Music Major

Requirements for the Major

A major in Music requires a minimum of 10 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 131 SC ,  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 from MUS 066 SC , MUS 103 SC , MUS 104 SC , MUS111 SC   MUS 112 SC  , MUS 118 SC ,  MUS 119 SC , MUS 120 SC , MUS 121 SC , MUS 123 SC , MUS 126 SC  , MUS 130 SC , MUS 131 SC  in consultation with major advisor. 

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 111 SC, MUS 110B SC, MUS 112 SC, MUS 118 SC ,  MUS 119 SC , MUS 120 SC , MUS 121 SC , MUS 123 SC , MUS 126 SC  , MUS 130 SC , MUS 131 SC  in consultation with major advisor 

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 111 SC, MUS 112 SC, MUS 118 SC, MUS 119 SC , MUS 120 SC , MUS 121 SC , MUS 123 SC , MUS 126 SC  , MUS 130 SC , MUS 131 SC   or other music courses chosen in consultation with major advisor
• One-hour weekly applied lessons during the junior year and the first semester of senior year (MUS 170F SC Voice , MUS180F SC , 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 111 SC, MUS 112 SC, MUS 118 SC, MUS 119 SC , MUS 120 SC , MUS 121 SC , MUS 123 SC , MUS 126 SC  , MUS 130 SC , MUS 131 SC   or other music course) - chosen in consultation with major advisor
• 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 advisor.

• A grade point average of 3.67 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.