Academic Catalog

Music Ensembles (MUEN)

MUEN 10300 West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble (NLA)

This course explores the traditions of West African music through active performance of drumming, singing, and dancing. Students investigate specific musical styles and traditions directly on authentic African musical instruments, and also analyze social functions and dance movements in ritual, ceremonial, religious, and recreational contexts. Students are expected to participate in the final group performance at the end of the semester. Open to all students at Ithaca College. (Y)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 10500 Wind Ensemble (NLA)

A select wind and percussion ensemble with an active program of concerts scheduled throughout the school year. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 10600 Concert Band (NLA)

A wind and percussion ensemble open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 10700 Wind Symphony (NLA)

A wind and percussion ensemble open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 10800 Choir (NLA)

A select choral ensemble with an active performance schedule. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. A commitment for both fall and spring semesters is recommended. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 10900 Chorus (NLA)

A large choral ensemble open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 11000 Treble Chorale (NLA)

A choral ensemble open to all students with treble voices who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. A commitment for both fall and spring semesters is required. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 11100 Symphony Orchestra (NLA)

The orchestra is open to any student who can qualify through audition. An active program of concerts is scheduled each semester. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 11200 String Orchestra (NLA)

A select string ensemble open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. (IRR)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 11300 Madrigal Singers (NLA)

A select vocal chamber ensemble with an active performance schedule. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 11400 Contemporary Chamber Ensemble (NLA)

The rehearsal and performance of chamber music written in the 20th and 21st centuries, with emphasis placed on recently composed works. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 11500 Guitar Ensemble (NLA)

Performance situations for small guitar ensembles of varying combinations. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 11700-11800 The Pianist as Collaborator (NLA)

Survey of the diverse skills and roles of pianists in their work with other musicians. Develops initial skills needed in vocal and instrumental accompanying, score reduction, sight-reading, transposition, and work with conductors. Required of all keyboard majors. (F)
1 Credit

MUEN 11900 Jazz Ensemble (NLA)

A select jazz ensemble open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each year. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 11901 Jazz Repertory Ensemble (NLA)

Experience in jazz ensemble playing. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each year. Focus on foundational big band repertoire. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 11902 Jazz Lab Band (NLA)

Experience in jazz ensemble playing. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. Several concerts are scheduled each year. Designed to introduce the basics of jazz to students with little or no previous jazz experience. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12100 Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra (NLA)

The Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra is a smaller ensemble, flexible in size and instrumentation that performs repertory from a wide range of periods and styles. Participation is open to any student who can qualify through audition.(IRR)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 12200 Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble (NLA)

An ensemble for euphonium, bass tuba, and contrabass tuba. Readings and performances of literature written exclusively for 4-parts or more, including original compositions, transcriptions, and arrangements of music for tuba and euphonium. Literature will cover a wide variety of musical style periods, genres, and composers. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12300 Brass Choir (NLA)

Study, rehearsal, and performance of standard brass choir literature and orchestral works. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (IRR)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12400 Trombone Ensemble (NLA)

An ensemble for alto, tenor, and bass trombones. Readings and performances of literature written exclusively for four parts or more, both original compositions and transcriptions/arrangements, covering a wide variety of musical style periods and genre. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12500 Jazz Vocal Ensemble (NLA)

A select jazz chamber ensemble for singers and instrumentalists. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. An active program of concerts is scheduled each semester. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 12501 Jazz Vocal Repertory Ensemble (NLA)

Experience in jazz vocal ensemble singing for any student who can qualify through audition, regardless of major within or outside of the School of Music. At least one concert will be scheduled each semester. The repertoire chosen will be foundational jazz choir literature. (IRR)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12600 Trumpet Ensemble (NLA)

This course focuses on the development of ensemble skills for trumpet players, which includes intonation, precision, style, overall musical effect, and communication. Musical exercises and trumpet ensemble repertoire of a wide variety of musical style periods, genres, and composers will be used to develop these skills. Students will also develop leadership, group participation, individualism, professional commitment, and responsibility by having opportunities to lead the ensemble and by being a member of the ensemble. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 12700 Percussion Ensemble (NLA)

Ensemble experience and exposure to contemporary percussion literature. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 12800 Early Music Performance Practice Ensemble (NLA)

