Music General

Courses

MUGN 294: Stage Movement for Opera I

Credits 1

An introduction to practical applications of body movement for the opera stage, including physical awareness and Alexander Technique, stage presence, movement to express a character, and elementary dance.

MUGN 295: Stage Movement for Opera II

Credits 1

Further development of applications of body movement for the opera stage with increased emphasis on period movement styles, stage combat, and additional styles of dance. 

MUGN 296: Acting Techniques for Singers I

Credits 1
An introduction to acting and singing-acting techniques — including fundamentals of acting, improvisation, text analysis, character study and stage technique — for opera and art song repertoire appropriate for the undergraduate singer.

MUGN 297: Acting Techniques for Singers II

Credits 1

A continuation of Acting Techniques for Singers I. Further study of acting and singingacting techniques including fundamentals of acting, improvisation, text analysis, character study and stage technique.

MUGN 298: Opera Role Preparation

Credits 1
An introduction to strategies for learning and preparing opera roles with particular attention to various styles of recitatives.

MUGN 315: Introduction to the Harpsichord

Credits 2
Introduction to harpsichord technique and the interpretation of 17th- and 18th-Century Baroque keyboard music. Study of national styles, ornamentation, articulation, tempi, dynamics, fingering and registration. Focus is on short representative works of Byrd, Couperin, Rameau, Duphly, Bach, Scarlatti and Soler, as well as other works chosen by participating students. Limited to six students.

MUGN 316: Introduction to the Organ

Credits 2
Practical introduction to the pipe organ and the skills required to play the organ for church services, with a view particularly toward pianists who would like to acquire the ability to hold a church music job.

MUGN 318: Professional Skills for the Modern Guitarist

Credits 2

Focus on the essential skills for professional success as a modern classical guitarist. Through written and performance projects, student will develop an understanding of fretboard harmony; arranging and transcription; sight reading and improvisation.

MUGN 321: Applied Diction: English

Credits 1
Intended for undergraduate/graduate voice and collaborative piano majors with insufficient background in the fundamental rules of English pronunciation and the International Phonetic Alphabet.

MUGN 326: Expression of Italian

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in Italian in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the Italian language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in Italian, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 327: Expression of German

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in German in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the German language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in German, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 328: Expression of French

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in French in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the French language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in French, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 340: Practicum in Baroque Ornamentation

Credits 1

Discussion of current theories of ornamentation and improvisation for instrumentalists and singers interested in historically informed interpretation of Baroque music. Students are encouraged to bring works of their choice to class for performance and discussion. (CWRU course)

MUGN 350: Off-Campus Internship

Credits 0

Off-campus employment in the major field. All undergraduate and graduate students who participate in an off-campus activity in the major field for employment are required to register for this course.

MUGN 361: Professional Skills for the Modern Guitarist

Credits 1
Focus on the essential skills for professional success as a modern classical guitarist. Through written and performance projects, student will develop an understanding of fretboard harmony; arranging and transcription; sight reading and improvisation.

MUGN 370: Introduction to Improvisation

Credits 1
This is a lab course and attendance is required. No prior experience in improvisation is required. This course deals with the basic concepts of improvisation. We will be studying basic scales used in improvisation and their chord structures. Students will put into practice basic major, minor and pentatonic scales. We will also cover triad pairing and other alternative scale options.

MUGN 373: Orchestral Conducting

Credits 1

Study of orchestral scores, covering elements of style, form and interpretation. Development of baton technique through conducting of small instrumental ensembles.

MUGN 381: Body Mapping and Self-Care Strategies

Credits 2

Musicians move for a living. All of the sounds we make as musicians are produced by some type of movement, yet we are rarely taught how the body actually works in movement. Body Mapping is a tool that musicians can use to enhance performance, maintain wellness, decrease tension, prevent injury and discomfort and cultivate healthy habits that are important for injury prevention. Self care and tools to address performance anxiety are also emphasized in this course. Active participation, daily movement work and regular journaling are required for success.

