These are intended for non-musicians, particularly those seeking the satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement.

MUSA 170-176. Beginning Class Instruction (1E)
These are basic skills courses for beginning students. We have classes in Guitar (170), Piano (173, 174, 273), and Voice (176). An extra fee is involved. These classes may also be of particular interest to those students pursuing teacher certification, or music students seeking an introduction to a new instrument.

MUSC 216. An Introduction to the World’s Musics (4)
Designed for the general student, this course serves as an introduction to the music and musical practices of various cultures around the world. This course addresses the challenge of listening to unfamiliar sounds as“music” and explores the relationship between music and society.

These are private instruction and ensembles. They are required of Performing Arts major music concentrators. These courses (identified as MUSA), if taken for four semesters (any combination of ensembles, or private lessons on a single instrument/voice), also satisfy the Core Arts requirement. Please contact the Performing Art Department Chair (Sterling Lambert) with any questions about this. Required for the music major: the final 4 semesters of ensemble (i.e. at the upper level), the final 4 semesters of private instruction (i.e. at the upper level) are required for the concentration.

MUSA 180-190; 480-490. Ensembles (1E)
The various groups one may belong to include Choir (180/480), Chamber Singers (182/482), Wind Ensemble (185/485), Jazz Ensemble (186/486), Chamber Ensembles (187/487), Orchestra (189/489). First year students and sophomores should sign up at the 100 level. Juniors and seniors should sign up at the 400 level. Advanced pianists may also sign up for Piano Accompanist (190/490). Admission to all of these groups is by audition only. Some are open to people with little background (Choir, for example); admission to others is highly competitive (especially Chamber Singers). Please check in each case with the particular ensemble director/instructor, or with the people in the Music Office. Note that participation in Chamber Singers requires that you also participate in Choir. And note also that participation in Chamber Ensembles requires that you also participate in a large ensemble.

MUSA 380-389. Private Instruction (1E)
Qualified students may study privately with a teacher of any of the standard orchestral instruments, voice, piano, or composition. See the faculty list (click HERE) for teachers––others may be added as needed, so if you do not see your particular instrument, please ask the Performing Arts department chair. These courses are not for beginners, generally speaking. Admission is by audition only. For some popular instruments (guitar, piano) and for voice, beginners are directed to our class instruction courses, which are designed to get you started. You’ll find these listed above under “Introductory Courses.” If you don’t see a class for what you want to study, and are a beginner, please check with the Performing Arts department chair. Depending on the instrument and the particular semester, we may be able to provide you with beginning private lessons. If you don’t have an instrument, we may be able to loan you one. First year students and sophomores should sign up for the 200 level. Juniors and seniors should sign up for the 300 level. Please note that these courses have an extra fee involved. See the College Catalog for details about fees. NOTE: All students studying privately will AUTOMATICALLY be registered in: MUSA 200. Concert Attendance (0E)

Students who study privately are also required to attend concerts. Performing Arts major music concentrators will be required to attend at least 8 concerts per semester. Non-majors will be required to attend at least 4 concerts per semester. The concerts take place on campus and are free. See the College Catalog description of this course and consult with the people in the Music Office for details.

These are intended first of all for Performing Arts major music concentrators, but some of them may also satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement or may be open to non-majors.

PERF 101 Critical Creativity in the Performing Arts (4 credits, lower-level)

Performing Arts “gateway” course, ideally to be taken in the first year.

Theory (8 semester hours required for the major)

MUSC 201, 202. Sightsinging and Dictation I, II (1F, 1S)

MUSC 203, 204. Music Theory I, II (3F, 3S)

These are a one-year requirement in music theory for Performing Arts music concentrators. The courses are co-requisite, meaning you must take them as pairs of courses (201+203 in the fall, 202+204 in the spring). The subject of the theory courses is diatonic music (Western common practice harmony, as developed in the 17th and 18th centuries). The courses are open to non-majors––in fact, usually about half of the students in these courses are not Performing Arts majors. This is one of the best places to begin to explore whether or not you wish to become a Performing Arts major music concentrator.

