Requirements for the Major and Minor in Music
All course descriptions can be found in the Registrar's Organization, Regulations, and Courses (ORC) Catalog.
Music Major
Requirements: Students must fulfill the prerequisites (see 1 below) and take at least nine additional courses (see 2–6 below). MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not count toward these nine additional courses.
- Prerequisites: MUS 20 and MUS 25. MUS 20 may be exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam. MUS 20 and MUS 25 may both be exempted by an exam administered by the music department.
- Music Theory: Minimum of two courses from MUS 21–29 except MUS 25.
- Time, Place, Culture: Minimum of two courses from MUS 40–49.
- Individual Instruction Program (IIP): Minimum of one course from MUS 53–58 or MUS 60–68. A course within this requirement may be repeated for additional major credit up to four times.
- Ensemble Performance: MUS 50, MUS 59, or participation for at least three terms in a Hopkins Center music ensemble. A course within this requirement may be repeated for additional major credit up to four times.
- Culminating Experience: Participation in the music department’s culminating experience program during the senior year. The senior class advisor in music will coordinate the culminating experience. Beginning in AY2019-20, music majors will be required to take the music Proseminar (MUS 99) to fulfill the culminating experience.
- Keyboard Proficiency: Passing MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the Music Department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.
Modified Major
Requirements: This major shall be a music major modified with courses from another department. Modified majors must be approved by the department chair. Students shall take at least 6 courses in addition to fulfilling the minimum prerequisites. MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not count toward these 6 courses.
- Prerequisites: MUS 20 and MUS 25. MUS 20 may be exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam. MUS 20 and MUS 25 may both be exempted by an exam administered by the music department.
- Music Theory: Minimum of one course from MUS 21–29 except MUS 25.
- Performance or Composition: Minimum of one course from MUS 30-39 or MUS 50–59.
- Culminating Experience: Participation in the music department’s culminating experience program during the senior year. The senior class advisor in music will coordinate the culminating experience. Beginning in AY2019-20, music majors will be required to take the music Proseminar (MUS 99) to fulfill the culminating experience.
- Keyboard Proficiency: Passing MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the music department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.
Music Minor
Requirements: Students shall take a minimum 6 courses in addition to fulfilling the prerequisite. MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not count toward these 6 courses.
- Prerequisite: MUS 20 or MUS 25. MUS 20 may be exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam. MUS 20 and MUS 25 may both be exempted by an exam administered by the music department.
- Music Theory: Minimum of two courses from MUS 21–29 except MUS 25.
- Time, Place, Culture: Minimum of one course from MUS 40–49.
- Performance: Minimum of one course from MUS 50–59.
Example Major Concentration Pathways
The following pathways act as a guide to students who wish to concentrate on A) Composition and Sonic Arts; B) Time, Place, Culture; or C) Performance. These pathways are informative in that they each show one way to fulfill the requirements for the music major above. Other pathways are possible, and students should work with the chair or a designated faculty advisor to devise their major plan.
A. Composition & Sonic Arts Pathway
The following courses are recommended for students who, when fulfilling electives for the music major, wish to concentrate on creating acoustic and/or electronic contemporary music.
Recommended courses:
Introductory: MUS 2 or MUS 8
Theory: MUS 26–29
Electives: MUS 30–39
Ensemble Performance: Contemporary Music Laboratory (MUS 50.2)
B. Time, Place, & Culture Pathway
The following courses are recommended for students who, when fulfilling electives for the Music Major, wish to concentrate on historical, cultural, critical, theoretical, and analytical studies of musical repertoire.
Recommended courses:
Introductory: MUS 4 or MUS 6
Electives: MUS 2–5, MUS 10–12, MUS 40–49
C. Performance Pathway
The following courses are recommended for students who, when fulfilling electives for the Music Major, wish to concentrate on vocal or instrumental performance.
Recommended courses:
Introductory: MUS 4 or MUS 6
Electives: Performance labs (MUS 50), conducting (MUS 52), individual instruction program (MUS 53-58), ensemble performance (MUS 59), advanced performance instruction (MUS 60-69), special study in music abroad (MUS 87).