Music

The NMH Music Program offers students of all levels the opportunity to experience artistry in their music-making. The academic course offerings help to develop essential skills of musicianship and listening, skills that are also emphasized in the performing groups. All courses are half credit except MUS 212 and MUS 511, which are full credit. In addition to our academic offerings we offer extensive cocurricular opportunities for performance in the large ensembles.

Related Info

Related Courses

Cocurricular Options (Performing Groups)

ATM 400 Music Concentration

MUS 006 Concert Band

MUS 007 Concert Choir

MUS 008 Symphony Orchestra

MUS 010 Music Concentration

MUS 012 Jazz Ensemble

STU 602 The Nellies

Extracurricular Options

MUS 011 Conducting Seminar

MUS 003 Introduction to Music Theory

MUS 021 Beginning Guitar Workshop

MUS 034 African and Latin American Hand Drumming

Private Music Lessons are offered once a week, for a charge of $32 per lesson. The music program arranges the instructor and can arrange for instrument rental, if needed.

MUS 051 Bass

MUS 052 Cello

MUS 053 Clarinet

MUS 054 Drum

MUS 055 Flute

MUS 056 French Horn

MUS 057 Guitar

MUS 058 Jazz Piano

MUS 059 Organ

MUS 060 Piano

MUS 061 Saxophone

MUS 062 Trombone

MUS 063 Trumpet

MUS 064 Violin

MUS 065 Voice

MUS 066 Bassoon

MUS 067 Oboe

MUS 068 Viola

MUS 112 The History of Jazz

Credit:

Half credit.

Prerequisite:

None.

An extensive study of the lives and musical styles of well-known jazz musicians from the 1800s to the 21st century. Students will learn how to listen to and appreciate different styles of jazz. A portfolio of jazz articles, biographies, and written assignments is the final assessment for this course.

MUS 211 Electronic Music Studio

Credit:

Half credit

Prerequisite:

Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors and postgraduates who have reached intermediate level on any instrument and in music-reading skills, and who have basic keyboard skills.

The primary focus of this course is on learning to use recording equipment, notation programs, and sequencing programs. Students use digital, analog, and acoustical recording equipment, sound-board mixers, synthesizers, drum machines, and Apple computers with MIDI devices.

MUS 315 The Great Composers

Credit:

Half credit

Prerequisite:

None.

Who were Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Verdi, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky? Why are they revered as some of the greatest composers of all time? Who came before them? Who came after them? How do we begin to understand the greatness of their art? The aims of this course are, first, to build listening and analytical skills using examples from the classical music repertoire and, second, to survey a selection of masterpieces of classical music from all the major historical periods (Medieval/Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century). Large-scale integral compositions will include Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Verdi’s opera, Rigoletto, and Stravinsky’s ballet, The Rite of Spring.

MUS 316 The Materials of Music

Credit:

Half credit.

Prerequisite:

None.

What are the building blocks of music, and how can we describe what we hear using a music vocabulary? Exploring different genres, such as Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Rock and Roll, Classical, and Folk, as well as the music of different cultures, students will learn how the building blocks work together to create a composition. Through listening and composing students will discover how the elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, timbre and form) are manipulated by composers and performers to produce music.

MUS 411 Advanced Applied Music I

Credit:

Half credit for year long enrollment.

Prerequisite:

Advanced proficiency level and application process through the director of the music program.

Fees:

$37 per lesson

Students at an advanced level with a serious interest in applied music may petition to receive academic credit. This credit will be in addition to the required six major credits, and will be granted during the spring semester. One 45-minute lesson plus a minimum of four 45-minute practice sessions per week. Performance in a student recital is required.

MUS 412 Advanced Applied Music II

Credit:

Half Credit

Prerequisite:

Advanced proficiency level and application process through the director of the music program.

Fees:

$37 per lesson

Open to juniors, seniors, and postgraduates.

This course is for upper-level students who are preparing for auditions and/or major recitals. In addition to a weekly 45- to 60-minute lesson period, students are expected to spend eight hours per week practicing and doing research on the music and composers they are studying. They must perform in public sometime during the semester, and appear before a faculty panel for a final assessment at the end of the semester.

MUS 511 Advanced Placement Music Theory and Harmony

Credit:

One credit

Prerequisite:

Introduction to Theory or equivalent, and permission of instructor or music program director.

Following the national AP curriculum, this course offers upper-level music students an in-depth study of music theory, with particular emphasis on listening skills, tonal analysis, harmonization techniques, melodic and harmonic dictation, and four-part writing.