Music Department

Since 1968, the Kaskaskia College Music Department has had a thriving performance program encompassing ensembles such as concert band, concert choir, chamber singers, madrigal singers, jazz choir, student jazz bands & jazz ensembles, pep-band, percussion ensemble, drumline, and several big band jazz bands. Other performance opportunities also exist within the department.

The music department offers its students a strong background in music theory, ear-training, piano, and composition as well as performance. With smaller class sizes and a commitment to quality, the Kaskaskia College Music Department is an excellent way to begin your musical journey.

Kaskaskia College offers an educational environment that is demanding yet supportive. We are here to help students who are interested in becoming public school teachers, professional performers, conductors, composers, recording studio technicians, music therapists, and private music teachers by providing the first steps toward those careers. We are also here to help those who would like an opportunity to perform with a challenging ensemble.

We hope that you will review the information on this site and consider becoming a student of the Kaskaskia College Music Department. Should you decide to attend, we are confident you will find many challenging and exciting opportunities.

Getting Started

Aerial View of Kaskaskia College main campus, featuring clock tower

College Admission

Before you become a member of the Music Department you will need to enroll as a Kaskaskia College student. The following link will provide information about the process. KC Admissions

Contact

If you have any questions about the program, or would like to have an instructor come out to work with your ensemble(s), please drop us a note using the following link with any questions you may have. Contact Us

Scholarship Opportunities

The Kaskaskia College Music Department awards a number of performance based scholarships annually. These scholarships are awarded to deserving students who will utilize their talents to enhance our program. Apply Now.

Music Programs and Courses

MUSC 122 - Music Theory I  (3 Credit Hours)

The first in a four-semester sequence of courses in which music majors need to enroll each term of the freshman and sophomore year. The courses includes introductory through advanced materials in diatonic and chromatic harmony, introduction to form and analysis, and 20th century compositional methods. For music major and minors, concurrent enrollment in MUSC 137 and MUSC 141 is required.

MUSC 123 - Music Theory II (3 Credit Hours)

The second in a four-semester sequence of courses in which music majors need to enroll each term of the freshman and sophomore year. The courses includes introductory through advanced materials in diatonic and chromatic harmony, introduction to form and analysis, and 20th century compositional methods. Basic keyboard skills are included and support sequential development of functional knowledge of the
keyboard and playing skills sufficient to handle practical situations, including harmonization, transposition, sight-reading, improvisation, accompanying, ensemble playing, and keyboard literature appropriate to the level of the course. For music majors and minors, concurrent enrollment in MUSC 138 and MUSC 142 is required. Prerequisite: MUSC 122 with a grade of C or better.

MUSC 132 - Diction I (2 Credit Hours)

A fundamental course designed to give singers, vocal coaches, and choral conductors the skills needed to sing in English, Latin and Italian languages with ease, accuracy and expression. The International Phonetic Alphabet will serve as a basic tool for pronunciation study. This course will also give the students a rudimentary understanding of English, Latin and Italian languages in order to translate and thus interpret vocal literature. The activities of the course will include the preparation and presentation of spoken and sung excerpts from English, Latin and 200 Italian recitative, song, and operatic repertoire from all historical style periods. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

MUSC 133- Diction II (2 Credit Hour)

A fundamental course designed to give singers, vocal coaches, and choral conductors the skills needed to sing in French and German languages with ease, accuracy and expression. The International Phonetic Alphabet will serve as a basic tool for pronunciation study. This course will also give the students a rudimentary understanding of French and German languages in order to translate and thus interpret vocal literature. The activities of the course will include the preparation and presentation of spoken and sung excerpts from French and German recitative, song, and operatic repertoire from all historical style periods.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of MUSC 132.

MUSC 137 - Aural Skills I (1 Credit Hour)

Examines the theoretical knowledge and skills needed for success in music performance, education, or composition, Diatonic Sightsinging, dictation, computer assisted instruction in major and minor keys, and in simple meters.

MUSC 138 - Aural Skills II (1 Credit Hour)

Continuation of MUSC 137. Develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary for performance and teaching of tonal music. Focuses on rhythmic performance and drills intervals, scales, triads, and simple melodies. Prerequisite: MUSC-137 with a grade of C or better.

MUSC 141 - Class Piano I  (1 Credit Hour)

Group approach to teaching the fundamentals of piano playing. For students with little or no previous piano study. Sight-reading, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, technical studies, solo repertoire, and ensemble literature.

