Full-‐‑time faculty: Professor Will Ayton* ~ 254-‐‑3016 ~ [email protected] Theory, History, World Culture through Music (Near and Far East)
Professor Marilynn Mair* ~ 254-‐‑3568 ~ [email protected] History, World Culture through Music (North and South America)
Assistant Professor Catherine Hawkes* ~ 254-‐‑5745 ~ [email protected] History, Instrumental Ensemble, World Culture through Music (Indigenous)
Adjunct Classroom Faculty: Kevin Kane ~ [email protected] History of Jazz
Jonathan Richter* ~ [email protected] Chorus Director
Applied Faculty: Elizabeth Armstrong ~ piano and voice Eric Bronner* ~ voice Vaughn Bryner ~ voice and piano Eric Christensen ~ guitar Nancy Nicholson ~ piano John Dennewitz ~ guitar
*These faculty also teach courses in the university’s Core Curriculum.
Music FAQs: Q. Does Roger Williams offer a music major? A. Yes, we offer both a music major and a music minor. Our music major is a comprehensive, flexible program for students who want to study and stay involved with music but who aren’t interested in the heavily performance-‐‑weighted approach of a conservatory. Both the major and minor combine well with other RWU majors for students interested in the music business, arts administration, communications, dance or theatre, music therapy, and more. Q. Is there a band or orchestra at Roger Williams? A. Yes, the Instrumental Ensemble meets weekly; there are also several other opportunities to play your instrument at RWU. See the flier for the Instrumental Ensemble for more information. Q. Is there a chorus at Roger Williams? A. Yes, the Chorus meets weekly, and there is also an a capella group. See the Chorus flier for more information. Q. Can I take music lessons at Roger Williams? A. Yes. We currently offer piano, voice, and guitar lessons on campus. We are in the process of making arrangements with another local university to expand our applied music offerings to a full range of instruments. Q. Are there practice rooms on campus that I can use? A. There are two practice rooms available to students, each equipped with an upright piano. Access is arranged through the music faculty. In addition, the student Musicians Guild maintains a Jam Room where an electric piano and drum kit are usually available to members.
For questions about: Best contact is: Instrumental Ensemble (band/jazz/orchestra) ................Catherine Hawkes Chorus and A Capella ........................................................Jonathan Richter Lessons ..................................................................................Catherine Hawkes Music courses (theory) .......................................................Will Ayton Music courses (history/literature) .....................................Marilynn Mair Music courses (general) ......................................................Will, Marilynn, or Catherine Music program (general) ...................................................Will, Marilynn, or Catherine
Music program in a nutshell: The Music Department offers a Major (BA), Minor, and Core Concentration. In addition to a range of courses in music history and theory, students can choose from a series of five innovative courses exploring World Culture through Music. We host a chorus and an instrumental ensemble, and additional performance opportunities are offered by the student Musicians Guild and a capella group and by the Theatre Department. Applied instruction is currently available in voice, piano, and guitar. Our Music Major offers a solid foundation in music theory and the principal musical styles in Western culture, as well as an introduction to the music of various world cultures. Majors also participate in applied study and performing ensembles. Double majors are possible, and the minor in music is quite popular. Senior-‐‑year projects can include compositions, internships, or individually-‐‑designed projects.
What is special about our program? Ø You can major in music while having a wide range of other programs
and courses available. Ø No audition is required; applied study is available at all levels. Ø Our focus on world music acknowledges the ongoing globalization of
the arts. Ø You will have opportunities for performance and composition
without the narrow focus of a conservatory-‐‑style program. Ø Our classroom-‐‑centered program makes a music major accessible to
those whose main interests are history, theory, or the place of music in culture.
Ø We have strong campus programs in business, performing arts, and communications that can be combined with music to prepare for a wide range of careers.
Ø Our small department guarantees personal attention to each student.
Music Courses Offered at RWU Music History MUSIC 121 ~ Evolution of Jazz (3 cr) MUSIC 161 ~ Art of Rock and Roll (3 cr) MUSIC 211 ~ Evolution of Musical Style (3 cr) MUSIC 212 ~ Great Personalities in Music (3 cr) Music Theory MUSIC 170 ~ Basic Musicianship (3 cr) MUSIC 270 ~ Music Theory and Composition I (3 cr) MUSIC 370 ~ Music Theory and Composition II (3 cr) MUSIC 470 ~ Music Theory and Composition III (3 cr) World Culture through Music MUSIC 310 ~ World Culture Through Music/North America (3 cr) MUSIC 311 ~ World Culture Through Music/Latin America (3 cr) MUSIC 312 ~ World Culture Through Music/China & Japan (3 cr) MUSIC 313 ~ World Culture Through Music/India & the Middle East (3 cr) MUSIC 314 ~ World Culture Through Music/Indigenous Peoples (3 cr) Applied Music MUSIC 131 ~ Piano Lessons: Non Major (1 cr) MUSIC 132 ~ Guitar Lessons: Non Major (1 cr) MUSIC 133 ~ Voice Lessons: Non Major (1 cr) MUSIC 141 ~ Chorus (1 cr) MUSIC 151 ~ Instrumental Ensemble (1 cr) MUSIC 231 ~ Piano Lessons: Major (1 cr) MUSIC 232 ~ Guitar Lessons: Major (1 cr) MUSIC 233 ~ Voice Lessons: Major (1 cr) Other Courses MUSIC 171 ~ Basic Musicianship for Elementary Education (3 cr) MUSIC 299 ~ Special Topics (3 cr) MUSIC 460 ~ Internship (3 cr) MUSIC 480 ~ Thesis, Composition or Recital (3 cr) Music faculty also offer sections of Core 105: The Artistic Impulse and Core senior seminars.
