Music Major

Requirements for the Major

A major in Music requires a minimum of 12 courses plus senior thesis or a recital. The Music Department offers various paths of study of music. Students may choose among four concentrations:

1. Music History and Music Theory;
2. Ethnomusicology;
3. Performance; and
4. Composition

Core Requirements

• MUS 066 SC  World Music or MUS 112 SC  Introduction to Ethnomusicology
• MUS 071 SC  Musicianship I 
• MUS 101 SC  Music Theory I 
• MUS 110A SC  or MUS 110B SC  Music in Western Civilization  
• Two semesters of ensemble (MUS 172 SC , MUS 173 JM , MUS 175 JM , MUS 176 JM ), or upon approval, a different credited type of ensemble elsewhere in the consortium, for equivalent credit (e.g., Concert Band, Jazz Band, Gamelan). 

1. Music History and Music Theory Concentration

Additional Requirements

• MUS 072 SC  Musicianship II
• MUS 102 SC  Music Theory II
• Either MUS 103 SC  Music Theory III or MUS 104 SC  Music Literature and Analysis Since 1900 
• Additional Music History in Western Civilization course (MUS 110A SC , MUS 110B SC )
• Two music elective courses chosen in consultation with major adviser 

2. Ethnomusicology Concentration

Additional Requirements

• MUS 102 SC  Music Theory II, or MUS 003 SC  for students with no prior music theory background
• ANTH002 SC  Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology 
• ANTH105 SC  Field Methods in Anthropology (prerequisite: ANTH002; and MUS 066 or MUS 112)
• Four elective courses, two of which must be chosen from MUS 066 SC, MUS 103 SC, MUS 104 SC, MUS 110A SC, MUS 110B SC, MUS 118 SC, MUS 132 SC in consultation with major adviser 

3. Performance Concentration

Prerequisite: Approval of performance concentration status by full music faculty and teacher of performance area by the end of sophomore year.

Additional Requirements

• MUS 072 SC  Musicianship II
• MUS 102 SC  Music Theory II
• Either MUS 103 SC  Music Theory III or MUS 104 SC  Music Literature and Analysis Since 1900 
• Additional Music History in Western Civilization course (MUS 110A SC , MUS 110B SC )
• Two music elective courses (MUS 066 SC, MUS 103 SC, MUS 104 SC, MUS 112 SC, MUS 118 SC, MUS 132 SC or other music courses chosen in consultation with major adviser
• One-hour weekly applied lessons during the junior year and the first semester of senior year (MUS 170F SC Voice , MUS 171F SC Piano , MUS 177F SC Violin , or on an instrument other than piano, violin, or voice elsewhere in the consortium)  
• MUS 189 SC  Junior Recital

4. Composition Concentration

Additional Requirements

• MUS 072 SC  Musicianship II
• MUS 102 SC  Music Theory II
• MUS 103 SC  Music Theory III 
• MUS 104 SC  Music Literature and Analysis Since 1900 
• Additional Music History in Western Civilization course (MUS 110A SC , MUS 110B SC )
• One music elective course (MUS 066 SC, MUS 103 SC, MUS 112 SC, MUS 118 SC, MUS 132 SC or other music courses chosen in consultation with major adviser
• Two semesters of composition lessons prior to the senior thesis (1.0-2.0 credits)

Senior Requirement for each concentration

MUS 191 SC Senior Thesis  

1. Music History and Theory Concentration: Research project with written thesis
2. Ethnomusicology Concentration: Ethnographic research project written thesis
3. Performance Concentration: Senior recital with written program notes (50 minutes of music minimum)
4. Composition Concentration: Composition recital and portfolio (30 minutes of composition minimum

Honors Requirements

The Music Department confers honors in music on outstanding students who exhibit excellence in scholarly research/composition/performance. A student who wishes to be considered for honors should discuss it with the thesis adviser.

• A GPA of 11.0 (A-) in the music major.
• One additional music elective course.
• An honors-quality thesis with a grade of A or A-.

Note

It is strongly suggested that students who wish to pursue graduate studies in music take both MUS 103 SC  and MUS 104 SC , both MUS 110A SC  and MUS 110B SC , and MUS 112 SC , as well as additional electives.