Music

In the Department of Music at Bridgewater College, you will be quickly immersed into a supportive musical environment that will help you hone your skills to reach your musical goals. Through ensembles, applied lessons, and academic music courses, you will explore many facets in the field of music.

Ensembles on campus are open to all students on campus, regardless of major. Ensembles include the Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band, Concert Choir, Chorale, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Strings.  We also offer smaller chamber ensembles like a cappella choirs, handbell choir, jazz combo, and many more! 

Music majors may specialize in Music or Music Education. The music minor has the flexibility to fit the interest and goals of all students.

Numerous exciting courses offered by the Department of Music meet the College’s general education requirement in fine arts.

Programs

Performing Ensembles

Ensemble members earn 1 credit per semester, and are expected to commit themselves to participation in the ensemble for the full academic year. These courses may be repeated for credit. Students from all majors are eligible for membership in the performing ensembles. The X version of ensemble courses may not be repeated for credit. 

Applied Music Lessons

Applied music lessons are taught individually and are scheduled by the instructor. They are worth 1 credit per semester and may be repeated for credit. There is a fee to register.

Anyone may register for the 200-level courses. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. The 300-level courses are for the major performance area of a student majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. Non-majors may register at the 300-level by auditioning and permission from the instructor.

Courses

MUS-110: Music Fundamentals

No musical experience required. An introduction to reading music: scales, key signatures, intervals, rhythms, instruments and score study. Hands-on musical activities include eurhythmics, singing, and the playing of simple percussive and melodic instruments. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

MUS-111: Music Fundamentals at the Piano

No musical experience required. A hands-on introduction to reading music at the piano: pitch, rhythm, intervals, chord progressions, key signatures, fingerings, hand position, and score study. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

MUS-115: Keyboard Skills I

Pentascales, major scales, and chord progressions. Harmonization of pentascale melodies, sight reading, score reading, solo repertoire, improvisation, and transposition at a beginner level. Students may place out of this course with a satisfactory performance on a playing test.

MUS-116: Keyboard Skills II

Major scales and chord progressions. Harmonization of melodies, sight reading, score reading, solo repertoire, improvisation, and transposition at a late beginner level.

MUS-140: Introduction to Music Education

This introductory seminar in Music Education is designed to provide an introduction to the music teaching profession to supplement the EDUC-140 curriculum. Emphasis will be on the historical development of music education, qualities of effective teaching in music, the National Core Arts Standards and the Virginia Music Standards of Learning.

MUS-201: Piano

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-202: Organ

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-203: Voice

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-204: Woodwind

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-205: Brass

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-206: Percussion

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-207: Strings

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-208: Guitar

Applied music lesson. The expectation is that the student will practice at least three hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-210: Voice Methods

Development of the singing voice: posture, breathing, vowels, consonants, intonation, placement and resonance; English, German, French and Italian diction; and choral and solo literature in several styles. Practical methods in teaching vocal music.

MUS-211: Brass Methods

Practical course in the teaching, playing, and care of brass instruments. Offered alternate years.

MUS-213: String Methods

Practical course in the teaching, playing, and care of string instruments. Offered alternate years.

MUS-215: Keyboard Skills III

Minor scales and chord progressions. Harmonization of melodies with secondary chords, sight reading, score reading, solo repertoire, improvisation, and transposition at an early intermediate level.

MUS-216: Keyboard Skills IV

Minor scales and chord progressions. Harmonization of melodies with secondary dominants, sight reading, score reading, solo repertoire, improvisation, and transposition at an intermediate level. Prepares the student for the keyboard proficiency examination.

MUS-220: Introduction to Western Music

Listening and learning to recognize forms, styles, composers, and works in Western music from the early Christian era to the present. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

MUS-226: Theory and Aural Skills II

Continuation of harmony and voice leading with an exploration of secondary functions. Analyses of classical forms including sonata and rondo. Aural skills include sight singing and melodic dictation.

MUS-233 / SOC-233: Social History of Jazz in America

Examines how jazz music has mirrored the social history of the American people, reflecting ethnic and racial influences, historic events, and cultural change. Examines the history, styles and techniques of American jazz through lecture, audio and video recordings, and live demonstrations. Increases the appreciation and enjoyment of jazz. FILA general education: fine arts & music. (Cross-listed as SOC-233)

MUS-235: Music in Latin America

Provides an introduction to music throughout Latin America through a close examination of five large musical regions: Brazil, Southern Cone and the Andean Region, The Caribbean Region, Central America, and Mexico. Over the semester students will become familiar with the different styles and repertoires of these regions. Students will study the historical background and social functions of these styles, as well as relevant composers, performers, and musical instruments. Different social classes will be included, from indigenous ritual music to Western Art (Classical) music by Latin American composers. FILA general education: world cultures.

