Music Courses

MUS 1A-D - Music Theory

4 units, 5 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This four semester course includes intervals, chords, basic diatonic harmony and part writing in the first semester. The second semester includes diatonic harmony, chromatic harmony, melodic writing, basic improvisation and introduces musical form. The third semester emphasizes secondary seventh, dominant seventh, dimished seventh, chords of ninth, eleventh and thirteenth, modal alteration, advanced modulation and chromatic alteration. The fourth semester course introduces twentieth century melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic practices, the twelve tone technique, digest of form and counterpoint. Each semester includes 3 hours of theory and 2 hours of eartraining.

Prerequisite: MUS 4 or permission of the instructor

*This series of courses is required for all music majors and must be taken in order.

MUS 4 - Fundamentals of Music

5 units, 5 hours

This course covers the basics of music theory including music notation, its history and development, keys, scales, intervals and an introduction to chords.. It is designed, in part, as a preparatory course for Music 1A. It will also be of interest to anyone interested in learning to read music. This class includes 3 hours of theory and 2 hours of eartraining.

MUS 5A-D - Concert Choir

1 unit, 3 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This course includes the study and performance of standard choral literature. Music from the 16th Century to the modern will be prepared for public performance. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 7A-D - Chamber Singers

1 unit, 3 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

A select choral ensemble of experienced women singers who perform at various college and community functions. Repertoire includes folk songs, madrigals, spirituals, and additional music, all of which require more advanced singing ability than is expected in Music 5. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 8 - Chamber Music Performance

1 unit, 3 hours

This course prepares students in the participation of smaller, primarily instrumental ensembles, with intensive preparation toward performance. Includes but not limited to diverse duet combinations, trios, string trios, quartet, woodwind and brass quintets. Available for most instruments and vocalists.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: Ability to play an instrument at a minimum of high school level.

MUS 11A-D - Concert Band

1.5 units, 3 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This large concert band rehearses and performs concert band literature. The group may make several public appearances during a semester. This performance group is open to all musicians who play an instrument appropriate to band literature. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 12A-D - Vocal Jazz Ensemble

2 units, 4-6 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

A course designed to enable the students to advance in technical ability, stylistic understanding and appreciation in the organization, training procedures, arranging, staging, and other phases of vocal jazz ensemble work. Music performed will consist of jazz, jazz rock, Top 40, and pop materials. Many public performances. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Mus 5A-D, Mus 7A-D, Mus 4, or Mus 25A-D; a solo audition with the instructor to review the student's basic skills in sight reading and stylistic interpretation.

Auditions occur in the spring for the following fall. There will also be fall auditions if there are still places to be filled. Students registering for Vocal Jazz Ensemble are expected to make a year commitment.

MUS 13 - Jazz and Pop Improvisation

2 units, 3 hours

This course provides techniques and skill development for improvisation by the pop and jazz vocalist or instrumentalist. It includes the study and performance of the blues, as well as jazz standards and their stylization. In addition, instrumental improvisation and "scat" singing over the associated harmonic changes will be included.

Advisory: Music Fundamentals, equivalent or instructor's permission.

MUS 14 - Applied Instrumental Music

1 unit, 1 hour (AA, CSU)

This course offers specialized individual instruction for music majors on their major instrument. A weekly private lesson. Study of techniques, music literature, and the problems of performance. Performance in a recital each semester is required. This course maybe taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.

*The student must also be registered in MUS 1 or 4, MUS 2 and a performance class to qualify for private lessons.

MUS 15 - Music Compostion

2 units, 3 hours

An introductory course for beginning composers covering all styles of musical composition. Students will explore the melodic and rhythmic forms of a variety of music. Students at all skill levels will work in a workship/critique format. They will hone their skills and learn how to present their ideas through music. This course is for writers, poets, songwriting newcomers, singers, instrumentalists, arrangers, or those who want to compose music for film or video.

MUS 16A-D - Jazz Band

1.5 units, 3-4 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This is an an organized large jazz band rehearsing and performing jazz, fusion, and pop material. This is an instrumental group, but a few solo vocalists will be needed. Musicians who play instruments appropriate to a jazz band are welcome. this course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 17A-D - Electronic Music

2 units, 3 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

A study of the many different components of the electronic music lab and their interrelation to one another. This course will explore many compositional devices with hands-on experience. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 21 - Computerized Music Notation

3 units, 3 hours (AA,CSU)

An introduction to computerized music notation utilizing the industry standard software "FINALE". Students will learn basic techniques using FINALE to generate musical scores. Support hour.

MUS 22 - Introduction to the Music Major

2 units, 2 hours

This course is designed to give the student, who is considering majoring in music, skills which will improve their chances of succeeding in the major along with career exploration in the area of music. The course covers behavior expectations, practice skills, time management, career exploration, college and university music program exploration, and a final career project.

