Music Course Listings
Courses Offered Spring 2025
Classes
- MU 201 - Music Fundamentals (fulfills fine arts core requirement)
- MU 202 - Class Piano (fulfills fine arts core requirement)
- MU 203 - The Art of Listening (fulfills fine arts core requirement)
- MU 206 - Musicianship II
- MU 300 - Repertoires of Western Music
- MU 302 - Structure of Music: Theory I
- MU 312 - Class Piano II
- MU 315 - Conducting
- MU 350 - Recording Studio I
- MU 351 - Recording Studio II
Ensembles
- MU 211 - Jazz Ensemble I
- MU 220 - Chamber Ensemble I
- MU 221 - Concert Choir I
- MU 230 - Guitar Ensemble I
- MU 231 - Steel Pan Ensemble I
- MU 311 - Jazz Ensemble II
- MU 321 - Concert Choir II
- MU 323 - Jazz Combo
- MU 327 - Cantorei
Applied Lessons
- MU 360 - Applied Music (1/2 hour)
- MU 361 - Applied Music (3/4 hour)
Course Descriptions
MU 201 - Music Fundamentals
(3.00 cr.)
Develops in the student an awareness of some of the systems within music: acoustical,
tonal, rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and formal, and how they relate in an inseparable
way to make music. An integrated approach-hearing, seeing, writing, and performing-is
the goal. Fulfills fine arts core requirement.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 202 - Class Piano
(3.00 cr.)
Group instruction in musical technique and repertoire for the beginning student. Covers
basic skills including music reading. Students work both in groups and individually
with the instructor. Fulfills fine arts core requirement.
Restrictions: Restricted to beginning students.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 203 - The Art of Listening
(3.00 cr.)
Through guided listening and an investigation of the cultural histories behind selected
works from the western musical tradition – from medieval chant to pop – this course
helps students become more perceptive and informed listeners. The ability to read
music is not a prerequisite. Fulfills fine arts core requirement.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 204 - Western Musical Traditions
(3.00 cr.)
An introduction to the major forms and styles in the western musical tradition, with
an emphasis on guided listening and the study of issues in musical aesthetics through
scholarly and primary source texts. Aims to develop a more perceptive and informed
listener and to introduce skills in music scholarship. Recommended for majors and minors as a replacement for MU 203. Fulfills fine arts
core requirement. Closed to students who have taken MU 203. Same course as HN 322.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 205 - Musicianship I
(1.50 cr.)
Using systematic approaches to sight singing and aural dictation, students develop
skills to perform music more accurately and musically. Students also develop the ability
to dictate melodic and harmonic intervals, rhythms, whole melodies, chord qualities,
and harmonic progressions.
Prerequisite (may be taken concurrently): MU 201.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 206 - Musicianship II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 205.
Prerequisite: MU 205.
Sessions Typically Offered: Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 210 - American Musical Theatre: Uptown and Down
(3.00 cr.)
Studies the variety found in American musical theatre, including musical drama, opera,
and musical comedy. Through readings, recordings, and video tapes, students investigate
this lively art. At least one live performance is viewed during the semester. Same course as DR 210.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Varies
Interdisciplinary Studies: IU
MU 300 - Repertoires of Western Music
(3.00 cr.)
Through a study of influential and representative works, students become acquainted
with important theoretical, stylistic, and generic touchstones of the Western art
music tradition from circa 500-2000.
Prerequisite (may be taken concurrently): MU 201 or MU 302.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 302 - Structure of Music: Theory I
(3.00 cr.)
Music theory encompasses the study of melodic and harmonic practices common in the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Focuses on comprehension through the development
of skills including exercises, drills, ear-training, sight-singing, and analysis as
well as lecture.
Recommended Prerequisite: MU 201.
Sessions Typically Offered: Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 303 - American Jazz
(3.00 cr.)
