AY2024/25 Semester 1
Music Courses Open to Non-Music Majors
(Course offerings and schedule are subject to changes)
The course codes in grey are for students admitted before AY2021/2022.
GEC1014 Social and Cultural Studies through Music (4 Units)
Mr Benedict Ng, Ms Lin Xiangning
This course introduces music not only as a sonic matter, but more pertinently as a human, socio-cultural phenomenon. Through lectures, reading and listening assignments, and interactive music-making experience, students will learn how music works, why people listen to and make music, what its roles are in a society, and how these considerations vary across different cultures. The course introduces a variety of musical styles (e.g. folk, art, and popular music) and cultures that represent an enormous wealth of human experience. At the end of the course the students will have access to a much wider variety of music to listen to, participate in, enjoy and understand.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
L1: Thursday, 12pm-2pm
L2: Thursday, 2pm-4pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
GEC1023/GEH1060 Social History of the Piano (4 Units)
Dr Koo Siaw Sing
An interdisciplinary study of how societies and different generations responded to the invention of the piano. This course focuses on the social history of the piano throughout the past three centuries, canvassing a wide array of performers, composers, supporters, manufacturers, “heroes”, politicians, teachers and students. Various expressions of ideologies from differing periods eventually revolutionized and effectuated the versatility of the piano, shaping a legacy which led to the “globalization” of the piano, including China. Students will learn through lectures, readings, discussions, listening, playing, and attending piano recitals and masterclasses.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
L1: Monday, 9am-10am & Thursday, 10am-11am
L2: Monday, 10am-11am & Thursday, 10am-11am
L3: Monday, 11am-12pm & Thursday, 11am-12pm
L4: Monday, 12pm-1pm & Thursday, 11am-12pm
*Note: Monday sessions start from Week 2.
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
GESS1015/GES1020 Western Music within a Singaporean Context (4 Units)
Ms Lin Xiangning, Mr Xavier Tan
This course explores Singapore’s historical and present-day relationship with Western music, examining its influences on and integration into our culture and society, and its role in our self-identification. Students will adopt socio-historical and contemporary perspectives through looking at various case studies. They will critically consider how Singapore and Singaporeans have shaped and been shaped by music from the West, and be empowered to make decisions in negotiating this cultural correspondence moving forward. Topics covered include historical overview of the arrival of Western music in Singapore and the various functions that music plays and has played in society.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
L1: Thursday, 12pm-2pm
L2: Thursday, 2pm-4pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
GEX1027/GET1047 Art and Identity (4 Units)
Assoc Prof Greg Petersen
From what sources do we engender our individual and group identities, and to what extent do the arts stimulate this process? This course begins with an introduction to identity theory, and then explores identity issues – such as male and female, self, national, racial, and social identities – with an emphasise on their manifestations in various performance, visual, and literary art forms. Students will analyse and evaluate their own identities in relation to the course materials and the arts in their lives, requiring critical self-reflection and self-assessment.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
S1: Thursday, 10am-12pm
S2: Thursday, 12pm-2pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUH2201 Classical Styles and Romantic Spirits (4 Units)
Assoc Prof Greg Petersen
Today’s most widely-known, international concert repertoire is primarily made up of 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century European and North American composers and their music. This course presents a look, listen, and study of their music and legacy focusing on two parallel movements in the European tradition: the classical, rococo, galante, emfindsamer stil, and neo-classical; and sturm und drang, romantic, and neo-romantic. The focus of learning in this course is through primary source materials.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
S1: Monday, 10am-12pm
S2: Monday, 12pm-2pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUH2204 Music after World War II (4 Units)
Dr Frances Lee
This course explores music after the Second World War through examining the variety of approaches adopted by music creators and performers, and drawing connections between their music and the surrounding socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically consider various issues that continue to be relevant to music today, including artistic responses to historical events, indeterminacy, cultural appropriation, and the ramifications of technology. While the course content will primarily focus on Western classical music, students are encouraged and given opportunities to apply course concepts to other genres as well.
Schedule
Thursday, 10am-12pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUT1201 Introduction to Classical Music Composition (4 Units)
Dr Tan Yuting
The course introduces students to style writing of the Classical period of European composers like Mozart. Topics on harmonic progression, voice leading, and texture are addressed as are relevant compositional concepts like repetition, variation, and elaboration. Class time is dedicated to lectures and demonstrations as well as hands-on practice in class. Simple compositions in the style of common practice European music form the bulk of the assessment. While prior experience with music composition is not required, a familiarity with music theory rudiments is highly recommended.
