Minor in Music!
Music shapes the mind and spirit in unique ways. Students at Kansas Wesleyan University are encouraged to take part in all facets of the music program, with the opportunity to perform in KWU vocal and instrumental ensembles. They may participate in large scale musicals, operas and concerts through partnerships with theatre companies and a regional symphony.
Additionally, students are able to tailor their course of study to match their specific interest or goals, such as instrumental conducting, composition or operatic solo singing. Private voice and instrument lessons are also offered to our students.
Because of these unique small-school advantages, graduates from KWU enter the community as well-rounded citizens and musicians, possessing the skills needed to be successful in their careers.
This program is offered:
On Campus
MUSI 111 Aural Skills I – 1 Credit Hour
This course develops the fundamental skills in sight reading and ear training as a musician.
MUSI 112 Aural Skills II – 1 Credit Hour
This course is a continuation of MUSI 111 with emphasis on more advanced materials and structure. Prerequisite: MUSI 111
MUSI 115 Music Appreciation — 3 Credit Hours
Music Appreciation is a course designed to familiarize the student with the various media of music performance and to acquaint the student with certain landmarks of the musical repertoire. Emphasis will be placed upon the development of an appreciation of the stylistic characteristics of various periods of music.
MUSI 131 Theory of Music I — 3 Credit Hours
The fundamental rudiments of music are included in Theory of Music I. The course includes an integrated study of the fundamentals of traditional harmony of the 18th and 19th centuries and the development of fluency in sight reading, ear training and harmonic analysis.
MUSI 132 Theory of Music II — 3 Credit Hours
This course is a continuation of MUSI 131 with emphasis on more advanced materials and structure.
MUSI 135 Marching Band Methods — 1 Credit Hour
This course is designed to prepare future band directors to successfully lead a high school marching band. The course will cover administrative skills, rehearsal techniques, and drill-writing software and techniques.
MUSI 136 String Instrument Methods — 2 Credit Hours
Group instruction in string instruments for the major in music education. Instruments are supplied.
MUSI 137 Woodwind Instrument Methods — 2 Credit Hours
Group instruction in woodwind instruments for the major in music education. Instruments are supplied.
MUSI 138 Brass Instrument Methods — 2 Credit Hours
Group instruction in brass instruments for the major in music education. Instruments are supplied.
MUSI 139 Percussion Instrument Methods — 2 Credit Hours
Group instruction in percussion instruments for the major in music education. Instruments are supplied.
MUSI 142 Piano Proficiency— 1 Credit Hour
Group instruction on the piano for students whose main instrument is not the piano. Required for all music majors.
MUSI 151 String Orchestra — 1 Credit Hour
The ensemble primarily focuses on the performance of string orchestra repertoire with possible inclusion of wind players for chamber orchestra experiences. Open to all students regardless of major.
MUSI 160Philharmonic Choir — 1 Credit Hour
The larger concert choir at KWU. This group tours nationally each year and performs a variety of music from classical to contemporary.
MUSI 162 Instrumental Ensemble — 1 Credit Hour
Various small instrumental groups form each year. Groups perform in convocation and various meetings during the year.
MUSI 163 Athletic Band — 0-1 Credit Hour
This athletic band performs for university functions as well as representing Kansas Wesleyan University at community events and throughout the region. This ensemble is open to all students regardless of major, but requires an audition/hearing.
MUSI 164 Jazz Ensemble — 1 Credit Hour
A select ensemble that focuses on jazz techniques and repertoire. The jazz ensemble stays busy preparing for concerts, festivals and community functions.
MUSI 165 Jazz Improvisation — 1 Credit Hour
The course is designed to explore the in-depth understanding of jazz improvisations and application in performance.
MUSI 166 Wind Ensemble — 1 Credit Hour
This ensemble is a select organization. The ensemble stresses original works and specializes in performing the richest and most demanding repertoire. The wind ensemble stays busy performing at concerts, festivals, tours, and community functions.
MUSI 167 Wesleyan Chorale — 1 Credit Hour
A small select vocal ensemble that focuses on jazz and chamber repertoire. This group tours each year.
