Music
41 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
MUS 101 Fundamentals of Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 110
This course is designed for students interested in the fundamentals of music theory. The class takes up basic notation, rhythm reading, major and minor scale construction, simple musical analysis, and basic chord construction.
MUS 103 Music Theory I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Corequisite
- MUS 106
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 120
Through guided composition and analysis, this course incorporates the following concepts: rhythm and meter; basic properties of sound; intervals; diatonic scales and triads; diatonic chords, basic cadential formulas and phrase structure; dominant seventh; figured bass symbols; and non-harmonic tones. Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected.
MUS 104 Music Theory II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 103
- Corequisite
- MUS 107
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 130
This course incorporates the concepts from Music Theory I. In addition, through guided composition and analysis, the course includes an introduction to two-part counterpoint; voice leading involving four-part chorale writing; diatonic harmony; and an introduction to secondary/applied chords and modulation.
MUS 105 Music Theory III
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 104
- Corequisite
- MUS 156
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 140
This course incorporates the concepts learned in MUS 104 (Music Theory II). In addition, through writing and analysis, the course introduces students to chromatic harmony, secondary/applied chords, modulation, borrowed chords, and Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords.
MUS 106 Musicianship I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Corequisite
- MUS 103
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 125
This course is designed for students who want to develop beginning aural recognition, sight-singing, and dictation skills. It is recommended for all instrumentalists, singers, and composers, and required for all music majors.
MUS 107 Musicianship II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 106
- Corequisite
- MUS 104
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 135
This course is designed for students who want to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 104 (Music Theory II) through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. This course is required for all music majors.
MUS 110 College Community Orchestra
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Advisory
- MUS 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for the instrumental music student who wants to become familiar with the vast body of orchestral music. It provides players an opportunity to develop their own musical capabilities and participate in ensemble playing. Students are expected to provide their own instruments. This course may be taken once and repeated three times for credit.
MUS 116 Diverse Instruments Ensemble
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Advisory
- MUS 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 185
This course is designed for electric instrumental students, acoustic instrumental students, and vocal students who are at a beginning or intermediate level. Students perform together in one ensemble. The content is arranged for the instrumental and vocal makeup of the class and includes a diversity of styles such as popular, jazz, and contemporary classical music. Improvisation is introduced at a beginning and intermediate level appropriate to the style.
MUS 119 Advanced College Community Orchestra
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 110
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for the more advanced instrumental music student who wants to become more familiar with the vast body of orchestral music. It provides advanced players an opportunity to further develop their own musical capabilities further and to participate in ensemble playing. Students are expected to provide their own instruments. This course may be taken once and repeated three times for credit.
MUS 120 Concert Choir
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 180
This course is designed for students who seek the skills needed to study, rehearse, and perform literature within a large vocal ensemble. Participation in public performance is required. The repertoire includes a diversity of selections including classical choral literature, world music, popular and contemporary music. Previous choral experience is not required. This course may be taken for credit up to four times for a total of 4 units.
MUS 129 Music in Latin American Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey course designed for the student seeking an introduction to music in Latin American culture. The course will focus on the diverse musical cultures of South America, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. Emphasis will be placed on rhythmic styles and structures, as well as, specific social, cultural, and historical backgrounds.
MUS 130 Music History and Literature Before 1750
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for students who seek an introduction to the major composers and musical movements from antiquity to the 1700s. The course focuses on learning, reasoning, and writing about the music of these periods with the goal of understanding their social, political, and cultural contexts. In addition, these periods will be compared to contemporary culture and its social, political, and cultural framework.
MUS 131 Music History and Literature after 1750
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for students who seek an introduction to the major composers and musical movements from 1750 to the present. The course focuses on learning, reasoning, and writing about the music of these periods with the goal of understanding their social, political, and cultural contexts. In addition, these periods will be compared to contemporary culture and its social, political, and cultural framework.