MUSC 142 - Class Piano II (1 Credit Hour)

Continuation of MUSC 141. Emphasis on developing technique, functional use of chords, and study of piano literature in a wider range of different styles and periods. Prerequisite: MUSC 141 or equivalent.

MUSC 201 - Aural Skills III (1 Credit Hour)

Continuation of MUSC 138. Develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary for performance and teaching of tonal music. Focuses on rhythmic performance and drills intervals, scales,triads, and simple melodies. Introduces Chromaticism, Syncopation, Secondary Function Chords, and Modulation. Prerequisite: MUSC- 138 with a grade of C or better.

MUSC 202 - Aural Skills IV (1 Credit Hour)

Continuation of MUSC 201. Develop sight singing and dictation skills necessary for performance and teaching of tonal music. Focuses on rhythmic performance and drills intervals, scales, triads, and simple melodies. Introduces Neapolitan, Augmented Chords, Asymmetrical Meters, Medieval Modes, and Twentieth Century Melodies. Prerequisite: MUSC-201 grade of C or better.

MUSC 207 - Introduction to Music History and Literature (3 Credit Hours)

The historical development of Western music, including various musical styles and periods, and the contributions of key composers, conductors and performers in shaping the Western musical tradition. Emphasizes concepts, structure, musical idioms and aesthetics. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

MUSC 222 - Music Theory III (3 Credit Hours)

The third in a four-semester sequence of courses in which music majors need to enroll each term of the freshman and sophomore year. The courses includes introductory through advanced materials in diatonic and chromatic harmony, introduction to form and analysis, and 20th century compositional methods. For music majors and minors, concurrent enrollment in MUSC 201 and MUSC 241 is required. Prerequisite: MUSC 123 with a grade of C or better.

MUSC 223 - Music Theory IV (3 Credit Hours)

The fourth in a four-semester sequence of courses in which music majors need to enroll each term of the freshman and sophomore year. The course includes introductory through advanced materials in diatonic and chromatic harmony, form and analysis, and 20th century compositional methods. For music majors and minors, concurrent enrollment in MUSC 202 and MUSC 242 is required. Prerequisite: MUSC 222 with a grade of C or better.

MUSC 241 - Class Piano III  (1 Credit Hour)

Third level in a sequence of four courses designed to build a solid foundation of keyboard study. Group approach to teaching the fundamentals of piano playing. Sight-reading, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, technical studies, solo repertoire, and ensemble literature. Prerequisite: MUSC 142 or equivalent.

MUSC 242 - Class Piano IV (1 Credit Hour)

Continuation of MUSC 241. Emphasis on developing technique, functional use of chords, and study of piano literature in a wider range of different styles and periods. Prerequisite: MUSC 240 or equivalent. MUSC-245

MUSC 290 - Introduction to Conducting (2 Credit Hours)

This course is designed as an introduction to basic conducting skills with emphasis on the art and study of conducting. Emphasis is placed on baton technique, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, conducting terminology, transpositions and score reading. Students will practice with choral and instrumental recordings and/or live groups. Prerequisite: A "C" or better in MUSC 122, MUSC 123, MUSC127, and MUSC 138.

MUSC 299 - AFA Portfolio (1 Credit Hour)

This course is the culmination of two years of Associate in Fine Arts degree. Students will create a portfolio using a current form of media technology. This course will include a half-recital or project of a similar scope, as appropriate to the student's focus and as approved by the instructor. Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
MUSC 103 - Orchestra (1 Credit Hour)

This course includes the study of and participation in orchestral techniques and performances. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 105 - Concert Band (1 Credit Hour)

This course includes the study of and participation in band techniques and performances. Out-of-class performances may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor and are an integral part of the course. Students are required to audition for the instructor. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 113 - String Ensemble (1 Credit Hour)

This course is organized to offer further study in specialized types of string music. Students are required to audition for the instructor. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 117 - Stage Band (1 Credit Hour)

This course includes the study of and participation in jazz ensemble techniques and performances. Students are required to audition for the instructor. Out-of-class performances may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor and are an integral part of the course. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 118 - Jazz Ensemble (1 Credit Hour)

The jazz ensemble offers students opportunities to study and perform jazz. The ensemble utilizes traditional small ensemble instrumentation and configuration. A primary goal of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the skills required to teach and perform music in various jazz styles and idioms.

