Study through analysis and composition of counterpoint as found in the invention, canon, fugue and choral prelude.
Study 18th and early 19th century harmonic practice and tonality concepts.
An overview of compositional approaches found in post-tonal music after 1900, and a survey of the standard analytical tools used for that body of music.
Become familiar with methods and materials available for teaching AP and undergraduate music theory. Receive practical experience through observation and practice teaching under the guidance of qualified instructors.
Study the style of 16th century polyphonic music, emphasizing actual period music as well as theoretical concepts. Compose two-, three- and four voice motets.
A historical study of the background and development of musical instruments, with emphasis on the related performance practices.
A variety of workshops on special topics within the discipline. Goals and objectives will emphasize the acquisition of general knowledge and skills in the discipline. S/U or letter graded.
Describe materials used in electronic music and the techniques and equipment employed to transform and organize these into compositions. Students learn to use the synthesizer.
An introduction to the science and teaching of singing. Study of the skeletal system, muscles involved in breathing and phonation, vocal acoustics, and learning theories, past and present.
A survey of the origins, development and historical significance of the wind band, including an overview of its literature, instrumentation and specific considerations for conducting this repertoire.
Historical overview of the symphony, opera, and ballet orchestras and their literature. Addresses questions of style, performance practice, and programming. Includes specific study of conducting considerations for this repertoire and a unit of study on music for younger orchestras.
Update skills and knowledge of professionals in the discipline. Goals and objectives will be specifically directed at individual professional enhancement rather than the acquisition of general discipline knowledge or methodologies. S/U or letter graded.
Surveys the extensive range of string chamber music from Haydn to the present day, focusing on the canon. It is designed to inform string graduate students of the wealth of repertoire available, its technical and musical challenges, styles of performance, and programming considerations. Includes specific study of technical considerations for this repertoire and programming for college and pre-college chamber music programs.
Sight reading at Level III or above required. The study of keyboard music from its earliest beginnings through the works of Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann. Offered every other year.
Sight reading at Level III or above required. Concentrate on keyboard works from Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms through the twentieth century. Offered every other year.
Pedagogy and practical application of technical literature from beginning through college preparatory for bowed stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass). Teaching practicum is an integral part of the course.
This is a seminar-based course examining leadership theory and research, and emphasizing the development of leadership and interpersonal skills through self-assessment case analysis, and experiential exercises.
Study historical, philosophical and psychological issues and principles that provide the context for contemporary music education.
This course covers diatonic and chromatic common-practice harmony, form, and 20th-century topics relevant to repertoire typically encountered by K-12 certified music teachers. Includes a unit on incorporating music theory pedagogy into the K-12 classroom. S/U or letter graded.
This course will cover health maintenance and injury prevention among musicians. Healthy movement, as well as vocal, auditory, and mental health will be studied through reading and written assignments, as well as awareness and practical application in class.
This course is a focus on the art of improvisation and how to effectively teach it.
Designed to help participants correct and refine their body map in order to sing and play music with healthy, efficient movement. This course will not provide information about technique but will give students the information they need to put their technique on a firm somatic foundation. S/U graded.
One year of study in Music at the college level
This course will explore the role of digital technologies in creating, performing, and responding to music. An emphasis of the course will be the development of the students' Musical Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (M-TPACK). The course is primarily designed for music teachers who wish to become more comfortable with technology and/or find technologies that are well-suited to the music classroom, through hands-on "play time." The technological focus of the class will include music notation software, MIDI and digital audio, instructional computer programs, Internet resources for music learning, social media, mobile apps, and productivity tools.
This course illustrates ways music teachers can incorporate a humanities-based approach into their classroom teaching, ensembles, and private lessons for any age group. Lectures include demonstrations of humanities-based presentations as well as discussion. Assignments and Exams are designed to include practical application of the materials being presented.
A listening workshop in jazz and commercial music for all instrumentalists. Topics will include important players, group communication, performance styles and classic rhythm sections.
Advanced harmonic concepts in jazz including non-functional harmony, multi-tonic systems, advanced modal concepts, chord-scale relationships, and other aspects of contemporary harmonic practice in jazz music.
This course will help prepare students for their professional careers by familiarizing them with a broad skill set necessary to succeed in the fast-changing music profession. Students will be guided to acquire the essential skills beyond musicianship by covering relevant topics through lectures, required reading, guest presentations, and the final project.
