Course Descriptions
Music (MUS) Courses
MUS 100 Music Appreciation (3-0) 3 credits
A course for the general interest student, the intent of which is to heighten the student's awareness of the place of music in our culture and enhance his or her enjoyment of the art form itself. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.
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MUS 105 Basic Musicianship (3-0) 3 credits
Major course topics include a study of scales, intervals, key signatures, meters, rhythmic reading, and chords. This course is for students with little or no background in music performance or theory. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.
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MUS 106 Music Theory I (3-0) 3 credits
An introductory course designed for the general student and for individuals majoring in Music or Music Recording. Students learn the fundamentals of harmony, music reading, part-writing in root position, simple chorale analysis, keyboard skills, and sight singing. Attendance at one hour of keyboard lab weekly is required in addition to the lectures. Prerequisite: A score of 13 or higher on the Theory Placement Exam or MUS 105. Co-requisite: MUS 106L. This course carries SUNY General Education Humanities credit.
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MUS 106L Music Theory I Lab (0-2) 1 credit
An introductory course designed for individuals majoring in Music or Music Recording to amplify the material covered in the lecture portion. Course specific skills developed include sight-singing and ear training. The course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit. Co-requisite: MUS 106.
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MUS 107 Music Theory II (3-0) 3 credits
This course is a continuation of Music Theory I. Concepts include a continuation of part-writing triads, a study of chord and non-chord tone function in tonal system, analyses of chorales and easy keyboard literature of the 18th and 19th centuries. Attendance at one hour of keyboard lab weekly is required in addition to the lectures. Prerequisite: MUS 106, Co-requisite: MUS 107L.
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MUS 107L Music Theory II Lab (0-2) 1 credit
This course is a continuation of Music Theory Aural Lab I, designed for individuals majoring in Music and Music Recording. Course content amplifies the material covered in the lecture portion. Course specific skills developed include sight-singing and ear training.
Prerequisite: MUS 106L. Co-requisite: MUS 107.
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MUS 109 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (3-0) 1 credit
A select group of students chosen annually through audition and with the approval of instructor, who perform jazz and pop standards in concerts each semester. Prerequisite: Audition and approval of instructor.
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MUS 110 History of Rock Music (3-0) 3 credits
This is a survey course that traces the history of British and American rock music. Beginning with its roots in jazz, rhythm and blues, and country and western music, the course traces the development of Rock to the present day and examines the cultural, economic, and social contexts of the music. We will study the music of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana, and many more artists. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.
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MUS 111 Master Composers I (3-0) 3 credits
A study of masterpieces of Western Music Literature intended for students with little or no background in music. Students will be introduced to musical terms, forms, styles, genres, and historical periods in order to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of how music works. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.
MUS 117 Master Composers II (3-0) 3 credits
The complimentary study (with MUS 111) of canonic pieces of Western Music Literature as well as critical issues involved in the assertion of canonicity or “greatness”. Students will consider a number of genres including concerti, opera, and symphony.
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MUS 118 Guitar Ensemble (0-3) 1 credit
Members rehearse and perform guitar instrumental arrangements.
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MUS 119 Percussion Ensemble (0-3) 1 credit
Members rehearse and perform percussion instrumental arrangements.
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MUS 120 Finger Lakes Chorale (0-3) 1 credit
A mixed chorus of about seventy singers from both the College and community; performs large choral works from all principal style periods in concerts each semester.
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MUS 125 Finger Lakes Camerata (0-3) 1 credit
A select group of about twenty-four community members and students chosen annually through audition, who perform a cappella works and music for chamber chorus in concerts each semester.
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MUS 126 College Singers (0-3) 1 credit
College Singers is a course offered to students who have at least one semester of chorale ensemble experience. It is designed to develop students' overall musical skills as well as their ability to successfully rehearse and perform wide variety of choral literature in concerts at the end of each semester.
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MUS 127 Jazz Ensemble (0-3) 1 credit
Members rehearse and perform contemporary jazz/rock arrangements and originals. Instrumental ability and some band experience are required.
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MUS 131 132-135, 137, 146, 159, 160, 161, 163-165, 167-169, Applied Music (1-0) 1 credit
Instruction in a particular instrument or voice. All students who take applied music as an elective pay for the lessons in addition to the tuition charge. A minimum of twelve forty-five minute lessons is required per semester for a single academic credit. Students are required to play a performance examination at the end of each term. These courses carry SUNY General Education The Arts credit.
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MUS 155 Rehearsal and Performance (3-3) 3 credits
An intensive course in musical theatre production. Students will prepare a musical or straight play for public performance. Students are required to participate in the load-in and strike processes of the show. This course is open to all students including high school juniors and seniors as well as members of the community. No pre-requisite. May be taken more than once for credit.
