Course Descriptions

MUSC 101: 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.

MUSC 104: Men's Chorus

The Lake Forest College Men's Chorus focuses on choral repertoire written exclusively for the male voice, from all genres and time periods. Concerts, both on and off campus, may include convention presentations, touring, and collaborations with other ensembles including the LFC Chamber Orchestra, other college and community choruses, and a wide range of soloists. This course may be repeated for credit. Placement in this ensemble is at the discretion of the instructor.

MUSC 105: Women's Chorus

The Lake Forest College Women's Chorus focuses on choral repertoire written exclusively for the female voice, from all genres and time periods. Concerts, both on and off campus, may include convention presentations, touring, and collaborations with other ensembles including the LFC Chamber Orchestra, other college and community choruses, and a wide range of soloists. This course may be repeated for credit. Placement in this ensemble is at the discretion of the instructor.

MUSC 106: Chamber Singers

MUSC 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.

MUSC 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.

MUSC 109: West African Drumming Ensemble

The African Drumming Ensemble is a hands-on workshop for students of all levels interested in learning the basics of West African drumming. Students work on developing rhythmic skills using authentic instruments and learn about the role of music in the cultures of Guinea, Mali, and other countries. No prerequisite.

MUSC 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.

MUSC 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: 01 Classical Piano, 02 Jazz Piano, 03 Classical Guitar, 04 Voice, 05 Flute, 06 Oboe, 07 Clarinet, 08 Bassoon, 09 Saxophone, 10 Horn, 11 Trumpet, 12 Low Brass, 13 Percussion, 14 Violin, 15 Viola, 16 Cello, 17 Bass, 18 Jazz/Blues Guitar, 19 Improvisation, 20 Miscellaneous.

MUSC 112: Applied Music

Continuation of Music 111.

MUSC 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.

MUSC 119: Opera Workshop

The Opera Workshop is a course designed for advanced voice students who are participating in an opera production at Lake Forest College. Students taking this course will sing roles in operas, operettas, or opera adaptations in public performance. Participation is by audition only.

MUSC 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.  

MUSC 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.

MUSC 206: Concert Choir

The Lake Forest College Concert Choir is the premier large mixed choral ensemble at Lake Forest College. Concert Choir performs choral music from classical, global, and popular repertoire in concerts both on and off campus. Performances may include convention presentations, touring, and collaborations with other ensembles including the Lake Forest College Chamber Orchestra, other collegiate and community choruses, and a wide range of soloists. Membership in this ensemble is contingent upon a voice placement hearing, held at the beginning of the year. Prerequisite: 1 year of MUSC 104 or MUSC 105 or by permission of the instructor. (.25 credit)

MUSC 211: Applied Music

Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 112.

MUSC 212: Applied Music

Continuation of Music 211.

MUSC 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.)

MUSC 220: Songwriting

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.

MUSC 225: Intro to Electronic Music

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.

MUSC 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.)

MUSC 235: 20th Cent Theater: Musical Theater

A study of representative musical comedies, operettas, and related works that will provide topics for papers by students. Emphasis will be placed on relationship to political, social, and cultural events. Videotapes of musicals are viewed and discussed. Among works to be discussed are Show Boat, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, and others.

MUSC 251: 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.

MUSC 252: Music Theory II

A continuation of the study of harmony, including modulation, chromatic harmony, and counterpoint. Prerequisite: Music 251 or consent of the instructor. 

MUSC 262: Great Composers

In this course we will examine the lives and works of three significant composers in detail. Each semester the three selected composers will change. Some of the composers might include: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Copland, Duke Ellington, John Adams, and others. The course involves biographical readings, close listening analysis, and concert attendance. No prerequisite.

MUSC 264: 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.

MUSC 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.)

MUSC 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.

MUSC 280: Wagner,Tolkien, and Star Wars

Topics in Music History. No prerequisite.

MUSC 287: 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.)

MUSC 311: Applied Music

Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 212.

MUSC 312: Applied Music

Continuation of Music 311.

MUSC 325: Adv Electronic Music

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

MUSC 351: Music Theory III

(Music Theory III: Atonal Systems and Theory of Jazz, Rock and World Music) This course will explore the theoretical systems of atonal and post-tonal music, including set theory and serialism. Theories and analyses of jazz, rock and world music will also be presented and explored. Prerequisite: Music 252.

MUSC 352: 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 351.

MUSC 360: Music History I

(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, Schutz, Purcell, A. Scarlatti, Handel, and Bach. Music 360 and 361 may be taken out of order. Prerequisite: Music 150 or consent of the instructor.

MUSC 361: Music His II:Classical to Contemp

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 150 or consent of the instructor.

MUSC 411: Applied Music

Continuation of applied music study. Prerequisite: Music 312.

MUSC 412: Applied Music

Continuation of Music 411.

MUSC 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.