Schedule
Thursday, 4pm-6pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 1
MUT3222 Choral Composition (4 Units)
Assoc Prof Chen Zhangyi
This course provides an overview of various compositional approaches to choral music. Styles surveyed range from English madrigals to popular ‘a cappella’ styles, and diverse modern composers such as Ligeti and Whitacre. Assignments will feature creative choral composition, arrangement, paying attention to details of idiomatic voicing, practical voice leading, text setting, and accompaniment.
The course aims to bridge compositional thinking with performance and interpretative analysis. Thus, analysis, composition, and performance are represented as modes of learning. Major assessment is in the form of analytical work and music compositions that are performed in class and/or public concerts.
Schedule
Thursday, 10am-12pm
Pre-requisite
MUT1201 Introduction to Classical Music Composition
MUA1223 Desktop Mixing and Production (4 Units)
The course introduces the mixing of different styles of music in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Topics include audio routing, effective use of volume, pan, filtering, reverb, dynamic and other creative FXs. Projects start simply with the enhancement of a stereo recording and move up to mixing a 4-6 channel session, mixing a multi-mic’d drum kit, and mixing a large project of 10 or more channels.
Schedule
Tuesday, 2pm-4pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA1192/MUA1193/MUA2192/MUA2193 Chamber Singers (2 units)
Mr Chong Wai Lun
This course is designed for choral music appreciation and musical skills development through participation in a vocal performance ensemble. Students will participate in regular rehearsals, and will learn and perform choral music from the Renaissance period to modern day. Through these courses students will gain knowledge of diverse repertoire, composers, genres, styles, and period performance practices. Students will also learn fundamentals of vocal production and choral technique and will experience working together ensemble situations. Ensemble situations include cross-genre and cross art from collaboration involving but not limited to Dance, Theatre, Instrumental music, Vocal music, Literature, Lighting and Paintings.
Further info about this semester’s Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers present: Movies Night (Choral Edition)
We’ve all had that ‘Movie Magic’ moment at the cinemas – where acting, dialogues, pictures, and sounds transport us out of this world into something fictional yet so convincingly believable. As choral/music enthusiasts, it is always a treat when the movie soundtracks are made special with the voices and choral music. Let NUS Chamber Singers relive these iconic scenes with you through the lens of some of the great movies made in the past decade:
La La Land
Wonka
Pitch Perfect
Bohemian Rhapsody
A Star is Born
Coco
The Greatest Showman
Schedule
(Excluding any additional dress rehearsal and concert)
Combined Workshop (from Week 2):
Monday, 10am-12.30pm
Tutorials/Sectionals (from Week 2):
Students to choose one of these sessions:
T1: Thursday, 12pm-1.30pm
T2: Friday, 10am-11.30am
Pre-requisite
Audition
Interested students should contact Mr Chong Wai Lun (muschwl@nus.edu.sg) to sign up for an audition. Successful students will be allocated the course, i.e. no registration via CourseReg is required.
MUA1240 Exploration in Musical Production (4 Units)
This course engages students to think and express themselves through the production process of a musical. By introducing the various aspects of mounting a musical production, it empowers the students to transmit this understanding into an actual display of intrinsic ideas. The course will be executed through classroom seminars and an experiential component culminating in the form of a micro-musical. The content coverage embodies a survey and appreciation of Singapore musicals; and to expound on the hardware and software requirements in mounting a musical. This include individual elements like acting, singing, writing, composing, music-making and dancing which are interwoven in the creation of this art form; as well as the financial and budget planning, safety measures and basic aspects of stage management.
Schedule
Tuesday, 2pm-4pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA2203 Keyboard Literature: Genres throughout History (4 Units)
Dr. Frances Lee
Pianists have a wealth of repertoire available to them, including both works within the musical canon and those without. This course explores the various genres of keyboard music throughout history, acknowledging the composers who have gained widespread popularity, while simultaneously delving into the works of those who have received less attention. Topics covered include variation sets, preludes, fugues, suites, studies, and single-movement works. Students will think critically about the significance and evolution of each genre over time, and emerge with a fuller picture of music written for the keyboard and a curiosity to continue discovering and rediscovering this repertoire.
Schedule
Thursday, 2pm-4pm
Preclusion
MUA3278
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
Note: Students should be able to read Western Classical music notation fluently (particularly in bass and treble clefs). Students are welcome to contact the instructor (franceslee@nus.edu.sg) and state their prior experience with music to ascertain if this course will be feasible for them.
