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Macalester College Catalog 2008-2009

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The Academic Program


Music

Full Time Faculty: Randall Bauer, Cary John Franklin, Carleton Macy, Mark Mazullo (Chair), Eugene Rogers, Chuen-Fung Wong

Part Time Faculty: Jan Gilbert

Director of Highland Piping: Michael Breidenbach

Director of African Music: Sowah Mensah

Studio Faculty: Ben Allen (voice), Stella Anderson (viola/violin), Ann Benjamin (harp), Michael Breidenbach (Highland piping), Barbara Brooks (piano/piano for proficiency), Claudia Chen (piano/piano for proficiency), Christine Dahl (piano/piano for proficiency), Lynn Erickson (trumpet), Clea Galhano (recorder), Richard Gaynor (trombone/baritone horn), Joan Griffith (electric guitar/electric bass/jazz improvisation/mandolin/jazz bass), Kristen Hanich (classical saxophone), Shelley Hanson (clarinet), Michael Hauser (flamenco guitar), Mary Horozaniecki (violin), Martha Jamsa (flute), David Jensen (jazz trumpet/jazz brass improvisation), Kathy Jensen (jazz saxophone/jazz improvisation), Winston Kaehler (harpsichord/organ), Steve Kimball (percussion/jazz drumming), Caroline Lemen (French horn), Jennifer Loupe (oboe), Carole Mason-Smith (bassoon), Paul Maybery (tuba), Sowah Mensah (African drums/xylophones/flute/voice), Laura Nichols (voice), Joe Reed (voice), Thomas Rosenberg (cello), Jennifer Rubin (string bass), Laurie Sager-Wright (piano/piano proficiency), Steve Sutherland (Highland drumming), Jeffrey Thygeson (acoustic/classical guitar), Mike Vasich (jazz piano), Benny Weinbeck (jazz piano), David Whetstone (Sitar/East Indian improvisation).

The music department offers many opportunities for general students and for students interested in music as a major or minor. All performing ensembles and most courses are open to majors and non-majors alike, although some courses carry prerequisites. For the music major or minor, a careful balance between theory/composition, history/literature and performance is maintained. Students electing a music major or minor may emphasize performance, composition, or music history/literature. A senior project in one of these areas is required of majors and recommended for minors. The music major provides preparation for graduate study in music, and many music-related jobs and professions. The major and minor prepare students for lifelong enjoyment of music through the study of appropriate skills, repertoire, and performance practice.

For further information about faculty and ensembles, please access the Music Department web page at http: //www.macalester.edu/music.

Performance

Performing ensembles are open to students by audition without regard for music major or minor status. These groups include the large vocal and instrumental ensembles, chamber music groups in the Western concert tradition, and other ensembles performing a spectrum of musical styles: African Music Ensemble, Mac Jazz (big band jazz), Collegium Musicum Macalestri (early music), Highland Pipe Band, and the Mac Jazz Workshop Combos. Additional chamber ensembles such as string quartets and flute ensembles are formed in response to student interest. Students are also involved as soloists, conductors, or managers for the ensembles. Special performance projects such as dance concerts requiring live and electronic music, opera, and musical theater are scheduled as opportunities arise.

The superb acoustics of the Janet Wallace Concert Hall provide one of the best centers for musical performance in the Twin Cities. Student soloists and ensembles, and other local, national and international artists perform there regularly throughout the year.

Studio instruction in voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, guitar, all standard orchestral instruments, jazz improvisation, bagpipe, African drumming, African flute, African voice, gamba, recorder, and sitar, is available to all students in the College. Studio instruction is with studio faculty who are all active professional musicians.

The fee for 12 half-hour lessons is $340.00 (fee is subject to change). Music majors and minors will receive a fee waiver of approximately 90% for half hour lessons per semester on their major instrument. Enrollment in Theory II is considered a tentative commitment to major or minor study. After two semesters of fee-waived lessons, students must register as majors or minors in order to continue lessons on a fee-waived basis. The faculty encourages advanced students to take hour-long lessons. Music majors and minors who are preparing for senior recitals are required to take one hour lessons. They will receive a fee waiver of approximately 90% for the full hour during both semesters of their senior year.