MUSC 119 - Instrumental Ensemble (1 Credit Hour)

Organized to offer further study in specialized types of instrumental music. Students are required to audition for the instructor. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 121 - Pep Band (1 Credit Hour)

The ensemble utilizes traditional and non-traditional pep-band instrumentation to attain the highest possible performance standard through different styles of music. Members are an important part of the community in regard to public performances at athletic competitions and on-campus events. Students may enroll for one semester hour at a time for a maximum of four credit hours. This course also provides the needed group practice to complement individual music instruction and the music theory courses.

MUSC 131 - Percussion Ensemble (1 Credit Hour)

Weekly rehearsals will be utilized for instruction in percussion techniques and chamber percussion performance skills. Literature will cover standard works, avant-garde, commercial/jazz, transcriptions and arrangements. Membership and exact instrumentation will vary according to the specifications of each work studied and/or performed. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four semester hours applicable toward a degree.

MUSC 161 - Drumline (1 Credit Hour)

This course is a survey of marching percussion and will primarily focus on rudimental drumming. Areas that will be addressed include technique, listening, rehearsal etiquette, writing and arranging. The class is open to any student who demonstrates basic music reading skills. Students will perform on campus and throughout the district as determined by the instructor. Prerequisite: Audition with Instructor
MUSC 100 - Concert Choir (1 Credit Hour)

Develops artistic choral singing through performance of a wide range of choral literature including folk songs, spirituals, and popular materials, as well as the works of the great masters from the Renaissance to contemporary classic. Audition or consent of instructor required. Ability to read music is helpful but not required. Participation in routine practice sessions is necessary. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester hour credit.

MUSC 104 - Community Chorale (1 Credit Hour)

Develops artistic choral singing through performance of a wide range of choral literature including folk songs, spirituals, and popular materials, as well as the works of the great masters from the Renaissance to contemporary classics. Audition or consent of instructor required. Ability to read music is helpful but not required. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester hours credit. Offered as non-credit CMS 404 with no fee.

MUSC 106 - KC Blues (Jazz/Show Choir) (1 Credit Hour)

Develops artistic choral singing through performance of vocal jazz, popular song, and Broadway music. Open to any full-time Kaskaskia College student through audition or consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester hours credit.

MUSC 114 - Madrigal Singers (1 Credit Hour)

Develops artistic choral singing through performance of madrigals and other early music. Open to any full-time Kaskaskia College student through audition or consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester hours of credit. Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 100 or 104 is required.

MUSC 139 - Chamber Singers (1 Credit Hour)

Chamber Singers is a select group of singers chosen by audition. Ensemble members will be chosen based on sight-reading skills, musicianship, balance, and blend. Membership is limited to a suitable number of singers for a small ensemble, as determined by the director. Repertoire for the ensemble will vary from early Renaissance through contemporary styles. This ensemble performs for concerts and for public events on and off campus. Prerequisite: Audition Only
MUSC 101 - Introduction to Music In America (3 Credit Hours)

Historical survey of the development and major cultural contributions of American music and composers, including classical, jazz and popular forms, within the context of the American culture of the time.

MUSC 102 - Introduction to Jazz (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the origins, evolution and emergence of jazz as one of American's significant contributions to the world of music. The course will emphasize the study of representative works illustration principle styles in the development of jazz as an accepted form of musical expression in American culture.

MUSC 107 - Music Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)

Introduction to representative music masterpieces through perceptive listening. Emphasis on the elements of music, various musical forms and periods, and great composers and performers.

MUSC 206 - Elementary Music Methods (3 Credit Hour)

This course introduces students to the foundations of music and movement as it is used in the early childhood classroom. Students learn basic concepts of music theory, singing, moving, playing, and listening to music with young children. This course will deal with philosophical ideals and practical application of those ideals in the elementary and secondary music programs. Some practical observation will be required.

MUSC 207 - Introduction to Music History and Literature (3 Credit Hour)

The historical development of Western music, including various musical styles and periods, and the contributions of key composers, conductors and performers in shaping the Western musical tradition. Emphasizes concepts, structure, musical idioms and aesthetics. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the appropriate instructor.

MUSC 210 - Music In Early Childhood (3 Credit Hours)

This course introduces students to the foundations of music and movement as it is used in the early childhood classroom. Students learn basic concepts of music theory, singing, moving, playing, and listening to music with young children.