RWU Music Major (BA) Required Courses: Western Classical Musical Tradition: (6 credits) Music 211 – Evolution of Musical Style (3 credits) Music 212 – Great Personalities in Music (3 credits) Music Theory: (9 credits) (Prerequisite or test out: Music 170 Basic Musicianship) Music 270 – Music Theory and Composition I (3 credits) Music 370 – Music Theory and Composition II (3 credits) Music 470 – Music Theory and Composition III (3 credits) 3 of the following: World Culture Through Music: (9 credits) Music 310 – World Culture Through Music/North America (3 credits) Music 311 – World Culture Through Music/Latin America (3 credits) Music 312 – World Culture Through Music/China & Japan (3 credits) Music 313 – World Culture Through Music/India & Mid. East (3 credits) Music 314 – World Culture Through Music/Indigenous Peoples (3 credits) Applied Music: (6 credits) Music 231-‐‑239 – Applied Lessons for Majors (at least one credit of piano lessons and at least 4 additional credits in the same discipline) Ensembles: (3 credits) Music 141 – Chorus (1 credit for grade; repeatable) Music 151 – Instrumental ensemble (1 credit for grade; repeatable) 2 electives: (6 credits) Music 310 – 314 World Culture through Music courses Anthropology & American Studies Music 430 – Special Topics 1 of the following: Final Project: (3 credits) Music 480 – Thesis/Composition or Recital Music 460 – Internship Total Credits: 42 Course equivalent: 14
RWU Music Minor & Music Core Concentration
Music Core Concentration (15 credits) Required: Music 161 Art of Rock and Roll (3 credits) Music 170 Basic Musicianship (3 credits) Music 211 Evolution of Musical Style (3 credits) Music 212 Great Personalities (3 credits) Plus 1 of the following: Music 270 Music Theory & Composition I (3 credits) Music 121 Evolution of Jazz (3 credits) Music 299 Special Topics (Lower Level) (3 credits) or A World Culture Through Music Course:
Music 310 – World Culture Through Music/North America (3 credits) Music 311 – World Culture Through Music/Latin America (3 credits) Music 312 – World Culture Through Music/China & Japan (3 credits) Music 313 – World Culture Through Music/India & Middle East (3 credits) Music 314 – World Culture Through Music/Indigenous Peoples (3 credits)
Music Minor (18 credits) Required: Same as Core Concentration (15 credits) Plus 3 credits from the following: Applied Lessons ~ 100-‐‑level (1 credit) or Chorus (1 credit) or Instrumental Ensemble (1 credit)
MUSIC 310 – World Culture through Music/North America Study of the development of significant styles of music from colonial times to the present. Focuses on the assimilation of music from North America’s immigrant populations and its
evolution into identifiably American styles of music: spirituals, gospel, ragtime, Dixieland jazz, musicals, country music, blues, rock, and classical. Examines the questions of how and why American musical styles
developed and what elements constitute American style through historical research and class discussion. (3 credits) Alternate Fall MUSIC 311 – World Culture through Music/Latin America This course explores the music of Latin America, focusing on Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, and including an overview of the music of indigenous peoples, particularly the Indian music of Peru. Popular music and classical music of the countries will be included, as well as the reciprocal influences between North and South American music. (3 credits) Alternate Spring
MUSIC 312 – World Culture through Music/China & Japan Explores the history and cultures of China & Japan with a primary focus on the place of music in society. Areas of focus will include art music as well as the function of music within various religious traditions. Activities will include a great deal of listening as well as elements of research. (3 credits) Alternate Fall
MUSIC 313 – World Culture through Music/India & Middle East Explores the history and cultures of India and the Middle East with a primary focus on the place of music in society. Areas of focus will include art music as well as the function of music within various religious traditions. Activities will include a great deal of listening as well as elements of research. (3 credits) Alternate Spring
MUSIC 314 – World Culture through Music/Indigenous Peoples Explores the place of music in various indigenous cultures around the world. These will include selections of African, Asian, Australian, and Native American peoples. Areas of focus will include social music as well as the function of music within various religious traditions. Activities will include a great deal of listening as well as elements of research. (3 credits) Alternate Spring There is no prerequisite for any of the WCTM courses.