MUS-271: Music in Film

A historical survey of film music beginning with accompaniments performed live during the silent era, the evolution of the classic symphonic Hollywood film score, exploration in pop, jazz and rock scores, and more recent trends in ambient and electronic music. The course will also explore traditional techniques in film scoring such as the use of leitmotifs and Mickey Mousing. Meets Fine Arts & Music FILA requirement.

MUS-301: Piano

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-302: Organ

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-303: Voice

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-304: Woodwind

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-305: Brass

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-306: Percussion

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-307: Strings

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-308: Guitar

Applied music lesson for students majoring in music. The expectation is that the student will practice at least six hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Additional fee.

MUS-309X: Audio Production

This course provides a hands-on introduction to the world of modern multi-track recording. Students will gain experience with the equipment and techniques fundamental to audio engineering and music and spoken word production, including recording consoles, microphones, outboard processing equipment and Avid Pro Tools; the industry standard digital audio workstation. Participants will engage in a variety of projects which demonstrate the breadth of activity of an audio engineer. These include engaging in a series of real-world sessions with musicians. Through these sessions, the techniques of recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio will be put into practice. FILA general education: experiential learning.

MUS-320: Basic Conducting

An introduction to basic conducting skills including posture, patterns, left hand technique, baton technique, non-verbal communication, conducting terminology, transpositions, and score reading. Offered alternate years.

MUS-322: Choral Literature

This course provides a general survey of choral literature from 1450 to the present day. Standard repertoire, programming and curriculum planning, resource development, and organizational strategies will be explored in order to develop skills for selecting appropriate choral literature for elementary through high school, community, and church choral ensembles.

MUS-323: Band Literature

A study of the literature of the wind band from 1500 to the present day. Standard repertoire, performance practice and conducting considerations are discussed in order to develop skills for selecting appropriate music for middle school through advanced high school bands. Offered alternate years.

MUS-329: Keyboard Pedagogy

Separate studies of piano and organ teaching regarding teacher qualifications, teaching techniques, graded music courses, professional ethics, and recital planning. Offered on demand.

MUS-340: Church Music

Church music, with studies in hymnology, administration, graded choirs, choral techniques, choral literature, and worship. Offered on demand.

MUS-343: Music Arranging

Band and orchestral instruments and voices, and their classifications, ranges and general use. The course includes writing and arranging music for vocal and instrumental solos and ensembles. Offered alternate years.

MUS-345: Theory and Aural Skills III

Exploration of chromatic harmony, modal mixture, the Neapolitan chord, augmented sixth chords, and musical forms including variations and fugue. Introduction to post-tonal harmony. Aural skills include sight singing and melodic dictation.

MUS-346: Advanced Theory

Topics include enharmonic reinterpretation, chromatic modulation, altered dominants, synthetic scales, set theory and twelve-tone serialism. Offered on demand.

MUS-350: Junior Recital

Presentation of a recital consisting of 20 minutes of music on one's primary instrument or voice, in coordination with the applied lesson teacher.

MUS-380W: Exploration of Western Music

An in-depth study of Western music history from the medieval to modern eras through the analysis of scores, primary sources, and historical essays. This course builds on MUS-220 by investigating canonical works, by introducing lesser-known composers, and by delving more deeply into the details of the stylistic evolution of Western classical music. Students are expected to analyze scores, and so the ability to read music is required. FILA general education: writing intensive.

MUS-400: Composition

Individual weekly lessons in the craft of contemporary music composition. This course is centered on the development of improving musical creativity as well as providing and enhancing tools and techniques. Listening and score analysis will be assigned as needed. This course may be repeated for credit.

MUS-420: Instrumental Conducting & Methods

Elements of instrumental conducting, use of the baton, score reading, the organization and administration of ensembles, and the conducting of suitable literature for those organizations and combined instrumental and choral ensembles. Offered alternate years.

MUS-421: Choral Conducting and Methods

Elements of choral conducting, use of the baton, score reading, the organization and administration of ensembles, and the conducting of suitable literature for those organizations and combined choral and instrumental ensembles. Offered alternate years.

MUS-422: Music Education in the Elementary School

For future music teachers. Introduction to the melodic and harmonic instruments used in the elementary school. Selection and presentation of songs by rote and note, rhythmic activities, creative activities, and listening materials for grades K-6. Offered alternate years.

MUS-440: Chamber Strings

A small chamber orchestra that rehearses a wide variety of string literature. Performances are presented both on and off campus. Previous string experience is required but all levels are welcome to participate.

MUS-441: Concert Choir

A large, mixed choral ensemble that rehearses a wide variety of choral literature in preparation for concerts and tours presented throughout the academic year.

MUS-441X: Concert Choir

A large, mixed choral ensemble that rehearses a wide variety of choral literature in preparation for concerts and tours presented throughout the academic year.  FILA general education: Fine Arts & Music and Experiential Learning.

