About the Program
Professors: Lydia Ledeen, Norman Lowrey (chair), Garyth Nair
Assistant Professors: Leslie Sprout
Lecturers: Ellis Hilton (adjunct), Adam Vidiksis (adjunct)
The expression of ideas and emotions through music is integral to every culture. To understand music is to understand the essence of humanity. Music extends one's comprehension of history and society while also providing preparation for a career. The broadly educated musician is in demand in the recording industry, education, theatre, film, television, and radio.
Faculty members work closely with students to create a curriculum integrating the study of music history, theory/composition, and performance practices. Performance opportunities include the University Chorale, the University Chamber Orchestra, the University Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Flute Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, chamber ensembles, and the Madrigal Singers as well as private study in keyboard, voice, woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments.
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Requirements for the Major (46 Credits)
I. Required Courses (12 credits)
MUS 27, 28/Tonal Harmony I, II (4, 4)
MUS 199/Senior Project: Seminar (4)
II. At least one course (4 credits) from the following:
MUS 31/World of Opera and the Musical Theatre (4)
MUS 33/Music of the Whole Earth (4)
MUS 34/American Popular Music and All That Jazz (4)
MUS 36/Women and Music (4)
MUS 40/Music in the American Century (4)
MUS 55/Selected Studies in Music (4)
III. At least three courses (12 credits) from the following:
MUS 101/Music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Eras (4)
MUS 103/Music of the Classic and Romantic Eras (4)
MUS 111/Music of the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries (4)
MUS 115/Style Analysis (4)
MUS 141/Topics in Music History (4)
IV. At least two courses (8 credits) from the following:
MUS 46/Counterpoint (4)
MUS 60/Music Composition (may be repeated for credit) (4)
MUS 124/Techniques of 20th-Century Composition (4)
MUS 134/Orchestration (4)
MUS 137/Electronic Music Composition I (4)
V. At least 10 credits of music performance chosen from the following, subject to the credit limitations shown in brackets:
MUS 9/Instrumental or Vocal Instruction (1) [up to 4 credits]
MUS 15/Chorale (2) [up to 8 credits]
MUS 17/Madrigal Singers (1) [up to 4 credits]
MUS 22/University Chamber Orchestra (2) [up to 4 credits]
MUS 23/Introduction to Conducting (4)
MUS 24/Selected Ensembles (1) [up to 4 credits]
MUS 30/Techniques of the Voice (4)
MUS 52/Piano Studies (4)
MUS 125/Advanced Instrumental or Vocal Instruction (2) [up to 8 credits]
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Requirements for the Minor (24 Credits)
For a formal minor in music, students must complete at least 24 intermediate- and upper-level credits in music, chosen in consultation with the department to ensure balance among history, performance, and theory.
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Limitation on Degree Credit for Music Performance
At most 16 credits, in any combination, from music instruction and/or performance courses may be counted toward the 128 credits required for the B.A. degree.
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Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
A student with a score of 4 or 5 on the music examination should consult with the department about the possibility of course exemption, which may vary between 3 and 8 credits, depending upon the student's preparation. See pages 15-16 for further information about AP credits.
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