Liturgical Music (LMUS) Courses
LMUS 407 Applied Organ (0-2)
Students will develop technical skills and knowledge of performance practices at the graduate level, including the ability to play a large variety of repertoire fluently and with understanding. Major works of significant periods and schools of organ literature will be studied and performed. Secondary organ students will develop sufficient techniques and familiarity with the instrument to play knowledgeably and/or coach others in parish settings.
LMUS 408 Applied Voice (0-2)
This course covers the fundamentals of singing and vocal pedagogy (breathing, efficient use of voice, diction, etc.) and addresses differing musical styles and the need to interpret the music based on the performance practices of given periods in music history. Voice majors will study and perform significant bodies of solo repertoire. Majors and secondary voice students will emphasize technique and pedagogical skills appropriate to roles as choral directors, section leaders and coaches for cantors/song leaders in parishes.
LMUS 409 Applied Composition (0-2)
Students receive individualized coaching in advanced composition of sacred music and music appropriate for liturgical performance. Work in various forms and styles is possible, depending on the needs and interests of individual students. Students should normally have a bachelor's degree in music or equivalent training and have significant experience in music composition. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and the liturgical music program director.
LMUS 410 Gregorian Chant I (1)
This course is an introduction to Gregorian chant: historical development, notation, rhythm, accompaniment, Latin pronunciation, and its use in the modern liturgy. Some knowledge of the basics of music theory is expected.
LMUS 411 Gregorian Chant II (1)
This course is a practical seminar on singing Gregorian chant well. It includes advanced study of early notation (St. Gall and Metz schools) as found in the Graduale Triplex, for the purpose of semiological rhythmic nuance. The course will discuss practical issues of chant performance in the liturgy, such as selection of chants, rehearsal techniques, vocal techniques, and other information.
LMUS 421 Psalmody/Hymnody (3)
Students will examine the body of psalmody¬ - text, music, poetic expression - as its forms have evolved from ancient Jew¬ish tradition, and study the forms, origins, numbering, translations and sources as they pertain to musical use. The course will include a survey of historical development of mainline Christian hymnody, authors, composers, styles, liturgical use. Current hymnals, styles of text, music and appropriateness for liturgical use will be scrutinized.
LMUS 431 Advanced Choral Conducting (3)
Students will review basic conducting techniques and will apply advanced vocal and conducting techniques through studies of standard choral literature representing various styles and forms. Special attention will be given to application of vocal techniques in the choral setting, gestures, and their effects on singing. The course will include score preparation, analysis of major choral works, and special rehearsal techniques.
LMUS 433 Service Playing (0-1)
This course seeks to develop the qualified church organist as leader and enabler of the assembly's singing. The course will require high proficiency levels of assembly leadership and accompanimental skills (hymns, masses, psalm forms) as well as vocal and choral accompaniment. Students will also develop abilities in sight-reading, modulation, transposing, and extemporization.
LMUS 435 Service Leadership for Cantor/Song Leader (0-1)
This course examines the historic role of the cantor in Jewish and Christian liturgy. Students will learn how to teachantiphonal music to the assembly, appropriate directing skills, the cantor's ritual moments, and cantorial music resources. Students will study the role of congregational song leader as distinguished from that of cantor and choir director. Students will develop good song leading style, i.e., teaching new music to a congregation, learning appropriate directing techniques for congregational leadership. Developing vocal and musical styles for both ministries will be emphasized.
LMUS 439 Practicum (1-2)
Students will be directly involved in actual liturgical music planning, rehearsing, and implementing in a variety of liturgical forms. This is to be done in area churches and/or on campus with permission of and under supervision of the adviser and other faculty with the aim of developing skills and the ability to integrate practice with musical and liturgical knowledge.
LMUS 468 Topics in Liturgical Music (1-3)
LMUS 468-06A Final Project (1-2)
The final project is developed in consultation with a student's faculty adviser. The project might be a lecture-recital, a research paper and public defense, or a hymn festival.
LMUS 501 Seminar in Liturgical Music Techniques and Literature (3)
Students study the interpretation of music and liturgical theology, including the history of liturgical music; official documents; issues, problems, and positions in liturgical music practice; worship aid evaluation; presentation of music/liturgy plans.