Music
The mission of the Department of Music is to prepare students for careers in performance, the music industry or graduate work in music. We provide a strong foundation in performance studies, music theory, music history, and music technology for all students majoring or minoring in music. The Music Department also provides a creative opportunity for Franklin Pierce students not majoring in music through private instruction, ensembles, theory, and technology courses. Concerts, which offer the opportunity for a maximum number of students to experience public performance, are given each semester.
A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 must be maintained in required music courses in order to remain in the major.
Majors, Minors and Certificates
Courses
MU100: Recorder for Classroom Teachers
Credits 1MU102: Special Topics in Music
Credits 1 3MU103: Piano I
Credits 2MU104: Piano II
Credits 2MU105: Guitar I
Credits 2MU106: Guitar II
Credits 2MU107: Voice I
Credits 2MU108: Voice II
Credits 2MU120: Recording Techniques
Credits 3MU150: Fundamentals of Music
Credits 3MU151: Theory of Music I
Credits 2MU154: Contemporary Music Making I
Credits 2MU155: Rap I
Credits 2MU156: Athletic Bands
Credits 1MU157: Bass Guitar I
Credits 2MU158: Bass Guitar II
Credits 2MU159: Flute I
Credits 2MU160: Flute II
Credits 2MU167: Jazz Ensemble I
Credits 1MU168: Jazz Ensemble II
Credits 1MU169: Clarinet I
Credits 2MU170: Clarinet II
Credits 2MU173: Contemporary Music Ensemble I
Credits 1MU174: Contemporary Music Ensemble II
Credits 1MU175: Organ I
Credits 2MU176: Organ II
Credits 2MU177: Saxophone I
Credits 2MU178: Saxophone II
Credits 2MU179: Percussion I
Credits 2MU180: Percussion II
Credits 2MU183: Strings I
Credits 2MU184: Strings II
Credits 2MU185: Trumpet I
Credits 2MU186: Trumpet II
Credits 2MU187: Trombone I
Credits 2MU188: Trombone II
Credits 2MU189: Low Brass I
Credits 2MU190: Low Brass II
Credits 2MU191: Vocal Ensemble I
Credits 1MU192: Vocal Ensemble II
Credits 1MU193: Double Reeds I
Credits 2MU194: Double Reeds II
Credits 2MU195: Recorder I
Credits 2MU196: Recorder II
Credits 2MU200: Sophomore Music Portfolio
Credits 0This requirement is an assessment of the student’s progress in the Music major and the baccalaureate program, through the student’s portfolio. Prerequisites: MU151 and declared Music major.
MU203: Piano III
Credits 2MU204: Piano IV
Credits 2MU205: Guitar III
Credits 2MU206: Guitar IV
Credits 2MU207: Voice III
Credits 2MU208: Voice IV
Credits 2MU209: Theory of Music II
Credits 2A multilevel course designed to teach Music Theory I-IV concurrently. All students will complete theory-based composition projects and assignments specific to their level. Critique of student compositions, ear training, and in-class analysis of specific pieces of music will provide a common point of discussion and learning. Musical examples will come from a variety of styles including Jazz, Folk, Popular, and Classical.MU209 Theory of Music II includes the study of cadences and phrases, non-chord tones, the dominant seventh chord, the ii6 and vii6 chord, and other diatonic seventh chords. Prerequisite: MU151.
MU210: Women and Music
Credits 3MU212: Jazz History
Credits 3MU215: Computer Music Applications
Credits 3MU217: Rap II
Credits 2MU218: History of Electronic Music
Credits 3MU219: Music and Film
Credits 3MU220: Advanced Recording Techniques
Credits 3The skills required in Recording Techniques (MU120) will be further developed through five recording projects. These projects will focus on the recording of musical instruments, post-production mixing, and the study of equalization, compression and reverb. Listening skills will be developed through in-class aural analysis and the study of producers and their techniques. The study of acoustics and audio theory will give the student a scientific background in the skill of recording. Prerequisite: MU120
MU227: Rap III
Credits 2MU228: Rap IV
Credits 2MU234: The Beatles: Voice of a Generation
Credits 3MU237: Contemporary Music Making II
Credits 2MU238: Contemporary Music Making III
Credits 2MU239: Contemporary Music Making IV
Credits 2MU240: Music Industry
Credits 3MU256: Athletic Bands
Credits 1MU257: Bass Guitar III
Credits 2MU258: Bass Guitar IV
Credits 2MU259: Flute III
Credits 2MU260: Flute IV
Credits 2MU267: Jazz Ensemble III
Credits 1MU268: Jazz Ensemble IV
Credits 1MU269: Clarinet III
Credits 2MU270: Clarinet IV
Credits 2MU273: Contemporary Music Ensemble III
Credits 1MU274: Contemporary Music Ensemble IV
Credits 1MU275: Organ III
Credits 2MU276: Organ IV
Credits 2MU277: Saxophone III
Credits 2MU278: Saxophone IV
Credits 2MU279: Percussion III
Credits 2MU280: Percussion IV
Credits 2MU283: Strings III
Credits 2MU284: Strings IV
Credits 2MU285: Trumpet III
Credits 2MU286: Trumpet IV
Credits 2MU287: Trombone III
Credits 2MU288: Trombone IV
Credits 2MU289: Low Brass III
Credits 2MU290: Low Brass IV
Credits 2MU291: Vocal Ensemble III
Credits 1MU292: Vocal Ensemble IV
Credits 1MU293: Double Reeds II
Credits 2MU294: Double Reeds IV
Credits 2MU295: Recorder III
Credits 2MU296: Recorder IV
Credits 2MU303: Piano V
Credits 2MU304: Piano VI
Credits 2MU305: Guitar V
Credits 2MU306: Guitar VI
Credits 2MU307: Voice V
Credits 2MU308: Voice VI
Credits 2MU309: Theory of Music III
Credits 2A multilevel course designed to teach Music Theory I-IV concurrently. All students will complete theory-based composition projects and assignments specific to their level. Critique of student compositions, ear training, and in-class analysis of specific pieces of music will provide a common point of discussion and learning. Musical examples will come from a variety of styles including Jazz, Folk, Popular, and Classical.MU309 Theory of Music III includes the study of cadences and phrases, non-chord tones, the dominant seventh chord, the ii6 and vii6 chord, and other diatonic seventh chords. Prerequisite: MU151.
