Course Listings

Music

A major, with several possible concentrations, and a minor in Music are available. Teacher certification in vocal and/or instrumental music education is also available for grades 5-12 or P-12. Minors in Music for Social Change, Music and Worship or Piano Pedagogy may be combined with any major except music.

Major in Music

44-85 credit hours (Core and one concentration area)

Core courses (23 credit hours):

Generalist concentration

(21-22 credit hours)

Music Education concentration for P-12 certification

(60-62 credit hours)

Note:

  • MUS 305, MUS 306, MUS 307, and MUS 309 = coursework for instrumental licensure
  • MUS 308 = coursework for vocal licensure

Music for Social Change concentration

(24-25 credit hours)

Piano Pedagogy concentration

(26 credit hours)

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in Music will:

  1. Demonstrate growth in musicianship and artistry for excellence in music performance.
  2. Demonstrate necessary skills and knowledge for quality scholarship in music.
  3. Develop expertise toward effective pedagogies and leadership in music.
  4. Demonstrate preparedness for a vibrant career that includes using the musical arts for a positive contribution to society.

Planning guide

First YearGoshen Core
Music Theory
Applied music
Survey of Music Literature
Second YearGoshen Core
Music Theory (if not taken in first year)
Advanced Theory (if not in third year)
Specialty Course (see previous list)
Applied music
Courses in concentration
Sophomore recital
SST
Third YearGoshen Core
Advanced Theory (if not in second year)
Applied music
Courses in concentration
Fourth YearBalance of Goshen Core
Balance of major
History of Music
Topics in Music
Senior Seminar
Recital or paper
Fifth YearStudent teaching in fall for music education majors

Planning and advising notes

Music Education students may take any of the following courses whenever offered: Mus 210, Mus 330, Mus 312, Mus 318. Music education students should see the Education department catalog and web pages for professional education courses required for certification to teach.

Additional requirements for the major and options for research and performance certificates are described below.

Additional requirements

Keyboard proficiency. Keyboard proficiency will require facility in sight-reading, keyboard technique, harmonization, transposition, improvisation and playing by ear. Prior to entering the first semester of music theory (Mus 201), an examination will be given to determine the student’s keyboard proficiency level and placement in the keyboard theory labs. Keyboard proficiency exams will be given during final exam days of each semester. In order to pass the keyboard proficiency exam, most students require a sequence of study that begins with the 200-level music theory keyboard skills labs and continues with at least one semester of private applied piano study. Students earning a grade of B or higher in Mus 250 Class Piano automatically meet the requirement. Fulfilling the keyboard proficiency requirement early on in the degree program is strongly recommended; keyboard proficiency must be completed before the senior recital permission for all music majors, and before student teaching for music education majors.

Departmental recitals. All music majors and minors are expected to attend the music department weekly recitals and perform periodically, as directed by their applied music instructor.

Sophomore qualifying recital. All music majors, minors and interdisciplinary majors with a focus in music are required to present 15-20 minutes of music in a public recital by the end of their fourth semester of applied music study. Successful completion of this requirement, as well as acceptable work in other music studies, is a prerequisite for continuing as a major in the department.

Junior recital/project. Junior recitals/projects are an option only for music majors pursuing the research or performance endorsements.

Senior recital/lecture-recital/project.  A permission performance is required one month prior to the public senior recital/presentation date. All program notes, translations and written documents must be submitted at the time of the permission, for review and approval.

Ensemble participation.  Each music major and minor has core ensemble requirements determined by the music faculty and in alignment with the primary instrument. Additional ensemble participation is possible if the core ensemble requirement is being met.

Minor in Music

21-22 credit hours

Planning and advising note

Students pursuing a minor in music, especially those receiving music scholarships, are strongly encouraged to complete all requirements by the end of their junior year, particularly the 201-202-204 sequence of courses.

Research and performance endorsement options

The following endorsement opportunities are for music majors who are considering graduate studies in a research or performance area.

Research endorsement requirements:

  1. Sophomore qualifying recital (15 min.) or lecture-recital (20 min.) involving live performance and sample of written scholarly work (3,000 words) on a music topic submitted to faculty.
  2. Junior project: a lecture or lecture-recital (30 min.) or a presentation at the student research symposium. Paper must be submitted to faculty for approval one month in advance.
  3. Senior presentation of a scholarly paper (60 min.), which may or may not include performance. A 9-10,000 word paper must be submitted to faculty one month prior to the public presentation.

Performance endorsement requirements:

  1. Sophomore qualifying recital (20-25 min.)
  2. Junior recital (30 min.)
  3. Senior recital (50-60 min.) A permission performance is required one month prior to the public senior recital date.
  4. Specific instrument requirements:
    Pianists – learn at least one full concerto (may serve as junior recital) and accompany at least three sophomore recitals or comparable collaborative performances.
    Violinists – learn at least one full concerto (may serve as junior recital)
    Other instrumentalists – significant sonata repertoire and full concerto or other collaborative chamber project.

