Non-Major Studies

SMC

Music Classes for Non-Majors

Below is a list of classes that have been taught in the School of Music and a list offerings for each semester. Please check MyZou for specific times and semesters that they are offered. They are not all offered every semester.

                                                                       

These classes have been taught in the School of Music.  Please check MyZou for specific times and semesters that they are offered. They are not all offered every semester.

General Music  

Fundamentals of Music I*  
MUSIC_NM 1211 
Introduction to rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and structural elements of music.  

Songwriting and Beat Making*  
MUSIC_NM 1214 
Introductory course into the world of creating music that starts from the very beginnings of melody, harmony, and form to a finished, recorded product ready to be released.  

Experiencing Music Through Concert Attendance*  
MUSIC_NM 1300  
Development of music listening skills through concert attendance, reading and class attendance.  

Beginning Piano class  
MUSIC_NM 1608
Piano instruction in a group setting designed for non-music majors with little or no piano experience.  

Elementary Folk Guitar Class 
MUSIC_NM 1612  
Teaching correct hand position, strum patterns, and chords needed for accompaniment of popular and folk songs.  

Basic Musicianship* 
MUSIC_NM 1618  
Development of musicianship through music reading, playing, creating, and perceptive listening, including study of pitch, rhythm, structure, style, expressive and interpretive elements, and related vocabulary.  

Voice Class I 
MUSIC_NM 1651 
Fundamentals of singing: posture, breath support, control, vocalization, concepts of tone quality, placement and resonance. Literature selected for students with no previous vocal training. Adapted to needs of drama and other interdisciplinary students.  

History/Theory   

Commercial Music Creation and Production*
MUS_THRY 3214
Creation and production of music in commercial styles. Editing and mixing audio recordings and MIDI data in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This course is intended for music majors, minors, and non-music majors who meet the course prerequisites. Prerequisites: MUS_NM 1211, or MUS_THRY 1220, or instructor consent.

Masterpieces of Western Music* 
MUSIC_NM 1310 Sec. 1
Introduction to the Western fine-art tradition through the study of representative masterworks, emphasis on developing listening skills; directed to non-majors.  

Jazz, Pop, and Rock*

 
MUSIC_NM 1311 
Historical introduction to jazz (to approximately 1970) and the American popular song, including rock and roll (to approximately 1980).  

Introduction to World Music* 
MUSIC_NM 1313  
Introduction to the musical traditions of selected non-Western societies; emphasis on developing listening skills.  

Perceiving Musical Traditions and Styles*

 
MUSIC_NM 2306/2306H 
An introduction to music from the late Baroque to the present day, including fine art, folk, and popular music. Designed to serve as a foundation for developing knowledge and skills of musical perception that will eventually lead to thoughtful written commentary on musical performances. Graded on A-F basis only.  

Entrepreneurship   

Career Development for Musicians 
MUS_GENL 4510/7510 
Examination of professional opportunities available in the Creative Economy; development of a framework for career planning, professional portfolio, and personal business plan. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and instructor's consent.  

Arts Industry Survey 
MUSIC_GENL 4518/7518  
In-depth survey of the commercial arts industry world, with emphasis on career opportunities within the recording, performing, music retail, and music management sectors. Prerequisites: MUS_GENL 4510 and sophomore standing.  

Non-Profit Management in the Arts 
MUS_GENL 4520/7520 
Introduction to management strategy and its application within the not-for-profit arts sector. Prerequisites: MUS_GENL 4510, sophomore standing or instructor's consent.  

Community Engagement in the Arts   
MUS_GENL 4522/7522 
Introduction to community-based arts and their relationship to personal branding in the non-profit arts sector.  

 

*Satisfies the humanities requirement.  

General Music  

Fundamentals of Music I*  
MUSIC_NM 1211 
Introduction to rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and structural elements of music.  

Beginning Piano class  
MUSIC_NM 1608
Piano instruction in a group setting designed for non-music majors with little or no piano experience.  

Basic Musicianship* 
MUSIC_NM 1618  
Development of musicianship through music reading, playing, creating, and perceptive listening, including study of pitch, rhythm, structure, style, expressive and interpretive elements, and related vocabulary.  

