Music Major

Major Requirements

A major will consist of 40 semester hours in classroom courses, plus studio instruction, ensemble participation and piano for proficiency.

Music majors whose primary advisor is not a music faculty member should establish an informal advisor in music; the complexity of major requirements necessitates regular review of one’s progress toward the major.

Proficiency as needed, and completion of the senior project/recital.

MUSI 113 , or admission to a higher level within the theory program, is considered entrance into the program. Both MUSI 113  and MUSI 114  should be taken during the first year if possible, and no later than the second year, since these courses are prerequisites for most of the other required music courses. History-literature courses should begin after completion of MUSI 113  and MUSI 114 .

The major in music must include:

• MUSI 113 , MUSI 114 , MUSI 213 , MUSI 314 , MUSI 342 , MUSI 343 . Additional music electives may be substituted for MUSI 113  and MUSI 114  if a student can demonstrate equivalent competency.
• One approved Music History/Literature elective
• One course in the history and/or theory of non-Western music.
• Approved electives for at least 8 additional credits (up to 4 credits may be the senior capstone)
• Studio instruction on the primary instrument or in voice during each semester of residence as a major
• Ensemble performance during each semester of residence as a major, with at least 4 semesters in a “large” ensemble (see Music Ensembles)
• A senior capstone project in music
• Piano for proficiency Exam (MUSI 99 )

A normal music major track for course work will be:

• year 1: MUSI 113 , MUSI 114 , and elective
• year 2: MUSI 213 , MUSI 314 , one of MUSI 342 , MUSI 343 , electives
• year 3 and 4: two of MUSI 342 , MUSI 343 , electives, senior project
• (with careful planning, a music major can be completed in 3 years)