Academics

Department of Music > Course Descriptions

104 Perspectives on Music
An introduction to various facets of music through guided listening to selected masterpieces of Western music as well as exposure to folk music, popular music, and non-Western music. No previous knowledge is needed. Intended for non-majors.

107 Concert Band
The Band performs marches, overtures, waltzes, and suites by such composers as Vaughan Williams, Holst, Sousa, and others. The ensemble is open to all students. Students may participate in this ensemble for credit, earning a quarter credit each semester. There is no overload charge for up to 4.5 credits earned, and students may repeat the course as many times as they choose during their college years. This course is graded Credit/D/F.

108 Chamber Orchestra
The Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble devoted to the performance of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and twentieth-century repertoire. The group performs two concerts each semester. The Chamber Orchestra is open to all qualified members of the College community. Auditions will be held early in the fall. Students may participate in this ensemble for credit, earning a quarter credit each semester. There is no overload charge for up to 4.5 credits earned, and students may repeat the course as many times as they choose during their college years. This course is graded Credit/D/F.

109 College Chorus
The Chorus performs repertoire ranging from motets to musical theater and from Medieval  to jazz, as well as music of the world’s various cultures and traditions. Membership in the  chorus is open to all students by audition. Two performances are given each semester. Students may participate in this ensemble for credit, earning a quarter credit each semester. There is no overload charge for up to 4.5 credits earned, and students may repeat the course as many times as they choose during their college years. This course is graded Credit/D/F.

110 Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble performs music from big band classics and contemporary repertoire. The ensemble is open to all students by audition. Students may participate in this ensemble for credit, earning a quarter credit each semester. There is no overload charge for up to 4.5 credits earned, and students may repeat the course as many times as they choose during their college years. This course is graded Credit/D/F.

111 Applied Music
Private instruction in piano, organ, orchestral instruments, and voice. For noncredit weekly lessons of one-half, three-fourths, or one hour, an additional fee is charged. See Undergraduate Tuition and Expenses for details. For credit, the student must either have Music 150 as a pre- or co-requisite or obtain consent of the chairperson of the department; the student must satisfactorily complete at least twelve weekly one-hour lessons and participate in two workshops and one recital each semester. A half credit is earned after each semester. This course is graded on a letter-grade basis. Following are the sections available by instrument:

112 Applied Music
Continuation of Music 111.

118 Introduction to Singing
An introduction to vocal production for the beginning singer, including the physiology of the voice, how to sightread a vocal line, how to make your voice more beautiful and durable, how to communicate the lyrics clearly through improved diction, how to extend your range to reach notes you never thought possible, and how to deliver a song powerfully and effectively. Focusing on the novice musician, this class will prepare students to sing solos and to participate in choruses; it will also be useful for stage actors and public speakers.

150 Fundamentals of Music
Introduction to elements and basic principles of tonal music: notation, intervals, scales, rhythm, meter, melody, and harmony. Emphasis on listening and creative work. No prerequisite, but some musical experience is helpful.

151 Music Theory I
Basic elements of tonal harmony including triads, seventh chords, figured bass, harmonic progression, voice leading, and four-part writing. Prerequisite: Music 150 or consent of the instructor.

160 Musicianship
This course is dedicated to the development of practical skills important for a musician, including sightsinging, melodic and rhythmic dictation, and ear training. Aural and written exercises as well as creative projects will be incorporated. Music majors may substitute this course for the aural-skills proficiency exams with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisite: Music 150.

211 Applied Music
Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 112.

212 Applied Music
Continuation of Music 211.

217 World Music Survey
Survey of music of the world’s peoples: music in the cultures of Africa, Asia, and Latin America; the social and cultural roles of music. No prerequisite. (Meets GEC Cultural Diversity Requirement.)

220 Songwriting (Offered Less Frequently)
How to write songs. Emphasis on popular forms in the styles of the 1960s to the present, including pop, rock, folk, Broadway, and others. Covers text, setting, forms, harmony, instrumentation, arranging, studio techniques, and performance. Prerequisite: Music 150.