Study curriculum trends in music education, including methods of teaching, curriculum development and aesthetic education.
Instruction in the special needs of the singer/actor: staging of arias, improvisation, freeing the voice through movement.
This course provides a detailed examination of important music industry topics such as music law and policy, music industry revenue streams, record music operations, music publishing, motion picture music, and industry trends and current topics.
An introduction to the origins of the art song form with in-depth study of the German art song from its historical beginnings through the present day.
Provides an understanding of the music industry and how to succeed within it. Through the lens of an entrepreneurial musician, this course examines topics such as music management, fan relations, contracts, brand organization and protection, marketing and self-promotion, fundraising for creative projects and more.
Course in the performance of 19th and 20th century French and Italian Art Song with particular emphasis upon style, technical requirements and diction.
In-depth study of British and American art song. Emphasis will be on research and performance of 20th century materials.
Acquaint piano students with musical style, performance practice, and interpretations appropriate to song literature, oratorio and opera.
This course will acquaint students with literature for keyboard with other instruments, both in duos and larger ensembles.
Takes a pedagogical approach to the analysis of jazz ensemble scores, rehearsal techniques and rhythm sections. Looks at concert planning and audience building.
Deal with public relations, grant writing, promotion, programming, recruiting and other aspects of the development of a Jazz Studies Program. Learn planning and follow-through of the annual Jazz Festival.
An in-depth study of the history, historiography, and literature of jazz from its precursors to the present. Research, listening, and critical writing skills are stressed.
Fundamental considerations in arranging music for small instrumental jazz ensembles and vocal jazz groups. Stylistic elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and form. Details of notation, score preparation and layout.
Discussion of common techniques used by great arrangers. Prepares students to write arrangements for large jazz ensemble and studio orchestra.
Acquaint students with necessary skills for collaborative performance through the study of listening, rhythm, sight reading, technique and 4-hand repertoire. Class performances required.
Acquaint students with skills needed for collaborative performance through score reduction and discussion, listening and performance of song and instrumental literature. Class performances required.
Analysis of wind/orchestral/choral literature. Relates analysis techniques to preparation and performance. Literature studied varies from semester to semester.
Study of advanced problems in instrumental conducting. Regular conducting experience with University ensembles is an integral part of the course.
A one semester course concentrating on beginning piano and elementary musicianship. The course will provide a thorough introduction to methods, materials, resources, and techniques for teaching at the elementary level. Students will also survey a substantial amount of elementary to early intermediate piano repertoire.
A one semester course focusing on the intermediate to early advanced piano student curriculum. The course will provide a thorough overview of the technical and musical requirements needed to develop students at the intermediate to early advanced level. Students will also survey a substantial amount of intermediate to early advanced piano repertoire.
Examination of compositional techniques in jazz styles. Analysis of works by important representative songwriters and composers.
Through reading, discussion, listening sessions, independent research, technical tutorials, and hands-on projects, we will examine the theory, techniques and practices surrounding audio recording.
This course is designed as a performance opportunity for students placed in School of Music ensembles. S/U graded.
Special Notes
Consent of advisor required
Examines selected choral orchestral works from the Baroque to the present. Includes specific study of conducting considerations for this repertoire.
Examine the historical significance and literature of the opera form from its precursors through the present time.
Study repertoire, floor plans, stage properties, hand properties, costume needs, make-up needs, and staging.
Instruction for graduate voice students in a studio class setting to deepen their understanding of the many elements that combine to make a successful performance of vocal music from a vocal coach's perspective: musical style, performance practice, language and interpretation appropriate to song literature, oratorio and opera.
Emphasis is placed upon practical aspects of vocal pedagogy: repertoire selection, program building, learning theories and teaching concepts. Advanced studies in vocal acoustics and anatomy and vocal problems are included.
The conductor will acquire the necessary skills to make musical and technical decisions based on a thorough understanding of orchestral string techniques.
Study advanced jazz theory principles and apply to keyboard and other instrumental and vocal disciplines. Course content will change each semester.
Graduate level seminar on a specified topic in music theory.
Special Notes
Prerequisites - Graduate students must have a passing grade on the Graduate Music Theory and Aural Skills Placement Exams, or have successfully completed
MUS 401 and/or
MUS 402. Undergraduate students eligible to take 500-level courses must have successfully completed
MUS 302 Form and Analysis and have instructor approval.
