RESULTS:College of Arts & Sciences, Easter Semester 2026

Music

A general introduction to the language of music, using the piano as toolkit. This is the second course in a two-part sequence. Students with little or no experience in piano acquire the ability to read music, play simple piano pieces, and improvise. Along with piano skills, students learn fundamental theoretical concepts, such as tuplets, minor scales and key signatures, structural elements, and compound meters.
Students learn to play the piano, read music notation, and compose songs. No prior musical experience is necessary. Musicality is developed by integrating theory and analysis, aural skills, performance, and composition. Through this integration of skills and knowledge, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of music relevant to our current musical and cultural landscape. The 4th hour addresses ear training and practical musicianship.
This course covers the fundamentals of electronic music and studio recording. Using Reason software, students learn about MIDI, sound synthesis, sampling, drum machines, loop players and sound processing. The second half of the semester focuses on Pro Tools, a digital recording program. Students learn recording techniques, sound editing, use of plug-in MIDI instruments, and how to produce recordings of their own music.
This class explores different musical traditions of Latin America such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, porro, bolero, danzon, and samba as manifestations of cross-cultural interaction and/or religious syncretism. Through a theoretical and practical approach, students also consider elements related to construction of Latino cultural identities (e.g., music, language, social dancing) vis-à-vis migration and diaspora. The course also interrogates stereotypes and other misrepresentations of Latino culture in the U.S.
Training in performance as a singing actor in a workshop setting, providing opportunities for the integration of singing and movement. The course will cover a variety of musical styles with emphasis on Broadway and opera scenes.
Students continue to expand their abilities to play piano, analyze chords and musical ideas, and compose original music. The new topics covered in this course include counterpoint, melodic and harmonic development, formal analysis, part-writing, and extended harmonies. As in MUSC 160, musicality is developed by integrating theory and analysis, aural skills, performance, and composition. Through this integration of skills and knowledge, the course fosters a comprehensive understanding of music relevant to our current musical and cultural landscape.
An exploration of tools for the practice and teaching of singing, this course introduces vocal anatomy and physiology, assessments and interventions for vocal challenges, International Phonetic Alphabet and its applications, and both historical and contemporary approaches to voice pedagogy. Students gain a vocabulary for healthy, expressive technique and apply it in the teaching studio.
This course focuses on special topics in Music not already covered in existing courses in the program. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
An introduction to musicology that features scholarly assessments and case studies drawn from the whole length of European and American music history, including the "phonograph effect." Students take responsibility for several kinds of in-class discussions, developing leadership skills. The course also helps students prepare the listening and other components of the music comprehensive exam. The course assumes substantial previous contact with music history on the part of the student.
In this course students develop their musical imagination beyond the material of MUSC 260–360. The goal is to acquire the necessary skills--including orchestration, development of material, part writing, and controlling textural density--to communicate musical thoughts and ideas. Students collaborate throughout the semester with a chamber ensemble of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a public concert of original musical works. This course may be repeated three times for credit.

Music, Ensembles and Lessons (Individual and Group)

The University Choir plays an important role in the musical life of the University and All Saints' Chapel. At All Saints', the choir's activities include singing at all Sunday Eucharist services during the semester as well a monthly Choral Evensong. In addition to its liturgical duties, the choir offers several concert performances throughout the year, often with orchestral accompaniment. Membership in the choir is open to any undergraduate student.
The University Orchestra presents the full range of the symphonic repertory and collaborates frequently with other organizations to present choral-orchestral and musico-theatrical works. Participation in the University Orchestra is open to all qualified undergraduate students as well as students from the School of Theology, faculty, and members of the Sewanee community.
Singing from the Sacred Harp hymnal represents an old but still rewarding Southern musical practice, suitable for all amateurs willing to sing loudly. In twice-a-week practices, we cover the fundamentals of shape-note singing and learn to sing in parts. Approximately once a month we travel to Alabama to participate in one of the traditional Sacred Harp singings.
Jazz Ensemble provides experiences in performance of all types of jazz literature from early swing (Duke Ellington, Count Basie) and Latin forms (Antonio Carlos Jobim) to contemporary fusion (Pat Metheny, Brecker Brothers, Yellow jackets). The group focuses on the developing jazz student, providing an opportunity for a challenging ensemble experience while encouraging the performer to explore improvisation. In addition, members have the opportunity to compose and arrange music for the ensemble. Membership is open to all students regardless of major. The group consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, bass, drum set and keyboard. In addition, the group involves male and female vocalists as well as string players with an interest in learning to sing or play jazz. The jazz ensemble offers one or more performances each semester.
The University gospel choir, which performs under the name "Sewanee Praise," offers a campus performance medium for gospel music. The group's repertory includes spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel, praise and worship, and contemporary Christian. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
This course is designed for the non-major. Weekly lessons with the instructor and daily practice are expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.
An intermediate singing course that provides individual lessons on a weekly basis with daily practice expected. This course may be repeated more than once for credit.