Requirements for the Music Major
Students intending to major in music should consult with the Music Major Adviser, Professor Lawrence Archbold, early in their college career since the theory and history courses follow one another in a preferred sequence. 72 credits are required for a major in music. All majors must take the following core courses:
- 18 credits: Music Theory (200, 201, 202)
- 12 credits: Music History (211, 312)
- 6 credits: Ethnomusicology (140, 141, 243, 245, 246, 247 or 248)
- 6 credits: Composition (220; 285/286 cannot substitute for 220)
- 6 credits: Music of the Twentieth-Century I/II (203/303)
- 2 credits: Music Major Colloquium (398)
- 4 credits: Integrative Exercise (400)
- 8 credits: Applied Music (385, 386 or 299)
- 4 credits: Ensemble Participation (from 185-187, 189-195), of which at least 2 credits are in one of the following conducted ensembles: 185, 186, 187, 189, 190.
- 6 credits: Music Electives (from any Music course, including lessons and ensembles, except First-Year Seminars).
Juried Lessons for the Music Major
Music 385/386
- Majors must complete eight (8) credits of Juried Lessons for the Major (385/386). Majors register for these courses regardless of which instrument or voice they elect to satisfy this requirement.
- All eight (8) credits must be on the same instrument or voice and must be taken for a letter grade only (no S/CR/NC allowed).
- A minimum of one term must be at the 4-credit level.
- Students will be assessed twice: before and after instruction by the private instructor and at least one full-time faculty member who is not the student’s private instructor. Each major will pursue a course of study tailored to the major’s specific needs.
- Based on the major’s ability level at the start the course, the first initial assessment will define the expectations for the amount of work and progress the major must achieve. Students perform for the two faculty members involved for approximately ten minutes, followed by a discussion leading to the completion of the first half of the Juried Lessons for the Music Major Assessment Form.
- Recital (299) may be taken in lieu of 4 credits of Juried Lessons for the Major (385/386), a requirement for the major.
- Composition (285/286) does not satisfy this requirement.
- Students are encouraged to complete these 8 credits in consecutive terms.
Performance Requirement
Every music major must, at least on one occasion, give a public performance of a piece he or she has worked on with one of the major's applied music instructors. This performance must be a solo, not a group, performance and might take place during a studio recital or common time recital, a junior or senior solo recital, or some other event sponsored by the Music Department.In addition to the minimal performance requirements in the core curriculum, students are strongly urged to pursue additional applied study and further participation in a performing organization and/or the chamber music program. Since modest ability at the keyboard is helpful in most areas of music study, achieving piano proficiency is strongly recommended.