MUS 132 History of Rock and Roll
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This survey course is designed for students who seek an introduction to the musical genre, or style, of rock and roll. The course focuses on rock and roll music, its origins, and the many sub-styles that have shaped its evolution. The social, political, and economic influence rock and roll music has had on society and other types of music are also examined.
MUS 133 Music Appreciation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of musical practices from various periods of music history, with an emphasis on social, political, and commercial contexts. Classical, jazz, rock, blues, and world music are the types of music covered. This course is intended for students seeking to fulfill the general education arts requirement.
MUS 135 Music in Film
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of the art and craft of film music as practiced by prominent film composers and sound designers. Emphasis is placed on history and function from 1930 to the present, as well as cultural context. The class is designed for students interested in learning how music influences film.
MUS 136 History of Jazz
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This survey course is designed for students who seek an introduction to jazz. The course focuses on jazz music, including its origins and many sub-styles. The social, political, and economic influences the music has had on society and other types of music are also examined.
MUS 138 Masterworks Chorale
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This advanced-level course is for students who seek to broaden their choral repertoire by performing major choral works from various musical periods accompanied by orchestra or other instrumental ensemble. Attention is given to the refinement and polishing of choral vocal technique. Public performance is required. Enrollment criteria requires an audition.
MUS 140 Beginning Class Voice I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in learning the foundations of singing, including proper posture, breath support, healthy vocal fold vibration, optimal resonance, articulation, diction, and stage presence. Students are given appropriate repertoire from the standard vocal literature throughout the semester. No previous musical experience is necessary.
MUS 142 Beginning Class Voice II
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 140
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in developing the voice and technique acquired in MUS 140 (Beginning Voice I) through more advanced vocal exercises and repertoire. A comprehensive study of style and interpretation is a main feature of the course.
MUS 145 Piano I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is part of the music core, and intended for music majors. Course material includes basic technique and notation, major and minor five finger patterns, major scales, sight reading, and basic chord progressions as they are encountered in beginning piano music.
MUS 146 Piano II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 145
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is part of the music core, and is intended for music majors. Course material includes piano technique, major scales and arpeggios, sight reading, chord progressions, harmonization, and transposition skills as encountered in upper-beginning/early intermediate piano music.
MUS 147 Piano III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 146
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is part of the music core, and is intended for music majors. Course material includes piano technique, all major and minor scales and arpeggios, sight reading, expanded chord progressions, harmonization, and transposition skills as encountered in intermediate piano music.
MUS 148 Piano IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 147
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is part of the music core, and is intended for music majors. Course material builds upon skills acquired from Piano III (MUS 147). Attention is given to intermediate-level technical and interpretive skills including piano technique; sight reading; soprano, alto, tenor, bass (SATB) score reading; and basic song accompaniment.
MUS 150 Beginning Class Guitar I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in beginning guitar skills and in the understanding of music through the study of simple guitar pieces. The development of skills at the beginning level may be used in playing various styles, including classical, pop, jazz, rock, and blues. No previous musical experience is necessary.
MUS 151 Beginning Class Guitar II
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 150
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in broadening their understanding of guitar literature by performing beginning-level works. Attention is given to the refinement and polishing of technique through scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, interpretation, and tone production.
MUS 152 Intermediate Class Guitar I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 151
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in broadening their understanding of guitar literature by performing intermediate-level works. Attention is given to the refinement and polishing of technique through scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, interpretation, and tonal production; as well as analysis of various musical periods and styles.
MUS 153 Intermediate Class Guitar II
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 152
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for non-music majors interested in improving their technique and skills by performing more difficult guitar works. Assigned scales, chord progressions, pieces, and etudes are selected to advance a student’s technique and repertoire from various periods and styles.
MUS 156 Musicianship III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 107
- Corequisite
- MUS 105
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for the student who wants to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 105 (Music Theory III) through ear training, sight singing analysis and dictation. This course is required of all music majors.
MUS 157 Musicianship IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 156
- Corequisite
- MUS 206
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who want to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 105 (Music Theory III) through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. This course is required for all music majors.
