Department of Music

Mission

The mission of the music department is to develop within students excellence in creating, performing, and appreciating music. The program serves the total student body by providing ensembles, lessons, and courses, which are open to all students. Also, the program makes available to the student body concerts and recitals throughout the year in the Swayne Auditorium and other auditoriums on campus.

Faculty

Philip Miller (Department Chair), John Dally, Julia Ganske, Judy Marlett, Krista Jo Miller, Luis Palacios

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate excellence in performing music at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to gain meaningful employment in the field of music.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to work on musical problems through an understanding of the common elements, history, and organizational patterns of music.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to create original or derivative music.
  5. Students will demonstrate an ability to invest (empathetically and) redemptively into the areas of their particular music concentration.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

MUSC0250: Concert/Recital Attendance

Credits 0

Music majors are required to attend a minimum of 10 concerts and recitals each semester, providing exposure to a wide variety of performances and repertoire.

MUSC0900: Fundamentals of Music

Credits 2

Topics include music reading and conceptualizing, treble and bass clef notation, simple and compound time signatures, rhythmic notation, melodic notation, Solfège singing and Finale music notation software use. This class is required for those scoring below 75% on the Basics of Music pre-test. Offered Quad 1 Fall Semester. Credit for courses numbered below 1000 is not transferable.

MUSC1010: A Survey of Art and Music

Credits 3
An introduction to the stylistic characteristics and cultural climate of the important artistic epochs in history, including both the western and the non-western traditions.

MUSC1220: Beginning Music Theory II

Credits 3
A further study and application of the fundamentals of harmony and the use of analysis as the central activity in the study of music theory.

MUSC1310: Digital Music and Technology

Credits 3
An introduction to computer and sound technologies used in church, studio, classroom, and performing venues. Technologies will include applications in office-suite (word processing, data base, presentation, spread sheet), musical notation, musical composition, and digital recording as well as hands-on work in mixing and sound reinforcement. Offered each fall semester.

MUSC2020: Survey of Performing Arts

Credits 3
An introduction to the stylistic characteristics and cultural climate of the important artistic epochs in history. Includes both the western and the non-western traditions.

MUSC2096: Field Experience in Worship Arts

Credits 1
Course is an overview of the ministry and work of a church worship pastor. During a 30-hour field experience the student, the music department supervising faculty member, and the cooperating local church music leader will coordinate for weekly meetings and assignments. Course is designed for observation and hands-on experience in music ministry in the church.

MUSC2110: Introduction to Worship Arts and Leadership

Credits 3
An introductory course dealing with the call to ministry through music. Topics include fundamental philosophies of music in the church, current issues and practical considerations of a career in the church today.

MUSC2220: Intermediate Music Theory II

Credits 3
Further study of harmony and analysis including modulation, romantic harmony, enharmonic functions, elementary forms and 20th century techniques.

MUSC2270: Music and Creativity

Credits 2

Students will engage in traditional and innovative approaches to music-making. Students will explore diverse music and cultures, including world music, popular music, and jazz, and develop skills in music creation, improvisation, and facilitation.

MUSC2350B: Brass Methods

Credits 1

Private or group instruction on one high and one low brass instrument, emphasizing the requisite skills to direct school instrumental programs. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2350P: Percussion Methods

Credits 1

Private or group percussion instruction emphasizing the requisite skills to direct school instrumental programs. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2350S: String Methods

Credits 1

Private or group instruction on two string instruments emphasizing the requisite skills to direct school string programs. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2350W: Woodwind Methods

Credits 1

Private or group instruction on two woodwind instruments emphasizing the requisite skills to direct school instrumental programs. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2370: Bella Voce

Credits 0 1

Women's choir whose membership is open to non-majors as well as majors. Personnel chosen by audition. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2371: University Men's Choir

Credits 0 1

Audition for placement in the appropriate section. Choir sings in music department concerts, chapels, and selected churches and community events. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2420: Musical Theatre Production/Opera Workshop