MU310: Computer Music II
Credits 3The techniques explored in Computer Music I are further developed with emphasis placed on digital synthesis and live applications of electronic and/or digital music. Students are required to devote at least one of their compositional projects to the combination of live and pre-recorded electronic sources. Special attention is paid to the enhancement of one sonic parameter, for example, the illusion of movement through space, through the orchestration of other sonic parameters. The ability to “intermodulate” between diverse sound sources is also emphasized. Students are required to complete composition assignments throughout the semester. Prerequisite: MU215.
MU318: History of Western Music
Credits 3A survey of Western Classical music from its origins through to the present. Major composers and their works are discussed and experienced. Special attention is paid to musical developments with related developments in other arts. A technical knowledge of music is presupposed. Prerequisite: MU151.
MU321: Popular and World Music
Credits 3MU327: Rap V
Credits 2MU328: Rap VI
Credits 2MU337: Contemporary Music Making V
Credits 2MU338: Contemporary Music Making VI
Credits 2MU356: Athletic Bands
Credits 1MU357: Bass Guitar V
Credits 2MU358: Bass Guitar VI
Credits 2MU359: Flute V
Credits 2MU360: Flute VI
Credits 2MU367: Jazz Ensemble V
Credits 1MU368: Jazz Ensemble VI
Credits 1MU369: Clarinet V
Credits 2MU370: Clarinet VI
Credits 2MU373: Contemporary Music Ensemble V
Credits 1MU374: Contemporary Music Ensemble VI
Credits 1MU375: Organ V
Credits 2MU376: Organ VI
Credits 2MU377: Saxophone V
Credits 2MU378: Saxophone VI
Credits 2MU379: Percussion V
Credits 2MU380: Percussion VI
Credits 2MU383: Strings V
Credits 2MU384: Strings VI
Credits 2MU385: Trumpet V
Credits 2MU386: Trumpet VI
Credits 2MU387: Trombone V
Credits 2MU388: Trombone VI
Credits 2MU389: Low Brass V
Credits 2MU390: Low Brass VI
Credits 2MU391: Vocal Ensemble V
Credits 1MU392: Vocal Ensemble VI
Credits 1MU393: Double Reeds V
Credits 2MU394: Double Reeds VI
Credits 2MU395: Recorder V
Credits 2MU396: Recorder VI
Credits 2MU398: Internship in Music
Credits 1 3MU401: Seminar in Music I
Credits 3This 3-credit course will use a seminar format to study a wide range of advanced topics related to Music Theory, Music Composition, Music History and Music Technology. With the professor’s guidance, each student will choose a topic to study throughout the semester. The course work will include three substantial topic-specific projects, weekly study reports, and assigned readings. In class, students will report progress on projects, discuss their topics, give formal presentations, and receive feedback and guidance on completed projects. Regularly, we will critically listen to and discus music related to each student's topic. This course may be taken up to three times and will be offered about once a year. Prerequisite: MU151 Theory of Music I.
MU403: Piano VII
Credits 2MU404: Piano VIII
Credits 2MU405: Guitar VII
Credits 2MU406: Guitar VIII
Credits 2MU407: Voice VII
Credits 2MU408: Voice VIII
Credits 2MU409: Theory of Music IV
Credits 2A multilevel course designed to teach Music Theory I-IV concurrently. All students will complete theory-based composition projects and assignments specific to their level. Critique of student compositions, ear training, and in-class analysis of specific pieces of music will provide a common point of discussion and learning. Musical examples will come from a variety of styles including Jazz, Folk, Popular, and Classical.MU409 Theory of Music IV includes the study of cadences and phrases, non-chord tones, the dominant seventh chord, the ii6 and vii6 chord, and other diatonic seventh chords. Prerequisite: MU151.
MU411: Seminar in Music II
Credits 3This 3-credit course will use a seminar format to study a wide range of advanced topics related to Music Theory, Music Composition, Music History and Music Technology. With the professor’s guidance, each student will choose a topic to study throughout the semester. The course work will include three substantial topic-specific projects, weekly study reports, and assigned readings. In class, students will report progress on projects, discuss their topics, give formal presentations, and receive feedback and guidance on completed projects. Regularly, we will critically listen to and discus music related to each student's topic. This course may be taken up to three times and will be offered about once a year. Prerequisite: MU151 Theory of Music I.
MU421: Seminar in Music III
Credits 3This 3-credit course will use a seminar format to study a wide range of advanced topics related to Music Theory, Music Composition, Music History and Music Technology. With the professor’s guidance, each student will choose a topic to study throughout the semester. The course work will include three substantial topic-specific projects, weekly study reports, and assigned readings. In class, students will report progress on projects, discuss their topics, give formal presentations, and receive feedback and guidance on completed projects. Regularly, we will critically listen to and discus music related to each student's topic. This course may be taken up to three times and will be offered about once a year. Prerequisite: MU151 Theory of Music I.