Traces the origin and development of a truly American musical phenomenon: jazz. Topics
include pre-jazz, ragtime, New Orleans and Chicago jazz, big band, bop, and contemporary
styles. Discusses the effect of jazz on the popular music of the time.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 304 - Music and Medicine
(3.00 cr.)
Examines the historical intersections of music and health, with a consideration of
how music has been used to improve wellbeing, how myths about maladies have been represented
in musical works, and how disabilities of composers and performers have been received
by audiences. No training in music necessary. Open to all students. Music majors and minors have additional technical readings and
assignments.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
Interdisciplinary Studies: IHE
MU 305 - Music in the Twentieth Century
(3.00 cr.)
A survey of European and American art music since 1900.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 308 - Hearing the Movies
(3.00 cr.)
Surveying representative works in a wide range of genres—from silent film, to film
musicals, to contemporary epics—this course explores the technical relationships between
soundtracks and image tracks, and investigates how the sonic dimension of film can
influence narrative interpretation and audience responses. Same course as CM 309.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Varies
Interdisciplinary Studies: IF
MU 310 - Structure of Music: Theory II
(3.00 cr.)
Third music theory course in the curriculum. Students begin working with advanced
techniques of analysis and composing short works. Topics include modulation, melodic
development, and chromatic harmony.
Prerequisite: MU 302.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 312 - Class Piano II
(3.00 cr.)
Continuation of MU 202. Group instruction in musical technique and repertoire. Covers
more advanced techniques and music reading skills. Students work both in groups and
individually with the instructor.
Prerequisite: MU 202.
Sessions Typically Offered: Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 314 - Topics in Non-Western Music
(3.00 cr.)
A survey of musics from around the world and the cultural settings in which they were
produced and performed. Specific topics determined by faculty expertise and interests.
Topic announced each time the course is offered. No training in music necessary.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
Interdisciplinary Studies: CU/ICL
MU 315 - Conducting
(3.00 cr.)
Students study the art of conducting. Topics include score preparation, conducting,
and rehearsal techniques. Students work with choral and/or instrumental ensembles
in preparation for performance.
Prerequisite: MU 205, MU 302.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 324 - Composition
(3.00 cr.)
Student study the process of musical composition by examining masterworks and by completing
a series of composition assignments and original works. Assignments progress from
basic melody writing, through two- and three-part writing, to multivoiced works for
piano or small ensemble.
Prerequisite: MU 302.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 325 - Counterpoint
(3.00 cr.)
Students study the art of imitative and nonimitative counterpoint by studying examples
of polyphonic music from the Renaissance and Baroque.
Prerequisite: MU 201.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 326 – Songwriting
(3.00 cr.)
Introduces the fundamental methods, techniques, and practices of songwriting. Study
includes a survey of styles such as pop, folk, hip hop, singer-songwriter, rhythm
and blues, and country, including such artists as George Gershwin, The Beatles, Radiohead,
Kendrick Lamar, and others based on student interest. Students have the opportunity
to develop their own original material, work in collaboration with others, and receive
individual feedback on their work. Sample topics include song form, text-setting,
melody & harmony, and instrumentation.
Prerequisite: MU 201 or MU 202.
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 350 - Recording Studio I
(3.00 cr.)
In this hands-on course, students work in Loyola’s recording studio and learn the
skills of live and studio multi-track recording, practicable with both professional
and non-professional equipment. Through various projects, students gain an understanding
of fundamental principles of sound and music recording, and attain facility with recording
equipment, recording and editing techniques, and software applications. Practicing
the proper and creative use of these elements, students learn how the recording process
does not simply document music and speech, but is in fact an integral part of expressive
sonic creation. Same course as CM 326.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 351 - Recording Studio II
(3.00 cr.)
A continuation of MU 350. Focuses on the application of advanced techniques in digital
recording. Students complete recording assignments in live stereo recording, studio
tracking, mixing, equalization, the use of effects, and basic mastering. The primary
goal is to provide students with a broader technical and artistic foundation from
which to produce articulate and expressive musical works of very high quality through
the digital process.