Credits 0 1
Hands-on involvement in the performing of an opera, opera scenes, or a Broadway musical, including acting, singing, choreography, stage lighting and set construction. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC2430: Jazz Combos

Credits 0 1

A jazz ensemble with vocalists and instrumentalists chosen by audition, with a broad repertoire of jazz and popular music. Membership open to non-majors as well as majors. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2440: Orchestra

Credits 0 1

An ensemble that performs varied works for both full and string orchestra. Repertoire includes works from the Baroque era to the 21st Century. Additionally, string players perform and tour with the University Choir and Orchestra. The group is open to all NNU students and may be repeated. 

MUSC2450: Chamber Ensemble

Credits 0 1
A course designed for students ready to participate in a small chamber group. Membership open to non-majors as well as majors. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC2460: Wind Ensemble

Credits 0 1

An ensemble that performs a wide variety of wind band literature, including traditional and contemporary works. The group is open to all NNU students and may be repeated. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2490: University Choir and Orchestra

Credits 0 1

An ensemble of select personnel chosen by audition. Ensemble's aims are to perform a variety of choral/orchestral literature from classical to contemporary. Membership open to majors and non-majors. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC2620: Stagecraft

Credits 2
An introduction to the basic elements of technical theatre as well as the materials and techniques employed in theatre shops. Students will also learn basic skills in designing, constructing, and executing those technical theatre elements.

MUSC2630: Stagecraft Lab

Credits 1
A hands-on, practical application learning experience of the basic skills needed for design, construction, and execution of technical theatre. May be repeated for credit. Must be taken twice for Musical Theatre major.

MUSC2660: Dance Technique

Credits 1
Courses in the various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, which are applicable to the requirements of the musical theatre dancer. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC2950: Field Experience in Music Management

Credits 1
Hands-on experience managing a large ensemble through a tour or travel event, or a small ensemble through several performances, or managing an on-campus event like a festival or artist-in-residence visit. Management considerations include logistics, budgets, travel, meal, housing, and equipment needs for music groups. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC2960: Field Experience in Audio Production

Credits 1
Hands-on experience mixing and producing live sound in a performing arts venue and/or recordings in a studio environment. Audio engineering considerations include logistics, technology, communication, and equipment needs for a variety of music and/or other groups. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC3096: Field Experience in Worship Arts

Credits 1
Course is an overview of the ministry and work of a church worship pastor. During a 30-hour field experience the student, the music department supervising faculty member, and the cooperating local church music leader will coordinate for weekly meetings and assignments. Course is designed for observation and hands-on experience in music ministry in the church.

MUSC3200: Practicum in Worship Planning and Leadership

Credits 3
A practical approach to the preparation for and leadership of music in varied worship settings. Includes traditional, evangelical, contemporary, and liturgical settings. Students will learn to create worship services using appropriate selections for varied situations, work with various types of accompaniment, and lead congregational music.

MUSC3210: Orchestration

Credits 3
A study of the orchestral instrument families and exercises in writing scores for instrumental ensembles. Emphasis is placed upon full orchestra with secondary attention given to small ensembles and the special needs of school performing groups.

MUSC3220: Counterpoint

Credits 3
A study of 18th century counterpoint with emphasis on its influence on polyphonic writing of the 20th century.

MUSC3230: Composition

Credits 3
The writing of original compositions, beginning with the song form and proceeding through the sonata form with emphasis given to stylistic elements.

MUSC3430: Performance Practices

Credits 1
Development and improvement of skills leading to effective stylistic comparison and evaluation of live and recorded musical performances.

MUSC3440: Diction

Credits 3

A study of Italian, German, French, and English diction employing the International Phonetic Alphabet.

MUSC3460: Teaching Music in the Elementary Schools II

Credits 2

This class focuses on the application of the learning theories presented in MUSC3450, procedures, and objectives in school music in the primary and intermediate grades. This course includes a classroom field experience and technology-intensive lesson component.

