Page 177 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

College, but exceptions may be possible depending on equivalent courses offered by the host school. Majors may not be abroad first semester senior year in order to take the required Senior Seminar at BC. Before going abroad, both minors and majors should have completed Chromatic Harmony in theory, and majors, in addition, should have taken a few of the history or cross-cultural courses. Thus acceptable offerings from abroad tend to lean towards courses in music history or in cross-cultural studies, with some upper-level theory courses acceptable. Usually students complete six or nine credits; however, majors have had as many as twelve credits fulfilled abroad. Students should contact Jeremiah W. McGrann, the Director of the Undergraduate Program in Music, to plan an acceptable course of study for their semester or year abroad. The department recommends the music programs offered at Kings College, London, and University College, Cork, Ireland. Recommended Course of Study Freshman Year All students with a serious interest in music should try as freshmen to take or test out of MU 070 Fundamentals of Music Theory, a course covering the notation of music and fundamental ear-training. The theory courses (especially MU 070 Fundamentals and MU 110 Harmony) are essential and necessary indicators of how well a student will be able to succeed in the major and to speak the language of music. Those who can test out of MU 070 and who wish to fulfill the Arts Core requirement with a music course should take MU 066 Introduction to Music, a general introduction to the field and its various methodologies. Arts Core courses in Fine Arts or Theater are also possible instead of Music and are recommended for those who wish a broader understanding of the Arts. Sophomore Year Harmony and Chromatic Harmony should be taken in sequence along with MU 081-082 Ear Training/Sight Singing Labs. Two history courses in Western Music (selected from Medieval-Renaissance, Baroque Music, Music of the Classical Era, Music of the Romantic Era, Music of the Twentieth Century, or a composer or genre course) or one history course and one cross-cultural course should be taken. The first years required Listening Repertoire should be mastered. Some performance experience (Orchestra, Chorale, Band, Chamber Music, non- Western performance, and/or private lessons) should be started and pursued throughout the rest of the major. Junior Year Counterpoint and a choice of Jazz Harmony, Form and Analysis, Orchestration, or Composition and a second or third history course and/or a cross-cultural course should be taken. The second year of the required Listening Repertoire should be mastered. Senior Year Any advanced courses in the department relevant to the particular emphasis the student has chosen performance, composition, history, or cross-cultural and the Senior Seminar, which will help the student synthesize previous course work. The final year of the required Listening Repertoire should be mastered. Recommended Course of Study: Minors Students can add music as a minor as late as their Junior year, but no later than second semester as the minor requires a minimum of three consecutive semesters in order to complete the theory sequence of the following: Fundamentals, Harmony and Chromatic Harmony. The history and cross-cultural component may be taken at any time in conjunction with various levels of theory, although some understanding of Fundamentals is recommended for students with little, previous, formal background in music. Undergraduate Course Offerings Note: Future course offerings and courses offered on a periodic basis are listed on the World Wide Web at http://www.bc.edu/courses/. MU 030 History of Rock and Roll and Popular Music in the United States (Fall: 3) Satisfies Arts Core Requirement From the blues to country, jazz to rock, our nations political, social and economic history has been mirrored and influenced by the styles of popular music developed in our cultural melting pot. This course will provide an overall history of popular music in America with emphasis upon mainstream popular music since 1954. Its focus will be on the independence and interdependence of black and white musical cultures in America. Students will learn stylistic developments in popular music, acquire interpretive strategies, including methods of aural analysis that will view popular songs as historical texts as well as autonomous works of art. Ann Morrison Spinney MU 051 Irish Fiddle/Beginner (Fall: 1) Corequisite: Performance course Students will learn to play easy tunes by ear and begin to develop violin technique using scales, bowing and fingering exercises and notereading practice. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to perform with the advanced fiddle and whistle students. Classes are taught by Laurel Martin, a well-known and respected Irish fiddle player and teacher. Violin rentals are possible. A small portable recorder is required. Laurel Martin MU 052 Irish Fiddle/Experienced Beginner (Spring: 1) Prerequisite: MU 051 For students who have taken a full semester of Beginner Irish Fiddle (MU 051) or who have at least one years experience playing the violin. This class will help students continue in the development of violin technique. Students will learn more advanced Irish dance tunes with some beginning ornamentation (bowing and fingering). Students may take the experienced beginner class for more than one semester until they feel ready to move to the Intermediate level. Violin rentals are possible. A small portable recorder is required. Laurel Martin MU 053 Irish Fiddle/Intermediate (Fall/Spring: 1) Prerequisite: MU 051 For students who have at least three years experience playing the violin (classical or traditional Irish) or who have taken the Experienced Beginner class (MU 052) and whom the instructor feels is ready for the intermediate level. Traditional music will be taught with a focus on ornamentation, bowing and style. Airs and dance music of Ireland will be covered along with music of the ancient Bardic harpers and court musicians. Classes are taught by Seamus Connolly, one of the worlds leading Irish traditional musicians and ten-times Irish National Fiddle Champion. Violin rentals are possible. A small portable recorder is required. Seamus Connolly ARTS AND SCIENCES The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 177

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