Music

Courses

Performing Groups

While the number of rehearsals vary, the total weekly time required to participate in a performing group is about three to four hours. Upper-level credit is given to seniors with at least four semesters of participation, two semesters at the 100-level and two semesters at the 200-level. Any performing credit may be used to fulfill the Applied Component of The Arts General Education Requirement.

Ensemble Descriptions

*MUS 120/220/320 ORCHESTRA (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. This ensemble fosters musical growth through collaborative rehearsal and performance of varied repertoire. Concert performances twice a semester. Some departmental instruments available for student use. (A-AP)

*MUS 121/221/321 HAND-DRUM ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. This 20-30 member ensemble encourages drummers of all ability levels. No prior experience required. Concert performances twice a semester in addition to impromptu events, jam sessions and collaboration with student groups (dance groups, brass groups, choral groups). (A-AP)

*MUS 122/222/322 BRASS ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. Concert performances at least once a semester with opportunities locally both on and off campus. (A-AP)

*MUS 123/223/323 WOODWIND QUINTET (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. (A-AP)

*MUS 124/224/324 FLUTE ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. Some instruments available for student use. Typically performs twice a semester. (A-AP)

*MUS 125/225/325 JAZZ ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. The Jazz Ensemble fosters student creativity through jazz and popular musics. Performs in a variety of social and concert occasions, including the "Swingsation" dance each February. (A-AP)

*MUS 127/227 JAVANESE GAMELAN ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. Consists of tuned bronze metallophones, gongs and other Indonesian instruments that use non-Western tunings. Typically culminates in a single performance. (A-AP)

*MUS 129 SMALL ENSEMBLE (0-1 credit)
"Ad hoc" groups formed by student initiative upon faculty consultation. (A-AP)

*MUS 130/230/330 WOMEN'S CHORUS (0-1 credit)
Open to all women. Performs female chorus repertoire from all time periods, both sacred and secular. Several performances each semester; outreach emphasized. (A-AP)

*MUS 131/231/331 GOSPEL REVELATIONS (0-1 credit)
Open to all students. This ensemble performs traditional and contemporary African-American gospel music, both a cappella and accompanied. Both on-campus and outreach performances. (A-AP)

*MUS 226/326 JAZZ COMBO (0-1 credit)
Open to all Jazz Ensemble members by audition. Focuses on small combo playing with a strong emphasis on solo improvisation. Students expected to work on improvisational skills outside of rehearsal. (A-AP)

*MUS 228/328 STRING QUARTET (0-1 credit)
Open to all Orchestra string players by audition. Performs two concerts each semester. Occasional off-campus performance opportunities. (A-AP)

*MUS 229/329 EARLHAM RHYTHM PROJECT (0-1 credit)
Open to all percussion ensemble members by audition. Frequently includes mallet and some non-percussion instruments. (A-AP)

*MUS 232 PIT ORCHESTRA (0-1 credit)
Performs in conjunction with musical theater productions. Instrumentation depends on the musical selected. (A-AP) (AY)

*MUS 233/333 CONCERT CHOIR (0-1 credit)
Open to all students by audition. This selective 50-voice ensemble performs widely varied repertoire from the 16th through 20th centuries, both sacred and secular, Western tradition and multicultural. Performs on campus, in the community and on tour. (A-AP)

MUS 234/334 MADRIGAL SINGERS (0-1 credit)
Open to Concert Choir members by audition. Highly selective small ensemble that focuses on 16th-century madrigals. Also performs repertoire from other time periods and genres. (A-AP)