Ensemble experience and exposure to Early Music Literature. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. Open to any student who can qualify through audition. (IRR)
1 Credit

MUEN 12900 Improvisation Ensemble (NLA)

An ensemble dedicated to the performance of non-notated music created spontaneously, and not necessarily in any particular musical style. Introductory study of how compositions can be structured “in the moment” through the use of compositional principles including large-scale form, motivic development, melodic construction, harmony, and orchestration. The ensemble performs at Composition Recitals. Prerequisite: Music major or minor, or permission of instructor. (IRR)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 13100 Fundamentals of String Chamber Music (NLA)

An introduction to fundamental string chamber music skills, including developing group pulse, cueing, tone and articulation matching, pitch centering, dynamics, and balance. Students will also develop rehearsal and communication techniques and learn how to make interpretive and stylistic decisions as an ensemble. The course also supports the development of performance skills, including stage presence. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 14000 Musical Pit Orchestra (NLA)

Rehearsal and performance-based ensemble that serves as orchestral accompaniment to the Fall or Spring Musical Theatre productions. (F,S)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 21700 Piano-Vocal Collaboration (NLA)

Develop historically and stylistically informed performances of the accompanied vocal literature. Explore poetry & lyrics on an in-depth level, as well as refine collaborative skills between pianist and vocalist with a focus on specific concerns such as interpretation of vocal music of varying languages and stylistic periods through masterclasses and individual coachings. Students will demonstrate their collaborative expertise via a public performance. Pianists enroll for vocalists enroll for .(F)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 21800 Piano-Instrumental Collaboration (NLA)

Develop historically and stylistically informed performances of accompanied instrumental literature. Address specific collaborative issues with regard to repertoire for piano and another instrument of varying styles and genres. Refine communication and listening skills between pianist and instrumentalist with a focus on specific concerns such as balance, phrasing, appropriate stylistic interpretation through masterclasses and individual coachings. Students will demonstrate their level of collaborative expertise via a public performance. Pianists enroll for instrumentalists enroll for .(S)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 22100 Chamber Music Masterclass (NLA)

A weekly chamber music masterclass. Weekly performances of chamber music literature in workshop/masterclass settings. Students have a chance to hear other groups perform in small groups and engage in faculty-led feedback. This modality allows for mixed instrumentation and small groups combinations of a more experimental nature. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 30300 Piano Ensemble (NLA)

Study and performance of music for piano: four hands, one and two pianos, and eight hands, two pianos. Prerequisites: PFMJ 20300 or by audition. (S)
1 Credit

MUEN 31700 Piano/Instrumental Duo (NLA)

A performance master class focusing on literature for piano and instrument. Students enroll as a performance team and remain together for the semester. Appropriate literature is chosen in consultation with the course professor and major teachers. Students prepare assigned literature for class performance and critique. Prerequisites: MUEN 21800 or by audition. (Y)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 31800 Piano/Vocal Duo (NLA)

A performance master class focusing on literature for piano and voice. Students enroll as a performance team and remain together for the semester. Appropriate literature is chosen in consultation with the course professor and major teachers. Students prepare assigned literature for class performance and critique. Prerequisites: MUEN 21800 or by audition. (Y)
0.5-1 Credits

MUEN 32000 Lyric Theatre Ensemble (NLA)

Performance centered studio class focused on studying, rehearsing, analyzing, and performing scenes and/or arias from the staged vocal repertoire, including, but not limited to, opera, operetta, musical theater, oratorio, art song, and cabaret. Through this process topics such as lyric diction, acting, auditioning, lyric theater's social and political relevance, style, and performance practice will be explored. Permission of instructor required based on audition results. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 32100 Chamber Music (NLA)

Study, rehearsal, and performance of a broad spectrum of chamber music. Groups receive seven 1-hr. private lessons. (F,S)
0.5 Credit

MUEN 32300 Chamber Music Performance (NLA)

Study, rehearsal, and performance of a complete, significant, or large work for chamber group. Groups receive fourteen 1-hr. private lessons. (F,S)
1 Credit

MUEN 42800 Early Music Performance Practice Ensemble (LA)

Ensemble experience and exposure to early music literature. Several concerts are scheduled each semester. Class meeting: Two hours per week. for music majors; for non-music majors. Prerequisite: MUMC 48300. (S)
0-1 Credits