UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

Music (MUSC)

Professor Kirby (Chair); Associate Professor McKnight; Assistant Professors Mattingly, Maxile, Wilkin

The Music Department offers three degree options: Bachelor of Science in Music Technology, Bachelor of Arts in Music with General Music Emphasis, and Bachelor of Arts in Music with Jazz Studies Emphasis. Because of the large degree of performance specialization inherent in this discipline, the department relies heavily upon an adjunct faculty of professional musicians. The following performance groups are a vital part of the Music Department: Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, String Quartet, Asheville Symphony Orchestra and various ensembles including Jazz, Chamber, Percussion, Studio and Synthesizer.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

There are two emphases within the B.A. program: 1) general music and 2) jazz studies. The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Music provides an opportunity for students to engage in a wide range of musical and academic studies. Students may emphasize areas of special interest, such as performance, composition, computer music, theory and history (traditional and jazz). The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies is intended for students wishing to pursue careers as jazz performers, composers and arrangers.

General Music Emphasis

1. Required courses in the major--40 hours, including: MUSC 201, 202, 231, 232, 301, 302,331, 332, 351, 352, 353; 8 hours in Applied Music, 4 of which must be at 300 or 400 level; 4 hours of approved ensemble and 6 hours of Music electives at the 300 or 400 level in area of emphasis approved in writing by the department chair.
2. Required courses outside the major--None.
3. Other departmental requirements--Senior competency as demonstrated by recital and written comprehensive examination in music theory and music history. Oral competency will be examined by a faculty committee one week after the written comprehensive examination in music theory and music history. Computer competency is demonstrated through the use of computer programs designed for music notation, computer-assisted instruction, multimedia presentation, or similar applications used in preparation of assignments for MUSC 302 and 332.

Jazz Studies Emphasis

1. Required courses in the major--40 hours, including: MUSC 201, 202, 231, 232, 301, 302, 331, 332, 352, 353, 357, 364, 365; 8 hours in Applied Music, 4 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level; 4 hours of approved ensemble recommended by the Director of Jazz Studies and approved in writing by the department chair.
2. Required courses outside the major--None.
3. Other departmental requirements--Senior competency as demonstrated by recital and written comprehensive examination in music theory and music history. Oral competency will be examined by a faculty committee one week after the written comprehensive examination in music theory and music history. Computer competency is demonstrated through the use of computer programs designed for music notation, computer-assisted instruction, multimedia presentation, or similar applications used in preparation of assignments for MUSC 302 and 332.

Bachelor of Science in Music Technology

The B.S. in Music Technology provides preparation for entry-level positions, specifically in recording and the technology-based areas of the music industry, and for graduate work.

1. Required courses in the major--40 hours, including: MUSC 201, 202, 231, 232, 293, 294, 301, 302, 331, 332, 351, 352, 353, 384, 385, 386, 387, 484, 485, 486, 487; 2 hours of approved ensemble recommended by the director of music technology and approved in writing by the department chair.
2. Required courses outside the major--22-24 hours: CSCI 201; MATH 167; PHYS 102, 131, 231,310.
3. Senior competency as demonstrated by approved senior recording or research project (to be undertaken in conjunction with MUSC 485 and 487) and written comprehensive examination in audio engineering technology (electronics, acoustics, recording theory and practice, etc.), music theory and music history. Oral competency will be examined by a faculty committee one week after the written senior competency in music theory and history. Computer competency is demonstrated by utilizing computer programs for audio recording, editing, mastering, sequencing, or similar applications during the realization of the senior project.

Admission to the Major in Music

Students wishing admittance to either the B.A. or B.S. degree program in music must first satisfy the LANG 120 requirement. The student must also 1) demonstrate piano competency through the MUSC 102 level; 2) successfully complete MUSC 201 and 231; and 3) pass an instrumental or vocal audition placing them into MUSC 291. Audition guidelines are available from the Music Department or at http://www.unca.edu/music.

Minor in Music

18 hours: MUSC 231, 232, 351, 352, 353; and 6 additional hours of electives in Music at the 300 or 400 level. At least 9 of the hours in the minor must be taken at UNC Asheville.

101, 102 Class Piano I, II (2,2)

Group and individualized instruction in piano and basic music theory designed to accommodate beginners, as well as students with intermediate abilities. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory. Fall and Spring.

103, 104 Class Guitar I, II (2,2)

Group and individualized instruction in techniques of guitar performance, classical and popular. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory. Fall and Spring.

105 Class Voice I (2)

A study of voice production, including respiration, articulation, voice placement and f freshman-level repertoire. Fall and Spring.

Note: Courses 111 through 129 may be repeated for credit, but no more than 8 hours in aggregate may count toward graduation requirements.

