Current students

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 65865
• Winter 2026 term
• Tuesday/Thursday 8:30-9:45 am
• Instructor – Dr. Anna Nekola

Gospel music is the music of community, an embodied expression of hope and resilience in the face of injustice and oppression. Although gospel music continues to be tied to faith practices, the sounds of Black gospel are also deeply embedded in the sounds of secular popular music, from Ray Charles and Mahalia Jackson, to Beyonce, Stormzy, and Canadian artist William Prince. The course investigates how musicians make and think about gospel music, and how critics and audiences listen to and think about it, investigating the historical, religious, political, cultural, and social contexts of this music around the world. 

Open to Music Students OR with instructor approval for students in other Faculties.

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 65880
• Winter 2026 term
• Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:15 pm
• Instructor – Melody McKiver

This lecture course is an introduction to the academic area of Hip Hop studies as an African diasporic and global phenomenon, with an emphasis on MCing and DJing as the musical elements of HipHop culture. Themes will range from history and origins of Hip Hop culture, uses of sampling, Black feminist scholarship and Hip Hop feminists, and the widespread global adoption of Hip Hop as a cultural movement with a special resonance to dispossessed and disenfranchised peoples from occupied Turtle Island to Palestine.

Open to all U of M students – no restrictions

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 26478 – Fall 2025 term 
• CRN 65962 – Winter 2026 term
• Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms spanned
• Monday 2:30-4:00 pm
• Instructor - Katherine Twaddle

The course explores the varying acting styles and techniques required for a career in opera today.  Students are given the opportunity to explore different ways to use their body, voice and imagination to create characters and communicate intention, attitude, and story. We look at the various acting styles and theatrical genres used in opera and how and why they have changed throughout history. The importance of observation and reflection is emphasized through class discussion and homework assignments. 

Instructor Approval required.

• 3 credits
• Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms spanned
• Coaching/masterclass times to be arranged by participants and instructor
• Instructors – Tracy Dahl and Monica Huisman

This course is designed for M. Mus voice students, and with permission by their instructors, for  Post-Baccalaureate or undergraduate students. Students will learn how to prepare a full operatic role and apply those skills and techniques to role(s) assigned by the instructors. The student will gain a better understanding of what learning a role means and all the responsibilities associated with a role assignment. The focus will be on the process of learning a full role which involves translations, IPA, character development and style. 

This course is designed to be fluid and adaptable both to each student enrolled and to the role’s specific needs. There are no performance expectations in this course, aside from masterclasses or group sessions. The instructor will be expected to coach you through the entire role or roles by the end of the second term.

Instructor approval required.

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 62804
• Winter 2026 term
• Tuesday/Thursday 10:00-11:15am
• Instructor – Melody McKiver

Students will study form and compositional approaches to a variety of musical styles, which may include pop, rock, Hip Hop, and EDM. The course will provide an introduction to the creative use of music technology, including DAW usage and home recording. Assignments will include the development of a musical portfolio, and written reflections and analysis. Students of diverse musical experiences are encouraged to enroll. 

Instructor approval required.

• 3 credits
• CRN 65963
• Winter 2026 term
• Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:30-2:20 pm
• Instructor – Mel Braun

Students will perform assigned arias and ensembles from oratorios in this masterclass-format seminar. The class will also work on one or two group projects to include works such as Bach’s Magnificat and Handel’s oratorio Belshazzar.  For these projects, the class will divide up the solos, duets, and trios and all sing in the choruses.

Instructor approval required.

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 26355
• Fall 2025 term
• Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:15pm
• Instructor – Melody McKiver

Students will learn the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) and sample libraries suitable for composition for digital media. Software includes Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Spitfire LABS. Compositional tools will include MIDI orchestration, sound design, and audio recording. Students will study film history and the use of music as a compliment to storytelling within film, television, and video games. Other topics will include delivery standards and professional practices. 

Instructor approval required.

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 65881
• Winter 2026 term
• Tuesday/Thursday 10:00-11:15 am
• Instructors – Fabio Ragnelli and Victoria Sparks

This introductory course explores the rich diversity of global drumming traditions through hands-on experience. Designed to be taught without using traditional western music notation, the course focuses on fundamental rhythm concepts, basic drumming techniques, and group performance practices using percussion instruments from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Students will develop listening skills and rhythmic coordination. The course will help students to develop an understanding of the social and cultural roles of drumming in various world traditions. No previous music experience is necessary.

Open to all U of M students – no restrictions.

• 3 credit hours
• CRN 26476
• Fall 2025 term
• Thursday 5:30pm – 8:30pm
• Instructors – TBA

Discover the business side of music. This course will provide a survey of music business topics including artist management, music marketing, rights and royalties, concert promotion, contracts, grants and funding, and financial planning. Students in all genres, including classical, jazz, pop, folk, and more, will learn from experienced industry professionals, gain insight into industry roles, and acquire skills required to succeed in the music business. Prepare for a professional future in music with tools to navigate the sector as a songwriter/composer, performer, arts worker, or industry professional.

Open to all U of M students – no restrictions.

• 3 credits
• CRN 26536
• Fall 2025 term
• Thursday 5:30-8:30 pm
• Instructor - TBA

This course introduces students to the foundational principles and practical techniques of game audio design and programming. Emphasis is placed on interactive audio systems using FMOD Studio, a leading middleware audio engine, integrated with Unity or Unreal Engine. Students will explore sound design, audio programming, music systems, and the technical and creative aspects of game audio integration.

Open to all U of M students – no restrictions.

• 3 credits 

• CRN 66030  

• Winter 2026 term 

• Thursday 5:30-8:30 pm 

• Instructor - TBA 

This course introduces students to the foundational principles and practical techniques of game audio design and programming. Emphasis is placed on interactive audio systems using FMOD Studio, a leading middleware audio engine, integrated with Unity or Unreal Engine. Students will explore sound design, audio programming, music systems, and the technical and creative aspects of game audio integration. 

Open to all U of M students – no restrictions.