MUS-442: Chorale

A mixed ensemble of about 25 select singers. Appears on-and off-campus throughout the entire year in a variety of programs. Tours with Concert Choir each spring. Makes occasional concert tours to locations in the United States and abroad. Members of the Chorale are required to be members of the Concert Choir (MUS-441). Membership is determined by audition. Auditions are held in the spring for the following year.

MUS-442X: Chorale

An ensemble of about 25 advanced singers. Appears on- and off-campus throughout the entire year in a variety of programs. Members of the Chorale are required to be members of the Concert Choir (MUS-441). Off-campus performances include tours to schools, churches, retirement homes, and other performance venues. FILA general education:  Fine Arts & Music and Experiential Learning.

MUS-443: Symphonic Band

Performs a wide variety of concert band literature on and off campus. Instrumental music majors are required to enroll in this ensemble.

MUS-443X: Symphonic Band

Performs a wide variety of concert band literature on and off campus. Instrumental music majors are required to enroll in this ensemble. FILA general education: fine arts and music and experiential learning.

MUS-444: Jazz Ensemble

Performs a wide variety of jazz literature on and off campus. Ensemble members who are instrumental music majors are required to also be members of the Symphonic Band, MUS-443.

MUS-444X: Jazz Ensemble

Performs a wide variety of jazz literature on- and off-campus. Off-campus performances include tours to schools, churches, retirement homes, and other performance venues. FILA general education: experiential learning.

MUS-445: Chamber Music

Small groups of brass, guitars, percussion, woodwinds, vocalists, handbells and mixed ensembles. Groups perform on and off campus.

MUS-446: Chamber Winds

Mixed chamber ensemble featuring woodwinds, brass, percussion, and piano. Through the study and performance of original works and transcriptions, students will learn ensemble and chamber music skills through performance. Instrumental music majors are required to enroll in this ensemble and/or MUS-449 in the fall semester.

MUS-447: Treble Choir

The Bridgewater College Treble Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all singers who identify as a soprano or alto voice. The ensemble will explore the fundamentals of singing and artistry within a collaborative community and through a selection of diverse repertoire. Regional touring in the Spring.

MUS-448: Exploratory Band

This flexible instrumental ensemble gives students the opportunity to explore new instruments, secondary instruments, or new styles of music. Student conductors will also have the opportunity to have hands-on experience on the podium.

MUS-449: Marching Band

The Screamin' Eagles Marching Band performs music and drill at all home football games and various other campus and community events throughout the fall semester. Participation is open to all students with previous experience in wind instruments, percussion, guitar, electric bass, keyboard, and color guard. Members audition for placement. FILA general education: ES activity.

MUS-449X: Marching Band

The Screamin' Eagles Marching Band performs music and drill at all home football games and various other campus and community events throughout the fall semester. Participation is open to all students with previous experience in wind instruments, percussion, guitar, electric bass, keyboard, and color guard. Members audition for placement. FILA general education: experiential learning.

MUS-450: Senior Recital

As the final capstone of the music major, the senior recital is a presentation of a recital consisting of 40 minutes of music on one's primary instrument or voice, in coordination with the applied lesson teacher.

MUS-480X: Internship

Provides an opportunity for a student to gain field experience in an area related to the student's program of study or career goals. The learning objectives for internships include connecting academic knowledge and problem-solving processes to experiences and problems in professional settings. Supervision of an intern is provided by an appropriate faculty member and by a site supervisor of the agency or business in which the student is an intern. A student who wishes to engage in an internship must consult with the appropriate faculty member at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. A description of the internship, signed by the student and the faculty sponsor, must be filed with the director of internships by the first day of the semester prior to the start of the internship. Approval of each application for an internship is made by the director of internships based upon approved policies and guidelines. Internships are graded on an S or U basis. Students must complete 120 hours of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. A student may enroll in an internship program for 3 credits per semester, and internship credit may be earned in subsequent semesters subject to the limitations that no more than two internships may be pursued in any one agency or business and a maximum of 9 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. FILA general education: experiential learning.

MUS-490: Independent Study

Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for no more than three independent studies or research projects.

MUS-491: Research

Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for not more than three independent studies or research projects.

MUS-499: Honors Project

An honors project is one in which a student researches a subject, by examination of relevant literature or by experimentation or both; the student reports the results in an accurately documented and well-written paper or appropriate representation of the work. Whenever the study deals with the subject of an established course, the student is expected to go well beyond the usual work of the course in research and in assimilation of the results as revealed in the report. Juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or above may register for an honors project. One desiring to pursue an honors project must submit a written description of his or her proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. Upon the completion of the honors project, the student must present an oral defense of his or her project. The final grade must include a satisfactory performance on the oral defense, assessed by a three-faculty member team. The project advisor will authorize the make-up of the oral defense team and will assign the final grade on the project. The honors project title will be noted on the student's transcript. It is the student's responsibility to provide a copy of the written paper or appropriate representation of the work to the library in compliance with specifications approved by the Council on Education. The library director arranges for binding and storage.