Course Descriptions

Study of fundamental elements of music and diatonic harmony. Notational basics, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads in root position and inversions, and four-part writing skills will be discussed. Sight-singing using solfege, ear training, and keyboard harmony will be in separate sessions. This course is equivalent to MU-1111 Music Theory I. Either course required for BMus and BA Music students as the first-semester theory sequence.

This is an introductory course designed to give the non-Music major a basic understanding of the nature of corporate worship and the role of music in worship and ministry. Required for non-Music majors who score 15 or higher on the MU-1130 diagnostic test or who transfer credits to be applied toward MU-1130 Exploring Music.

Study of basic elements of music and diatonic harmony. Notational basics, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads in root position and inversions, and four-part writing skills will be discussed. Sight-singing using solfege, ear training, and keyboard harmony will be in separate sessions.

Expanded study of diatonic harmony from MU-1111 Music Theory I. Cadences, non-harmonic tones, figured bass, dominant seventh chords, non-dominant seventh chords and chain of the seventh chords will be discussed. Sight-singing using solfege, ear training, and keyboard harmony will be in separate sessions.

Prerequisite: MU-1111 Music Theory I or MU-1103 Music Fundamentals.

Students will explore elements of music theory, outline music history and styles, and discuss the role of music in worship and ministry. Designed for non-Music majors. Students may substitute this course with membership by audition in a Music Core Ensemble (Moody Chorale, Moody Repertory Singers, Moody Worship Collectives, Moody Campus Orchestra) for a minimum of three semesters.

A course designed to introduce and assist the student in the development of a professional self-promotion plan and the assembly of portfolio materials for job applications. Topics such as social media, leveraging outline resources, and networking will be addressed.

The study of chromatic harmony and harmonization from a figured bass, a given soprano, or an original melody. Embellishing diminished seventh chords, secondary dominants, secondary diminished sevenths, and modulations will be discussed. Sight-singing using solfege and ear training will be in separate sessions.

Prerequisite: MU-1112 Music Theory II.

Expanded study of chromatic harmony and harmonization from a figured bass, a given soprano, or an original melody. Borrowed chords, Neapolitan sixth chord, altered chords, augmented sixth chords, chords of the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth, introduction to jazz and popular music techniques, and introduction to contemporary music techniques. Sight-singing using solfege and ear training.

Prerequisite: MU-2211 Music Theory III.

Students are introduced to the art of acting while singing. Areas of study may include acting, singing in ensemble, constructing sets and costumes, and relating resources that can be used in the local church or other ministry contexts. May be repeated with consent of the instructor. Not offered every year. This course is required for students in the Bachelor of Music—Voice emphasis. All other interested students should discuss the possibility of enrolling with the instructor one semester prior to the beginning of the course.

Studying and writing various styles of songs. Styles in Gregorian chant, early polyphony, art songs, national anthems, folk songs, popular songs, commercial music, hymns, and Christian contemporary music (CCM) will be discussed. Musical structure, chord progression, texture, lyrics, and other topics will also be discussed.

Prerequisite: MU-1130 Exploring Music (or testing out), MU-1103 Music Fundamentals, or MU-1111 Music Theory I. Not offered every year.

Designed to give the developing church musician the tools for effective service in the ministry of music to the Church and the world. A range of topics may include administration and organization, rhythm sections and sound systems, church/worship ensembles, physical health for the musician, developing online presence and portfolios, and other topics chosen by the music faculty in any given semester

Study of contemporary classical music. Analysis and techniques of contemporary music, including new scales, new forms, new sound materials, serialism, total serialism, indeterminacy, aleatoric music, concrete music, tintinnabular music, neo classicism, neo romanticism, and minimalism will be discussed.

Prerequisite: MU-2212 Music Theory IV or consent of the instructor.

Historical perspectives and current analysis of the various periods of popular music in America, ranging from musical styles, people groups and cultures, musicians, time periods, and social issues.

A study of selected topics in music history to be chosen in accord with the professor’s interests and competencies, student interest, and the consent of the program head. This course may be repeated for credit if the topic of study differs.

A historical analysis of the major vocal music forms in Western music from 1500–1750. Attention is given to societal trends, issues, and mores as they relate to the discipline of music.

Prerequisite: MU-2213 Survey of Music Literature. Not offered every year.

An historical analysis of the origins and maturation of the genre known as the symphony, from its emergence in the mid-eighteenth century to the work of the late Romantics such as Brahms and Mahler. Also included is an exploration of societal trends, other art forms, tangential historical events, and current issues as applicable.

Prerequisite: MU-2213 Survey of Music Literature. Not offered every year.

An historical analysis of the various periods, people groups, cultures, and music in America, beginning with indigenous people groups and culminating in the popular styles of the twentieth century.

Prerequisite: MU-2213 Survey of Music Literature. Not offered every year.

Practical arranging for choral and instrumental ensembles. Idiomatic uses of harmony, melodic figures, voicing, tonal colors, modulations and notational processes into various ensembles will be discussed.

A continuation of the material studied during the MU-4450 Church Music Internship I. MU-4450 and MU-4451 may be taken out of sequence in unique circumstances by permission of the program head. Ethnomusicology emphasis students typically take this course during the summer prior to the senior year and involves an intercultural experience, preferably overseas.

Prerequisite: MU-4450 Church Music Internship I.

Open to all students interested in forming any type of small musical ensemble, including popular styles, jazz, or worship teams. Open to both instrumentalists and vocalists. Coached by faculty member. Offered as needed.

The Moody Chorale, founded in 1946, is a mixed choir that ministers the Word of God through song, Scripture, and personal testimony. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year-long commitment. May be taken as an elective or to fulfill MU-1130 Exploring Music credit requirements. Open to all students on the basis of audition.

Open to all students for the study of chamber music repertoire. Open to both instrumentalists and vocalists. Coached by faculty member. Offered as needed.

The Handbell Ensemble exists to provide a uniquely collaborative experience in practical musicianship training. Membership is by audition.

Open to all students on the basis of audition. Offered as needed.

Required of music majors in each full-time semester of attendance. Students must attend eight concerts each semester (at least four of these must be off-campus). Transfer students need not make up semesters prior to enrollment at Moody.

The Moody Worship Collective, started in 2016, is a group of multi-talented students using contemporary worship music and a variety of stagebased artistic expressions to lead corporate worship in live settings as well as audio and video recordings. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year-long commitment. May be taken as an elective or to fulfill MU-1130 Exploring Music requirements.

The Moody Worship Collective, started in 2016, is a group of multi-talented students using contemporary worship music and a variety of stagebased artistic expressions to lead corporate worship in live settings as well as audio and video recordings. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year-long commitment. May be taken as an elective or to fulfill MU-1130 Exploring Music requirements.

The Moody Worship Collective, started in 2016, is a group of multi-talented students using contemporary worship music and a variety of stagebased artistic expressions to lead corporate worship in live settings as well as audio and video recordings. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year-long commitment. May be taken as an elective or to fulfill MU-1130 Exploring Music requirements.

MBI Repertory Singers was established in 2018 as an outgrowth of the Moody Chorale in its commitment to glorify God and reach the world for Christ through excellence in the choral art. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year-long commitment. May be taken as an elective or to fulfill MU-1130 Exploring Music requirements.

Open to all students, Moody employees, and local Christian musicians on the basis of audition. ME-1999 Music Ensemble Elective (credits vary) A Music Ensemble transfer course that may focus on a particular music ensemble.