Music Major Requirements

Overview

This program presents the study of music as one of the liberal arts. Students develop their understanding of music through critical and comparative studies; theory and analysis; composition; and development of skills in musicianship and performance.

In order to fulfill the requirements for a major in music, a student must complete at least 30 credits of academic course work. No course receiving a grade lower than C- will count toward major requirements. Note that a student may not use the same course to satisfy more than one requirement. For example, a student may use MUSI 4710 (Instrumental Conducting) to satisfy either an elective requirement or the performance requirement, but not both.

I. Introductory course

1. Introduction to major-level study - 3 credits. MUSI 3050 (Music and Discourse Since 1900)

II. Four core courses

1. Critical and comparative studies in music - at least 6 credits. Two courses, including one course chosen from MUSI 3000 (Studies in Pre-Modern Music [to 1500]), MUSI 3010 (Studies in Early Modern Music [1500-1700]), MUSI 3020 (Studies in Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Music), MUSI 3030 (Studies in Nineteenth-Century Music); and another course chosen from MUSI 3070 (Introduction to Musical Ethnography), MUSI 3080 (American Music), MUSI 3090 (Performance in Africa), MUSI 3120 (Jazz Studies).

2. Basic Theory - 3 credits. MUSI 3310 (Theory I). This course requires fluency in music notation. Students not meeting this prerequisite may improve their skills by taking MUSI 1310 (Basic Musical Skills), but this course does not count toward the 30 credits required for the major.

3. Composition - 3 credits. One course chosen from MUSI 3360 (Tonal Composition), MUSI 3370 (Songwriting), MUSI 3380 (Introduction to Post-Tonal Composition), MUSI 3390 (Introduction to Music and Computers), MUSI 4331 (Theory III), MUSI 4534 (Tonal Counterpoint), MUSI 4535 (Interactive Media), MUSI 4540 (Computer Sound Generation and Spatial Processing), MUSI 4543 (Sound Studio), MUSI 4545 (Computer Applications in Music), MUSI 4547 (Materials of Contemporary Music).

III. Performance

1. Performance - 2 credits. One course (2 or more credits) or, in the case of 1-credit lessons or ensembles, two semesters of the same course. Any 1- or 2-credit course listed under the mnemonic MUBD, MUEN, or MUPF may count toward this requirement. Other courses satisfying this requirement include academic courses with performance emphasis: MUSI 2302 (Keyboard Skills (Beginning), 2 credits), MUSI 2304 (Keyboard Skills (Intermediate), 2 credits), MUSI 2306 (Fretboard Harmony, 2 credits), MUSI 3090 (Performance in Africa, 4 credits), MUSI 4506 (Basso Continuo, 3 credits), MUSI 4571 or 4572 (Instrumental Conducting, 3 credits), MUSI 4574 (Music in Performance, 3 credits), MUSI 4575 or 4576 (Choral Conducting, 3 credits).

2. Musicianship - 1 credit. MUSI 3332, 3334 or 3336. Further credits for musicianship at this level do not count toward the minimum 30 credits for the major.

IV. Four electives

1. Electives - at least 12 credits. Four additional MUSI courses (at least 3 credits each) numbered 3000-level or above. Of these, at least one must be a seminar, that is, a 4000-level special-topic course, taught with an emphasis on reading and discussion, and in which each student accomplishes substantial original work, either in several projects through the semester or a single, large-scale project. In every case, the selection of electives must have the approval of the major advisor.

It is possible to complete the music major in two years. However, we recommend that students interested in music study begin taking major-level courses during their first two years. MUSI 3050 and MUSI 3310 are appropriate choices, because they introduce concepts and skills that are helpful in other major-level courses; other 3000-level MUSI courses are also good choices for first- and second-year students who have musical experience.

Students planning careers in music should try to complete at least 12 credits of advanced departmental course work beyond the minimum major requirements, choosing these courses in careful consultation with the major advisor. In addition, advanced performing students should perform a full recital in their fourth year.

We strongly encourage students who may major in music and who have had instrumental or vocal training to continue their performance studies through MUPF offerings and to participate in curricular performing groups, MUEN and MUBD. However, no more than sixteen credits of performance may be counted toward the 120 credits required for graduation from the College.