Voice Class I 
MUSIC_NM 1651 
Fundamentals of singing: posture, breath support, control, vocalization, concepts of tone quality, placement and resonance. Literature selected for students with no previous vocal training. Adapted to needs of drama and other interdisciplinary students.  

Writing About Music*
MUSIC_NM 2306 and MUSIC_NM 2306H
Students will write, edit and publish stories about music. Interviews with music professionals, critical reviews, personal essays about the role of music in students’ lives, and historical research articles will be in the story mix.

History/Theory   

Commercial Music Creation and Production*
MUS_THRY 3214
Creation and production of music in commercial styles. Editing and mixing audio recordings and MIDI data in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This course is intended for music majors, minors, and non-music majors who meet the course prerequisites. Prerequisites: MUS_NM 1211, or MUS_THRY 1220, or instructor consent.

Introduction to World Music* 
MUSIC_NM 1313  
Introduction to the musical traditions of selected non-Western societies; emphasis on developing listening skills.  

Kansas City Jazz and Gangsters*
MUSIC_NM 1331
Focus on the social, political and artistic elements that led Kansas City to be known as the “Paris of the Plains” in the 1920s and 30s.

Introduction to Soul and Country*
MUSIC_NM 1335
Examination of musical cultures signified by “soul” and “country”.

 

*Satisfies the humanities requirement.  

General Music  

Songwriting and Beat Making 
MUSIC_NM 1214 
Introductory course into the world of creating music that starts from the very beginnings of melody, harmony, and form to a finished, recorded product ready to be released.

History/Theory 
  

Introduction to World Music* 
MUSIC_NM 1313  
Introduction to the musical traditions of selected non-Western societies; emphasis on developing listening skills. 

*Satisfies the humanities requirement.  

General Music  

Fundamentals of Music I*  
MUSIC_NM 1211 
Introduction to rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and structural elements of music.  

Beginning Piano class  
MUSIC_NM 1608
Piano instruction in a group setting designed for non-music majors with little or no piano experience.  

Elementary Folk Guitar Class
MUSIC_NM 1612
Teaching correct hand position, strum patterns, and chords needed for accompaniment of popular and folk songs.

Songwriting and Beat Making 
MUSIC_NM 1214 
Introductory course into the world of creating music that starts from the very beginnings of melody, harmony, and form to a finished, recorded product ready to be released.

Basic Musicianship* 
MUSIC_NM 1618  
Development of musicianship through music reading, playing, creating, and perceptive listening, including study of pitch, rhythm, structure, style, expressive and interpretive elements, and related vocabulary.  

Voice Class I 
MUSIC_NM 1651 
Fundamentals of singing: posture, breath support, control, vocalization, concepts of tone quality, placement and resonance. Literature selected for students with no previous vocal training. Adapted to needs of drama and other interdisciplinary students.  

Writing About Music*
MUSIC_NM 2306 and MUSIC_NM 2306H
Students will write, edit and publish stories about music. Interviews with music professionals, critical reviews, personal essays about the role of music in students’ lives, and historical research articles will be in the story mix.

History/Theory 
  

Jazz Pop and Rock*
MUSIC_NM 1311 
Historical introduction to jazz (to approximately 1970) and the American popular song, including rock and roll (to approximately 1980); directed to non-majors.

Introduction to World Music* 
MUSIC_NM 1313 (online), 1332 (in-person), 1332H (honors/in-person)  
Introduction to the musical traditions of selected non-Western societies; emphasis on developing listening skills. 

*Satisfies the humanities requirement.  

wind ensemble

Ensembles

The School of Music has a variety of ensembles that non-majors can participate in. Auditions are not required for every ensemble. For more information, visit the ensembles page.

jazz

Certificates

The School of Music offers certificates in Jazz Studies and Arts Entrepreneurship. For more information, visit the certificates page.                                                                            

piano

Private Lessons

Applied private music lessons with the faculty are offered on a select basis for non-majors dependent on availability.  Some studios have more room than others.  Please check with the area coordinator of the desired instrument/voice to see if non-major lessons are offered.

Woodwind Area Coordinator
Brass Area Coordinator
Voice Area Coordinator
Percussion Area Coordinator

String Area Coordinator
Piano Area Coordinator