MU 3112 | Functional Skills of Piano I | |
| MU 3122 | Functional Skills of Piano II | 2 |
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Computer Literacy Requirement | ||
| Achieved through the Music Theory sequence | ||
| MU 1213 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MU 1413 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MU 2613 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MU 2813 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| Writing Requirement | ||
| EDF 3413 | Writing for Thinking (See advisor for other approved courses.) | 3 |
| Applied Study | ||
| 6 semesters of study at 2 hours per semester: | ||
2 semesters of 1000-level courses | ||
2 semesters of 2000-level courses | ||
2 semesters of 3000-level courses must be completed on the same instrument | ||
| At least 1 semester of 2000-level and 2 semesters of 3000-level work must be completed at MSU. | ||
| Ensembles | ||
| 4 semesters of ensembles must be completed at MSU, two of which must be the designated major ensembles. | ||
| Other Requirements | ||
| Piano Proficiency Exam | ||
| Upper Division Proficiency Exam | ||
| MU 1010 | Recital Hour (must enroll each semester) | 0 |
| Recital or Project | ||
| Music Electives | ||
| Music Electives | 5 | |
| Met in College Core | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
| 1 | See University/A&S Core. |
| 2 | Consult advisor. |
Courses
MU 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
MU 1003 Fundamentals of Music Theory: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Development of skills for music reading, writing, listening and analyzing. Topics will include pitch, rhythm, meter, scales and basic harmony
MU 1010 Recital Hour: 1 hour.
Minimum one (1) hour weekly. Performance and critique experiences in applied music. Required for music (BA) and music education (BME) majors. Can be repeated for credit
MU 1103 African American Music: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. A study of African musical and cultural traditions with focus on the impact of these traditions on the development and advancement of African American Music. (Same as AAS 1103)
MU 1111 Piano Class: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Beginning piano for non-music majors
MU 1113 History and Appreciation of Music: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Historical development of music and the composers of the different eras; individual investigation of related special topics; individual and directed listening to music examples
MU 1123 History and Appreciation of American Music: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Historical development of music and composers of the United States; individual investigation of related American music special topics; individual and directed listening to musical examples
MU 1131 Voice Class: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Class study of Voice Production
MU 1133 The History of Rock and Roll: 3 hours.
Three-hour lecture. History of the development of Rock and Roll from the early 1950’s to the present, including early Rock and Roll, the British invasion, and 21st century current trends; the course examines the symbiotic relationship between music and society
MU 1141 Song Literature: 1 hour.
One hour seminar. Emphasis is placed on the history and compositional characteristics of Western art song in terms of melody, harmony, rhythm, accompaniment, form, and poetry through score study, research presentations, and listening assignments
MU 1151 Vocal Pedagogy: 1 hour.
One hour seminar. Course gives a comprehensive overview of the anatomy/physiology of the human voice, the acoustic properties that govern resonance, and vocal health. It also contains a practicum as students teach voice lessons gaining practical experience
MU 1162 Music History I: 2 hours.
Two hours lecture. An introduction to musical styles and an intensive study of the music and composers of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, emphasizing listening and score-study. (Primarily for Music majors.)
MU 1213 Music Theory I: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Fundamental concepts of notation of key signatures, intervals, scales, chords, and clefs. Principles of Common-Practice Period Functional Harmony. Co-requisite:MU 1321 or consent of instructor
MU 1241 Diction I: 1 hour.
One hour seminar. Course acquaints voice student with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols and their application to English and German languages. Correct singing pronunciation of these languages as applied to art song will be the focus of the course
MU 1251 Diction II: 1 hour.
One hour seminar. Course acquaints voice student with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols and their application to Italian and French languages. Correct singing pronunciation of these languages as applied to art song will be the focus of the course
MU 1321 Ear Training I: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Aural indentification, singing and dictation of major and minor scales, diatonic melodies, isolated harmonies, simple intervals and rhythms. Co-requisite: MU 1213 or consent of instructor
MU 1413 Music Theory II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: C or better in MU 1213). Three hours lecture. Further elements of harmony, including seventh-chords, non-chord tones, chromatic vocabulary. Small forms. Co-requisite: MU 1521 or consent of instructor
MU 1521 Ear Training II: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: C or better in MU 1321) Two hours laboratory. Aural identification, singing and dictation of diatonic melodies, triads, simple intervals and rhythms. Co-requisite: MU 1413 or consent of instructor
MU 2011 Third Year Woodwind Ensembles: 1 hour.
(Audition Required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant woodwind literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2012 World Music: 2 hours.
Two hours lecture. A survey of the non-Western musics and music cultures of the world. The course will serve as an introduction to the discipline of ethnomusicology, the study of music in the context of culture
MU 2111 Piano Class: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Beginning piano for instrumental and vocal music majors
MU 2121 Piano Class: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Beginning piano for instrumental and vocal music majors
MU 2322 Music History II: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MU 1162 or permission of instructor.) Two hours lecture. An intensive study of the music and composers of the Baroque and Classical periods, Monteverdi through Beethoven, emphasizing listening and score-study.(Primarily for Music majors.)
MU 2323 Music History III: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or betterin MU 2322 or permission of instructor.) Three hours lecture. An intensive study of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Western Art Music and composers and music for non-Western cultures, emphasizing listening, score-study, writing and speaking. (Primarily for Music majors.)
MU 2411 Guitar Ensemble: 1 hour.
(Audition required) One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of guitar ensemble literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2511 Marching Band: 1 hour.
