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, global music studies, and performance, the major takes the study of music to an advanced level by offering electives in all fields of music, including but not limited to courses in Music History, Music Theory, Global Music, Popular Music, Jazz, Music Technology, Composition, and Performance. It is designed to accommodate students with diverse interests and career goals. In planning their electives, students are encouraged to design a program tailored to their individual interests. Many students choose to engage in solo and collaborative performance, creative projects, independent study, and advanced research.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Three Required Theory Courses: | |
| Music Theory 1 and Music Theory 1 Lab | |
| Music Theory 2 and Music Theory 2 Lab | |
| Music Theory 3 | |
| Three Required History Courses: | |
| History of Western Music 1 | |
| History of Western Music 2 | |
| Advanced Topics in Music History: Approaches & Perspectives | |
| Four Electives | |
| Music Majors must take a minimum of four electives. One of these electives must be a classroom course in Global Music at the 200-level or higher. Students should also consider courses in all other fields of music, including but not limited to: Music History, Music Theory, Popular Music, Jazz, Music Technology, Composition, and Performance. | |
| Two electives must be at the 200-level or higher, one of which must be a classroom experience. The second required course at this level may be a performance course. | |
| Two electives must be at the 300-level or higher, one of which must be a classroom experience. The second required course at this level may be a performance course. | |
| Required Global Music Course: | |
| All students must take one classroom course of their choosing in Global Music at the 200 level or higher. This course is included among the four required electives. | |
| Electives vary from year to year. See course offerings in the schedule of classes. | |
| Required Performance | |
| A minimum of two semesters of enrollment in each of the following categories, for which students will receive 0.25 overload lab credit: | |
| Required Participation in a Department Ensemble Music: | |
| College Choir | |
| Orchestra | |
| Jazz Ensemble | |
| Wind Ensemble | |
| Chamber Music | |
| Chamber Singers | |
| Jazz Combo | |
| Chapel Choir | |
| Required Private Lessons on an Instrument or Voice, for which students will earn 0.25 lab credit. To register for credit as listed here, students must register for 10 one-hour lessons, or the equivalent thereof: | |
| Individual Instruction and Individual Instruction | |
| Individual Instruction and Individual Instruction | |