MUGN 415: Introduction to the Harpsichord

Credits 2
Introduction to harpsichord technique and the interpretation of 17th- and 18th-Century Baroque keyboard music. Study of national styles, ornamentation, articulation, tempi, dynamics, fingering and registration. Focus is on short representative works of Byrd, Couperin, Rameau, Duphly, Bach, Scarlatti and Soler, as well as other works chosen by participating students. Limited to six students.

MUGN 416: Introduction to the Organ

Credits 2
Practical introduction to the pipe organ and the skills required to play the organ for church services, with a view particularly toward pianists who would like to acquire the ability to hold a church music job.

MUGN 418: Professional Skills for the Modern Guitarist

Credits 1
Focus on the essential skills for professional success as a modern classical guitarist. Through written and performance projects, student will develop an understanding of fretboard harmony; arranging and transcription; sight reading and improvisation.

MUGN 422: Applied Diction: English

Credits 1
Intended for undergraduate/graduate voice and collaborative piano majors with insufficient background in the fundamental rules of English pronunciation and the International Phonetic Alphabet.

MUGN 426: Expression of Italian

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in Italian in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the Italian language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in Italian, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 427: Expression of German

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in German in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the German language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in German, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 428: Expression of French

Credits 2
This course gives students the tools they need to perform vocal repertoire in French in an idiomatic and expressive manner. It is articulated around two main components: the study of the sounds of the French language in singing through a survey of spelling and IPA rules; the development of the tools required to perform in French, including an understanding of grammatical structure, principles of translation and the idiomatic delivery of poetic texts.

MUGN 450: Off-Campus Internship

Credits 0
Off-campus employment in the major field. All undergraduate and graduate students who participate in an off-campus activity in the major field for employment are required to register for this course.

MUGN 461: Professional Skills for the Modern Guitarist

Credits 1
Focus on the essential skills for professional success as a modern classical guitarist. Through written and performance projects, student will develop an understanding of fretboard harmony; arranging and transcription; sight reading and improvisation.

MUGN 470: Introduction to Improvisation

Credits 1
This is a lab course and attendance is required. No prior experience in improvisation is required. This course deals with the basic concepts of improvisation. We will be studying basic scales used in improvisation and their chord structures. Students will put into practice basic major, minor and pentatonic scales. We will also cover triad pairing and other alternative scale options.

MUGN 473: Orchestral Conducting

Credits 1

Study of orchestral scores, covering elements of style, form and interpretation. Development of baton technique through conducting of small instrumental ensembles.

MUGN 481: Body Mapping and Self-Care Strategies

Credits 2

Musicians move for a living. All of the sounds we make as musicians are produced by some type of movement, yet we are rarely taught how the body actually works in movement. Body Mapping is a tool that musicians can use to enhance performance, maintain wellness, decrease tension, prevent injury and discomfort and cultivate healthy habits that are important for injury prevention. Self care and tools to address performance anxiety are also emphasized in this course. Active participation, daily movement work and regular journaling are required for success.

MUGN 494: Stage Movement for Opera I

Credits 1

An introduction to practical applications of body movement for the opera stage, including physical awareness and Alexander Technique, movement to express a character, and emphasis on developing ability in various styles of dance.

MUGN 495: Stage Movement for Opera II

Credits 1

Advanced applications of body movement for the opera stage with increased emphasis on period movement styles, stage combat, and additional styles of dance. 

MUGN 496: Acting Techniques for Singers I

Credits 1
An introduction to acting and singing-acting techniques — including fundamentals of acting, improvisation, text analysis, character study and stage technique — for opera and art song repertoire appropriate for the undergraduate singer.

MUGN 497: Acting Techniques for Singers II

Credits 1

A continuation of Acting Techniques for Singers I. Further study of acting and singingacting techniques including fundamentals of acting, improvisation, text analysis, character study and stage technique.