Performing Arts, Music Concentration, BA

Students who elect a music concentration will demonstrate a mastery in the following five areas:

Aural literacy-defined as an ability to recognize the elements of musical language: pitch, rhythm, and harmony, and the ability to manipulate those elements in a coherent manner
Stylistic literacy-the ability to recognize, analyze, and understand the genesis of the major stylistic periods
Instrumental literacy-the ability to perform music in an expressive and stylistically appropriate manner at a reasonably advanced level
Ensemble ability-the ability to work cooperatively towards a musical/interpretive goal with other musician
Writing skills-the ability to write cogently about music

Requirements for the Major

Requirements for the major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

Students must take a combination of MU 360 and MU 361 five times. MU 360 may only be taken once.
Students must take 5 ensembles (as listed in note 3)
Students must take an additional three credits of lessons, ensembles, or DR 375 (with permission of the department chair)

Students are required to complete four additional MU 300-level or 400-level electives.

A typical program of courses for a major are as follows:

Music majors must complete Applied Music Lessons (MU 360 and/or MU 361 ) and Ensembles totaling a minimum of 17.5 credits, with at least 7 credits in Applied Music Lessons and 7.5 credits in Ensembles. 1.5 credits of Ensembles may be fulfilled by participation in a Musical production (DR 375 ) by permission of the department chair.
MU 361 is available only to students who have declared a Performing Arts Comprehensive concentration, Performing Arts Music concentration, or Performing Arts Music minor.
Ensemble requirements are satisfied by Jazz Ensemble I and II (MU 211 , MU 311 ), Chamber Ensemble I and II (MU 220 , MU 320 ), Concert Choir I and II (MU 221 , MU 321 ), Guitar Ensemble I and II (MU 230 , MU 330 ), Steel Pan Ensemble I and II (MU 231 , MU 331 ), Jazz Combo (MU 323 ) or Cantorei (MU 327 ).
Musicianship I and II, Applied Music Lessons, and Ensembles are taken in addition to the regular course load since they are not three credit courses. A combined total of six credits from these courses fulfill requirement towards graduation. Students register for these courses during the regular registration period.
Students who wish to major in music may also minor in secondary education. These students should consult with the music and education faculty to discuss course requirements.
Students must complete the diversity core requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Core Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).