Music Major

Department Advanced Placement Policy

Students with AP Credit in Music Theory, prior course work in, or knowledge of music theory may earn advanced placement in the department’s theory sequence. These students may be eligible for advanced placement in the major and should consult with the chair of the department. Please note: even in these cases, AP Credit does not count toward the number of courses required for the major.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 courses is required for a major in music; additional courses are strongly encouraged. Through the integration of theory, history, and performance, the major takes the study of music to an advanced level by focusing on the creation and reception of music in a wide variety of cultural contexts. It is designed to accommodate students with diverse interests and career goals. In planning their electives, students are encouraged to design a program that develops at least one area of individual interest. Many students choose to engage in solo and collaborative performance, creative projects, independent study, and advanced tutorials.

Theory Courses
Music Theory 1
and Music Theory 1 Lab
Music Theory 2
and Music Theory 2 Lab
Music Theory 3
History Courses
History of Western Music 1
History of Western Music 2
Advanced Topics in Music History
Electives 1
Two courses at the 200 level or higher. At least one of these courses must be a classroom experience. The other course may be a classroom experience or a performance experience (MUSC 218/219, 231/232).
Jazz Improvisation 1
Jazz/ Improvisation 2
Music & the Jesuits
Musical Cultures of Brazil
Digital Media for Musicians
Music, Performance, Community
Music Of Bali-Gamelan 1
Music Of Bali-Gamelan 2
World Music
From Blues to Rap
Intro to Electroacoustic Music
Coding Music/Laptop Ensemble
Gregorian Chant
Music of the 20th Century
Beethoven and His World
Mozart and His World
Two courses at the 300 level or higher. At least one of these courses must be a classroom experience. The other course may be a classroom experience or a performance experience (MUSC 331/332, 431/432, 433/434).
Adv. Topics in Music Analysis
Tutorial
Intermediate Performance 1
and Intermediate Performance 2
Music & Gay Rights
Junior/Senior Seminar
Tutorial
Intermediate/Adv Performance 1
and Intermediate/Adv Performance 2
Advanced Performance 1
and Advanced Performance 2
In addition to the courses listed above, the Department offers a variety of unique 300-level seminars with an emphasis on reading, writing, discussion and analysis. Course topics, which vary from year to year, may include the intersection of music and identity, questions of form and genre, or emphasis on an aspect of music and society.
Performance
A minimum of two semesters of enrollment in each of the following categories:
Participation in a Department Ensemble Music:
College Choir
Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Chamber Music
Chamber Singers
Private Lessons on an Instrument or Voice: 2
Individual Instruction
and Individual Instruction
Individual Instruction
and Individual Instruction