MUSI 169 Praise Band: Rise Up! — 0-1 Credit Hour
Praise Band is a non-auditioned, university-wide ensemble of mixed instrumentalists and vocalists, centered on learning to create and provide a contemporary worship experience. The Praise Band performs for university functions as well as providing local and regional outreach.
MUSI 170 Acting for Singers – 1 Credit Hour
An interdisciplinary, performance-oriented course designed to integrate musical and theatrical performance skills for the singing actor.
MUSI 180–197 Applied Music – 1-2 Credit Hours
One half-hour lesson per week of Applied Music is offered for bass, bassoon, cello, clarinet, euphonium, flute, french horn, guitar, oboe, percussion, piano/keyboard, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Enrollment is by instructor permission only.
MUSI 211 Aural Skills III — 1 Credit Hour
This course is a continuation of MUSI 112, with emphasis on error detection and ensemble listening skills. Prerequisite: MUSI 112
MUSI 231 Theory of Music III — 3 Credit Hours
This course is a continuation of MUSI 132 with emphasis on more advanced materials and structure.
MUSI 232 Theory of Music IV — 3 Credit Hours
This course is a continuation of MUSI 231 with emphasis on more advanced materials and structure.
MUSI 234 Form and Analysis – 2 Credit Hours
A course that explores the development of musical form and organizational procedures from the Baroque era to present.
MUSI 236 Basic Conducting – 2 Credit Hours
A beginning course in conducting and score reading which introduces and develops conducting patterns and mastery level score reading skills. Prerequisite: MUSI 131.
MUSI 238 Intermediate Conducting – 2 Credit Hours
This course builds upon skills learned in MUSI 236. Students will begin to apply learned concepts to repertoire rehearsed in choral and instrumental environments. Prerequisite: MUSI 236
MUSI 239 Advanced Choral Conducting – 2 Credit Hours
This course emphasizes conducting vocal ensembles and appropriate rehearsal techniques, as they relate to teaching varied levels of vocal music. Prerequisite: MUSI 236 and MUSI 238
OR
MUSI 240 Advanced Instrumental Conducting – 2 Credit Hours
This course emphasizes conducing instrumental ensembles and appropriate rehearsal techniques, as they relate to teaching varied levels of instrumental music. Prerequisite: MUSI 236 and MUSI 238.
MUSI 243 Piano Proficiency 3 – 1 Credit Hour
Level 3 of group instruction on the piano for students whose main instrument is not the piano. Required for all music majors.
MUSI 244 Piano Proficiency 4 – 1 Credit Hour
Level 4 of group instruction on the piano for students whose main instrument is not the piano. Required for all music majors.
MUSI Lower-Level Applied Music — 2 Credit Hours
277 – 297 This course offers an individual one-hour lesson per week in a variety of instruments and voice. Prerequisite: Corresponding instrument from 100-level instruction. (277 – Bass, 278 – Bassoon, 279 – Cello, 280 – Clarinet, 281 -Euphonium, 282 – Flute, 283 – French Horn, 284 – Guitar, 287 – Oboe, 288 – Percussion, 289 – Piano/Keyboard, 291 -Saxophone, 292 – Trombone, 293 – Trumpet, 294 – Tuba, 295 – Viola, 296 – Violin, 297 – Voice)
MUSI 300 Secondary Instrumental Methods – 3 Credit Hours
A course designed to prepare the student to teach bands and orchestras at secondary schools. The class will focus on teaching techniques, history of instrumental music and effective music program management.
MUSI 310 Diction – 2 Credit Hours
Singers will understand and apply the fundamentals of pronunciation of the English, Italian, Latin, German, and French languages through use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and appropriate art song repertoire. Singers will also identify different parts of speech and basic grammatical constructs for each language.
MUSI 315 Music History I — 3 Credit Hours
This course is a study of the development of music from the Greek antiquity through Renaissance with emphasis on the rise of stylistic and formal characteristics. The influence of social, political, economic, and religious conditions in musical evolution is presented.
MUSI 316 Music History II – 3 Credit Hours
This course is a continuation of MUSI 315. It is a study of the development of music from the Baroque era to the present.
MUSI 320 Performance Repertoire – 2 Credit Hours
A survey of solo/chamber repertoire and performance practice suitable to the student’s primary instrument of study. Prerequisite: Completion of all MUSI 277-297 credit requirements.