Examines attitudes and aims of the music scholar, studies in bibliography reference materials, sources, and editions. Required of all Master's of Music candidates. Must be taken as early as possible.
Mastery of traditional harmony required. Students analyze the structure of music.
A study of the application of linear and graphic analysis to music, performance, and music theory.
Designed to increase proficiency in singing in English (British and American). Review the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), its rules and applications, and to strengthen the performance of choral, art song, oratorio and operatic repertoire. This course will focus on an intensified, systematic study of phonetics as it applies to singing and will increase the student's clarity of expression in those languages.
This course is designed for the graduate level, pre-professional singer who is ready to fine-tune their performance of operatic and art song repertoire by acquiring additional tools for correctly using the articulators, the International Phonetic Alphabet and the speech sounds of the different vowels and consonants.
This course is designed for the graduate level, pre-professional singer who is ready to fine-tune their performance of operatic and art song repertoire by acquiring additional tools for correctly using the articulators, the International Phonetic Alphabet and the speech sounds of the different vowels and consonants.
Designed to increase proficiency in singing in Italian using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), its rules and applications, and to strengthen the performance of Italian repertoire. This course will focus on an intensified, systematic study of phonetics as it applies to singing and will increase the student's clarity of expression in those languages. Repertoire will be assigned by the instructor from the 26 Italian Art Songs text and from Italian operas to be determined.
Develop concepts and skills for understanding and evaluating research in music education. Study the design and techniques of empirical research in music education. Complete research study to submit for publication.
Introduces concepts of psychology in the acquisition and development of musical cognition, affect, and physiological response. Combines study of empirical research and practical approaches for use in the classroom.
Open to any graduate student by audition. Rehearse and perform music in genres and styles from Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Auditions required. Comprised of several guitarists and a rhythm section, the jazz Guitar Ensemble studies and performs music from diverse jazz styles arranged for this specific combination of instruments.
Open to any student by audition. Groups consist of rhythm section plus 3 or 4 horns. Groups are listed in Music degree section of this Catalog.
Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
Special Notes
Maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.
Designed according to candidate's primary emphasis and satisfies the Seminar in Teaching (discipline) required of all D.A. candidates in Music.
Audition required. Each ensemble limited to 20 voices: 4 sopranos, 4 altos, 4 tenors, 4 baritones, 4 basses, plus rhythm section and horns.
Audition required. Instrumentation is brass, woodwind and rhythm. Concentrate on jazz idiom music: show and dance music and concert jazz. Receive thorough preparation for teaching at both secondary and college levels.
Emphasis is on professional level performance of standard orchestral literature at the graduate level.
NC Early Music Ensemble performs pre-Classical Era music in a historically informed style, on period instruments whenever possible. Repeatable, no limitations.
The UNC Contemporary Music Ensemble performs music of our time, including modern masterpieces as well as commissioned works, in collaboration with composers whenever possible.
Small chamber groups that rehearse regularly and are coached by a faculty member.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice, and literature.
Individual instruction in music composition.
Private instruction in performance practice, technical study, and literature relevant to jazz.
Individual instruction in jazz composition.
Students will become familiar with the large body of compositions that comprise standard repertoire in Latin music and Jazz. Course will include the study of composers, melodies, lyrics, chord progressions and recordings. Students will also learn techniques for song memorization.
A study of musical style in its historical, theoretical and practical aspects during the Middle Ages.
A cultural and historical examination of music and musical style during the 15th and 16th centuries. Flemish composers, the Madrigal, the Venetian School and similar subjects will receive special attention.
Music from 1600 to 1750. Investigates opera from Florentine beginnings through Venetian, Neapolitan and French styles to 1750; growth of chamber, orchestral and solo instrumental music, and religious vocal music.
Historical and cultural influences bearing upon emergence of 18th century classicism in music. The composers, representative works, forms, styles and media of the Classic era.
Representative composers, musical styles, works, related literary movements, aesthetic theories and musical criticism of the period will be researched and discussed.
Surveys philosophical approaches and methods to the teaching of Music Appreciation, Music History, and more specialized courses.
A seminar to allow discussion of a variety of subjects related to choral literature. Individual projects will be assigned, calling for creative research.
This course studies the major trends in music from Debussy to 1945, accompanied by investigations into their social and cultural bases. Particular attention is devoted to the technical aspects of this music.