(Audition Required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant marching band literature. May be repeated for credit more than once. (Fall semester only)
MU 2521 Steel Drum Ensemble: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. Exploration of performance techniques, repertoire, and cultural history of Trinidadian steel drums. No audition required. May be repeated for credit
MU 2531 Concert Band: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant concert band literature. May be repeated for credit more than once. (Spring semester only)
MU 2551 Percussion Ensemble: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant percussion literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2561 Symphonic Band: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant symphonic band literature. May be repeated for credit more than once. (Spring semester only)
MU 2571 Wind Ensemble: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. Study, rehearsal and performance of select literature from the wind band repertory. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2611 Concert Choir: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant choral literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2613 Music Theory III: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: C or better in MU 1413).Three hours lecture. Chromatic vocabulary, including augmented sixth chords, Neapolitans and modulation, Late Romantic and early 20th Century innovations such as extended tertian chords and substitution chords. Co-requisite: MU 2721 or consent of instructor
MU 2631 Starkville Community Choir: 1 hour.
(Audution required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant choral literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2681 Opera Workshop: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. Course acquaints the voice student with the basics of stagecraft, movement, and acting skills. Course provides the student with the opportunity to study, develop, and improve their dramatic skills outside of the voice studio
MU 2721 Ear Training III: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: C or better in MU 1521) Two hours laboratory. Aural identification, singing and dictation of diatonic melodies with chromatic inflection, seventh chords and rhythms. Co-requisite: MU 2613 or consent of instructor
MU 2731 Chamber Singers: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant choral literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2813 Music Theory IV: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: C or higher in MU 2613 and MU 2721, or equivalents; Co-requisite MU 2921 unless already passed with C or better.) Three hours lecture. Advanced harmony and musical structure; mastery developed through readings, exercises, examinations, and creative projects
MU 2851 Brass Ensembles: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant brass literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2911 Jazz Ensemble: 1 hour.
(Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of significant jazz ensemble literature. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 2921 Ear Training IV: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: C or better in MU 2721; co-requisite: MU 2831 or consent of instructor). Two hours laboratory. Aural identification, singing and dictation of modes, artificial scales, non-triadic chords, modulating melodies , compound intervals
MU 2951 Philharmonia: 1 hour.
(Two hour studio.) Study, rehearsal and performance of orchestral repertory with a focus on literature for chamber orchestra. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: audition or invitation
MU 2990 Special Topics in Music: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MU 3013 Survey of Western Music History I: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. A survey of western music history from Antiquity through the Baroque Period (up to ca. 1750 A.D./C.E.). This course serves as the first in a 2-course music history sequence required for music majors
MU 3023 Survey of Western Music History II: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. A survey of western music history from Classical Period through the present (from ca. 1750 A.D./C.E.). This is the second in a 2-course music history sequence required for music majors
MU 3111 Piano Class: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: grade of C or better in MU 2121 or equivalent or permission of instructor). Two hours laboratory. Intermediate piano for instrumental and vocal music majors; continuation of MU 2121
MU 3112 Functional Skills of Piano I: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Prior credit or concurrent enrollment in MU 1213-1413). Two hours laboratory. Functional keyboard skills for music majors who read and play intermediate to advanced-level piano repertoire
MU 3121 Piano Class: 1 hour.
Two hours laboratory. Continuation of MU 3111
MU 3122 Functional Skills of Piano II: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Prior credit or concurrent enrollment in MU 1213-1413). Two hours laboratory. Functional keyboard skills for music majors who read and play intermediate to advanced-level piano repertoire
MU 3123 Creative Arts for Elementary and Middle Levels: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education) Three hours lecture. An exploration of musical and artistic elements utilizing a variety of multicultural music, dance, drama and aesthetic visual. (Same as EDE 3443)
MU 3201 Collaborative Piano Ensemble: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: late intermediate to early advanced piano skills. Audition required). One to five rehearsals per week. The study and performance of vocal/piano and instrumental piano repertoire. May be repeated for credit more than once
MU 3333 Orchestration: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: C or higher in MU 2813 and MU 2921, or equivalents, plus fully-passed Music Theory Upper Division Proficiency Examination.) Three hours lecture. Study of instruments and orchestration techniques; mastery through readings, exercises, examinations, presentations, and creative projects
MU 3412 Conducting: 2 hours.
Two hours lecture. The elements of conducting, baton technique, and interpretation
MU 3433 Piano Literature: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Repertoire, curriculum building, in a chronological and historical organization for teachers. Includes learning repertoire for teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced piano. Recommended for all students in the keyboard concentration. Requires music reading and some knowledge of history
MU 3442 Advanced Conducting: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: MU 3412 or consent of instructor). One hour lecture. Two hours laboratory. Continuation of MU 3412 with emphasis on interpretation of significant instrumental and choral literature
MU 4000 Directed Individual Study in Music: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
MU 4313 Form and Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: C or higher in MU 2813 and MU 2921, or equivalents, plus fully-passed Music Theory Upper Division Proficiency Examination.) Three hours lecture. A survey of forms in music literature, with emphasis on harmonic structure and analytical techniques
MU 4322 Band Arranging: 2 hours.
Two hours lecture. (Prerequisite: Passing scores on both written and aural portions of the Music Theory Upper Division exam.) Study of idiomatic writing for instrumental ensembles, including marching, concert, and jazz bands
MU 4990 Special Topics in Music: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MU 6990 Special Topics in Music: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
MU 7000 Directed Individual Study in Music: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged. modulations, and harmonic analysis
MU 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Music: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
MU 8990 Special Topics in Music: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)