Kindly note that not all courses may be offered in any given year. You may check the Cave Hill On-Line course schedule at the beginning of the semester for the list of courses available for that semester.

 

LEVEL I

MUSC1010 Introduction to Critical Listening (3 credits)
This course introduces students to elements of music, musical style and the major musical forms. It examines the structure and composition of music with an emphasis on learning to become an active listener. Students will become familiar with important musical terminology, forms and instruments in order to better understand, enjoy and talk critically about music.

MUSC1020 Caribbean Popular Music and Society (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MUSC1010
Popular music has a prominent place in Caribbean culture. Drawing on folk and traditional music it often provides socio-political commentary on Caribbean societies, and in many instances, is associated with distinctive dance styles. Through its focus on listening and analysis, this course provides an opportunity for students to explore Caribbean popular music and to understand its structures, particular eras and stylistic differences.

MUSC1025 Introduction to Harmony (3 credits)
This course teaches the fundamental concepts of harmony, including triads and tetrads using examples from classical and popular music. Students also learn how to analyze selected compositions and create original work adopting techniques under study. 

MUSC1030 Introduction to Music Technology (3 credits)
This course teaches the fundamentals of using and applying technology in the production of music. Students learn the elements of sequencing, recording and computer notation using the digital audio workstation Studio One, Pro Tools recording software and the music scoring program Finale. In addition to exhibiting competence in use of the technology practical exercises are also designed to test develop basic composition, arrangement and notation skills.

MUSC1035 Ear Training (3 credits)
This course enhances aural skills through a variety of methods. Students will be asked to reproduce pitch and rhythm through dictation exercises as well as sigh-sing diatonic and chromatic melodies. It will be assessed by student ability to transcribe various melodies from music played by the instructor. 

MUSC1036 Private Lessons I (3 credits)
This course teaches instrumental technique and repertoire through one-on-one interaction and study with an instructor specific to their instrument. Students gain knowledge to promote a deeper understanding to the approach and performance of varying musical styles. 

 

Level II

MUSC2000 General Musicianship (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MUSC1020
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of basic musicianship and focuses on aural training, sight-reading and music theory while exploring the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic materials of Caribbean music.

MUSC2010 Harmony and Orchestration (3 credits)
This course introduces advanced harmonic techniques and orchestration. Students learn harmonic approaches to composing and arranging for western classical orchestra including writing for two and four part voices.

MUSC2015 Music Ensemble I (3 credits)
Students perform together in two musical ensembles, one drumming and the other choral. These types of ensembles are commonly found in classrooms in both primary and secondary level teaching and the course provides an opportunity for students to personally observe and participate in the creative process of making music within a group. Each student also gains experience directing the ensembles. It will be assessed through composition, conducting and performance. 

MUSC2025 Private Lessons II (3 credits)
This course building on Private Lessons 1 teaches instrumental technique and repertoire through one- on-one interaction and study with an instructor specific to their instrument. Students gain knowledge to promote a deeper understanding to the approach and performance of varying musical styles. 

MUSC2030 Composing Caribbean Music (3 credits)
Prerequisite:  MUSC2010
This course takes an in-depth look at Caribbean styles of music and the compositional approaches of major contributors. Composers from the Anglo, Franco and Hispanic regions are studied and students compose their own music in the styles from each area.

MUSC2100 Composing in Caribbean Popular Genres (3 credits)
This course seeks to develop skills and interesting composing. It also aims to foster an experience of the process of composing and thereby allows students to personally contribute to the development of Caribbean popular music as composers/performers and as an informed audience.

MUSC2110 Jazz Harmony and Orchestration (3 credits)
This course takes an in depth look at Caribbean styles of music and the compositional approaches of major contributors. Composers from the Anglo, Franco and Hispanic regions are studied and students compose their own music in the styles from each area. 

MUSC2115 Music Technology II (3 credits)
Prerequisite:  MUSC1030
This practical course builds on the fundamentals of music technology learnt in Introduction to Music Technology. Students will develop additional proficiency in audio recording, learn to record ensembles in studio and live sound settings, as well as learn professional techniques and approaches to producing, mixing, and mastering music.

MUSC2400 Knowing Popular Music through Performance (6 credits)
Prerequisite:  MUSC1020
This year long course is based on the premise that the performance of popular genres is a necessary skill for any musician operating in the Caribbean or world music fields. How these genres are constructed and presented is required knowledge for all musicians whether their focus is performance or education. This knowledge is best acquired through individual performance in an ensemble context as the popular music is grounded in live group playing.

 

Level III

MUSC3000 The Music Industry (3 credits)
Prerequisites: MUSC2000, MUSC2100, MUSC2400
A knowledge of how the music industry works is indispensable for all musicians. The modern musician is as much involved in the business world as he is in the artistic world. This course provides an overview of the music industry and includes topics such as copyright and intellectual law and its application to Caribbean societies, taxation as it relates to cultural industries, legal and financial requirements of show promotion, and marketing and the media.

MUSC3010 Music Ensemble II (3 credits)
Students learn the art of ensemble playing and directing with two musical ensembles, steel band and mixed instruments. While the course is focused on rehearsal technique as well as arranging, conducting and performance of various musical styles it also includes a creative exploration of the characteristics and ranges of various steelpans. 

MUSC3011 Music Business (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the music business. It looks first at global music business trends then music business as it relates to micro-economies including those existing within the Caribbean region. It also looks at the economic and technological structures currently in existence where music content producers earn from their product. Students are assessed through written research presentations and written business and marketing proposals. 

MUSC3015 Private Lessons II (3 credits)
This course building on Private Lessons 1I teaches instrumental technique and repertoire through one- on-one interaction and study with an instructor specific to their instrument. Students gain knowledge to promote a deeper understanding to the approach and performance of varying musical styles. 

MUSC3020 Conducting for Large Ensemble (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the art of conducting large ensembles including big bands and orchestras. Emphasis is placed on rehearsal technique, score preparation, and rehearsal execution for large ensembles. 

MUSC3025 Repertoire for Recital (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MUSC2025
This course enables students to plan and perform in an ensemble a public 30-minute recital from a varied repertoire for an ensemble. Students are assessed in the areas of planning, rehearsal and performance skills and are required to perform in front of an audience.

MUSC3505 Music for Moving Images (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MUSC2115
This course teaches the fundamental ideas and concepts of film scoring and producing musical sounds for moving images including various film genres and gaming. It includes study of the history of music in film, composers, aesthetics, terminology, analysis of sample work, and the digital process of scoring. Students will use Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) to design and create music and sound for mixing and synchronization to video.