Course descriptions

  • MUS 201 Music Theory

    This course develops skills in analysis and composition to learn melodic, contrapuntal, harmonic, motivic, and formal principles of music towards a stronger theoretical understanding of how music is constructed. Although a variety of styles will be explored and used as...

  • MUS 202 Music Theory

    A continuation of Mus 201, this course continues the study of Western music theory via analysis and composition activities. Concepts studied include phrase structure, linear dominant chords, predominant and linear harmonic functions, melodic figuration and dissonance, deeper exploration of diatonic...

  • MUS 204 Survey of Music Literature

    Designed to follow a year of music theory and precede the study of music history, this course presents an introduction to the basic style periods in Western music literature and acquaints the student with the main forms, composers and masterworks...

  • MUS 208 Piano Pedagogy I

    This introductory course in the piano pedagogy sequence focuses on the beginning student and on the materials and teaching techniques most effective for this level of instruction. The course includes weekly lecture-discussion sessions, observation of class and private instruction, and...

  • MUS 210 Elementary Music Methods

    This course is designed for teaching general music at the elementary level for elementary and music education majors. The course will introduce students to traditional and current methodologies of classroom music instruction. Emphasis on lesson planning, scope and sequence of...

  • MUS 220 Building Community Through Music

    In this course, students will will explore ways in which music education can serve as a tool for building community, learning about community-based music teaching through the lens of the El Sistema music education philosophy. Students will learn about the...

  • MUS 301 History of Music

    This survey of Western Music from antiquity through the death of J.S. Bach will focus on the following desired outcomes: 1) Develop a deeper understanding for the musical styles, genres, and composers from antiquity through the Baroque in Western music...

  • MUS 302 History of Music

    This survey of Western Music from early classicism through the 21th century will focus on the following desired outcomes: 1) To develop a deeper understanding for the musical styles, genres, and composers from the beginnings of classicism through the present,...

  • MUS 303 Advanced Music Theory

    Introduction to chromatic harmony through the study of hierarchy of chords and modulation procedures of the Classical period. Analysis of complex forms of the Baroque and the Classical periods. Formal and harmonic studies of works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and...

  • MUS 304 Advanced Music Theory

    Study of chromatic harmony through altered chords and modulation procedures of the late 18th and 19th centuries. Formal and harmonic analysis of works from the Romantic period. Introduction of the atonal theory. Studies of 20th century works and compositional techniques...

  • MUS 305 String Methods & Materials

    Designed for music education majors and students who are interested in learning how to play and teach stringed instruments. Students will develop proficient playing techniques in violin, viola, cello, and double bass that will allow them to adequately provide instruction...

  • MUS 306 Woodwind Methods & Materials

    Designed for music education majors and students who are interested in learning how to play and teach woodwind instruments. Students will develop proficient playing techniques in flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone that will allow them to adequately provide instruction...

  • MUS 307 Brass Methods & Materials

    Designed for music education majors and students who are interested in learning how to play and teach brass instruments. Students will develop proficient playing techniques in trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba that will allow them to adequately provide instruction...

  • MUS 308 Vocal Methods & Pedagogy

    Required of all music-education majors and strongly recommended for all students with a voice concentration. Study of basic concepts of singing in both the private voice studio and class setting with the goal of assisting students in becoming effective teachers...

  • MUS 309 Percussion Methods & Materials

    Designed for music education majors and students who are interested in learning how to play and teach instruments in the percussion family. Students will learn fundamentals of percussion technique with attention to preparing to provide instruction to students in grades...

  • MUS 310 Piano Pedagogy II

    This course will survey literature appropriate for intermediate and more advanced students. In addition emphasis will also be placed on essential elements of technical development, setting up a private teaching studio, pedagogical research, and important past teachers.

  • MUS 311 Topics in Music Literature

    The study of a major composer, genre or style. Prerequisites: Mus 201-202 and Mus 204 or consent permission of the instructor.

  • MUS 312 Conducting I

    Principles of conducting theory and practice. Course begins with basic technique and progresses to score preparation and rehearsal planning for choral ensembles. (Offered in even years)

  • MUS 318 Conducting II

    Continued study in the theory and practice of conducting, with an emphasis on score preparation and rehearsal planning for instrumental ensembles. Prerequisite: Mus 312 or consent of instructor. (Offered in even years)

  • MUS 330 Secondary Music Methods

    This course deals with the practical strategies needed to build a successful music program at the secondary level (grades 6-12). Topics studied will include: developing high quality repertoire including multicultural elements, understanding the male changing voice, program structure, student rapport...

  • MUS 409 Applied Teaching Internship

    Designed to give students practical experience in music-related fields such as arts administration, music business, audio recording technology, church music and music therapy. Internships are individually arranged with the work supervisor and faculty adviser.

  • MUS 410 Senior Seminar

    Weekly meetings of music majors and faculty to discuss vocational, curricular and ethical/spiritual topics.

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