Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Department of Music

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/music

Dr. Liza Kelly, Co-Chair
Dr. Zachary Lopes, Co-Chair
Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center 351
(270) 745-3751
music@wku.edu

The Department of Music promotes the study and experience of music in its broadest sense: preparing artist teachers and performers, enhancing creativity and the human spirit, and enriching the quality of life on campus, in the region, and in our global community. Western Kentucky University has been a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1948.

A large part of the department’s mission is the preparation of music teachers and professional musicians. Students with broad musical interests may select a music major or minor within a diversified liberal arts program. Music degree programs provide for the development of basic musicianship through conceptual understanding of musical properties and their interrelationships, relevant opportunities for listening, performing, composing, and scholarship, and the acquisition of a repertory representative of various cultures and historical periods. Competencies in various areas and at varying levels appropriate to each program of music concentration are developed through a sequence of studies and assessments.

Faculty

Professor

Heidi P. Alvarez DM (Music Performance), Florida State University, 1998

Scott H. Harris DMA (Music), University of Oklahoma Norman, 2003

Paul L. Hondorp DMA (Music Conducting), Michigan State University, 2003

Ching-Yi Lin DM (Violin), Indiana University-Bloomington, 2010

Gary T. Schallert DA (Music, Conducting), University of Northern Colorado, 2001

Associate Professor

Matthew J. Herman DMA (Music Composition), Temple University, 2003

Zachary A. Lopes DMA (Piano), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2013

Brian A. St John DMA (Conducting), Arizona State University-ALL, 2010

Catherine M. Wilson PhD (Music), University of Iowa, 2013

Assistant Professor

Sarah Herbert DMA (Musical Arts), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2017

Lauren E. Whitham DMA (Music), University of Georgia, 2017

Pedagogical Assistant Professor

Matthew J. McCurry DMA (Musical Arts), West Virginia University, 2019

Jessica L. Welsh DMA (Piano Pedagogy), Texas Christian University, 2021

Instructor I

David K. Humphreys MM (Instrumental Performance), Oklahoma State University Main Campus, 2017

Instructor II

John E. Martin MM (Music), Austin Peay State University, 1995

Music Courses

MUS 500    Theory Seminar    3 Hours

Study and application of analytical techniques as they apply to the formal structure of music.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

MUS 509    Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools    3 Hours

Includes advanced study of contemporary elementary music education trends, methodologies, instructional techniques, and materials. Expands contemporary instructional methods.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

MUS 511    Research Methods in Music    3 Hours

The philosophical, historical and experimental research methods in music/music education and their application within 21st century teaching-learning contexts.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

MUS 512    Music Education Workshop    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A variable topic workshop.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

MUS 513    Independent Directed Study/Music Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)

Research projects in music education.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023

MUS 514    Secondary Music Curriculum    3 Hours

Includes advanced study of 21st century music education curriculum, instruction, assessment, and research-based practices applicable for teaching junior and senior high school performing and non-performing courses. Classroom managment strategies and use of multiple modes of technology applicable for teaching and assessing music will be addressed.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; fall 2022

MUS 517    Arts/Humanities for P-5 Instruction    3 Hours

Developmentally appropriate dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art content (structural elements and purposes) and artisitic processes (skills inherent within each art form) within the context of humanities (historical periods and multi-cultures), culminating in the design of interdisciplinary arts units for P-5 instruction.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 518    Advanced Conducting    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Course designed to sharpen and enhance skills as an ensemble conductor. Emphasis on specific conducting problems, rehearsal techniques and score study.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

MUS 519    Conducting Seminar    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A survey of topics and materials related to the analytical and pedagogical aspects of instrumental or choral conducting.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

MUS 520    Advanced Pedagogy    3 Hours

In-depth study and application of pedagogical principles for the applied music teacher in a private studio setting.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

MUS 525    Music and the Human Experience    3 Hours

An investigation and study of the art of music encompassing the historical, philosophical, psychological and sociological tenets of the discipline.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

MUS 530    Music Literature    3 Hours

Investigation of a specialized area not covered in other music literature courses.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

MUS 538    Independent Directed Study/Theory-Literature    3 Hours

Supervised private research culminating in a scholarly paper.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023

MUS 540    Choral Union    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021

MUS 541    University Choir    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 544    University Orchestra    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2023

MUS 545    Chamber Singers    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 547    Marching Band    1 Hour

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 548    Band    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

MUS 549    Chamber Music    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Students enrolled in this course have attained considerable ability as a performer and must audition. This course can include all types of instrumental and choral chamber music literature.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 550    Applied Music Secondary    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Applied study intended for beginners and requires no audition.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

MUS 553    Applied Music Principal    2 Hours (repeatable max of 8 hrs)

Applied study assumes graduate-level proficiency.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

MUS 571    Jazz Ensemble    1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are electives and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022

MUS 574    Opera Theatre    1 Hour

Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are electives and require advisor approval for music degrees.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

MUS 625    Graduate Capstone Project    3 Hours

Independent study and preparation for the graduate capstone project in music education, conducting, or pedagogy.

Prerequisite(s): (MUS 511 or MUS 518 or MUS 520)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023