Learning Goals

Students majoring in Music will:

1. Develop the ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, and form.
2. Develop an understanding of and the ability to read and realize a range of musical notation styles.
3. Become familiar with a wide array of musical styles and genres and their cultural and historical sources.
4. Develop the ability to theoretically analyze a variety of musics.
5. Hone skills in basic music writing, creation, and composition.
6. Expand their skill level in researching and writing critically about music.
7. Develop skills of collaborative musicianship through participation in ensemble contexts or applied study.
8. Work with and understand music technology and computers in the context of composition, songwriting, and historical practice.

Music department offerings are designed to provide an understanding of music through a study of music history, culture, theory, technology, and creation, as well as performance opportunities. The curriculum is designed to integrate musicology, music theory, music technology, and music creation across a range of musical genres and styles, while providing ensemble and applied music instruction as a basis for connecting practical and analytical aspects of the discipline. Students who complete a music major can pursue graduate study but can also apply their knowledge of music to performing arts administration, music therapy, sound engineering, and music business applications.

Requirements for Majors

All students majoring in music will:

• Take core coursework in each of three concentration areas of music studies—music theory & cognition, music history & culture, and music technology & creation.
• Take additional coursework in one self-selected concentration area to deepen their understanding and skills in this area.
• Complete their degree with a capstone project in their concentration area.
• Participate in four semesters of either ensemble performance or applied lesson study.
• Attend two departmental concerts each semester following their major declaration.

A major in Music consists of 40 credits in both academic (36 hours) and applied/ensemble (4 hours) music courses.

• Two semesters (8 semester hours) of Music Theory courses: MUS-221 and 222W.
• Two semesters (8 semester hours) of Music History & Culture courses: MUS-205 and 206.
• Two semesters (8 semester hours) of Music Technology & Creation courses: MUS-226 and either MUS-227 or 321.
• One elective course in the student’s chosen concentration area (4 semester hours) at the 300-level.
• One elective course from any concentration area (4 semester hours).
• Either MUS-401 or 491 (4 semester hours). MUS-401 is the major capstone and must be taken in the student’s chosen concentration area. MUS-491 is reserved for Honors Research and may be substituted for MUS-401 with permission of department chair.
• Four semesters (4 semester hours) of music ensemble and/or applied music chosen from the following: MUS-00X, MUS-01X, MUS-02X, 03X, 04X, 05X, or 06X. Students may only count one credit per semester towards this requirement for a total of two years of ensemble participation.

*MUS-222W, MUS-305W, MUS-306W, or MUS-326W will fulfill the writing-intensive (W) requirement.

*MUS-401 will fulfill the oral presentation requirement as all students enrolled will present their research at an end-of-year symposium.

Requirements for Minor

A minor concentration in music consists of a minimum of five courses in music, with coursework taken in each concentration area.

Requirements include:

• One course (MUS-221) from the music theory & cognition concentration area.
• One course from the music history & culture concentration area.
• One course (MUS-226) from the music technology & creation concentration area.
• Two additional courses selected from any concentration area.
• One course MUST be chosen from the 300-level.