(Also listed as THE 105)
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MUS 157 Music Notation Using Sibelius (3-0) 3 credits
This course is an introduction to AVID Sibelius music notation software employing Apple Mac computers. Students will apply music theory to Sibelius software via hands-on projects in music composition, notation, scoring, MIDI, rhythm, and note entry. Sample course topics include Mac computer literacy, music arranging, and composing for film.
Prerequisite: A score of 13 or higher on the Music Theory Placement Exam or MUS 105.
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MUS 170 Techniques of Audio Recording I (4-0) 3 credits
A study of mixer formats, patch bays, decibels, acoustics, and microphones. Emphasis is on gaining practical knowledge through working with recording equipment. Consideration is also given to production concepts and aesthetics. Students will work on both studio and field recording projects. Co-requisite: MUS 106.
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MUS 177 Introduction to Music Business (1-0) 1 credit
This course serves as an introduction to the dynamics of the music industry including intellectual property concerns, distribution and marketing, and how technical innovation affects the current business model.
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MUS 206 Music Theory III (3-0) 3 credits
MUS 206 continues the study of tonal harmony and voice leading from MUS 107. MUS 206 also includes a survey of common chromatic chords, modulation and modal inflection as well as basic formal types and fundamental procedures in fugue. Attendance at one hour of keyboard lab weekly is required in addition to the lectures. Pre-Requisite: MUS 107; Co-Requisite: MUS 206L.
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MUS 206L Music Theory III Lab (0-2) 1 credit
This course is a continuation of Music Theory Aural Lab II, designed for individuals majoring in Music and Music Recording. Course content amplifies the material covered in the lecture portion. Course specific skills developed include sight-singing and ear training. Co-requisite: MUS 206.
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MUS 207 Music Theory IV (3-0) 3 credits
Music 207 is the continued study (from Music 206) of harmony and voice leading (particularly chromatic harmony) and the continued consideration of basic formal idioms in more complex applications. Music 207 also surveys mainstream 20th Century compositional techniques. Attendance at one hour of keyboard lab weekly is required in addition to the lectures.
Pre-Requisite: MUS 206; Co-Requisite: MUS 207L.
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MUS 207L Music Theory IV Lab (0-2) 1 credit
This course is a continuation of Music Theory Aural Lab III, designed for individuals majoring in Music and Music Recording. Course content amplifies the material covered in the lecture portion. Course specific skills developed include sight-singing and ear training. Co-requisite: MUS 207.
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MUS 215 Music History I: Medieval to Baroque (3-0) 3 credits
A study of the evolution of music from Gregorian chant and music of the troubadours through the writings of J.S. Bach. Students will engage with the material in a variety of ways, such as composing.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 and MUS 107.
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MUS 216 Music History II: Classic to Modern (3-0) 3 credits
The history of music from the rise of sonata form in the works of Haydn and Mozart to the twelve-tone, aleatoric, and electronic music of the present. Students will engage with the material in a variety of ways such as listening, researching, and writing.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 and MUS 107.
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MUS 250 Audio Recording Practicum/Internship (3-0) 3 credits
Students are provided with practical experiences on commercial projects in commercial recording studios, live recording and sound reinforcement companies, and/or live recording and sound reinforcement venues. Prerequisites: MUS 170, MUS 176, MUS 270, MUS 271 and permission of instructor.
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MUS 270 Techniques of Audio Recording II (4-0) 3 credits
This is a continuation of audio one. Emphasis will be on gaining experience in the studio thru a variety of student projects. Students will study multi track theory, aural analysis, microphones, effects and sequencing. Prerequisite: MUS 170, Co-requisite: MUS 107.
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MUS 271 Techniques of Audio Recording III (4-0) 3 credits
This course covers all the material acquired in the two prerequisite courses in greater detail, and discusses how to use those concepts within stylistic norms. Throughout the course we will emphasize “ear training” and the art of listening, in conjunction with mixing techniques and practice. Prerequisite: MUS 270, Co-requisite: MUS 206.
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MUS 272 Techniques of Audio Recording IV (4-0) 3 credits
This course serves as a capstone experience for students in the Music Recording Program. Students will be expected to function as a professional recording engineer with clients, booking sessions, meeting deadlines and seeking possible album distribution. Prerequisite: MUS 271, Co-requisite: MUS 207.
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MUS 290 Sound Reinforcement and Live Recording Techniques (3-1) 3 credits
This course provides an introduction to sound reinforcement systems and practical live recording applications. Emphasis is placed on sound system components, design, and function with a hands-on approach to set up, maintenance, troubleshooting, operation, analysis, and safety. Other course topics will include a study of a variety of recording formats as well as digital multi-track equipment and operation leading to individual on-location recording projects. Some basic tools required. Prerequisites: MUS 270.
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