Page 178 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

MU 066 Introduction to Music (Fall/Spring: 3) Satisfies Arts Core Requirement This course will attempt to develop essential and critical listening faculties by employing a chronological survey of the elements, forms, and various types of music that the serious listener is exposed to today. The principal emphasis of the course will be on traditional Western art music from medieval Gregorian Chant to twentieth-century electronic music but certain excursions into the world of non-Western musics, jazz, and American popular song will be included to diversify and enrich the experience of listening critically to music. Ralf Gawlick Matthew Gelbart T. Frank Kennedy, S. J. Jeremiah McGrann MU 070 Fundamentals of Music Theory (Fall/Spring: 3) Satisfies Arts Core Requirement An introductory music theory course designed for students with a strong interest in music. As a Core course it includes speculations on how musical discourse informs our perception and understanding of the world around us. Students learn to acquire skills in music notation and transcription. The following theoretical concepts will be extensively covered: notation of pitch and rhythm, scales, intervals, chords, and harmonic progression. Students leave the course prepared for upper level study in music theory and will begin to question broader issues concerning the meaning and use of music. Michael Burgo Ralf Gawlick Matthew Gelbart Sandra Hebert Margaret McAllister MU 071 Irish Dancing/Advanced Beginner (Fall/Spring: 1) Performance Course. World-renowned Irish dance instructor/choreographer Michael Smith will offer Irish dance classes focusing on the traditional ceili dances of Ireland. Emphasis on the basic steps needed to execute ceili dances and demonstration of couple dancing will be the primary concentration of this class. Meghan Allen MU 072 Irish Dancing/Advanced (Fall/Spring: 1) Performance Course. World-renowned Irish dance instructor/choreographer Michael Smith will offer Irish dance classes focusing on the traditional ceili dances of Ireland. Emphasis on the basic steps needed to execute ceili dances and demonstration of couple dancing will be the primary concentration of this class. Meghan Allen MU 073 Irish Dancing/Beginner (Fall/Spring: 1) Performance Course. No prior experience necessary. World-renowned Irish dance instructor/choreographer Michael Smith will offer Irish dance classes focusing on the traditional ceili dances of Ireland. Emphasis on the basic steps needed to execute ceili dances and demonstration of couple dancing will be the primary concentration of this class. Meghan Allen MU 076 The Boston College Symphony Orchestra (Fall/Spring: 0) Prerequisite: Audition required Performance Course The orchestra gives three full concerts each year plus the annual Messiah Sing in December. At various times the orchestra performs with the B.C. Chorale and accompanies musical productions in association with the Theatre Department. Recent programs have included Brahms Academic Festival Overture, Saint-Saens Organ Symphony and Beethovens Triple Concerto featuring faculty soloists. Students vie for solo opportunities in the annual Concerto/Aria Competition offered by the orchestra. John Finney MU 077 Chamber Music Ensembles (Fall/Spring: 0) Performance Course. Regular participation and coaching in chamber ensembles. The course is offered without credit and is open to any qualified student. It will fulfill the music major requirement for ensemble performance. Sandra Hebert MU 079 Popular Styles Ensemble (Fall/Spring: 0) Performance Course. Regular participation and coaching in jazz, rock, and fusion styles in small group sessions. Any appropriate instruments are welcome. Eric Kniffen MU 081 Ear Training/Sight-Singing Lab (Fall/Spring: 1) For music majors. A twice-weekly opportunity to develop the skills of sight-singing and ear-training for students who are taking theory or other music courses or who are in singing groups and wish to improve their skills. The course is designed to help students pass the Ear Training/Sight Singing tests required for the major. Students will learn to sing melodies onsight by drilling scales and intervals. Ear-training will focus on melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation. Highly recommended for students taking Fundamentals of Music and Tonal Harmony. Michael Burgo MU 082 Advanced Ear Training/Sight-Singing Lab (Fall/Spring: 1) Performance Course A continuation of MU 081. Michael Burgo MU 083 Introduction to Improvisation (Fall/Spring: 1) Performance Course. This course may be repeated for credit. Improvisation is a central feature of many Western musical styles. This course offers students the opportunity to learn how to improvise in jazz, blues and rock. In a hands-on manner, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of improvising. No prior experience is necessary, and there is no prerequisite, but you should have at least some experience playing an instrument or singing. Erik Kniffen MU 084 Intermediate Improvisation (Fall/Spring: 1) Prerequisite: MU 083 or permission of instructor and previous or concurrent enrollment in MU 070 Performance Course.This course may be repeated for credit. This course focuses, in a hands-on manner, on three elements of improvisational skill in jazz, blues and rock as it advances from the basic concepts of improvisation introduced in Introduction to Improvisation. The course embraces different styles of improvisational music and directs attention to recognizing and responding to these styles in performance situations. Erik Kniffen 178 The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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