MUS 180 A-Z - Special Topics in MusicSemester Hours: 1-3
Fall, January, Spring, Summer
Each semester, the department offers special topics courses focusing on music. These courses deal with the historical, theoretical, and analytical study of music as well as actual performance practice.
Current Special Topics
MUS 180M - Lab Band and Advanced Conducting
This course is designed to meet the needs of our senior music education students. This course – a combination of lab band and advanced conducting – is for the Fall of the senior year, prior to the student teaching experience.
Comments from our student teachers in the field specifically mention the need for additional training in advanced conducting and instrumental performance skills. The students do not feel prepared in this area. Our music education students will cover this material in a Lab Band and more. It will fill in as an elective in music.
Lab Band provides a workshop experience for music majors to practice content learned in instrumental methods courses [MUS 33-38] as they focus on a secondary instruments [i.e., a trumpet major playing flute]. Our students need this practical experience in organizing and teaching elementary and middle school bands and the playing experience on techniques [secondary] instruments. Students will be responsible for all aspects of rehearsals [NYSSMA levels 1-4], including evaluation .and selection of repertoire and preparation of rehearsal lesson plans.
MUS 180T - I Want My MTV: The Intersectional Relationship Between Music & the Moving Image
Kenyatta Beasley, Music, and Kelcey Edwards, Radio, Television, Film
This class will examine the intersectional relationship of music and video production from the musical score as an integral element of cinema to the contemporary practice of filming and editing live music performances through music documentaries, live studio productions, and music videos. Through readings, screenings, and the analysis of works by classic and contemporary composers, students will explore the symbiotic relationship of film and music from historical, technological, and theoretical perspectives. Students will have the opportunity to work with the same leading digital tools that have accelerated the revolution in independent music publishing and video production as they explore the narrative functions of music through hands-on audiovisual projects. Students will become familiar with the techniques and collaborative workflows of music composers and filmmakers in practical and creative ways. Projects include scored film projects and on-camera performances of original scores for music students, and music videos, short music documentaries, and live-to-tape broadcasts for film/television students. Through these projects students will gain familiarity and confidence in the collaborations involved in the cinematic interpretation of live and pre-recorded music as they develop their unique creative styles and approaches. Final evaluations will be based on technical and creative mastery as well as each student’s contributions to highly collaborative group work.
Crosslisted as: RTVF 181B , MUSB 150B
This course is a featured interdisciplinary course for Fall 2025. For more information, visit our Interdisciplinary Courses Webpage.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
MUS 061 or 061A and 069 or 069A or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule. May not be taken on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis.
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