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in the music department count toward the general distribution requirement in fine arts. Credit accumulated through ensemble performance and studio instruction count toward the general distribution requirement upon completion of four consecutive semesters. These four consecutive semesters must be taken in a single ensemble or performance medium in order to fulfill the distribution requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and U. S. multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page each semester prior to registration.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Certain courses are particularly appropriate for the general student. These include Music Appreciation, Basic Musicianship, Electronic Music, World Music, African Music, and various topics courses. Other courses, while open to all students, may require specific musical background or skills. Students interested in upper level courses should consult the instructor about prerequisites.

Senior Capstone Projects (The Senior Recital)

The music department requires of its majors, and recommends to its minors, that they undertake senior projects involving recital performance, composition and/or music research as a culminating activity. The department strongly encourages all majors to include performance as a soloist as part of the presentation of this project. A student may register for Music 488 (Senior Project) to receive credit for preparation. (The senior project satisfies the senior capstone requirement). Students planning to give recitals, including senior recitals, must complete a recital permission form in consultation with their teachers and advisors. This form must be submitted in the semester prior to the recital. Following the completion of the senior project, the presenting student will meet with selected faculty for an exit review which will include discussion of their project presentation, their achievements within the department, and their future directions.

Piano for Proficiency Requirement

Each music major and minor is offered four semesters of reduced-fee lessons in piano for proficiency in order to develop basic keyboard skills, which are indispensable to the study of music. Students are encouraged to begin the four-semester sequence as early as possible, typically upon their enrollment in Theory II. At the end of each semester students will be tested on their progress, and a passing grade on the final semester’s exam is required for all students graduating with a major or minor in music. Required skills include sight reading and the ability to play major and minor scales (hands together), triads in inversions (broken and solid), simple chord progressions, and short pieces in contrasting styles.

This final exam (shown as Music 99) is a requirement for graduates with a major or minor in music.

Major Requirements

A major will consist of 40 semester hours in classroom courses, plus studio instruction, ensemble participation and piano for proficiency.

(i) Music majors whose primary advisor is not a music faculty member should establish an informal advisor in music; the complexity of major requirements necessitates regular review of one’s progress toward the major.

(i) Proficiency as needed, and completion of the senior project/recital.

Music 113, or admission to a higher level within the theory program, is considered entrance into the program. Both Music 113 and Music 114 should be taken during the first year if possible, and no later than the second year, since these courses are prerequisites for most of the other required music courses. History-literature courses should begin after completion of Music 113 and 114.

1. The major in music must include:

*..Music 113, 114, 213, 314, 342, 343

Additional music electives may be substituted for Music 113 and 114 if a student can demonstrate equivalent competency.

*..One approved Music History/Literature elective

*..One course in the history and/or theory of non-Western music.

*..Approved electives for at least 8 additional credits (up to 4 credits may be the senior capstone)

*..Studio instruction on the primary instrument or in voice during each semester of residence as a major

*..Ensemble performance during each semester of residence as a major, with at least 4 semesters in a “large” ensemble (see Music Ensembles)

*..A senior capstone project in music

*..Piano for proficiency Exam (Music 99)

A normal music major track for course work will be:

*..year 1: Music 113, 114, and elective

*..year 2: Music 213, 314, one of 342, 343, electives

*..year 3 and 4: two of 342, 343, electives, senior project

*..(with careful planning, a music major can be completed in 3 years)

Minor Requirements

The minor in music will consist of 24 semester hours in classroom courses, plus studio instruction and ensemble participation, and the Piano Proficiency Exam. All courses other than Music 112 may count toward the minor. A normal music minor track for course work can be accomplished in five semesters or spread out over 4 years: With careful planning, a music minor can be completed in two years. Music 113 should be taken no later than the fall of the 3rd year. A minor in music must include:

*..Two theory courses from Music 113, 114, 213, 314

*..Two Music History/Literature courses, one of which must be Music 342 or Music 343, and one of which must be in non-Western music.

*..Two or more additional electives for at least 8 credits.

*..Studio instruction for four semesters.

*..Ensemble participation for a minimum of four semesters, two of which must be in a “large” ensemble (see Music Ensembles).

*..Piano for Proficiency Exam (Music 99).

Honors Program

The music department participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the music department are available from either the department office or the Director of Academic Programs.

Topics Courses

194, 294, 394, 494

Examination of special topics of interest to faculty and students. Recent topics have included: Music, Race and Ethnicity, Introduction to Ethnomusicology, Music and Culture of East Asia, Orchestration, Beethoven, and Shostakovich. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)


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