Music

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.

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.

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.

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

This introductory seminar in Music Education is designed to provide an introduction to the music teaching profession to supplement the 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.

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.

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

Practical course in the teaching, playing, and care of woodwind instruments. 

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

Practical course in the teaching, playing, and care of percussion instruments. 

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.

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.

Historical survey of Western classical music starting with Gregorian chant and early polyphony in the medieval era and the development of counterpoint during the Renaissance. The course then delves into the flourishing of Western music with the development of opera and instrumental music in the Baroque era, the symphony in the Classical era, tone poems, musical dramas, and ballets of the nineteenth century, and finally the evolutionary experiments in dissonance, rhythm, and form in the modern era.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

This course provides a general survey of orchestral literature from 1600 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 literature for middle school through advanced high school orchestras. Offered as needed.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The methodology and philosophy of teaching music in the secondary school including general music, music appreciation, music theory, and performing groups. Offered alternate years.

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

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

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.

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.

The Symphonic Band is a large ensemble that programs a diversity of musical styles and historical periods. Typical repertoire includes standards of the wind band literature, transcriptions, and new works. The Symphonic Band performs one major concert each semester and performs at holiday concerts and at Commencement. Participation is open to all students with any level of experience on a traditional concert band instrument.

Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience

The Symphonic Band is a large ensemble that programs a diversity of musical styles and historical periods. Typical repertoire includes standards of the wind band literature, transcriptions, and new works. The Symphonic Band performs one major concert each semester and performs at holiday concerts and at Commencement. Participation is open to all students with any level of experience on a traditional concert band instrument.

Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience

The Jazz Ensemble features traditional big band instrumentation. Concert programs include big band swing, progressive jazz, rock, funk, and Latin styles. The Jazz
Ensemble performs multiple concerts both on and off campus every year.
Prerequisite: Audition Required

The Jazz Ensemble features traditional big band instrumentation. Concert programs include big band swing, progressive jazz, rock, funk, and Latin styles. The Jazz
Ensemble performs multiple concerts both on and off campus every year.
Prerequisite: Audition Required

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. A Faculty Sponsor in the relevant academic department must approve a description and an internship learning plan at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. This internship learning plan must be filed with the Director of Internships in the Center for Career Development at least three weeks 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. Supervision of the internship experience is provided by an appropriate Bridgewater College Cooperating Professor (who may or may not be the Faculty Sponsor) and by a Site Supervisor at the agency or business in which the student is an intern. Students must complete 40 hours (minimum two weeks) of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. Internships are graded by the Cooperating Professor on an S or U basis. A maximum of 12 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. Students who successfully complete at least three credits of internship at one or more placements may petition the Associate Provost to accept those credits in fulfillment of the FILA general education experiential learning requirement.

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. A Faculty Sponsor in the relevant academic department must approve a description and an internship learning plan at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. This internship learning plan must be filed with the Director of Internships in the Center for Career Development at least three weeks 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. Supervision of the internship experience is provided by an appropriate Bridgewater College Cooperating Professor (who may or may not be the Faculty Sponsor) and by a Site Supervisor at the agency or business in which the student is an intern. Students must complete 80 hours (minimum four weeks) of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. Internships are graded by the Cooperating Professor on an S or U basis. A maximum of 12 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. Students who successfully complete at least three credits of internship at one or more placements may petition the Associate Provost to accept those credits in fulfillment of the FILA general education experiential learning requirement.

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. A Faculty Sponsor in the relevant academic department must approve a description and an internship learning plan at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. This internship learning plan must be filed with the Director of Internships in the Center for Career Development at least three weeks 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. Supervision of the internship experience is provided by an appropriate Bridgewater College Cooperating Professor (who may or may not be the Faculty Sponsor) and by a Site Supervisor at the agency or business in which the student is an intern. Students must complete 120 hours (minimum six weeks) of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. Internships are graded by the Cooperating Professor on an S or U basis. A maximum of 12 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. Students who successfully complete at least three credits of internship at one or more placements may petition the Associate Provost to accept those credits in fulfillment of the FILA general education experiential learning requirement.