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. The students may be eligible for advanced placement in the major and should consult with the chair of the department. Please note: even in these cased, AP Credit does not count toward the number of courses required for the major.
A minimum of 10 courses is required for a major in music; additional courses are strongly encouraged. Through the integration of theory, history, and performance, the major takes the study of music to an advanced level by focusing on the creation and reception of music in a wide variety of cultural contexts. It is designed to accommodate students with diverse interests and career goals. In planning their electives, students are encouraged to design a program that develops at least one area of individual interest. Many students choose to engage in solo and collaborative performance, creative projects, independent study, and advanced tutorials.
Major Change
The Music Major changed in 2018. For previous versions of this major, visit the Archives.
Requirements for Music Majors in the Class of 2022 and Beyond
3 Theory Courses
- Music Theory 1 (Music 201), with Music Theory 1 Lab (Music 202)
- Music Theory 2 (Music 203) with Music Theory 2 Lab (Music 204)
- Music Theory 3: Advanced Topics (Music 305)
3 History Courses
- History of Western Music 1 (Music 211)
- History of Western Music 2 (Music 212)
- Advanced Topics in Music History (Music 315)
4 Electives*
- Two courses at the 200 level or higher. At least one of these courses must be a classroom experience. The other course may be a classroom experience or a performance experience (MUSC 218/219, 231/232).
- MUSC 218 Jazz/Improvisation 1
- MUSC 219 Jazz/Improvisation 2
- MUSC 231 Music of Bali/Gamelan 1
- MUSC 232 Music of Bali/Gamelan 2
- MUSC 233 World Music
- MUSC 236 From Blues to Rap
- MUSC 241 Intro to Electroacoustic Music
- MUSC 242 Coding Music
- MUSC 260 Gregorian Chant
- MUSC 265 Music of the 20th Century Music
- MUSC 283 Mozart and His World
- MUSC 284 Beethoven and His World
- Two courses at the 300 level or higher. At least one of these courses must be a classroom experience. The other course may be a classroom experience or a performance experience (MUSC 331/332, 431/432, 433/434).
- MUSC 325 Tutorial
- MUSC 331/332 Intermediate Performance 1 & Intermediate Performance 2
- MUSC 425 Tutorial
- MUSC 400 Junior/Senior Seminar
- MUSC 431/432 Intermediate/Adv. Performance 1 & Intermediate/Adv. Performance 2
- MUSC 433/434 Advanced Performance 1 & Advanced Performance 2
- In addition to the courses listed above, the Department offers a variety of unique 300-level seminars with an emphasis on reading, writing, discussion and analysis. Course topics, which vary from year to year, may include the intersection of music and identity, questions of form and genre, or emphasis on an aspect of music and society.
* One of these must be in World Music, Popular Music, Digital/Computer Music, or Jazz at the 200 level or higher.
Performance
- 2 semesters of participation in a department ensemble
- MUSC 110 College Choir
- MUSC 111 Orchestra
- MUSC 112 Jazz Ensemble
- MUSC 113 Wind Ensemble (formally Concert Band)
- MUSC 114 Chamber Music
- MUSC 115 Chamber Singers
- 2 semesters of private lessons on an instrument or voice
- MUSC 105 & MUSC 106 Individual Instruction & Individual Instruction
- MUSC 205 & MUSC 206 Individual Instruction & Individual Instruction
Requirements for Music Majors in the Classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021
(unless students opt into the new major)
Theory Courses
- Theory of Music 1 (Music 201)
- Theory of Music 2 (Music 203/formerly Music 202)
- Theory of Music 3 (Music 301)
- Theory of Music 4 (Music 302)
History Courses
- History of Western Music 1 (Music 211)
- History of Western Music 2 (Music 212)
Electives
- 3 music courses (Music 101 and Music 103 do not count toward the major)
Senior Seminar
- (Music 400) in the spring semester of the fourth year
Study Abroad
Many majors choose to study abroad and up to two electives may be completed abroad with approval, though required theory and history courses may not be taken abroad. All majors who wish to go abroad should consult the department’s study abroad advisor for approval of courses taken abroad to count toward the major.