Music Courses

IN THIS SECTION

Grow Your Musical Talents

Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time, continuing your musical journey, or simply looking for a creative outlet, Hawkeye's music courses offer opportunities to learn, perform, and grow. Take instrumental or vocal lessons, sing in a chorus, or join an ensemble while building your skills and connecting with fellow musicians. Music courses are open to all students, regardless of program or major.

MUA-119 Class Piano

1 credit—This course is designed for students of all levels, especially for students without any piano or musical experience. It is an introduction to fundamental aspects of playing piano including technique, musicianship, performance, as well as reading music scores and understanding music in general. It is also perfect for music majors to develop basic piano proficiency skills, including scales, chords, harmonizing melodies, and developing a basic piano repertoire.

Lab Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-100 Music Appreciation

3 credits—An introduction to the musical arts through listening to and studying the music of various periods. Some sections of the course may be presented by live musicians. Allied arts, including dance, painting, and literature, may be used to demonstrate the relatedness of music to the larger scope of human experience.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-102 Music Fundamentals

3 credits—This course will introduce basic concepts of music theory, aural skills, and vocabulary for non-majors with limited background in music fundamentals or as preparation for music major theory courses. Topics such as clefs, staff, key signatures, notation, meter, rhythm, and simple chords as well as basic sight singing, ear training, and keyboard harmony will be covered.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-106 Music Theory I

4 credits—Music Theory I is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of music theory. This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to read and write musical notation, understand basic harmony and analyze simple pieces. Topics covered include: pitch and rhythm notation, scales and modes, chords and harmony, counterpoint and part writing, form and analysis, and sight-singing and ear training. Through a combination of class discussion, ear training exercises, and written assignments, students will develop a solid foundation in music theory. This course is recommended for music majors, as well as anyone interested in a deeper understanding of music.

Lecture Hours: 64

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-107 Music Theory II

4 credits—Music Theory II builds on the concepts covered in Music Theory I, and focuses on more advanced topics in music theory. This course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of harmony, counterpoint, and analysis. Topics covered include: figured bass, seventh chord, non-harmonic tones, modulation, chromatic harmony, and the analysis of more complex pieces. Through a combination of class discussion, ear training exercises, and written assignments, students will develop a more advanced understanding of music theory.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MUS-106.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-154 Chorus

1 credits—This course is designed for students to perform accompanied and unaccompanied vocal ensemble music, ranging from traditional to contemporary styles. The group meets regularly and presents a wide variety of choral literature in on and off campus performances throughout the year. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lab Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUS-202 World Music

3 credits—This course is an exploration and comparative examination of non-western music and cultural traditions. Formatted for the general student and music major, the course will include fundamentals of music, basic elements of global music, and study of societal and cultural influence of music traditions on a nation/country.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

No matter your skill level—beginner or advanced—you can take music lessons with us. We offer two types of lessons:

Level I: 30-minute lessons for one credit.
Level II: 60-minute lessons for two credits, with more practice time needed between lessons.

MUA-101 Applied Voice

1 credits—This course offers one half-hour lesson of private instruction per week, with a minimum of 30 minutes of practice per day. The goal is the development of both fundamental and advanced vocal techniques. The presentation of the standard repertoire for the specific voice is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-401 Applied Voice II

2 credits—Applied Voice II meets individual needs based upon the student's background and training while providing applied lessons and guided instruction in tone production, technique, musicianship, and performance practice. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice of fundamental techniques and solo repertory. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-112 Applied Composition

1 credits—This course is designed for students who desire private, one-on-one instruction in music composition. One credit hour indicates a one half-hour private lesson per week. The course will enable students to gain increased proficiency in composition, focused on various styles and contemporary/avant garde compositional techniques. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-212 Applied Composition II

2 credits—This course is designed for students who desire private, one-on-one instruction in music composition. Two credit hours indicate a one-hour private lesson per week. The course will enable students to gain increased proficiency in composition, focused on various styles and contemporary/ avant garde compositional techniques. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-120 Applied Piano

1 credits—This course offers one half-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-121 Applied Piano II

2 credits—This course offers a one-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-124 Applied Guitar

1 credits—This course offers one half-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-227 Applied Guitar II

2 credits—This course offers a one-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-126 Applied Strings

1 credits—This course offers one half-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-149 Applied Strings II

2 credits—This course offers a one-hour lesson of private instruction per week. Individual needs are met based upon the student's background in playing technique, musicianship, and performance. Students advance their skills through weekly lessons and regular practice. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 32

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-180 Applied Percussion

1 credits—Individualized instruction in percussion/drum set for the beginning, intermediate or advanced student. Requires 30 minute weekly lessons during the semester. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course may be repeated with different content for credit. No prior musical experience is necessary.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

MUA-181 Applied Percussion II

1 credits—Individualized instruction in percussion/drum set for the beginning, intermediate or advanced student. Requires 30 minute lessons during the semester. Additional outside practice/preparation is required. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

Lecture Hours: 16

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MUA-180.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

Get ready to showcase your talents with a variety of exciting performance opportunities!

Choir
Concerts
Commencement
Open mic events
Recitals, competitions, and masterclasses
Collaboration and improvisation
Musicals and stage productions
On and off campus events such as the Student Art Show Opening
Music scholarship auditions

Meet Your Instructors

Meet our talented music instructors. They are here to guide you on your musical journey!

John Chiles, Upper Strings

John Chiles is the upper strings instructor, specializing in viola. He studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and earned his graduate degrees in viola performance and conducting from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to teaching, Mr. Chiles performs with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra and other professional ensembles across Iowa. He also directs the Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra and serves as the Department Chair of Chamber Music and Orchestral Activities in the UNI School of Music Suzuki School.

Hanna Stolper, Piano

Hanna Stolper began playing piano at age four and earned degrees in Piano Pedagogy, Performance, and Piano Performance from Silver Lake College and the University of Northern Iowa. While at UNI, she served as a Graduate Assistant, teaching group piano and accompanying ensembles and soloists. Dedicated to performance, education, and artistic collaboration, Hanna currently teaches piano and works as a Collaborative Pianist at Hawkeye, and also serves as a Collaborative Pianist and Worship Leader at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. Hanna has worked with churches, community theaters, opera programs, and multiple music studios, and she frequently adjudicates piano competitions across the Cedar Valley.

Luke Sanders, Guitar

Luke Sanders is the guitar instructor at Hawkeye and an Assistant Adjunct Professor of Guitar at the University of Northern Iowa as well as a long-standing performer, clinician, and composer in Eastern Iowa. He previously taught at Luther College, Wartburg College, and Waterloo West High School, and holds degrees from Coe College and UNI, where he completed his Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy. Luke has performed with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, and various professional ensembles, and has premiered Mario Parizek’s Fingerpick meets Blasmusik across Iowa. He also mentors young musicians through camps at KCCK, Cedar Falls, and UNI.

Pursue Your Passion for Music Music Transfer Major

Hawkeye's Music transfer program combines foundational coursework in music theory, world music, and musicianship with hands-on experiences through private lessons, ensembles, and chorus participation. Build the skills and confidence needed to continue your studies at a four-year institution.

Explore the Music Transfer Major

CONTACT US

Faculty Mentor

John Chiles
Main Campus
Black Hawk Hall 286
319-296-2320 ext.1353
Email John Chiles