Music
The music program in the department of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs offers opportunities for rigorous scholarship, performance, and interdisciplinary work. Students can now receive a Bachelors degree in the Interdisciplinary Arts Major with a Music Concentration. This course structure includes a program of music theory, ear training / rhythm, computer music, and performance as well as a diverse spectrum of music history classes in European Classical Music, Jazz and Improvised Music Ethnomusicology, 20th Century Contemporary Music and Popular Music.
Students will be immersed in a curriculum of high-level musical training that includes private lessons from an outstanding faculty. For ensemble requirements, a wide range of in instrumental and choral groups are offered that include the Jazz and Improvisation Ensemble, VAPA Vocal Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, Electro Acoustic Ensemble, Computer Music Ensemble, and Music Theater performances.
Requirements for this major include classes that address interdisciplinary collaborations between music and other areas of the arts. Digital recording and computer assisted music production software is available for creative and collaborative work. In addition, topics of music and culture are explored through cross-listed classes with Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies programs.
Music Option
Degree requirements: Students intending to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with a Music option must complete 60 credit hours: 18
in Music core, 6 ensemble, 6 applied lessons, 12 in Music History, 12 in VAPA, and 6 within another VAPA option for a Cross-Disciplinary component.
Core requirements: 18 credits
MUS 101 Music Theory I (3 credits)
MUS 103 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 201 Music Theory II (3 credits)
MUS 203 Sight Singing/Ear and Rhythm Skills II (1 credit)
MUS 215 The Computer in Music (3 credits)
MUS 301 Music Theory III: Form and Analysis (3 credits)
MUS 495 Special Topics Keyboard Skills (1 credit)
Ensemble & Composition requirements: 6 credits
MUS 225 Jazz and Improvisation Ensemble
MUS 230 Electro Acoustic Ensemble
MUS 231 VAPA Vocal Ensemble
MUS 240 Chamber Music
MUS 493 Gamelan Ensemble
Applied Instrumental & Voice Lessons: 6 credits
Extended Studies MUS 150 - Private Instruction
Students are required to pay through Extended Studies
Music History requirements: 12 credits
Lower division 200 level: 6 credits
MUS 205 History of Jazz
MUS 210 Rock and Roll Music
MUS 285 Western Music History I
Upper Division 300/400: 6 credits
MUS 315 Non-Western Music
MUS 375 20th Century Experimental Music
MUS 385 Symphonic Literature (Western II)
VAPA requirements: 12 credits
3 credits VAPA 100 level
6 credits VAPA 300 level
3 credits VAPA 400 level capstone
Cross-Disciplinary requirements: 6 credits
200/300/400 level courses in Art History, Film Studies, Museum & Gallery Practice, Theatre, or Visual Art.
Music Minor: 20 credits
MUS 101 Music Theory I
MUS 201 Advanced Music Theory
Complete 6 hours of electives from: MUS 100, 131, 205, 210
Complete 6 hours of electives from: MUS 301, 320, 375, 385
Complete 2 hours of ensemble electives from: MUS 225, 231, 240, 493
For a current schedule or course descriptions please check out the UCCS Bulletin:
http://www.uccs.edu/course.html
Music Director: Glen Whitehead
Private Lesson Instructors
Bass (Acoustic) Mark Neihoff, Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Bass (Electric and Acoustic) Kim Stone, The Rippingtons and Spyro Gyro
Cello Susan Smith, Principal Cello for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute (Jazz and Classical) William Malone, PPCC Music Director
Drums Randy Bowen
Piano Cynthia Fox, UCCS Lecturer
Piano Curtis Smith, UCCS Senior Instructor
Piano Sharon Skidgel, UCCS Lecturer
Piano (Jazz) Brian Bietry
Saxophone (Jazz) Rex Matske
Trombone/Low Brass Jeremy van Hoy, Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Trumpet Dr. Glen Whitehead, UCCS Music Director
Trumpet David Zuercher, Principal Trumpet for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Voice (Classical and Music Theatre) Gayle Grace
Voice Cynthia Fox, UCCS Lecturer
Voice (Jazz) Jana Lee Ross, UCCS Lecturer
Music Computer Software
FM8
MAX / MSP
Pro Tools
Reason