Introduces and develops basic skills in reading and writing musical notatoin, keyboard, sight singing, and aural skills. This course functions as the first level of the music theory sequence and should be envisioned much like the first level of a language sequence. For all students regardless of background.

A course designed to develop skills in listening to music and to introduce the literature of Western art music. For all students regardless of background.

An overview of film music from the silent era to the present, covering important composers and discussing the various techniques and aesthetic approaches involved in combining music and film. Designed for all students.

Survey of basic harmonic principles up through secondary chords and basic modulation procedures. Continuation of keyborad, sight-singing, and aural skills begun in MUSI 100. For students with an interest in music as a major or minor. Prerequisite: MUSI 100, approval of instructor, or successful completion of a placement examination

A study of America’s true art form, jazz music, in its various forms and styles, with a goal of understanding and appreciating how jazz music reflects the culture and society of its time. For all students regardless of background.

An introduction to some of the major works in the active operatic repertoire. Designed for all students.

An introduction to popular music since 1900. Works covered range from the late 19th century up to today. Designed for all students.

Survey of selected folk, classic, and popular musics from around the world. Designed for all students regardless of background.

An introduction to individual composers, specific musical genres, or the art music of a particular country. For all students regardless of background.

Continuation of MUSI 202 Diatonic Harmony. Survey of more advanced concepts including augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan chords, and advanced modulations. Continuation of keyboard, sight-singing, and aural skills developed in MUSI 202. Prerequisite: MUSI 202

Students are introduced to a variety of topics related to music research in Western European history, approximately 500 AD to 1750. Topics addressed include: the religious context of music in medieval Europe, changing notions of authorship and musical creativity across time periods, gender roles in music, interdisciplinarity in early opera, and a critical examination of the nature of the Western musical canon. The course also introduces students to research skills that are drawn upon in MUSI 312 and the senior capstone project. Prerequisite: MUSI 202, or permission of instructor

Students continue their study of research topics involving Western art music from 1750-present. Topics addressed include: musical topos and rhetoric in the Classical period, the social implications of comic opera, individuality and creativity in the 19th century, music as a response to global conflict, and postmodernism in late 20th century music. Prerequisite: MUSI 311, or permission of instructor

The study of scores, interpretation, and movement. Emphasis is on the development of a non-verbal vocabulary to communicate artistically with members of an ensemble in order to solicit a predetermined musical result. Prerequisite: MUSI 202

Application of the skills acquired in MUSI 202 Diatonic Harmony and MUSI 301 Chromatic Harmony through the analysis of large-scale musical forms. Includes a survey of standard forms from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as post-1900 procedures and compositional techniques. Prerequisite: MUSI 301

Chosen from the membership of the Choir, the Hendrix College Chamber Chorale is a small select group that specializes in vocal chamber works from the Renaissance to the present. The Chamber Chorale rehearses two hours weekly. Chamber Chorale is a non-credit ensemble. Prerequisite: Concurrent participation in Choir

The Hendrix College Jazz Ensemble is open to musicians interested in performing jazz literature that ranges from big band arrangements to progressive jazz. The ensemble rehearses ninety minutes weekly. Prerequisite: concurrent participation in Wind Ensemble. (Open to all students by permission of the instructor. No credit is offered for participation.)

Open to all women without audition, the Women’s Ensemble performs music of all styles for treble voices. The ensemble rehearses 2 hours weekly and is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan. Women’s Ensemble is a non-credit ensemble.

Music majors must attend a total of 35 recitals and performances throughout their four years at Hendrix. Students enroll in this course during their senior year and earn a grade determined by the percentage of the 35-required performances they have attended. The performances students have attended are logged by the student and their advisor. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of the Music Department chair

The Hendrix Choir is an auditioned mixed voice choral ensemble that studies and performs repertoire from a broad spectrum of musical traditions and historical time periods. Recent projects have included performances of Latin American vocal music, gospel and collaborative programs with the Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The Choir performs several times yearly, including the annual Candlelight Carol Service, and campus-wide events such as convocations and commencement. The Choir rehearses 80 minutes three times weekly and is conducted by Dr. Andrew Morgan. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

The Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra performs at least two concerts per semester and rehearses four hours per week. Repertoire is drawn from all historic periods with emphasis on the classic tradition, historic performance practice, working with living composers, guest artists and student soloists, dance, theatrical, and symphonic genres. Student musicians who play woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, and stringed instruments enroll in HCCO by audition and/or permission of the conductor. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group composed of students from a wide variety of majors on campus. Drawing from symphonic band, wind ensemble, and chamber winds repertoire, the ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary works. The Wind Ensemble performs four concerts annually and rehearses 80 minutes three times per week. It is conducted by Dr. Gretchen Renshaw. (Taken for letter grade-only, with ¼ credit weight.)

Piano students may receive music activity credit if they rehearse and accopany lessons for at least four hours each week during the course of a semester. Must be taken for a grade.

One half-hour instruction weekly. Fee: Private instruction, $150 per semester. Fee is waived for students who must study piano or voice in order to complete MUSI 201 or MUSI 202 successfully. Private and class instruction in piano, organ, voice, string, wind, and percussion instruments. Adequate piano proficiency is a prerequisite for organ study. Three hours practice (30 minutes daily for six days) required each week. Non-majors and music majors taking MUSA 300 in a secondary area may elect to take MUSA 200 on a credit-only basis. In this case the student must declare intention to take this course for credit only within the first two weeks of the semester at the Office of the Registrar. All other policies regarding Credit Only courses also apply.

An introduction to the basics of playing the piano and music notation. This course is intended for students with little to no prior piano experience. Students who successfully complete this course may then move on to private piano lessons. This course may not be repeated. Lesson fees do not apply to this course.

One hour instruction weekly. Fee: $300 per semester. Private instruction in piano, organ, voice, and string, wind, and percussion instruments. Adequate piano proficiency is a prerequisite for organ study. Six hours practice (60 minutes daily for six days) required each week. Students may enroll in MUSA 400 only after successful completion of an audition before the music faculty. MUSA 400 is intended primarily for music majors and minors. After successful completion of the audition, non-majors may enroll in MUSA 400 if there is space available. MUSA 400 is a graded music activity course.