Musical Performance (MP)

MP 179 -  World Music Ensembles  
Credits: 2  

Class study introducing students to a performance tradition from outside the western classical and popular traditions. Limited to fifteen students.

Note(s): Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 190 -  Class Study of Voice  
Credits: 2  

For students with little or no formal training in singing, this course focuses on the development of the singing voice. Study and application of the principles and techniques of singing: breathing, tone production, resonance and diction, among other technical skills. Repertory chosen will illustrate different stylistic periods. Students participate in a recital at the end of the semester. Part of each class will include study of fundamental musicianship skills.

Note(s): Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 191 -  Class Study of Piano I  
Credits: 2  

For students with no special background in music or piano. Emphasis is on reading skills and development of keyboard technique. Fundamental concepts of music theory (rhythm, intervals, scales, chords, keys) will be included.

Note(s): Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 192 -  Class Study Of Piano II  
Credits: 2  

For students with some basic training in piano (audition required) or who have completed MP 191. Further development of music reading ability and technical skills, and development of a basic beginning repertoire.

Prerequisites: MP 191 or permission of instructor.   
Note(s): Fulfills artistic inquiry. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 193 -  Class Study of Guitar I  
Credits: 2  

For those with little or no guitar experience, this course is designed to prepare the student for private lessons. The course covers all aspects of guitar technique including scales, arpeggios, chords, and right hand styles. Musicianship skills including note and rhythm reading will be stressed. Each student must provide her or his own acoustic guitar.

Note(s): Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 195 -  Class Study of Jazz Piano  
Credits: 2  

Study of jazz piano voicings, scales, and modes for improvisation. Left-hand chording patterns, harmonic structures, and accompanying scales will be emphasized. Other areas of study will include diatonic and chromatic voice leading, phrasing and solo development, functional harmony, bass lines, and solo jazz piano technique. Class will read selected jazz charts and listen to and analyze contemporary and historical jazz pianists.

Note(s): Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 197 -  Keyboard Skills  
Credits: 1  

Application of fundamental theoretical concepts at the keyboard. Functional skills to include control of simple diatonic chordal harmony, independent voicing, modal and scalar patterns, elementary transposition, and sight-reading. Course materials are keyed to concepts covered in MU 241. Successful completion of MP197 will satisfy the department's keyboard proficiency requirement for all music majors.

Corequisites: MU 241 or permission of instructor.  
MP 198 -  Class Study of Instrumental Performance  
Credits: 1  

Group instruction in instrumental performance areas, including jazz improvisation, not covered by MP 181-188 or MP 191-197. To be announced when offered.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.   
Note(s): May be taken up to three times for credit. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 256 -  Music Outreach  
Credits: 2  

A course designed to provide student musicians with opportunities to engage with the broader community beyond Skidmore through service and to encourage critical reflection on their experiences. Students volunteer their musical talents and develop planning and organizational skills in the local community beyond Skidmore at a minimum of three planned outreach events during the semester.

Note(s): Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Not for liberal arts credit. Must be taken S/U.  
MP 273 -  Opera/Musical Workshop  
Credits: 1  

A course/performing ensemble designed to equip singers with acting and movement skills for the stage. Classes and rehearsals will culminate in public performance of scenes or complete works from the opera/musical theater repertoire. Open by audition and interview only.

Note(s): This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 275 -  Small Jazz Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

Jazz improvisation and performance in a small combo setting.

Note(s): Open by audition. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Not for liberal arts credit. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 277 -  Vocal Chamber Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

A select ensemble, drawn from members of the Skidmore College Chorus, performing a wide range of repertoire from all periods, including madrigals, part songs, choral works, and operatic ensembles.

Note(s): Limited to twenty singers; open by audition only. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry.  
MP 278 -  Vocal Chamber Ens (Audition)  
Credits: 1  

A select ensemble, drawn from members of the Skidmore College Chorus, performing a wide range of repertoire from all periods, including madrigals, part songs, choral works, and operatic ensembles. Limited to twenty singers; open by audition only. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department.

MP 279 -  West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

An ensemble devoted to the performance of traditional drum music from Ghana.

