B.A. in Music

Requirements for the Major

This program approaches the study of music as one of the liberal arts. This means that students develop their understanding of music through Critical Studies in Music and Sound (CSMS — which includes cultural studies, aesthetics, musicology, and ethnomusicology), theory and analysis, Composition and Computer Technology (CCT), and development of skills in musicianship and performance in a range of possible genres and styles.

To fulfill the requirements for a major in music, a student must complete at least 32 credits of course work. Note that a student may not use the same course to satisfy more than one requirement. For example, a student may use MUSI 4710 Instrumental Conducting to satisfy either an elective requirement or the performance requirement, but not both. No course receiving a grade lower than C- will count toward major requirements.

Though students can complete the music major in their final two years of college, it is good to begin taking major-level courses earlier. Most 3000-level MUSI courses have minimal prerequisites and thus are suitable as introductory major-level courses.

Students planning careers in music should try to complete at least 12 credits of advanced departmental course work beyond the minimum major requirements, choosing these courses in careful consultation with their major advisor. In addition, advanced performing students should perform a full recital or comparable performance in their genre in their fourth year.

Eligible students may apply for a Performance Concentration for their third and fourth years. Successful applicants must already be taking, or be eligible to take, lessons at the 3000 level, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. In addition to the requirements for the BA in Music, students in the Performance Concentration must take 21 additional credits in advanced musical performance.

The Distinguished Major Project in Music allows outstanding music majors to work on large-scale projects during their last two semesters at the University, such as a recital, a thesis, a composition, or some combination of these. Students take three credits of independent study each semester (these do not count towards the 32-credit Major). Students completing projects may receive the B.A. with Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction in Music, provided the cumulative university GPA at graduation is 3.4 or above.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences, whether music majors or not, may apply up to 16 performance credits in music, of which 8 cre its must be drawn from 3000-level courses and above, toward the 120 credits required for graduation from the College. In addition, students completing Distinguished Major Projects in Music may earn an additional 4 performance credits, potentially counting 20 credits toward graduation.

I. Introductory Course – 3 cr.

An introductory course appropriate to the student's plan of study. Examples include but are not limited to:

MUSI 2090 (Sound Studies: The Art and Experience of Listening)
MUSI 3050 (Music and Discourse)
MUSI 3380 (Introduction to Composition)
MUSI 3390 (Introduction to Music & Computers)

II. Three Core Courses – 9 cr.

1. Theory — One course, MUSI 3310 (Theory I) or with advisor permission a theory course appropriate to the student's plan of study (3 cr.). Examples include but are not limited to:

MUSI 3320 (Theory II)
MUSI 3321 (Music Theory for Popular Music)
MUSI 3330 (The Classical Style: Form in Tonal Music)
MUSI 4310 (Theory III)
MUSI 3120 (Jazz Studies)

2. CSMS — One course (3 cr.). Examples include but are not limited to:

MUSI 3010 (Studies in Early Modern Music [1500-1700])
MUSI 3020 (Studies in Eighteenth-Century Music)
MUSI 3030 (Studies in Nineteenth-Century Music)
MUSI 3040 (Studies in Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music)
MUSI 3050 (Music and Discourse)
MUSI 3070 (Introduction to Musical Ethnography)
MUSI 3080 (American Music)
MUSI 3090 (Performance in Africa)
MUSI 3120 (Jazz Studies)
MUSI 3510 (Music and Community Engagement)
MUSI 4065 (The Black Voice)
MUSI 4508 (American Music)
MUSI 4523 (Issues in Ethnomusicology)
MUSI 4525 (Topics in Ethnomusicology)

3. CCT — One course (3 cr.). Examples include but are not limited to:

MUSI 3370 (Songwriting)
MUSI 3380 (Introduction to Composition)
MUSI 3390 (Introduction to Music and Computers)
MUSI 3400 (Ecoacoustics)
MUSI 3372 (Writing Rap)
MUSI 3374 (Composing Mixtapes)
MUSI 3376 (Make Beats)
MUSI 4543 (Sound Studio)
MUSI 4545 (Computer Applications in Music)
MUSI 4581 (Composition I)

III. Performance

1. Musicianship — 2 credits

MUSI 3332, 3334, 3336, or 4533 (Advanced Musicianship)

2. Performance — 3–7 credits. Any courses listed under the mnemonic MUBD, MUEN or MUPF may count toward this requirement. Other courses satisfying this requirement include academic courses with performance emphasis. Examples include:

MUSI 2302 or 2304 (Keyboard Skills)
MUSI 2306 (Fretboard Harmony)
MUSI 2307 or 3307 (Play Guitar!)
MUSI 2308 (Voice Class)
MUSI 2309 (Group Voice Class—Popular Music)
MUSI 2340, 2342, or 3342 (Learn to Groove)
MUSI 2600 (Jazz Improvisation)
MUSI 3090 (Performance in Africa)
MUSI 4710 or 4720 (Instrumental Conducting)
MUSI 4750 or 4760 (Choral Conducting)

IV. Electives