Musical Foundation & Performance Excellence
The Piano and Vocal minors at Tougaloo College provide students with comprehensive training in performance, theory, and musicianship. Whether focusing on piano or voice, students develop technical skills, artistic expression, and musical understanding through individual instruction and ensemble participation.
Both programs emphasize the development of professional performance standards while building a solid foundation in music theory, aural skills, and musical literature—preparing students for advanced study or careers in music.
Course Requirements
The Piano and Vocal minors offer specialized training in performance alongside comprehensive musical education. Both minors require core courses in music theory, ensemble participation, and individual instruction to develop well-rounded musicians.
CORE MUSIC COURSES
Foundation Courses for All Music Students
These courses provide the essential musical foundation required for both Piano and Vocal minors, developing theoretical knowledge, aural skills, and ensemble experience.
This course is designed for study and performance of masterpieces of choral music. Admission is by audition and is open to non-music majors. Daily rehearsal, occasional public concerts, and spring tour are mandatory. Music majors must complete eight semesters of an ensemble (instrumental or choral) for credit to meet the curriculum requirement.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MUS 113CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSPerformance Seminar is a zero-credit, pass/fail monthly meeting of all music majors and minors for the purpose of student performances, seminars, workshops, special lectures, guest recitals, and listening labs. Music majors must be enrolled in a Performance Seminar each semester for a total of eight (8) semesters. Music minors must be enrolled in a Performance Seminar each semester for a total of four (4) semesters. Performance Seminar meets bi-monthly. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ZERO SEMESTER HOURSSight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 114CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
Sight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 209CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
This course guides the development of listening skills and the ability to use the score as a tool for listening and study. Standard works from the major periods in the history of western music will constitute the main body of the material studied. Offered yearly.
Prerequisites: MUS 113 and MUS 114 or consent of the instructorCREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course guides the development of listening skills and the ability to use the score as a tool for listening and study. Standard works from the major periods in the history of western music and styles of diverse cultures will constitute the main body of the material studied. Offered yearly.
Prerequisites: MUS 113 and MUS 114 or consent of the instructorCREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides historical and stylistic development of western music from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 211 and MUS 212 or permission of the instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides historical and stylistic development of western music from the Baroque period to the present, with emphasis on styles of diverse cultures. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 211, MUS 212 and MUS 311 or permission of the instructorCREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is a study of 18th Century two-part counterpoint with emphasis upon technique used, J. S. Bach's Two Part Inventions. Composition of an original invention. Offered once per year in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 214CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a study of musical structure from its basic elements through large composite forms such as the sonata and the symphony. Analysis and composition projects. Offered once per year in alternate years.
Prerequisites: MUS 214, MUS 313CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Junior Piano Recital. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, and MUS 216CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Junior Piano Recital upon completion of the required Piano Hearing with music faculty. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required. Recital must be completed before the student will be allowed to enroll in MUS 415.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216 and MUS 315CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Junior Voice Recital. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, and MUS 218CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparations, presentation, and completion of the required Junior Voice Recital upon completion of the required Vocal Hearing with music faculty. One hour of instruction per week and ten hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required. Recital must be completed before the student will be allowed to enroll in MUS 417.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, and MUS 317CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a required course for the guidance of students in preparation of the Senior Thesis and/or the Music Education Document. The objective of the course is to enable students to analyze in-depth issues and topics in Music Performance and/or Music Education. The course also includes the study of music materials and bibliography with a survey of the style manuals: APA, Turabian, and Richard Wingell's Writing About Music. The course includes two class sessions per week with the expectation of a fully developed research prospectus at the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: MUS 214, ENG 201CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This is a required course for the guidance of students in preparation of the Senior Thesis and/or the Music Education Document. The objective of the course is to enable students to analyze in-depth issues and topics in Music Performance and/or Music Education. The course also includes the study of music materials and bibliography with a survey of the style manuals APA, Turabian, and Richard Wingell's Writing About Music. Students will have the time needed to complete the Senior thesis prior to fulfilling the additional requirement of a senior recital.