*MUA3205 Jazz Study and Performance 1 (4 Units)
Dr Tony Makarome
An introduction to the performance of jazz or popular music as practiced in the USA from the 1920s to the early 1950s. This course shows you how to perform and improvise jazz music as an instrumentalist or vocalist through the study and practice of class materials and listening. Theoretical materials will include chord scale theory, basic jazz musical forms, chord extensions, basic reharmonization techniques, and roman numeral analysis in jazz. The improvisational concepts taught are based on jazz theory and practice. There will be a listening list of about 80 well-known jazz pieces.
Schedule
Tuesday, 10am-12pm
Pre-requisite
3rd year and above students and YST Music Placement Test
Students who have passed the placement test are eligible to register for the course via CourseReg from Round 2.
MUA3206 Jazz Study and Performance 2 (4 Units)
Dr Tony Makarome
This course focuses on the performance and study of more contemporary jazz approaches including modal interchange, scale derivations, pentatonic scales, additional forms and stylistic considerations pertaining to jazz music as practiced in the USA from the 1950s to the present day. There will be some exploration into latin- music influenced jazz as well as blues, rock, and funk music. Creative projects include leadsheet style compositions and arrangements of jazz standards or popular music. There will be a listening list of about 80 well-known jazz pieces.
Schedule
Tuesday, 12pm-2pm
Pre-requisite
MUA3205 Jazz Study and Performance 1
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA3213 Music Notation and Engraving (4 Units)
The course teaches skills for professional music notation. Genre-specific skills for vocal music, jazz, pop, and classical music as well as general issues related to layout and parts generation are addressed. Assessment is carried out through engraving projects in various styles. The course presumes students already have basic facility with a music notation program. The course is taught using Sibelius.
Schedule
Tuesday, 4pm-6pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA3219 World Music Ensemble (4 Units)
Ms Syafiqah ‘Adha & Ms Rosemainy
The World Music Ensemble offers students a chance to play and perform music from different cultures. The focus of the course will change from semester to semester allowing students a chance to participate in different traditional musics in different terms.
This semester, the course will cover Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar and traditional Malay Music.
Schedule
Monday & Thursday, 10am-12pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA3224 Intermediate Keyboard Studies (4 Units)
Dr Koo Siaw Sing
This course presents the study of intermediate piano repertoire and application of harmony at the keyboard. Students learn various important keyboard skills and techniques that enhance their understanding of and experience in making music. Such skills include harmonization, transposition, figured bass, improvisation, piano techniques, score reading, musical interpretation, solo and ensemble playing.
Schedule
Students to select one of these sessions:
S1: Monday, 2pm-4pm
S2: Thursday, 3pm-5pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
Note: Students should typically have approximately four years of piano studying with sight-reading skills.
MUA3225 Early Advanced Keyboard Studies (4 Units)
Dr Koo Siaw Sing
This course is a continuation of MUA3224 Intermediate Keyboard Studies. It presents the study of early advanced piano repertoire and application of more advanced harmony at the keyboard. Students continue to develop various important keyboard skills and techniques that enhance their understanding of and experience in making music. Such skills include harmonization, transposition, figured bass, improvisation, piano techniques, score reading, musical interpretation, solo and ensemble playing.
Schedule
Thursday, 1pm-3pm
Pre-requisite
MUA3224 Intermediate Keyboard Studies
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA3228 Re-imagining Pianism through Analysis (2 Units)
Dr Abigail Sin & Dr Khoo Hui Ling
This elective offers an in-depth analysis of a diverse selection of piano repertoire. Students will study elements of music such as form, harmony and texture as part of a process of internalizing and interpreting works for the piano.
Schedule
Monday, 2pm-4pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUA3230 Music Cognition (4 Units)
Dr Kat Agres
This course provides a general introduction to the cognitive science of music. It is intended for students in Psychology or Music, although students from other departments may enrol with permission from the instructor. The course will cover key topics in the field, such as memory, emotional responses, and social aspects of music listening and performance. The course will also touch upon recent computational approaches and neuroscientific findings that have clarified how music works in the mind and brain. Students will be encouraged to work in interdisciplinary teams to draw connections between their personal music experiences and findings from the literature.
Schedule
Lecture: Tuesday, 10am-12pm
Tutorial (from Week 2): Thursday, 10am-11am
Pre-requisite
2nd year and above students
Registration
Music or Psychology Majors:
Via CourseReg from Round 1
All other majors:
1. Seek permission from the instructor, Dr Kat Agres (muskra@nus.edu.sg)
2. Submit an appeal of type “issues while selecting course” via CourseReg
Note: Appeal will only be processed in CourseReg Round 3 on a first-come-first-served basis.