Prerequisite: MU 350.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 355 - Special Topics in Music
(3.00 cr.)
An intensive investigation of a special topic of music, music history, performance,
or creation. May be repeated twice for credit with different topics.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 400 - Musical Writing for the Public
(1.00 cr.)
Students bring together their historiographic and analytical skills and compile a
set of program notes for their final recital or jury in this senior capstone course.
In consultation with the music faculty and studio instructor, students research the
history, social context, and reception of the works and their composers, and analyze
the structures of their pieces. Students then learn to craft notes that are compelling
and accessible to a general audience. Generally completed during senior year.
Prerequisite: MU 300, MU 302.
Restrictions: Restricted to juniors and seniors.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
Ensemble Course Descriptions
MU 211 - Jazz Ensemble I
(1.50 cr.)
The Loyola Jazz Ensemble is open to all instrumentalists by audition. Repertoire includes
jazz standards and original compositions. Students are given opportunities for solo
playing. An audition with the instructor is required. Students should be able to read a chart.
May be repeated for credit.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 220 - Chamber Ensemble I
(1.50 cr.)
Provides performance opportunities for instrumentalists who wish to play as soloists
or as members of small groups (two to eight players), with a concert performance at
the end of the semester. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 221 - Concert Choir I
(1.50 cr.)
Concert Choir is a large, mixed ensemble that performs a varied and challenging program
of choral repertoire from across time and place. Known for their diverse repertoire,
and for a blended, unified sound, Concert Choir is the department’s flagship choral
ensemble, performing at venues both on and off campus. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 230 - Guitar Ensemble I
(1.50 cr.)
Designed for guitarists to perform in small groups of two to eight players. There
are performance opportunities each semester. Open to students, faculty, and staff by audition. May be repeated for credit.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Varies
MU 231 - Steel Pan Ensemble I
(1.50 cr.)
Repertoire from Trinidad and Tobago. Panorama, transcription, calypso, soca, latin,
jazz, ragtime, classical, and island favorites are performed with a full steel pan
orchestra. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 311 - Jazz Ensemble II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 211. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of MU 211.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 320 - Chamber Ensemble II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 220. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of MU 220.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 321 - Concert Choir II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 221. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of MU 221.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 323 - Jazz Combo
(1.50 cr.)
An instrumental jazz group of four to eight players, representing the top jazz musicians
on campus. The combo performs repertoire from lead sheets, requiring performers to
create arrangements collectively and to develop a musically mature improvisational
language. Members must be active in the jazz ensemble. An audition with the instructor. May be repeated for credit.
Concurrent Requisite: MU 211 or MU 311.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 327 - Cantorei
(1.50 cr.)
Cantorei is a smaller vocal ensemble that specializes in the vocal jazz repertoire,
delving into both traditional vocal jazz, jazz arrangements of popular tunes, and
repertoire from the American Songbook. Participants must also be active members of
the Concert Choir. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.
Concurrent Requisite: MU 221 or MU 321.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 330 - Guitar Ensemble II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 230. May be repeated for credit. Open to students, faculty, and staff by audition.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of MU 230 or an audition with the instructor.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 331 - Steel Pan Ensemble II
(1.50 cr.)
A continuation of MU 231. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: MU 231.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
Applied Lesson Course Descriptions
MU 360 - Applied Music (1/2 hour)
(1.00 cr.)
Private instruction in a musical instrument or voice. Each lesson is one-half hour
per week with independent practice as prescribed by the teacher.
Restrictions: Open to first-years and first semester sophomores.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
MU 361 - Applied Music (3/4 hour)
(1.50 cr.)
Private instruction in musical instruments and voice. Each lesson is 45 minutes per
week with independent practice as prescribed by the teacher. May be repeated 7 times for degree credit.
Restrictions: Restricted to performing arts majors with a music concentration or comprehensive
concentration and music minors.
Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Annually
Questions about Music Program courses, ensembles, or lessons? Contact us.
Transfer Opportunities for UArts Students
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