MUSC3480: Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools II

Credits 2

This class focuses on assessment and lesson planning in the secondary music rehearsal and classroom, as well as music advocacy, fund-raising, and program development issues. It will include a significant classroom field experience and a technology-intensive lesson component.

MUSC3490: Choral Methods

Credits 3

Designed to help prepare students to become effective choral ensemble directors. Students will develop effective ensemble rehearsal strategies, including anticipating, identifying, and addressing intonation, pitches and rhythmic accuracy, balance and blend, technical challenges, and style and interpretation. Students will also focus on vocal production and technique and other vocal-specific topics.

MUSC3500: Northwesterners

Credits 0 1

A small vocal ensemble of select personnel chosen by audition. Ensemble will perform vocal jazz, contemporary Christian and a cappella literature. Membership open to majors and non-majors. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC3600: Basic Conducting

Credits 2
Introduction to the fundamentals of conducting techniques, rehearsal methods, and musical score reading.

MUSC3640: Musical Theatre Styles Workshop

Credits 2
A course designed to assist students in the transfer of vocal technique from the private voice studio to the musical theatre stage, as well as introduction and practice of the various vocal styles which may be required of a musical theatre performer.

MUSC3650: Studio and Live Sound

Credits 3
Designed to teach the technical aspects of live or studio multi-track recording, mixing, mastering, and producing analog and digital audio and MIDI data. Lecture, discussion, and demonstration formats, combine with student presentations using supporting recordings. Offered alternate years, normally Spring even numbered years.

MUSC3660: Musical Theatre History

Credits 3

An overview of the history of theatre and the subsequent development of musical theatre as its own distinct subgenre. Plays and musicals will be studied in detail during the course.

MUSC3750: Symphonic Literature

Credits 1
A study of representative symphonic literature from the baroque, classic, romantic, and modern periods (18th, 19th, and 20th centuries). May be repeated for credit.

MUSC3910: Solo Recital for Music Education

Credits 0

This public performance credit fulfills a music degree requirement for Music Education candidates. This recital consists of at least 30 and no more than 45 minutes of solo repertoire (actual performance time). The program must represent at least three art music periods (three languages for voice recitals), including one work for small ensemble (defined as three or more performers without a conductor). Students must achieve advanced standing in their major performing area before gaining permission to schedule their recital. The student is responsible for registering for the semester of the recital.

MUSC4000: Music Capstone Seminar

Credits 1

This course will help students reflect on their undergraduate experience and plan for the future. Designated class sessions will be geared toward discussion, and result in written reflections on University Values.

MUSC4250: Private Instruction in Instrument or Voice

Credits 1 2

Private instruction in piano, voice, organ, strings, percussion, woodwind or brass instruments. Available to juniors and seniors who have reached an appropriate level of proficiency. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC4370: Bella Voce

Credits 0 1

Women's choir whose membership is open to non-majors as well as majors. Personnel chosen by audition. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC4371: University Men's Choir

Credits 0 1

Audition for placement in appropriate section. Choir sings in music department concerts, chapels, selected churches and community events. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

MUSC4390: Piano Methods

Credits 3
A study of piano teaching materials and methods for the beginner through college level.

MUSC4410: Voice Methods

Credits 3

A study of voice production, teaching methods and repertoire for the various voice classifications.

MUSC4420: Musical Theatre Production/Opera Workshop

Credits 0 1
Hands-on involvement in the performing of an opera, opera scenes, or a Broadway musical, including acting, singing, choreography, stage lighting and set construction. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4430: Jazz Combos

Credits 0 1

A jazz ensemble with vocalists and instrumentalists chosen by audition, with a broad repertoire of jazz and popular music. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4440: Orchestra

Credits 0 1

An ensemble that performs varied works for both full and string orchestra.  Repertoire includes works from the Baroque era to the 21st Century.  Additionally, string players perform and tour with the University Choir and Orchestra.  The group is open to all NNU students and may be repeated.  Fees: Additional fee required. 