MUS 25A-B - Beginning Voice

1 unit, 2 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

Designed to provide voice training for Music and Theater majors and minors. Other students wishing to improve their singing voices are also welcome. All instrumental majors are required by most 4 years college and universities to take one year of beginning voice. Although Theater majors are required to take only MUS 25A, MUS 25B is highly recommended.

Prerequisite: MUS 25A must be taken before MUS 25B.

MUS 25C-D - INTERMEDIATE VOICE

1 unit, 2 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

Designed to provide advanced voice training for music majors and minors. Course inclludes the study of the International Phonetic Alphabet and the singing of Italian, Latin and German art songs.

Prerequisite: MUS 25 B must be taken before MUS 25C. MUS 25C must be taken before MUS 25D.

MUS 26 - GUITAR

1 unit, 2 hours (AA, CSU)

Beginning through advanced guitar students are welcome to register for this class. Emphasis is placed upon the guitar as a total instrument: melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic, as it applies to solo and accompaniment performance. The course includes two semesters of basic theory as it applies to guitar, as well as basic scales, chords, sight reading melodies and chord charts. The third and fourth semesters will emphasize more advanced reading, chording, fingering and improvisation as it applies to all musical forms. Students will be grouped according to abilities. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

MUS 28 - MUSICAL COMEDY WORKSHOP

1-2 units, 54-108 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

Rehearsal and performance of a musical play. Those instrumentalists wishing to play in the pit orchestra sign up for the one unit class which meets once a week. Those students wishing to be in the cast sign up for the two unit course which rehearses daily. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

MUS 29 - SPECIAL STUDIES

1-2 units

This course is designed to meet the needs of Music majors and minors which cannot be met with the traditional course offerings. A project must be agreed upon by the student and the music instructor who will mentor the project.

MUS 31 - MUSIC APPRECIATION

3 units, 5 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

this is an introductory couse to arouse the student's interest in classical music and teach him/her to respond intelligently to the great works which constitute our musical heritage. Music 31 will include the study of the materials of music and performing mediums, and a brief study of important compositions by famou composers of the Romantic, Classic, Baroque, and Modern periods. This course provides humanities credit.

Prerequisite: None

Advisory: None

MUS 33 - SURVEY OF JAZZ AND POPULAR MUSIC

3 UNITS, 5 HOURS (AA, CSU, UC)

This is a study of the nature, processes, and history of jazz from its origins to the present day, including influential composers, instrumentalists, singers, and the background and forces shaping popular music. This course provides humanities credit.

Prerequisite: None

Advisory: None

MUS 35 - BEGINNING PIANO

1 unit, 2 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This course is the study of piano at the beginning level. The students may progress from the student's ability level and advance through four semesters of study. Four semesters of piano are required for a piano major. Proficiancy on the piano is required for all music majors.

Prerequisite: None

Advisory: None

MUS 35B-D - INTERMEDIATE PIANO

1 unit, 2 hours (AA, CSU, UC)

This course is designed for the advanced piano student. More advanced skills and literature will be emphasized. This course maybe taken for credit a total of 3 times.

MUS 37 - CONCERT TOUR

2.5 units, 120 hours (AA, CSU)

A concert tour with concerts at selected sites accompanied by opportunities to visit and study historical sites and cultural events. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times and is not offered every year.

Prerequisite: Evaluation of skills by audition

Advisory: None

MUS 41 - CONCERT ORCHESTRA

1 unit, 54 hours (AA, CSU)

this course is open to those who wish to participate in an organized and performing orchestral ensemble. The ensemble will perform at the end of the semester. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times.

Prerequisite: The ability to playan orchestral instrument.

Advisory: None

MUS 44A-D - MT. SHASTA JAZZ AND SHOW CHOIR CLINIC

1 unit, 64 hours (AA, CSU)

Summer Camp

A musical camp designed to expose students to a stylistic and interpretive approach to vocal jazz and show choir music; including movement, choreography, and performances.

Prerequisite: None

Advisory: None

MUS 35A-B - BEGINNING PIANO

1 units, 2 hours (AA,CSU,UC)

Semester offered: F/S

This course is the study of piano at the beginning level. The student may progress from the student's ability level and advance through four semesters of study. Four semesters of piano are required for a piano major. Two semesters of piano are required for other music majors.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 35C-D - INTERMEDIATE PIANO

1 units, 2 hours (AA,CSU,UC)

Semester offered: F/S

This course is designed for the advanced piano student. More advanced skills and literature will be emphasized.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 41A-D - COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA

1 unit, 3 hours per week(AA,CSU)

Semester offered: F

This course is open to those who wish to participate in an organized and performing orchestral ensemble. The ensemble will perform a minimum of two major concerts per school year.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None.

MUS 58 - Siskiyous Serenaders Barbershop Chorus

1.5 units, 3 hours per week

Semester offered: F/S

A performing ensemble that seeks to understand, perform, and preserve 4 part, a cappella music in the style of Barbershop singing.

Required Prerequisite: None. Advisory: None