MUT3224 Teaching Music Online (2 Units)
Mr Gabriel Lee & Mr Francis Tan
Students will develop and hone their pedagogical practices in teaching music over the Internet both synchronously and asynchronously across different age groups and settings. They will learn the best practices to incorporate online tools into their teaching curriculum and performance practice, including developing their own online platforms.
Schedule
Thursday, 9am-11am
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
Note: Non-Music majors enrolled are expected to be proficient at playing at least one instrument.
MUL1105 Italian for Musicians 1 (4 Units)
Ms Patrizia Faccin
This course serves as the first semester of Italian language studies for music majors. Basic grammar, morphology, syntax and, especially, conversation will be emphasised. Required for all voice majors. Open to all NUS students.
Schedule
Tuesday and Friday, 11am-12.30pm
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUL2107 French for Musicians 1 (4 Units)
Ms Jessica Alouani (Alliance Française)
This course will serve as the first semester of French language studies required for Voice Majors in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Basic grammar, morphology, syntax and conversation with emphasis on situations which a musician in France will be emphasized. Open to NUS students.
Schedule
Tuesday and Friday, 11am-12.30pm
Preclusion
MUL1107, MUL1108, all LAF-coded courses
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
MUL2109 German for Musicians 1 (4 Units)
Ms Christine Sentosa
This course will serve as the first semester of German language studies required for Voice Majors in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Basic grammar, morphology, syntax and conversation with emphasis on situations which a musician in Germany will encounter will be emphasized. Open to NUS students.
Schedule
Tuesday and Friday, 11am-12.30pm
Preclusion
MUL1109, MUL1110, all LAG-coded courses
Registration
Via CourseReg from Round 2
Performing Arts Courses
CFA1101A/CFA2101A/CFA3101A Performing Arts in Practice (Music) 1/2/3
From Academic Year 2023/2024, students joining the NUS Chinese Orchestra, NUS Symphony Orchestra, and NUS Wind Symphony will be enrolled in a year-long credit-bearing course (4 units). This structured curriculum includes targeted instruction to hone skills and deepen practice in their respective artistic disciplines. Students will have opportunities to collaborate in artistic programming and group operations, as well as connect with the community through organising and participating in outreach events and recruitment drives. For students enrolling in CFA2101, leadership roles within the arts groups will also be available.
Students may only participate in one of these arts groups for this year-long course. Those who play instruments available in more than one music group may apply to switch groups between semesters, subject to audition requirements specific to the group.
NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO)
In AY24/25, NUSCO will present two major concerts. In the first semester, NUSCO will collaborate with NUS Wind Symphony and NUS Symphony Orchestra to organise a music carnival as a community project aimed at outreaching to primary school children, helping them discover their musical talents. In the second semester, NUSCO will produce a full-scale major production for the public. NUSCO members will also participate in the Youth Arts Leaders Conference 2024, connecting with industry arts leaders and impacting secondary school Chinese Orchestra student leaders.
Schedule
Concert Presentations
Pre-requisite for new members (CFA1101A)
NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO)
In AY24/25, NUSSO will present two major concerts. In the first semester, NUSSO will collaborate with NUS Wind Symphony and NUS Chinese Orchestra to organise a music carnival as a community project aimed at outreaching to primary school children, helping them discover their musical talents. In the second semester, NUSSO will produce a full-scale major production for the public. NUSSO members will also participate in the Youth Arts Leaders Conference 2024, connecting with industry arts leaders and impacting secondary school music leaders.
Schedule
Concert Presentations
Pre-requisite for new members (CFA1101A)
NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS)
In AY24/25, NUSWS will present two major concerts. In the first semester, NUSWS will collaborate with NUS Symphony Orchestra and NUS Chinese Orchestra to organise a music carnival as a community project aimed at outreaching to primary school children, helping them discover their musical talents. In the second semester, NUSWS will produce a full-scale major production for the public. NUSWS members will also participate in the Youth Arts Leaders Conference 2024, connecting with industry arts leaders and impacting secondary school wind band student leaders.
Schedule
Concert Presentations
Pre-requisite for new members (CFA1101A)
Information on CFA2101A Performing Arts in Practice (Music) 2
This course is a continuation from CFA1101A where through their participation in an NUS Music arts group, students continue to hone their skills and deepen their practice in their respective artistic discipline. Students are expected to actively collaborate in artistic programming and group operations by participating in work groups focused on production, media and publicity, and community engagement. To facilitate effective participation, students will attend professional workshops tailored to their work group roles. Additionally, students will connect with the community by organising and participating in outreach events and recruitment drives, thereby fostering a deeper relationship between the arts group and the wider community.
