We often wonder about an artist's immense creativity, seemingly harnessed with ease. Each of us has tremendous resources of creativity, often under-explored. In this course, students learn to unlock their own potential. No previous artistic experience is required. Activities include readings & discussions; weekly responses; two reflective papers; a presentation on a "found" resource; & one creative project in a medium of the student's choice.

Concert Band

This course seeks to develop the playing, singing, and improvising skills necessary for the idomatic performance of bluegrass music, while also providing an opportunity for discussion of its origins and development. Appropriate for experienced players working to improve their knowledge or for players versed in other genres to learn new styles.

This course seeks to develop the advanced playing, singing, improvising, and collaborating skills necessary to perform in a bluegrass band, along with knowledge of bluegrass history and repertoire. Prerequisite: MUEN 3645

The class is designed to give an introductory look at wind band music development from the early 20th century to present. The class does not require any previous musical experience. The course provides students with historical facts surrounding the wind band movement while allowing students to experience the music aurally.

"Learn to Groove" hand drumming and rhythmic fluency with Robert Jospe. This is the intermediate level of the class. It is a hands on drumming/percussion class using congas, djembes, claves, shakers, etc. This class is designed to enhance ones knowledge of syncopated patterns associated with jazz, rock, African and Latin American music and to improve ones facility in playing these patterns.

University Singers Prerequisite: Instructor permission by audition. Note: Because the subject matter changes each semester, courses numbered MUEN 3600-3690 may be repeated for credit, but no more than sixteen performance credits may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree in the College.

Study of rhythmic patterns associated with rhythms from West African, the Caribbean, Brazil, and the United States, through theory and performance.

Listening sets us up to be involved fully in the life around us, and to be interactive in communities that create together. This course explores listening and sound-making in daily life from many angles including field research, reading, writing, discussion, and group performance workshops. We explore ideas about improvisation, uniting the aesthetic sphere with the broader sphere of social life and active engagement.

Studies pitch and formal organization in European concert music of the 18th and 19th centuries. Includes four-part vocal writing, 18th-century style keyboard accompaniment, key relations, and form. Students compose numerous short passages of music and study significant compositions by period composers. Prerequisite: MUSI 3310 or instructor permission.