Date:
To:
From:
Re:
February 4, 2009
Camie Foos: camie.foos@umontana.edu
Maxine Ramey, Interim Chair, Department of Music
Symbolic Systems for Department of Music
The Department of Music is requesting to continue to substitute for the Modern and Classical Language
requirement a symbolic systems sequence required by their major*:
MUS 111- Music Theory I, 2 cr.
MUS 112-Music Theory II, 2 cr.
MUS 137-Aural Perception (co-requisite with MUS 111), 2 cr.
MUS 138-Aural Perception (co-requisite with MUS 211), 2 cr.
*These courses were reviewed by the Symbolic System Subcommittee and approved by the General Education Committee and ASCRC, meeting
the criteria for Group IIIb: Symbolic Systems as indicated in a memo dated December 5, 2008 from Camie Foos.
The reason is two-fold. 1) Music Theory and Aural Perception satisfies the definition of a symbolic
system in that Music and the study of Music Theory/Aural Perception is the study of an abstract system of
symbols that represents the pitch, rhythm, timbre, and dynamics of sound. It is the system of notation that
musicians learn to read whereby these abstract systems of symbols ar used to convey the language of
music.
2) The following degrees are at a maximum level of credits for a 4-year baccalaureate with the
requirements for the particular major. They are credit intensive professional music degrees and do not
allow room for additional coursework:
Bachelor of Music Education-BME
Bachelor of Music in Composition/Music Technology-BM
Bachelor of Music Specialization in Instrumental Performance-BM
Bachelor of Music Specialization in Piano Performance and Pedagogy-BM
Bachelor of Music Specialization in Piano Performance-BM
The following degrees require 2 semesters of Foreign Language and will not need the Symbolic System
consideration:
Bachelor of Arts Specialization Musical Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Specialization in Applied Studies
Bachelor of Arts Specialization in Composition/Music Technology
Bachelor of Arts Specialization in Music History
Bachelor of Music Specialization in Voice
Bachelor of Music Specialization in Organ
Course Descriptions:
MUS 111-112: Material and structure of music. Application of principles in two-, three-, and four-part
writing and at the keyboard and focuses on a review of the fundamentals of musical notation, an
introduction to counterpoint, and four-part chorale style writing using primary chords. The course covers
basics of music theory and musical notation: scales, keys, intervals, triads, clefs, meter, rhythm, and some
basic harmony. The course objectives are development of fluency in reading and writing musical notation,
improvement of the musical ear, and the provision of a foundation for music analysis skills. Ideally,
students should have some basic music reading ability. Required in the major: Bachelor of Music,
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music Education.
MUS 137-138: A laboratory course in singing and dictation to supplement Theory I. Material and
structure of music. Application of principles in two-, three-, and four-part writing and at the keyboard and
focuses on a review of the fundamentals of musical notation, an introduction to counterpoint, and fourpart chorale style. The course covers basics of music theory and the aural recognition of musical
notation: scales, keys, intervals, triads, clefs, meter, rhythm, and some basic harmony. The course
objectives are development of fluency in the aural recognition, reading and writing musical notation,
improvement of the musical ear, and the provision of a foundation for music analysis skills. Ideally,
students should have some basic music reading ability. Required in the music major: Bachelor of
Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Arts.
Pedagogical Rationale for a Symbolic System:
Music and the study of Music Theory/Aural Perception is the study of an abstract system of symbols
that represents the pitch, rhythm, timbre, and dynamics of sound. It is the system of notation that
musicians learn to read whereby the abstract systems of symbols are used to convey the language of
music.
Music theory has one primary goal--to understand what we hear. Aural Comprehension, or ear training,
strives to produce a listener/performer who can perceive sound in meaningful patterns--developing a
hearing mind and a thinking ear. This is achieved by the tandem development of two types of activities:
listening and performance. Listening includes dictation, recognition or perception of musical events (e.g.
error recognition, perception of meter or form), and ensemble skills. Performance includes sight-reading,
prepared performance, conducting, and improvisation.
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TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HEAR. This is the primary goal of music theory (including aural
perception). As performers and teachers this is necessary for making music with others in ensembles,
evaluating (and correcting) your own or other's performances, comparing different musical interpretations,
as well as enjoying a more complete listening experience. Dictation is used to develop your ability to
comprehend music aurally, and to evaluate the level of comprehension.
TO HEAR WHAT YOU SEE. The ability to see a piece of music on the written page, and perform it in
your mind. You must hear the music in an `inner' ear which is as loud and as real to you as if you were
actually hearing someone play it. One of the means by which we develop this skill is through sight-reading
or sight-singing.
TO RECONCILE SIGHT AND SOUND. You must develop the ability to detect and correct discrepancies
between the written music and music you hear.
Catalog Copy: MUS 111, MUS 112, MUS 137, MUS 138 is required for all Music Majors and Music
Minors.
U 111 Theory I 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MUS 137. Material and structure of music.
Application of principles in two-, three-, and four-part writing and at the keyboard.
U 112 Theory II 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MUS 111. Coreq., MUS 138. Continuation of
MUS 111.
U 137 Aural Perception I 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MUS 111. A laboratory course in
singing and dictation to supplement Theory I.
U 138 Aural Perception II 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MUS 137; Coreq., MUS 112.
Continuation of 137.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Maxine Ramey, Interim Chair, Department of Music