225 Introduction to Electronic Music: MIDI Sequencing
Designed to foster creative work in the College’s recording/electronic music studio, the course deals first with the history of electronic music (Futurism, musique concrete, early analog analysis) and then with studio techniques, using both analog and digital equipment, microphones, tape recorders, mixing, digital synthesis, and a creative project. Two regular sessions and one laboratory each week. Co-requisite: Music 150.

227 History of Jazz
Principal styles of representative jazz musicians; the roots (including blues and ragtime); jazz in New Orleans and Chicago; and big band, swing, bop, and fusion. No prerequisite. (Cross-listed as American Studies 227. Meets GEC Cultural Diversity Requirement.)

235 Musical Theater (Offered Less Frequently)
(Cross-listed as English 236 and Theater 235.)

250 Music Theory II: Tonal Analysis
A continuation of the study of harmony, including modulation, chromatic harmony, and counterpoint. Prerequisite: Music 151 or consent of the instructor.

251 Form and Tonal Analysis
Study of the principal forms in Western art music including binary and ternary forms, sonata, theme and variation, and rondo. This course covers analysis of tonal masterworks of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including music of  J. S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms, applying the knowledge gained in the study of tonal harmony. Prerequisite: Music 250.

264 The History of Rock and Roll
This course covers the history of rock music from its origins in the blues and American country music to the diverse rock styles heard today. Analysis of performances and compositional styles of several familiar rock stars is included. Social and political influences will be addressed, but the focus will be on the music itself. No prerequisite. (Cross-listed as American Studies 264.)

265 American Music
Music in the United States from the time of the pilgrims to the present day. The course includes art music, folk music, religious music, and jazz. Prerequisite: Any music class or consent of the instructor. (Cross-listed as American Studies 265.)

266 Music in Film
Music has played an important part of the movie-going experience since the beginnings of the film industry in the 1890’s, and the blending of music and drama has deeper roots still.  This course charts the development of music and sound in film, from these deep roots through the mis-named silent-movie era and on to the great film composers of the twentieth century and today.  Students will learn the fundamental elements of a film score, investigate how a film composer works, and develop a vocabulary for describing and assessing film music.  No prior knowledge of music or film history is necessary. (Cross-listed as American Studies 266.)

280 Wagner, Tolkien, and Star Wars
An in-depth comparative study of three epic masterpieces of Western culture: Richard Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelungen, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (through the films by Peter Jackson), and George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy.  Special consideration will be given to the role of music in each of these epics (including the film scores of John Williams and Howard Shore).

287 World Music Colloquium: Music of the Arab World
Study of the history and repertories of Arabic music from the traditional or “classical” music to contemporary popular music, including music associated with religious practices.  Emphasis on understanding music in culture and the theory and performance practice of Arabic music.  No prerequisite.  (Meets GEC Cultural Diversity Requirement.)

311 Applied Music
Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 212.

312 Applied Music
Continuation of Music 311.

325 Advanced Electronic Music
A continuation of Music 225. More independent work and hard disk recording. Prerequisite: Music 225.

360 Music History I: From Chant to Bach
An introduction to the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Composers emphasized include Machaut, Josquin, Palestrina, Lassus, Monteverdi, Schütz, Purcell, A. Scarlatti, Handel, and Bach. Music 360 and 361 may be taken out of order. Prerequisite: Music 104 or 150 or consent of the instructor.

361 Music History II: From Classical  to Contemporary
Representative composers and compositions from the Classical and Romantic periods will be discussed, including Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Wagner. The many trends and styles of music of the twentieth century will be covered, including Impressionism, Expressionism, Neo-Classicism, Minimalism, and Indeterminacy. Composers will include Debussy, Ravel, Schoenberg, Reich, and Cage. Music 360 and 361 may be taken out of order. Prerequisite: Music 104 or 150 or consent of the instructor.

411 Applied Music
Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 312.

412 Applied Music
Continuation of Music 411.

420 Advanced Composition  (Offered Less Frequently)
Independent work.

480 Senior Seminar
This course covers analysis of twentieth–century music, composition, and conducting. As part of the conducting component, students will have the opportunity to conduct a rehearsal of the Lake Forest College Chorus or Chamber Orchestra. Other special topics may also be included.