MUSC4450: Chamber Ensemble

Credits 0 1
A course designed for students ready to participate in a small chamber group. Membership open to non-majors as well as majors. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4460: Wind Ensemble

Credits 0 1

The Northwest Nazarene University Wind Ensemble is a course of membership in the largest instrumental ensemble of the Department of Music. Most wind and percussion instruments are represented in the ensemble. Membership is open to proficient non-majors as well as majors. May be repeated for credit. Initial auditions each year are primarily for chair placement.

MUSC4490: University Choir and Orchestra

Credits 0 1

An ensemble of select personnel chosen by audition. Ensemble's aims are to perform a variety of choral/orchestral literature from classical to contemporary. Membership open to majors and non-majors. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4600: Musical Theatre Capstone Seminar

Credits 1
This experience is required of seniors completing the Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. This seminar course involves written and oral presentations demonstrating a synthesis of the experiences of the degree program, as well as written reflections on University outcomes.

MUSC4660: Dance Technique

Credits 1
Courses in the various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, which are applicable to the requirements of the musical theatre dancer. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4950A: Internship in Church Music

Credits 1 2
Course designed to place students in a local church where, under the supervision of the instructor and the minister of music, the student will assume many of the responsibilities in the music ministry. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC4980: Seminar: Music Business Management

Credits 3
Topics researched and discussed in this seminar will include producing and selling a musical recording, creating and managing a recording label, marketing and promotion and copyright issues.

THTR1260: Acting I: Intro to Acting

Credits 3
A course designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental skills necessary to acting and to explore the basic elements of the actor’s art. This course will explore the physical, vocal, intellectual, and technical aspects of acting in a format that encourages freedom of imagination and personal growth.

THTR1270: Introduction to Directing

Credits 3
The study of the basic techniques of stage direction including play analysis, director/actor and director/designer communication, and technical problems of movement, composition, picturization, and blocking. Students will practice the craft by presenting in-depth research and script analysis and directing scene work.

THTR2260: Acting II: Acting in Realism

Credits 3

A continuation of Acting I: Intro to Acting, this course is designed to further explore the actor's art, and continue to develop the individual's technique.

THTR2470: Troupe

Credits 0 2

Auditioned ensemble which will form the core of NNU’s theatre production. Members commit to a twice-weekly meeting time designed to foster ensemble and to build, staff and act in the production season. Production responsibilities will be assigned through consultation between the student and instructor. Intended for the student who wants a more intense and immersive experience in theater production than participation in a play or musical can provide. May be repeated for credit.

THTR2480: Theatre Production

Credits 0 1

Hands-on involvement in the performing of a theatrical production, including acting, costuming, stage lighting, set construction and theatre management. May be repeated for credit.

THTR3260: Acting III: Shakespeare

Credits 3
An introduction to the skills necessary for performing Shakespearean texts. Through reading, analysis and performance work, the student will grow to understand how Shakespearean performance differs from Realism, and be able to implement those differences to deliver Shakespearean text with clarity and understanding.

THTR4260: Acting IV: Departures from Realism

Credits 3
An introduction to post-realistic modern theatre and its acting conventions. Students will be introduced to the acting skills necessary to perform non-realistic theatre. Through reading, analysis, and scene work, the student will grow to understand the varying stylistic conventions found in the wide-ranging genres of non-realistic theatre and the philosophical movements which birthed them, and be able to implement those conventions in practice.

THTR4470: Troupe

Credits 0 2

Auditioned ensemble which will form the core of NNU’s theatre production. Members commit to a twice-weekly meeting time designed to foster ensemble and to build, staff and act in the production season. Production responsibilities will be assigned through consultation between the student and instructor. Intended for the student who wants a more intense and immersive experience in theater production than participation in a play or musical can provide. May be repeated for credit.

THTR4480: Theatre Production

Credits 0 1

Hands-on involvement in the performing of a theatrical production, including acting, costuming, stage lighting, set construction and theatre management. May be repeated for credit.