Ensemble Courses
(see additional MUS courses and MUA courses)
Please note that the frequency of course offerings below is subject to change without notice, because of changes in faculty availability, sabbaticals and leaves, and other circumstances. Please consult the latest Schedule of Classes (and supplement), myBerea, revisions to online Catalog & Student Handbook, and/or the Program Coordinator to determine if a course will be offered during a certain term or year, especially if Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a factor.
MUS 130A
Chamber Singers
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
A select 10- to 20-voice ensemble chosen by audition from the Concert Choir. The Chamber Singers perform at all Concert Choir appearances, sing off-campus in the region, and perform at College chapel services. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
A select 10- to 20-voice ensemble chosen by audition from the Concert Choir. The Chamber Singers perform at all Concert Choir appearances, sing off-campus in the region, and perform at College chapel services. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130B
Jazz Ensemble
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An instrumental ensemble that performs various styles of jazz for big band (swing, blues, bebop, and other types of jazz), including traditional cool, Latin, and jazz-rock fusion. The group performs on campus and throughout the region. This course includes a spring tour, and students will be expected to pay some portion of the costs. The fees will be announced on the first day of class and included in the syllabus. Students also may have to cover the cost of formal footwear. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An instrumental ensemble that performs various styles of jazz for big band (swing, blues, bebop, and other types of jazz), including traditional cool, Latin, and jazz-rock fusion. The group performs on campus and throughout the region. This course includes a spring tour, and students will be expected to pay some portion of the costs. The fees will be announced on the first day of class and included in the syllabus. Students also may have to cover the cost of formal footwear. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130C
Women's Choir
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An auditioned ensemble open to all Berea College students capable of singing in the Soprano and/or Alto range. The choir performs a wide variety of choral music for women's voices, including sacred, secular, Broadway, and folk genres. Performances are at campus and community functions with several short, off-campus trips. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An auditioned ensemble open to all Berea College students capable of singing in the Soprano and/or Alto range. The choir performs a wide variety of choral music for women's voices, including sacred, secular, Broadway, and folk genres. Performances are at campus and community functions with several short, off-campus trips. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130D
Recorder Ensemble
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
A chamber group that specializes in music for this historic family of wooden flutes. Repertoire includes music from the medieval period to the present. Students learn to play and perform on several different sizes of recorder. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
A chamber group that specializes in music for this historic family of wooden flutes. Repertoire includes music from the medieval period to the present. Students learn to play and perform on several different sizes of recorder. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130E
Chamber Music
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
Open, by permission of the Music faculty, to Berea College students seeking to perform in small chamber ensembles, depending on available instrumentation and ability. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
Open, by permission of the Music faculty, to Berea College students seeking to perform in small chamber ensembles, depending on available instrumentation and ability. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130F
Bluegrass Music Ensemble
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble of up to six members (guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and lead singer). The ensemble specializes in traditional and contemporary bluegrass and old-time music. The group performs on and off campus. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble of up to six members (guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and lead singer). The ensemble specializes in traditional and contemporary bluegrass and old-time music. The group performs on and off campus. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130G
Chamber Winds
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble comprised of advanced musicians of the Wind Ensemble. The ensemble's repertoire ranges from 17th-century works for winds to newly commissioned works. The group performs two to three concerts per term. Students may have to cover the cost of formal footwear. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble comprised of advanced musicians of the Wind Ensemble. The ensemble's repertoire ranges from 17th-century works for winds to newly commissioned works. The group performs two to three concerts per term. Students may have to cover the cost of formal footwear. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130H
African-Latin Percussion Ensmb
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble that performs a variety of rhythms based on the traditional drumming styles of the Caribbean, West Africa, and South America. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
An ensemble that performs a variety of rhythms based on the traditional drumming styles of the Caribbean, West Africa, and South America. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130I
Contemp Percussion Ensemble
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring Term
An ensemble that includes drums, percussion, and a basic modern-rhythm section. The ensemble performs a range of contemporary styles including jazz, Latin, rock, funk, and world beat. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring Term
An ensemble that includes drums, percussion, and a basic modern-rhythm section. The ensemble performs a range of contemporary styles including jazz, Latin, rock, funk, and world beat. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 130J
Country Dance Band
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 131
Concert Choir
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Sixty-voice, mixed-choral ensemble open to all Berea College students; membership is gained by audition. Performs wide variety of musical styles, both sacred and secular, and in several languages. Regular attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Four periods per week. May be repeated for credit. Course Fee: $25 (for Fall Term enrollments). 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Sixty-voice, mixed-choral ensemble open to all Berea College students; membership is gained by audition. Performs wide variety of musical styles, both sacred and secular, and in several languages. Regular attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Four periods per week. May be repeated for credit. Course Fee: $25 (for Fall Term enrollments). 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 132
Wind Ensemble
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Open to all Berea College students; membership is gained by audition and demonstrated ability to sight read. Regular attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Meets twice weekly, performs at several College functions and in concert. Students may have to cover the costs of formal footwear. Membership in Wind Ensemble is a prerequisite to Stage Band membership. May be repeated for credit. 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Open to all Berea College students; membership is gained by audition and demonstrated ability to sight read. Regular attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Meets twice weekly, performs at several College functions and in concert. Students may have to cover the costs of formal footwear. Membership in Wind Ensemble is a prerequisite to Stage Band membership. May be repeated for credit. 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
MUS 135
Black Music Ensemble (AFR 138)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor *
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Open to all Berea students, this ensemble specializes in the performance of African-American sacred music, particularly spirituals and gospel music. The ensemble meets twice weekly for one-and-one-half hours. Regular attendance is required at all rehearsals and performances including annual Fall and Spring concerts, as well as several other programs each term. Membership by permission of instructor after audition. May be repeated for credit. Course Fee: $15 (for transportation and robe cleaning). 1/4 Course Credit
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
Open to all Berea students, this ensemble specializes in the performance of African-American sacred music, particularly spirituals and gospel music. The ensemble meets twice weekly for one-and-one-half hours. Regular attendance is required at all rehearsals and performances including annual Fall and Spring concerts, as well as several other programs each term. Membership by permission of instructor after audition. May be repeated for credit. Course Fee: $15 (for transportation and robe cleaning). 1/4 Course Credit
1/4 Course
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This online publication is the official text of the Berea College Catalog & Student Handbook. Berea College reserves the right to amend, revise, or modify content within this publication at any time.