Registration
Students who have passed CFA1101A can register for CFA2101A HERE for direct course allocation. Selection via CourseReg is not required.
Information on CFA3101A Performing Arts in Practice (Music) 3
CFA3101A is the culmination of the CFA course series, where students are expected to demonstrate mastery in performance and take significant leadership roles. This course focuses on leading both artistic and administrative functions within the music group, including organizing major community outreach initiatives. Students will lead and guide peers in their respective work groups in tasks related to production, media and publicity, and community engagement. To empower students with the necessary leadership skills, the course includes leadership workshops designed to prepare them for guiding their peers. By the end of the course, students will leave the programme with a holistic understanding of the arts, teamwork, and collaboration.
Registration
Students who have passed CFA2101A can register for CFA3101A HERE for direct course allocation. Selection via CourseReg is not required.
CFA2210 Collaborative Music Ensembles (2 Units)
This course focuses on small group musical ensemble performance, allowing students to form groups with any combination of instruments they propose. Each group will curate and prepare their own repertoire for a final showcase, demonstrating diverse musical interpretations and innovative presentations. The course encourages experimentation with various forms and styles to enhance ensemble synergy and artistic expression. This course is ideal for students eager to explore ensemble dynamics and expand their artistic capabilities in music performance.
Pre-requisite
At least one year of active membership in a CFA or RC music arts group. Where the pre-requisite cannot be fulfilled, an audition via video submission is required.
Registration
Please refer to the following instructions.
Preparation:
Completing the Form:
Students in the approved groups will be allocated the course. Selection via CourseReg is not required. All approved groups will be required to arrange a meeting with the Course Coordinator in Week 1 to finalise the project proposal.
CFA1101B/CFA2101B/CFA3101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 1/2/3
From Academic Year 2023/2024, students joining the NUS Chinese Dance will be enrolled in a year-long credit-bearing course (4 units). This structured curriculum includes targeted instruction to hone skills and deepen practice in their respective artistic disciplines. Students will have opportunities to collaborate in artistic programming and group operations, as well as connect with the community through organising and participating in outreach events and recruitment drives. For students enrolling in CFA2101, leadership roles within the arts groups will also be available.
Click on the respective course below for more information:
CFA1101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 1 (4 Units, year-long)
CFA2101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 2 (4 Units, year-long)
CFA3101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 3 (4 Units, year-long)
Registration
New members (CFA1101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 1)
Join “Rhythm and Flow” on 19-20 July (sign-up HERE) to experience NUS Chinese Dance and register your intent to enrol in the course.
Students who are unable to attend “Rhythm and Flow” will be required to attend a ‘live’ audition on 6 August 2024. Sign up for the audition HERE.
Successful students will be allocated the course, i.e. course selection via CourseReg is not required.
CFA2101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 2
Students who have passed CFA1101B can register for CFA2101B HERE for direct course allocation. Selection via CourseReg is not required.
CFA3101B Performing Arts in Practice (Dance) 3
Students who have passed CFA2101B can register for CFA3101B HERE for direct course allocation. Selection via CourseReg is not required.
CFA3220 Intercultural Choreography Lab (4 Units, year-long)
This practice-based year-long choreography lab provides students with the space to experience the cultural dance heritage of Singapore and to encourage exploration, and innovation on what would constitute a Singapore dance. Students will learn Malay, Indian and Chinese dance forms, and contemporary approaches to choreography in Semester 1. They will question the impact of these influences on their cultural and artistic identities as they create unique dances that are representative of this nation in the 21stcentury. Unlike homogenous cultures, Singapore is prime for this experiment. Sitting at the crossroads of a diversity of cultures, this is an opportunity to lead in the discovery, development, and refinement of a fusion and creative integration of cultures through dance. Thereby, cultivating a new Asian choreographic aesthetic. Student choreographers in this course will be mentored to present their work in a showcase in Semester 2. They will also experience the practical management and production aspects of staging a NUS Dance Ensemble show.
Click here for more information.
Requisite
NHT2204 Dance Narratives is an introductory course in dance composition where students will create a autobiographical solo work. NHT2204 must be taken as a pre-requisite or co-requisite by all students enrolling into Intercultural Choreography Lab.
Schedule
Wednesday, 7pm-10pm
Registration
Except for Dance Ensemble (DE) students, all other students must prepare the following before registering for the course:
Put all the items into one folder in a shareable online drive (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, etc), copy the link to the folder and paste it in the specified field in the registration form.
Register for CFA3220 HERE by 4 August 2024.
Enrolment Priority
DE students will be given priority in course registration. The remaining available places in the course will then be open to all NUS undergraduates.
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