Courses
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CFA MU 194: Jazz Ensemble
Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Goodrich, the Big Band is a standard big band ensemble that performs a wide range of music. Membership is by audition only. The band consists of members from many colleges in the University. The Big Band is the flagship jazz ensemble of the university. The BU Big Band performs regularly on and off-campus. Performances include the Jazz Power Hour in BU Central, Boston University's Biannual JazzFest and annual Jazz Brunch. For more information please visit bands 1 cr -
CFA MU 195: Jazz Combo
The Honors Combo is dedicated to playing small group jazz, consisting mainly of a rhythm section (bass, drums, piano or guitar) and one to four other instruments, depending on balance and ability level. This ensemble is open by audition only. The Honors Combo performs several times throughout the semester. Auditions take place during the first week of classes in the fall. For more information please visit bands 1 cr. -
CFA MU 196: Jazz Workshop
The Jazz Workshop is for those who wish to learn more about the art of playing jazz. This ensemble focuses on improvisation and education in the jazz style. The Jazz Workshop performs one concert per semester. Auditions take place during the first week of classes in the fall. For more information please visit bands 1 cr. -
CFA MU 197: All-Campus Orchestra
The All-Campus Orchestra is a full concert orchestra with auditions open to anyone in the Boston University community. The orchestra meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and performs four times throughout the academic year. The orchestra is an audition-only ensemble with a limited number of wind and percussion chairs. Under the direction of Mark Miller, the All-Campus Orchestra is a large ensemble devoted to the study and performance of orchestral music. Participation in the ACO gives student musicians the tools, experience and understanding to appreciate music for the rest of their lives, either as discerning listeners or as participants in the vibrant world of amateur music-making. For more information please visit bands 1 cr. -
CFA MU 198: Vocal Jazz
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to exploring the colorings of vocal jazz. The ensemble draws its repertoire from the traditional standards of jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Cole Porter, and Joe Garland. Performances are generally a cappella. Auditions take place during the first week of classes in the fall. 1 cr. -
CFA MU 199: Symphonic Chorus
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CFA MU 201: Music Theory 3
More advanced study of tonal harmony and voice leading. Tonal counterpoint. Formal and compositional idioms of the late Baroque. Keyboard harmony, figured bass, and introduction to score reading. All students must also enroll in Ear-Training and Sight-Singing. 3 cr. -
CFA MU 202: Music Theory 4
Continued study of tonal and chromatic harmony and voice leading. Composition of small forms. Introduction to instrumentation and scoring. Formal and compositional idioms of the Classical period. Keyboard harmony and score reading. All students must also enroll in Ear-Training and Sight-Singing. 3 cr. -
CFA MU 204: Honors Theory 4
Prereq: departmental approval. Advanced tonal and chromatic harmony, instrumentation and scoring. Formal compositional idioms of the Romantic period. Keyboard harmony and score reading. All students must also enroll in Ear-Training and Sight-Singing. 3 cr. -
CFA MU 207: Ear-Training and Sight-Singing 3
Prereq: CFA MU 108 or placement by examination. Continuation of CFA MU 108. More challenging exercises in sight singing and preparation of increasingly chromatic or disjunct materials. Melodic, harmonic, two-part, and rhythmic dictation. Two-part rhythmic exercises and conducting. 1 cr. -
CFA MU 208: Ear-Training and Sight-Singing 4
Prereq: CFA MU 207 or placement by examination. Continuation of CFA MU 207. Greater emphasis on non-diatonic material, more difficult exercises in prepared singing, sight-singing, dictation, and rhythm. 1.0 credit. -
CFA MU 215: Keyboard Sight Reading
Systematic instruction designed to aid keyboard players in the development of sight-reading skills. Materials are drawn from solo and ensemble literature. -
CFA MU 216: Keyboard Sight Reading
Systematic instruction designed to aid keyboard players in the development of sight-reading skills. Materials are drawn from solo and ensemble literature. Open to qualified students with permission of instructor. 1 cr. each semester. -
CFA MU 221: History and Literature of Music 1
Historical survey of music from Antiquity to the end of the Baroque. 3 cr. 1st sem. -
CFA MU 222: History and Literature of Music 2
Historical survey of music from 1750 to the present. 3 cr. 2nd sem. -
CFA MU 223: History and Literature of Music 1
For description, see CFA MU 221. For College of Arts and Sciences students, who are required to do an additional project or projects as determined by the instructor. 4 cr. -
CFA MU 224: History and Literature of Music 2
For description, see CFA MU 222. For College of Arts and Sciences students, who are required to do an additional project or projects determined by the instructor. 4 cr. -
CFA MU 225: Jazz Music
A study of important issues connected with America's original music: the art of improvisation; the role of composition; innovation and tradition; individuality and style; instruments and forms. We also consider controversial questions such as the formation of the roots of jazz, issues of race, and the "neo-classicism" of the 1980s and 1990s. Students will learn how to listen, to appreciate jazz if they are unfamiliar with it, and to deepen their understanding if they already enjoy it. 2 or 4 cr. (*) -
CFA MU 228: Masterpieces of Western Music
Study of selected major works from each of the historical style periods of Western music: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and the twentieth century. Works are chosen to illustrate the broad scope of Western musical history. Open only to non-CFA music majors. 2 or 4 cr. (*) -
CFA MU 229: Masterpieces of Opera
An introduction to the forms and conventions of musical drama. Selected works of light and serious opera presented in order of progressive depth and complexity. Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Puccini's La Bohème,Mozart's Don Giovanni, Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and Alban Berg's Lulu. Open only to non-CFA music majors. 2 or 4 cr. (*)

