Department of Music : Undergraduate Program

The Department of Music offers two majors, one in music performance, requiring thirty-eight hours, and a second in music in liberal arts, requiring forty hours. Students who choose one of these majors may not choose the other as a second major. Both majors include a basic curriculum of music theory (MUS 171, 172, 173, 174, sixteen hours) and music history (MUS 181, 182, 183, nine hours), and four semesters of MUS 100.

Major in Music in Liberal Arts.

In addition to the basic curriculum, the major in music in liberal
arts requires three hours of individual instruction (MUS 161 or 162), three hours of ensembles (excluding MUS 128 and 129), taken in three semesters; seven hours of elective courses in music—excluding ensembles and MUS 101, 104, 109, 131, 161-162, 165-168, 175, 177, 262—and a performance proficiency examination. The major in music in liberal arts must complete a senior project (MUS 397 or 398). To undertake the senior project, a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 in courses in the major.

Major in Music Performance.

To be admitted to the major in music performance, a student must first successfully complete MUS 171 and then pass an audition before the entire music faculty.

The audition should be completed during the sophomore year in order to fulfill during the third and fourth years the number of hours above the 100-level required of the performance major. Students who audition are required to (1) demonstrate technical skill when appropriate to the instrument, (2) perform standard repertoire, and (3) sight-read. All of the required areas must be deemed strong enough by a majority vote of the faculty for the student to be accepted
as a major in music performance. In addition to the basic curriculum, the major in music performance requires six hours of individual instruction above the 100 level (MUS 262 and either 362 or 363), which require as a prerequisite the successful completion of an audition; four hours of ensembles (excluding MUS 119, 128, and 129), taken in four semesters; and three hours of elective courses in music, excluding ensembles and MUS 101, 104, 109, 131, 161-162, 165-168, 175, 177, 262. The major in music performance must present a senior recital. To undertake the senior recital, a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 in courses in the major.

Students considering a major in music performance or music in liberal arts are urged to begin their musical studies during the first year and should consult the chair of the department as soon as possible after entering the University.

Honors.

Highly qualified majors in music performance or music in liberal arts may be invited by the music faculty to apply for admission to honors in music. To be graduated with the designation

“Honors in Music,” a candidate must have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0, and a grade point average of at least 3.5 in courses in the major, be selected for this honor by the music faculty, and successfully complete either MUS 363 or 398. More information is available from the music department.

A minor in music requires nineteen hours: MUS 171, 172; one course from MUS 181, 182, 183; two hours of ensemble (excluding MUS 128, 129), taken in two semesters; two hours of individual instruction; three semesters of MUS 100; and four hours of elective courses in music, three of which must be in music in liberal arts, excluding MUS 100, 101, 104, and 109. Each minor is assigned an adviser in the music department and is encouraged to begin individual lessons, MUS 171, and MUS 100 as early as possible.

Ensemble requirements for the majors and minor in music, students who are singers must fulfill the ensemble requirement by enrolling in MUS 114, 115 and/or 116. Students who play a band or orchestral instrument must fulfill the ensemble requirement by performing on their primary instrument in MUS 112, 113, 118, and/or 121. Performers on keyboard instruments are strongly encouraged to enroll in one of the above ensembles, but may also fulfill the ensemble requirement through participation in chamber music (MUS 120).