This course is presented in three simultaneous components-history, analysis, and literature-and explores styles and development of a variety of movement that led directly to today's concert music. Surveys of serialism, minimalism, neo-Romanticism, and the influence of pop on music of today are included in this course emphasizing history, analysis, and literature.
A study of the stylistic, aesthetic and repertorial aspects of vocal music, including opera and choral music, through the various historical periods in music.
The UNC Alternative Styles Ensemble will explore non-classical styles and performance techniques through regular rehearsals and performances.
Audition Required. Practical experience in the production and performance of a complete operatic works in professional productions in Europe. Techniques of acting, singing, character analysis and stage direction will be studied.
A study of the stylistic, aesthetic and repertorial aspects of instrumental music, including orchestral and chamber music, through the various historical periods in music.
In-depth study of brass materials and performance techniques. Examines brass teaching problems encountered by teachers at the K-12 and college levels.
This seminar will prepare students to teach applied piano at the college level. It will be concerned primarily with pedagogical approaches to advanced repertoire typical for the undergraduate piano major. In-class teaching opportunities with real undergraduates will assist in honing teaching skills and gaining confidence teaching at the college level.
Explore advanced techniques, methods and materials related to all the percussion instruments.
In depth study of teaching material and techniques related to the flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, or bassoon.
In depth study of literature and pedagogical techniques as related to the trumpet.
This seminar will explore the many intersections of language, culture and piano teaching to enhance students' ability to teach effectively both within their native cultural context and outside it. The class is conceived for both native English speakers and students for whom English is a foreign language. No foreign language skills are required.
In depth study of repertoire and refinement of skills for the collaborative pianist.
Special Notes
Consent of instructor required.
Audition Required. The UNC Chamber Choir is a highly select auditioned vocal ensemble typically comprised of 16 to 32 performers. The group performs a wide variety of choral chamber works in concerts throughout the year and may tour regularly.
Audition required. Comprised of the best string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Reads and performs standard orchestra repertoire. Performs on and off campus.
This course is open to all Graduate bowed string instrument players on campus (violin, viola, cello, bass). Players are expected to have several years of experience in order to be successful with the required repertoire. Each semester the Orchestra will rehearse and prepare for concerts on campus and/or in the community. **String majors are expected to audition for the UNC Symphony Orchestra each year before enrolling in Campus Orchestra (on their primary instrument).
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice and literature.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice and literature.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice, and literature for performance majors.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice and literature.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice and literature.
Individual instruction on technique, performance practice and literature.
Instruction on technique, performance practice, and literature.
Individual instruction in music composition.
Instruction on technique, performance practice, and literature.
Audition required. Limited to approximately 60-65 singers. Open to all students. The Choir performs a wide range of literature: classics to contemporary works. Widely recognized for its excellence, the Concert Choir performs concerts on campus and tours annually.
Audition required. Open to all female students. Performs on campus and joins with the Concert Choir in large masterworks with orchestra.
The University Singers is open to all the university community and performs a wide variety of choral repertoire, from Renaissance motets to contemporary works.
Audition required. Open to all male students. Performs on campus and in the community. Sings a wide variety of literature.
Audition required. Practical experience in the production and performance of a complete operatic work. Techniques of acting, singing, character analysis and stage direction will be studied.
Audition required. Studying techniques of acting, singing, character analysis and stage deportment through the staging and performing of selected opera scenes and arias.
Audition required. Comprised of music majors and students from other disciplines. Members perform a wide variety of interesting literature selected from standard and current repertoire.
Audition required. Performs literature drawn from contemporary and traditional repertoire.
Audition required. Comprised of the most outstanding wind and percussion majors in the School of Music. The ensemble performs a repertoire of works requiring from 8 to 35 performers.
Supervised professional activity in the major field, approximately two hours per day. Two copies of a well-written paper must be filed with instructor before credit is given.
Student will prepare and present a public recital of suitable repertoire under the guidance of the applied studio professor.
A seminar covering areas in performance, research, education, history and theory that are of concern to the contemporary graduate student. Topics will vary according to student interest and needs.
Consult respective area for specific requirements. S/U graded.
Analytical studies in music writing and research techniques for dissertation and field studies; survey critical problems in music; prepare research and proposal outlines.
Observe and practice college teaching under supervision and as a basis for analysis of learning experiences.
Doctoral Proposal Research - Required of all doctoral students.
Doctoral Dissertation - Required of all doctoral candidates.