Music

John Owens
509.793.2140
music@bigbend.edu

The music department emphasizes a worldwide perspective and appreciation for music, which includes cultural, historical, and hands-on musical study. Through specialized lecture courses, performance-based labs, and ensembles students have the ability to express themselves through a variety of musical endeavors. The department provides basic disciplines in music for music majors, non-majors, and people in the community.

Music courses may be taken as part of the Associate in Arts and Science DTA degree. These courses may be used toward the Humanities Breadth requirement or for Specified or General Elective credit. Students seeking Associate in Arts and Science DTA degree should refer to the catalog section “Degrees & Certificates” for a detailed description of the degree, its program outcomes, and degree requirements.

This program offers of study for individuals preparing for a career in the music field that does not require a degree or for their own personal enrichment. Since programs differ at each college, students should contact BBCC’s Music Instructor and consult program outlines published by the college or university they intend to transfer. Recommended courses are listed below. 

Recommended Pre-Major Courses

MUSC 115 Group Piano I

MUSC 116 Group Piano II

MUSC 117 Group Piano III

MUSC 215 Group Piano IV

MUSC 216 Group Piano V

MUSC 217 Group Piano VI

Courses

MUSC& 105: Music Appreciation

Credits 5
This course is designed to acquaint students with the elements of music and enhance the students experience in listening to music from a global perspective. By drawing attention to the wide variety of music and the place/role of music in different cultures, students will develop an awareness of the diverse musical styles and cultures in the United States and throughout the world.

MUSC 100: Introduction to Music

Credits 5
A survey course for non-majors. Introduction to the materials of music and world music literature, with a special emphasis on the literature, composers and history of the Western European Art Music tradition.

MUSC 101: Ukulele Orchestra (Ukestra)

Credits 1
The ukulele is an extremely popular instrument for good reason. It is inexpensive, portable, and approachable by everyone. This course covers everything you need to know about the ukulele. This includes uke anatomy, tuning, types, reading chord diagrams, and strumming patterns. Students will learn a wide variety of popular and classic songs they can play anywhere. This course is suitable for absolute beginners through intermediate players.

MUSC 110: College Chorus

Credits 1
This traditional ensemble made up of mixed voices rehearses a wide variety of choral literature for study and performance. This ensemble will perform quarterly for campus and community events. This course may be repeated for up to six credits.

MUSC 114: Mariachi Workshop

Credits 3
Through a variety of learning experiences students will be introduced to traditional Mexican Mariachi music. Through reading, listening, singing and playing, students will experience, discover, explore and create music from this rich musical heritage. Students will work as a group in a supervised workshop environment to develop vocal and instrumental performing skills. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC 115: Group Piano I

Credits 2
This course presents the basic concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 116: Group Piano II

Credits 2
This course presents the basic to intermediate concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 117: Group Piano III

Credits 2
This course presents the intermediate concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 120: College Band

Credits 1
This traditional ensemble made up of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments rehearses a wide variety of concert band literature for study and performance. This ensemble will perform quarterly for campus and community events. This course may be repeated for up to six credits.

MUSC 124: Orchestra I

Credits 2
A community and college orchestra that plays for community musicals and graduation as well as other functions throughout the year. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC 134: Group Guitar

Credits 2
This course provides students with an interactive approach to the fundamentals of playing the guitar. Each students playing aptitude will be accommodated with different options within a unified set of goals. It will include reading tablature and standard notation, introducing chords and solo pieces using a variety of techniques, and provide an overview of basic guitar care and maintenance. This course may be repeated for up to six credits.

MUSC 170: History of Jazz

Credits 5
This course covers the history and origin of Jazz and its stylistic development from the various periods of pre-jazz to today. The class will include an extensive study of important musicians, composers, arrangers, and styles which evolved the genre. The class will include detailed listening assignments and an introduction to jazz musical vocabulary and concepts.

MUSC 174: History of Rock and Roll

Credits 5
This course presents the history of rock music from its origins to the present day. Students will study all major genres, as well as the social, political, technological, and economic forces that shaped the music. The class will include detailed listening assignments and an introduction to rock music vocabulary and concepts.

MUSC 175: Music of the World

Credits 5
This course introduces world music tradition, including both sound and socio-cultural dimensions of music. Students will study the musical styles of major non-Western cultures, including Africa, India, Asia, Indonesia, and Eastern Europe. Topic will include instrumentation, rhythmic structure, melodic structure, song forms, composition, improvisation, family and community participation, political/economic connection, and religious involvement.

MUSC 204: Music Technology Workshop

Credits 3
This course introduces concepts in modem electronic music production. It will include acoustics, notation, MIDI, loops, sampling, audio recording, editing, and mixing through class instruction and hands-on learning. Student projects will culminate in the preparation of student compositions and arrangements. Students can repeat this course for up to 6 credits.

MUSC 215: Group Piano IV

Credits 2
This course presents the intermediate concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 216: Group Piano V

Credits 2
This course presents the intermediate and advanced concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 217: Group Piano VI

Credits 2
This course presents the advanced concepts and skills to develop performing proficiency at the piano. Musical activities and projects will build growth in technical skills such as major and minor scale patterns, musical skills such as sight reading and improvisation, theoretical concepts such as notation, rhythm patterns, melodic shapes and forms, and creative skills such as completing melodic phrases and inventing melodic variations. Repertoire will reflect the development of increasingly advanced solo and ensemble pieces.

MUSC 224: Orchestra II

Credits 2
A community and college orchestra that plays for community musicals and graduation as well as other functions throughout the year. May be repeated for credit.

MUSC 260: Percussion Ensemble

Credits 1
This ensemble rehearses, studies, and performs percussion music suitable for performance and/or competition. Scheduled performances and rehearsals are required. May be repeated for up to six (6) credits.

MUSC 270: Musical Theatre Workshop

Credits 1
This class explores Musical Theatre in a studio workshop setting. Students will study the work of the actor/singer/dancer and use their gained knowledge to develop as performers. Also, students will prepare and present as soloists as well as members of small groups and larger ensembles. Since this is a workshop course, students will prepare material for class presentation and critique. The class will also focus on the audition process, musical theatre history, and repertoire selection. Finally, the entire class will participate in a culminating showcase performance at the end of the quarter. This course may be repeated for up to six credits. Some performances may be held at off-campus venues.