MUS 158 Masterworks Chorale II
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 138
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This advanced-level course is designed for students who seek in-depth study of choral literature by performing complex choral works such as Beethoven's Mass in C, Orff's Carmina Burana, and Britten's War Requiem accompanied by orchestra or other instrumental ensemble, or sung a cappella. Attention is given to every detail of musical development through rehearsal and performance of choral music from various musical periods and styles. Public performance is required. Enrollment criteria requires successful completion of MUS 138 (Masterworks Chorale) and an audition.
MUS 178 Masterworks Chorale III
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 158
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This advanced-level course is designed for students who seek in-depth study of choral literature by performing complex choral works like Bach's sacred and secular cantatas, masses by Mozart and Haydn, renaissance madrigals and sacred pieces, and contemporary choral works accompanied by orchestra or other instrumental ensemble, or sung a cappella. Attention is given to every detail of musical development through rehearsal and performance of choral music. Public performance is required. Students are expected to take on leadership roles as section leaders, mentors to new singers, and committee work for the choral organization. Enrollment criteria requires successful completion of MUS 158 (Masterworks Chorale) and an audition.
MUS 181 Applied Music
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 9 Lecture
- Corequisite
- MUS 103 or MUS 104 or MUS 105 or MUS 206
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 160
This course is for students interested in receiving individual instruction in voice, piano, guitar, band, or orchestral instruments with an assigned instructor. Emphasis is placed on study at the beginning level of technique and repertoire. Each week, the course includes one recital class and one individual lesson. Performance for a faculty jury is required at the end of the semester. This course may be taken for credit up to 4 times for a total of 2 units.
MUS 206 Music Theory IV
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 105
- Corequisite
- MUS 157
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 150
This course is designed for students who want an introduction to the materials and the major trends and movements of the 20th- and 21st centuries. Students gain techniques for motivic and harmonic analysis, improvisation, and listening strategies for addressing this repertoire, and will both compose and perform as a class following the models of masterworks of the last 100 years.
MUS 211 Composition Workshop I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 104
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This beginner-level course is for students who want to develop vocal and instrumental compositional skills through analysis and creative writing in a workshop setting. The course includes the basic elements and tools of musical composition, including rhythm, melody, harmony, and counterpoint; and musical structure and form. Students are assigned composition exercises, describe and discuss their work with the class, and work on a final composition project.
MUS 212 Composition Workshop II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUS 211
- Advisory
- MUS 105, MUS 206
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This intermediate-level course is for students who want to further develop vocal and instrumental compositional skills through analysis and creative writing in a workshop setting. The course includes elements and tools of musical composition, including late 19th- and 20th-century harmony, the study of musical forms, analysis, guided listening, and discussion of examples from the repertoire. Students are assigned composition exercises, describe, describe and discuss their work with the class, and work on building a composition portfolio.
MUS 216 Industrial Orchestra
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 185
This course is designed for advanced electric instrumental students, acoustic instrumental students, and vocal students to broaden their abilities to perform and improvise in an ensemble as well as record in the studio. The ensemble content is arranged for the instrumental and vocal makeup of the class, and includes a range of styles that include contemporary classical, popular, film and video game music, and electroacoustic music. Río Hondo College composition students may also arrange and compose for this performance group. This course may be taken for credit up to four times for a total of 8 units.
MUS 234 Advanced Chamber Singers
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 180
This course is designed for students with advanced skills in rehearsing and performing choral music. A wide variety of music selected from different musical periods and styles will be selected for study and performance. This course may be taken up to four (4) times for a total of eight (8) units.
MUS 241 Advanced Voice I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MUS 142
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for students interested in further developing the vocal technique, musical interpretation, and performance skills appropriate for advanced vocal performance. Attention is given to details including specific vowels, clarity of tone, and interpretation. Public performance is required.
MUS 290 Work Experience Education/Internship for Music-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of music or music technology and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.
MUS 299 Directed Study: Music
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title V regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.