MUSI 321 Pedagogy — 2 Credit Hours
An examination of the methods of teaching in a studio setting. This course will identify and explore the many techniques of instruction as well as the varied repertoire available for students.
MUSI 336 Secondary General Music Methods – 3 Credit Hours
A course designed to prepare the student to teach general music courses in middle schools and high schools. The class will focus on current trends in general music education and provide teaching techniques to reach an ever-increasing diverse student population.
MUSI 337 Secondary Choral Methods – 3 Credit Hours
A course designed to prepare the student to teach choir at secondary schools. The class will focus on choral teaching techniques, history of choral music, effective music program management and incorporating technology into the rehearsal environment.
MUSI 338 Elementary Music Methods – 4 Credit Hours
A course for elementary education students presenting the rudiments of music, elementary ear training, tonal and rhythmic problems and terminology. Music activities in the kindergarten and elementary school through grade six. School visitation included. Prerequisites: MUSI315, EDUC240 and admission to Teacher Education Program.
MUSI Upper-Level Applied Music — 2 Credit Hours
377 – 397 This course offers an individual one-hour lesson per week in a variety of instruments and voice. Prerequisite: Corresponding instrument from 200-level instruction and instructor approval. (377 – Bass, 378 – Bassoon, 379 – Cello, 380 – Clarinet, 381 – Euphonium, 382 – Flute, 383 – French Horn, 384 – Guitar, 387 – Oboe, 388 – Percussion, 389 -Piano/Keyboard, 391 – Saxophone, 392 – Trombone, 393 – Trumpet, 394 – Tuba, 395 – Viola, 396 – Violin, 397 – Voice)
MUSI 400 Senior Music Education Seminar – 1 Credit Hour
The course is designed as a final preparation for the music education students before the clinical practice. The class discusses the most current issues in music education. The course also gives the students an opportunity to prepare their professional music education portfolio and resume.
MUSI 431 Advanced Theory (Orchestration & Arranging)— 2 Credit Hours
A compilation and review of all theory skills. Detailed analysis of the fugue and counterpoint. Detailed study of twentieth century forms. Students will also synthesize all knowledge by composing and presenting a work of music.
MUSI 460 Internship — 3 Credit Hours
Internship is a specially arranged opportunity for practical experience with guidance and evaluation by a qualified instructor.
MUSI 471 Recital — 1 Credit Hour
Students will prepare and offer a recital with the guidance and evaluation of a member of the music faculty. This course is repeatable one time.
MUSI Upper-Level Applied Music — 2 Credit Hours
476 – 497 This course offers an individual one-hour lesson per week in a variety of instruments and voice. Prerequisite: Corresponding instrument from 300-level instruction and instructor approval. (476 – Bass, 477 – Bassoon, 478 – Cello, 479 – Clarinet, 481 – Euphonium, 482 – Flute, 483 – French Horn, 484 – Guitar, 487 – Oboe, 488 – Percussion, 489 -Piano/Keyboard, 491 – Saxophone, 492 – Trombone, 493 – Trumpet, 494 – Tuba, 495 – Viola, 496 – Violin, 497 – Voice)
The student must complete four credit hours of Journeys in Musicianship in their major medium from the following courses:
MUSI 180 – 197 (Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Oboe, Percussion, Piano/Keyboard, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Voice)
A large or small performance ensemble must be taken for 3 semesters. Ensembles may be repeated for credit. Vocal students must complete three (3) hours pertaining to their medium. Wind and percussion students must complete three (3) hours in Wind Ensemble. String students must complete three (3) hours in orchestra. Keyboard students must complete three (3) hours of accompanying ensembles, soloists, or a combination of both.
MUSI 160 Philharmonic Choir…………………………………………. 1 hour
MUSI 164 Jazz Ensemble……………………………………………….. 1 hour
MUSI 166 Wind Ensemble………………………………………………. 1 hour
MUSI 167 Wesleyan Chorale…………………………………………… 1 hour
The student must also take:
MUSI 111 – Aural Skills I
MUSI 112 – Aural Skills II
MUSI 115 – Music Appreciation
MUSI 131 – Theory of Music I
MUSI 132 – Theory of Music II