Note(s): This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Not for liberal arts credit. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. Counts as a technique/workshop course for the Dance major/minor.  
MP 281 -  Private Music Instruction - 45 Xfee  
Credits: 2  

Individual 45-minute weekly instruction in cello, piano, guitar, voice, sitar, oboe, violin, harp, fiddle, mandolin, trumpet, horn, clarinet, bassoon, trombone, banjo, tuba, flute, sax, bass, jazz guitar, jazz piano, harpsichord, organ, fortepiano, orchestral instruments, tabla, and jazz improvisation. (Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.) Enrollment by permission of instructor; after registering, watch for further instruction by email. Applications for partial and full scholarship to defray the $780 fee are considered each semester.

MP 281X -  Private Musical Instruction  
Credits: 2  

Individual 60-minute weekly instruction in voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, fortepiano, guitar, orchestral instruments, sitar, tabla, and jazz improvisation. At least one semester of 60-minute lessons is required for any student preparing a full recital. (Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.) Enrollment by permission of instructor; after registering, watch for further instruction by email. Applications for partial and full scholarship to defray the $1,040 fee are considered each semester.

MP 285 -  Skidmore Guitar Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

An ensemble devoted to the performance of classical guitar music in combination with other instruments and voice.

Note(s): Open by audition only. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Not for liberal arts credit. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 286 -  Skidmore Guitar Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

An ensemble devoted to the performance of classical guitar music in combination with other instruments and voice.

Note(s): Open by audition only. Not for liberal arts credit. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 288 -  Skidmore Chorus  
Credits: 1  

A large ensemble open to men and women singers. Annual tours and invitational concerts provide opportunities to sing major choral works with other colleges and universities.

Note(s): Not for liberal arts credit. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 289 -  Skidmore Orchestra  
Credits: 1  

One three-hour rehearsals per week.

Note(s): Open by audition. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic inquiry requirement.  
MP 293 -  Skidmore Jazz Ensemble  
Credits: 1  

One two-hour rehearsal per week.

Note(s): Open by audition. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 295 -  Skidmore Concert Band  
Credits: 1  

A large ensemble open to all woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists.  Major works for wind ensemble and band will be studied and performed.

Note(s): Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement. Not for liberal arts credit.  
MP 297 -  Chamber Music  
Credits: 1  

Qualified students in piano, harpsichord, strings, woodwinds and brass may participate in smaller ensembles: trios, quartets, quintets, etc.

Note(s): Open by audition. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. Counts toward Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.  
MP 297X -  Chamber Music (90 minutes)  
Credits: 1  

Qualified students in piano, harpsichord, strings and woodwinds may participate in smaller ensembles: trios, quartets, quintets, etc. Open by audition. This course may be repeated for credit at the discretion of the department. 90 minutes.

Note(s): Fulfills arts requirement; fulfills artistic inquiry.  
MP 375 -  Senior Recital  
Credits: 3  

Independent study and musical preparation culminating in a public recital, a written discussion of the repertoire performed, and an oral symposium presentation regarding some aspect of the recital. Includes weekly one-hour lessons. Approval for presenting senior recitals is determined by audition, normally held in the semester preceding the recital before the department faculty.

Prerequisites: MU 363, may be taken concurrently.   
Note(s): Students may not enroll concurrently for MP private instruction. Not for liberal arts credit.  
Lab/Credit Fee: $1040  
MP 381 -  Private Musical Instruction  
Credits: 2  

Individual 45-minute weekly instruction in voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, fortepiano, guitar, orchestral instruments, sitar, tabla, and jazz improvisation. Four semesters of MP281 and/or MP281x are required on the relevant instrument prior to registration in MP381 and or MP381x. (Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.) Enrollment by permission of instructor; after registering, watch for further instruction by email. Applications for partial and full scholarship to defray the $780 fee are considered each semester.

MP 381X -  Private Musical Instruction  
Credits: 2  

Individual 60-minute weekly instruction in voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, fortepiano, guitar, orchestral instruments, sitar, tabla, and jazz improvisation. At least one semester of 60-minute lessons is required for any student preparing a full recital. Four semesters of MP281 and/or MP281x are required on the relevant instrument prior to registration in MP381 and or MP381x. (Fulfills Arts requirement; fulfills Artistic Inquiry requirement.) Enrollment by permission of instructor; after registering, watch for further instruction by email. Applications for partial and full scholarship to defray the $1040 fee are considered each semester.