Prerequisites: ENG 201, MUS 213, MUS 413CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Senior Piano Recital. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216, MUS 315, and MUS 316CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Senior Piano Recital upon completion of the required Piano Hearing with music faculty. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week are required. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 115, MUS 116, MUS 215, MUS 216, MUS 315, MUS 316, and MUS 415CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides guided preparation for the required Senior Voice Recital. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, MUS 317, and MUS 318CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
This course provides preparation, presentation, and completion of the required Senior Voice Recital upon completion of the required Voice Hearing with the music faculty. Two hours of instruction per week and twelve hours of practice per week. Attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class is required.
Prerequisites: MUS 117, MUS 118, MUS 217, MUS 218, MUS 317, MUS 318, and MUS 417CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS
Course Descriptions: Piano Minor
Suggested Course Sequence for Music Piano Minors
Freshman Year - Fall Semester
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 101 - Introduction to Music (3 credits)
- MUS 113 - Theory I - Basic Musicianship (3 credits)
- MUS 115 - Piano (2 credits)
- MUS 117 - Voice (2 credits)
Freshman Year - Spring Semester
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 114 - Theory II - Basic Musicianship (3 credits)
- MUS 116 - Piano (2 credits)
Sophomore Year - Fall Semester
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 209 - Aural Techniques (1 credit)
- MUS 213 - Theory III Advanced Harmony (3 credits)
- MUS 215 - Piano (2 credits)
Total: 24 semester hours
This course is designed for study and performance of masterpieces of choral music. Admission is by audition and is open to non-music majors. Daily rehearsal, occasional public concerts, and spring tour are mandatory. Music majors must complete eight semesters of an ensemble (instrumental or choral) for credit to meet the curriculum requirement.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis is a cultural course in the application of Music, planned to develop listening and individual understanding of all types of music through lectures, readings, compact disc audio experiences, viewing of video tapes, and the use of multimedia programs. Open to all students. Recital attendance and critical reviews are required. Previous musical training is not required. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MUS 113CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSSight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 114CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Piano. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSCourse Descriptions: Voice Minor
Suggested Course Sequence for Music Voice Minors
Freshman Year - Fall Semester
- MUS 113 - Theory I - Basic Musicianship (3 credits)
- MUS 101 - Introduction to Music (3 credits)
- MUS 105 - Piano (1 credit)
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 117 - Voice (2 credits)
Freshman Year - Spring Semester
- MUS 114 - Theory II - Basic Musicianship (3 credits)
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 118 - Voice (2 credits)
- MUS 106 - Piano (1 credit)
Sophomore Year - Fall Semester
- MUS 213 - Theory III Advanced Harmony (3 credits)
- MUS 217 - Voice (2 credits)
- MUS 100 - Tougaloo College Concert Choir (1 credit)
- MUS 209 - Aural Techniques (1 credit)
Total: 24 semester hours
This course is designed for study and performance of masterpieces of choral music. Admission is by audition and is open to non-music majors. Daily rehearsal, occasional public concerts, and spring tour are mandatory. Music majors must complete eight semesters of an ensemble (instrumental or choral) for credit to meet the curriculum requirement.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis is a cultural course in the application of Music, planned to develop listening and individual understanding of all types of music through lectures, readings, compact disc audio experiences, viewing of video tapes, and the use of multimedia programs. Open to all students. Recital attendance and critical reviews are required. Previous musical training is not required. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis course provides instruction in piano for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis course provides piano instruction for non-piano majors. May be taught individually, in pairs, or in small classes. Music majors enrolled in MUS 229 must successfully complete the Sophomore Piano Proficiency Exam (SPPE) in order to pass the course. Music majors will have to re-enroll in MUS 229 if the SPPE is not successfully completed. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOURThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURSThis is a study of the basic rudiments of music including scales, intervals, triads, rhythm, terminology, and part writing. Sight singing, ear training, analyses, keyboard application, and creative work are included. The student may not enter MUS 114 with less than a grade of "C" for MUS 113.
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MUS 113CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSThese courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURSSight singing and ear training with emphasis upon diatonic materials. One hour per week.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 114CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR
This is a continued study of part writing, seventh chords, chromatic harmony, modulation, and some twentieth-century concepts. A composition project required each semester.
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MUS 113 and MUS 114CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
These courses provide individual instruction for both majors and non-majors in Voice. One hour of instruction and ten hours of practice per week are mandated. Audition with instructor is required and attendance at bi-monthly Recital Class. Offered each semester.
CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS