Music
Centralia College offers an associate degree in music for students intending to transfer to a four-year institution for further musical study.
Several music classes fulfill the humanities requirements and are great options for all majors.
The college ensembles are open to everyone. They are a great way to be part of a musical community and to be an active part of music-making.
Music Program Features
- Washington Hall boasts a full array of facilities for music majors, including practice rooms and a Mac lab, resources typically found at much larger music programs.
- Centralia College's class sizes are small and feature hands-on application of concepts and lots of opportunities for creativity.
- In addition to offering face-to-face courses, Centralia College offers online music courses.
- Instructors are highly qualified and have taught and studied at highly respected institutions of higher learning, including Yale University, the University of Texas - Austin, and the University of Illinois.
Students who study music can pursue many career options, including the following:
- K-12 music educator, including band, orchestra, or choir director
- Private studio instructor or owner
- Composer for media, including video games, TV, films, or theme parks
- Performing artist, including soloist, pit orchestra member, chamber or ensemble player
- Instrument builder, repairer, store owner or manager
- Church musician
- Accompanist
- Arts administrator
- Grant writer
- Music librarian
- Music therapist
- Session musician
- Sound designer or sound engineer
- Piano technician
Degree: Associate in Music - DTA/MRP
Emphasis: Music
The Associate in Music degree is for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in with a major in music. This degree provides a solid liberal arts foundation, in addition to the courses required to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in music.
| First Year | |
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| Spring Quarter |
* Students must place into MUSC& 141 or take MUSC 100 before MUSC& 141. ** At least one Natural Science Distribution class must include a lab component. |
| Second Year | |
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| Winter Quarter |
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| Spring Quarter |
** At least one Natural Science Distribution class must include a lab component. |
MUSC 100 - Fundamentals of Music
Introduction to the elements of music theory, including scales, intervals, keys, triads, elementary ear training, notation, meter and rhythm.
MUSC& 105 - Music Appreciation
Developing an understanding of music through the study of musical elements and cultural contexts.
MUSC 118 - Broadway Today
Study of current musicals including: Broadway musicals, television musicals and animated musicals. The following components will be examined: music, lyrics, plot, choreography, set design, costumes, generation of revenue, musical awards, and role of the critic.
MUSC 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 - Jazz Ensemble I-VI
Performing ensemble made up of students and community members. The ensemble’s instrumentation is flexible, depending on availability of musicians. One evening rehearsal and one evening concert will be required. Off campus performances may be required.
MUSC& 132 - Music Theory II
A technical study of music, designed for music majors and minors. Emphasis on part-writing, harmonization of melody and harmonic analysis. Required of all music majors. Prerequisite: MUSC& 131 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: MUSC& 122.
MUSC 135 - Beginning Guitar
Presents the basic skills for reading and techniques needed to play the guitar. Intended for students with little or no background in guitar performance. Students must apply their own acoustic guitar.
MUSC 139 - Music of the World
A music survey of diversity found in music around the world. Examines music as accompaniment to ceremony and ritual, aid to work and routine, and an expression of universal unchanging human emotions. Prior musical experience is not necessary. Prerequisite: proficiency in reading, grammar skills.
MUSC 140 - History of American Music
This course offers students a thorough and general study of American Music from Tin Pan Alley to the first part of the 21st Century.
MUSC& 141 -Music Theory I
A study of musical concepts, such as pitch and rhythmic notation, scales and modes, key signatures, intervals, seventh chords and triads. Prerequisite: MUSC 100 or placement by instructor.
MUSC& 142 -Music Theory II
A study of musical concepts, including 16th and 18th century counterpoint, part writing, and musical phrases. Prerequisite: MUSC& 141.
MUSC& 143 - Music Theory III
A study of musical concepts, such as dominant substitutions, voice leading chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures. Prerequisite: MUSC& 142.
MUSC 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149 -Concert Choir I-VI
A vocal ensemble performing both sacred and secular music literature. Availability for up to two evening performances is required.
MUSC 150 - Applied Flute
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 151, 152, 153 - Functional Piano I-III
Functional piano study/skill for music majors. A practical course to accompany the music theory courses. Corequisite: simultaneous enrollment in music theory class.
MUSC 154 - Applied French Horn
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 155 - Applied Trumpet
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 156 - Applied Trombone
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 157 - Applied Tuba
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 158 - Applied Euphonium
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 159 - Applied Percussion
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 160 - Applied Piano
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 161 - Applied Violin
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 162 - Applied Viola
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 163 - Applied Cello
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 164 - Applied Double Bass
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 165 - Applied Guitar
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 166 - Applied Saxophone
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 167 - Applied Voice
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 168 - Applied Composition
This course teaches composition skills to students majoring in music. Students will study musical literature from various style periods and composers and will complete works based on guidelines set out by the instructor. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: Ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 169 - Applied Clarinet
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 170 - Applied Oboe
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 171 - Applied Bassoon
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 172 - Applied Harp
This course teaches performance skills to students majoring in music. Musical literature from various style periods and composers will be selected to acquaint the student with a wide range of repertoire written for the instrument. Instructor’s permission and/or audition required. Corequisite: ensemble and/or music theory.
MUSC 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180 - Community Band I-VI
Performance ensemble consisting of students and community members. Repertoire will vary and be selected by the band director(s). The ensemble consists of band instrumentation and meets weekly for three hours.
MUSC 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 - Community Orchestra I-VI
Performing ensemble made up of students and community members. Repertoire will vary and will be selected by the orchestra director. The ensemble consists of orchestral instrumentation and meets weekly for three hours.
MUSC& 241 - Music Theory IV
A study of musical concepts, such as modulation, binary and ternary forms, and contrapuntal genres, including fugues and inventions. Prerequisite: MUSC& 143.
MUSC& 242 - Music Theory V
A study of musical concepts, such as mode mixture, Neapolitan and Augmented Sixth chords, chromatic modulation, popular music and song forms, variation, Sonata and Rondo form. Prerequisite: MUSC& 241.
MUSC& 243 - Music Theory VI
A study of musical concepts, focused on techniques and methods of the 20th and 21st century. Prerequisite: MUSC& 242.
MUSC 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249 - Performance Ensemble I-VI
An ensemble is for the advanced performer (Instrumentalists or Vocalists). Music reading is imperative. Will perform many styles of music. Concert performances will be both on and off campus and/or tour. By audition ONLY.
MUSC 250 - Musical Theatre Production I
Designed to introduce the student to all the elements of musical theatre. The student will study the audition process, the effect of musical choreography, the historical setting of the work chosen, musical score and dialogue.
MUSC 251 - Musical Theatre Production II
The student will continue to study the audition process, the effect of musical choreography, the historical setting of work chosen, musical score and dialogue. Prerequisite: by audition only.
MUSC 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259 - Vocal Ensemble I-VI
A small vocal ensemble that prepares and performs chamber works, and contemporary vocal literature. Placement is by audition only. Auditions will take place during the first scheduled class.
MUSC 276 - Computer Music
A course focused on the creation of music using digital software on computers and/or other electronic devices.
MUSC 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286 - Instrumental Improvisation I-VI
An historical study of improvisation in instrumental styles: Dixieland, jazz, and contemporary popular music. Course will involve stylistic and chordal analysis as well as performance on the students major instrument.
CONTACT
Beth May (she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Music
Office: WAH 121
360-623-8487
Email Beth May