111 Chorus (1)

Performance course emphasizing vocal and ensemble technique, along with a broad survey of vocal music iterature. Fall and Spring.

121 Concert Band (1)

Performance course emphasizing reading and technique. Ability to perform on a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument required. Fall and Spring.

122 Jazz Band (1)

Performance course encompassing jazz idioms. Open to all students by audition and director's permission. Fall and Spring.

123 Ensemble (1)

Course designed to meet specific needs each semester. Possible participation in all types of trios, quartets, quintets, etc., classical or popular styles. Open to all students by audition and permission of instructor.

124 Symphony (1)

Performance of classical repertoire with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. By audition only and permission of the conductor.

125 Jazz Choir (1)

Jazz vocal choir rehearsing and publicly performing contemporary jazz arrangements. Open to all students by audition. Fall and Spring.

128 Percussion Ensemble (1)

Performance course emphasizing percussion literature of all styles. By audition. Fall and Spring.

129 Jazz Ensemble (1)

Performance course for instrumentalists emphasizing small-group jazz literature from bebop to present. By audition. Fall and Spring.

131 Introductory Music Theory (3)

Stresses basic music literacy, the rudiments of music, and basic analytical techniques and proficiencies relevant to a study of the elements of music. Includes introductory aural skills. For non-music majors. Spring.

201 Aural Skills I (1)

Laboratory for ear-training and sight-singing. Prerequisite: demonstrated piano competency through the MUSC 101 level; corequisite: MUSC 231. Fall.

202 Aural Skills II (1)

Continuation of MUSC 201. Prerequisite: MUSC 201; corequisite: MUSC 232. Spring.

207 Conducting (2)

Emphasizes basic through refined conducting skills and their applicability to various styles of music. Prerequisite: MUSC 232; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

216 Musical Theatre Workshop (DRAM 216) (3)

Song interpretation and style of selected American Musical Theater repertoire. Course culminates in group performance of scenes from various major works. Prerequisite: MUSC 105; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

231 Music Theory I (3)

A study of the organization of sound in time as seen through treatment of the elements of music in the Common Practice Period (1600-1900); emphasis also on various types of scales, tuning systems, transposing instruments and four-part voice leading. Includes creative writing. Prerequisite: demonstrated piano competency through the MUSC 101 level; corequisite: MUSC 201. Fall.

232 Music Theory II (3)

A continuation of MUSC 231 with a unit on the treatment of the elements of music in 20th-century popular styles as compared with that of the Common Practice Period; includes a study of modulation and altered chords; includes creative writing. Prerequisite: demonstrated piano competency through the MUSC 102 level; MUSC 231; corequisite MUSC 202. Spring.

293, 294 Keyboard Harmony and Improvisation I, II (2, 2)

Common keyboard voicings and accompanimental improvisation techniques in various musical styles, with an emphasis on harmonic theory and contemporary chord symbol nomenclature. Prerequisites for MUSC 293: demonstrated piano competency through MUSC 102 level; MUSC 231. Prerequisite for MUSC 294: MUSC 293. MUSC 293: Fall. MUSC 294: Spring.

301 Aural Skills III (1)

Continuation of MUSC 202. Prerequisite: MUSC 202; corequisite: MUSC 331. Fall.

302 Aural Skills IV (1)

Continuation of MUSC 301. Prerequisite: MUSC 301; corequisite: MUSC 332. Spring.

331 Music Theory III (3)

A study of counterpoint (16th and 18th centuries); a continuation of the study of chromatic harmony (all altered chords and extended tonalities and extended chords); forms (variation, sonata allegro, rondo, minuet and trio). Prerequisite: MUSC 232; corequisite MUSC 301. Fall.

332 Music Theory IV (3)

Impressionistic and 20th-century techniques including alternatives to tonality and contempo rary treatment of the elements of music; techniques for writing and analyzing compositions based on pitch class sets and serialism. Prerequisite: MUSC 331; corequisite MUSC 302. Spring.

351 Music History and Literature to 1750 (2)

The history of music from primitive man through the mid-18th century, with an analysis of the respective literature. Every third semester.

352 Music History and Literature, 1750-1900 (2)

The music of the late Baroque through the Classical, Romantic and Impressionistic periods including style analysis of appropriate literature. Presentations in this course will prepare students for demonstrating oral competency. Prerequisite: MUSC 232; or permission of instructor. Every third semester.

353 Music History and Literature from 1900 (2)

Survey and analysis of 20th century developments with emphasis on Stravinsky, Bartok, the Schoenberg School, atonality, electronic and experimental music. Presentations in this course will prepare students for demonstrating oral competency. Every third semester.