History (8 semester hours required for the major)

MUSC 318, 319. Music History Survey I, II (4F, 4S)
These two courses present the development of music in the Western world from the middle ages to 1900 (I), and 1900 to the present day (II). Reading music is required for these courses. Completion of MUSC203 and MUSC204 (Music Theory I and II) is required for MUSC 318, and completion of MUSC 318 (Music History I) is required for MUSC 319.

Ethnomusicology (4 semester hours required for the major)

MUSC 216. An Introduction to the World’s Musics (4)
Designed for the general student, this course serves as an introduction to the music and musical practices of various cultures around the world. This course addresses the challenge of listening to unfamiliar sounds as“music” and explores the relationship between music and society.

The Performing Arts Today (4 credits, upper-level).

Focuses on vocational and practical issues in the world of the performing arts. Topics could include career preparation, sound recording, stagecraft, etc.

MUSC 493 and 494. St. Mary’s Project in Music (4S)

In the year that you graduate with a Performing Arts major with a concentration in music, you will pursue the St. Mary’s Project. Alternatively, you will pursue the Capstone Course in Ensemble Performance Creation (8 credits – 4F, 4S) completed throughout the senior year.

Please read the catalog descriptions for MUSC 493 and MUSC 494, and consult the procedural guidelines found in this section of the Performing Arts Department Webpage. Please also consult with a member of the Performing Arts department music faculty if you have any questions about any of this.

More information on SMPs

MUSC 195, 295, 395, 495. Guided Reading in Music (1-2E)MUSC 197, 297, 397, 497. Directed Research in Music (1-4E)MUSC 199, 299, 399, 499. Independent Study (1-4E)

From time to time, a student may choose to pursue a course of reading in a particular topic, undertake an independent research project, or pursue study of a subject not included in our catalog. On acceptance of the proposal for such work by a music faculty member, the student prepares a learning contract. This must take place prior to registration. More information can be found in the College Catalog, in the “Independent Study” part of the “Academic Policies” section.

You choose among these as a way of tailoring your program to suit your own particular needs and ambitions, beyond the requirements of the Performing Arts major music concentration.

• MUSC 234. Composing with Computers (2AS)
  An overview of the possibilities opened to people seeking to create music through digital technology. The course will include an introduction to music sequencing, the creation and use of loops and sampled sounds, and digital sound editing, all of these applied to music creation. May be repeated once for credit. This course, if taken twice, fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement in the Arts.
• MUSC 235. Computer Music Notation (2F)
  An introduction to music notation using computer software programs. The course is designed as a logical partner with MUSC 203, Music Theory I. Formerly offered as part of MUSC 310. Students who have completed MUSC 301 have satisfied this music major requirement and are not eligible for this course. Prerequisite: demonstrated ability to read music
• MUSC 340. Orchestration and Arranging (4AF)
  The study of problems encountered when writing for orchestral instruments, alone or in combination. A main feature of this course is that it develops your score reading ability. This course is open to students who have completed Music Theory II (MUSC 204)––or have the permission of the instructor.
• MUSC 360. Conducting (4S) Study of beat patterns, baton techniques, and rehearsal techniques, using critical score analysis. This course is strongly recommended to students planning to pursue graduate music study or teacher certification.
• MUSC 398, 498. Off-campus Internship (8-16E)
  A variety of off-campus experiential learning opportunities can be arranged through the director of internships and study abroad. You must be admitted to the Internship Program, and have the approval of the department chair. See the Director of the Office of Internships and the department chair for further information.

Teaching courses

These are methods classes and the like, mostly intended for students planning to pursue the M. A. T. and teaching certification in music.

MUSA 206-209. Class Methods (1E)
These are four methods classes for students seeking music teaching certification. They are offered in rotation, one each semester. They are Class Wind Methods (206), Class Brass Methods (207), Class String Methods (208), and Class Percussion Methods (209). NOTE: only one of each of these will be offered each semester.

MUSA 170. Class Instruction in Guitar (1E)
This may be taken instead of Class String Methods (MUSA 208) as part of the music certification process.

NOTE: The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is the way that SMCM offers teaching certification. The other courses required for admission to the MAT program (beyond those also required in the Music Major) are taught in the Psychology Department and the Educational Studies Department. There are more than a few courses on that list, and you MUST consult with a member of the Educational Studies Department if you are interested in the MAT, which would provide you with Maryland teaching certification and a Masters degree. For fuller information about the MAT, please