355 Symphonic and Chamber Music Literature (3)

An explorative study and analysis of the symphonic and chamber music literature of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Course includes listening, concert attendance, readings and lectures.

357 Jazz History (2)

A study of the development of jazz from its roots in ragtime and blues forms through contemporary acoustic and electroacoustic jazz styles. Even years Fall.

362 Arranging (3)

Study of harmony, melody and rhythm as applied to problems of arranging for instrumental and vocal ensembles of varying sizes and styles. Prerequisite: MUSC 332; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

364 Jazz Theory and Improvisation I (3)

The theory and performance of improvised melodic line construction and its interdependence to issues including: chord/scale relationships, advanced scalar and modal analysis and applications, harmonic function and substitution, and rhythmic development and alteration. Prerequisites: MUSC 192 (or equivalent), 201, 231; corequisite: MUSC 202. Spring.

365 Jazz Theory and Improvisation II (3)

The continued study of linear improvisation, with additional emphasis on motivic development, superimposition and displacement of rhythmic elements, solo transcription analysis, and sophisticated compositional structures. Prerequisites: MUSC 202, 364; corequisite: MUSC 301. Fall.

382 Music Industry and Business I (3)

A survey of the music industry with special emphasis on music publishing, copyright, licensing, agents, managers, attorneys and merchandising. See department chair.

383 Music Industry and Business II (3)

Surveys record industry and other technologically oriented areas of music enterprise: record markets, artists' contracts, record production and merchandising; also radio, telecommunications and newly developing technologies. Prerequisite: MUSC 382. See department chair.

384 Audio Engineering Technology I (2)

Theoretical foundations of modern recording including the study of microphones, loudspeakers, signal processors, magnetic tape, equalizers and filters. Enrollment limited to formally declared Music Technology and Multimedia Arts and Sciences majors. Prerequisites: MUSC 131 (Multimedia majors); MUSC 231 (Music majors); PHYS 102; corequisite: MUSC 385. Spring.

385 Recording Studio Practicum I (1)

Application of modern recording techniques with hands-on experience in a multitrack recording studio, covering microphone technique, tape machine operation, session procedures, basic production techniques. Enrollment limited to formally declared Multimedia Arts and Sciences majors and Music Technology majors. Prerequisites: MUSC 131 (Multimedia majors); MUSC 231 (Music majors); PHYS 102; corequisite: MUSC 384. Spring.

386 Audio Engineering Technology II (2)

A continuation of MUSC 384, including the theoretical foundations of digital audio, studio synchronization and post production. Prerequisite: MUSC 384; corequisite: MUSC 387. Fall.

387 Recording Studio Practicum II (1)

Continuation of MUSC 385, with emphasis on the application of modern recording techniques, including digital recording, digital editing, studio synchronization, and advanced production techniques. Prerequisites: MUSC 384, 385; corequisite: MUSC 386. Fall.

484 Audio Engineering Technology III (2)

A continuation of MUSC 386 with emphasis on acoustical measurement, studio design, and sound reinforcement. Prerequisites: MUSC 232, 386, 387; corequisite: MUSC 485. Spring.

485 Recording Studio Practicum III (1)

A continuation of 387, including field-experience in sound reinforcement, remote recording and advanced production techniques. Prerequisites: MUSC 232, 386, 387; corequisite: MUSC 484. Spring.

486 Audio Engineering Technology IV (2)

A continuation of MUSC 484, with emphasis on studio automation and emerging technolo gies. Prerequisites: MUSC 484, 485; corequisite: MUSC 487. Fall.

487 Recording Studio Practicum IV (1)

A continuation of MUSC 485, including individually assigned studio and fieldwork. Prerequi sites: MUSC 484, 485; corequisite: MUSC 486. Fall.

488 Directed Studio Projects (1-6)

Individual recording, computer music and research projects realized in the UNCA music technology studios. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. Prerequisites: MUSC 486, 487. See department chair.

390, 490 Professional and Technical Internship (1-6)

Internship with a participating firm or organization relevant to the student's degree emphasis. Internships available in various cities, such as New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, as well as cities in North Carolina. Specific information available from department chair. Prerequisite: departmental permission. Fall and Spring.

499 Undergraduate Research in Music (1-6)

Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. See department chair.

171-3, 271-3, 371-3, 471-3 Special Topics in Music (1-3)

Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.

191-192, 291-292, 391-392, 491-492 Applied Music (2)

Individual weekly lessons (one hour or equivalent) and a one-hour weekly group meeting. Details available from Music Department. Prerequisite: By audition and permission of the department (B.A. students must be enrolled in Applied Music during the semester they perform their degree recital.) Fall and Spring.

241-242, 341-342, 441-442 Composition (1)

Creative writing and original compositions in various forms and for varied media. Prerequisite: MUSC 332; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

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