Music Program

The Bachelor of Arts in music degree is designed for students preparing for a career in music with a strong liberal arts background. Graduates with Bachelor of Arts degrees typically apply to graduate schools or set up private teaching studios.

There are eight areas of concentration available within the B.A. program: piano, organ, voice, instrumental, sacred music, jazz studies, theory or composition.

Students take the following core music classes:

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in music

Required courses:
Designed for music majors and minors and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Music core course.
A study of the rudiments of music and their notation. Harmonization of melodies and basses with fundamental triads. Aspects of form and analysis. Music core course.
A study of diatonic tonal harmony, including all triads and seventh chords, nonharmonic material and elementary modulation. Aspects of form and analysis. Music core course.
The singing and aural recognition of intervals, scales, triads and simple harmonic progressions. Music core course.
A continuation of MSC 117, emphasizing clef reading, modality, modulation and more complicated rhythmic devices and harmonic patterns. Music core course.
A study of chromatic tonal harmony, including secondary dominants, augmented sixth chords, tertian extensions, altered chords and advanced modulation. Aspects of form and analysis. Music core course.
A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
A continuation of MSC 118, emphasizing chromatic materials and more complex modulations, chord types, rhythms and meters. Music core course.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from early music through the Baroque era. Music core course.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from the classical period to the present. Music core course.
Principles of conducting and baton technique. Students conduct ensembles derived from class personnel. Music core course.
A study through analysis and listening of simple and compound forms, variations, contrapuntal forms, rondo and sonata forms. Emphasis is placed primarily upon structural content. The course provides experience and skill in both aural and visual analysis. Music core course.
Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply.
† indicates a required course

Along with the following based on their concentration:

Piano Concentration

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
A survey of the development of the piano and its literature with emphasis on piano methods books and related materials.
Score reading and the realization of figured bass at the keyboard, transposition and improvisation.
A practical course that explores fundamental principles necessary to be an effective piano teacher. Subjects include practice techniques, memorization and the selection of appropriate technical materials for both beginners and advanced students. Laboratory teaching may be required of the student.
Under the guidance of piano instructor, the piano concentration student prepares accompaniments for recital performance. One credit per semester is given for one solo recital or two half recitals. A maximum of two credits, usually distributed over the last three years, may be earned.
† indicates a required course

Voice Concentration

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
An introduction to the pronunciation of singer?s English, German, French, Italian and Latin, utilizing the International Phonetic Alphabet. Required of voice concentration majors, the course is open to other students with permission of the instructor.
A survey of solo vocal literature with emphasis on teaching repertoire. Extensive listening is required. Students may have opportunities to perform the works studied.
This course prepares the advanced voice student to teach private lessons at the secondary school level. Students are expected to develop vocal exercise procedures, become familiar with suitable teaching repertoire and apply teaching procedures in a laboratory situation. Selected writings in vocal pedagogy and voice therapy will be studied.
† indicates a required course

Instrumental Concentration

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
Emphasis on practical work with instrumental groups. Rehearsal techniques are applied through individual experience.
A survey of teaching materials that relate to the student's performance area. Students may be expected to apply teaching procedures in a laboratory situation.
A survey of literature (solo and chamber) that relate to the student's performance area.
A study of instrumentation and the devices and techniques for scoring transcriptions, arrangements and solos for orchestra and band, with special emphasis on practical scoring for mixed ensembles as they occur in public schools. Laboratory analysis and performance. Scoring of original works.
† indicates a required course

Organ Concentration

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
Score reading and the realization of figured bass at the keyboard, transposition and improvisation.
A historical survey of representative organ literature from earliest times to the present day.
Designed with a practial focus, this course surveys various methods of organ teaching. Laboratory teaching and selection of appropriate technical materials for all levels are included.
† indicates a required course

Sacred Music Concentration

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
Emphasis is on advanced technique with and without baton, score prepareation, interpretation and pedagogy relating to choral organizations.
A course that acquaints students with the church music program. Includes the development of a choir program, methods and techniques of rehearsal, budget preparation, and committee and pastoral relationships.
† indicates a required course
One of
A study of literature, materials and approaches appropriate for choral and general music classes in grades 5-12.
A historical survey of representative organ literature from earliest times to the present day.

Theory Concentration

The theory concentration students will take 530 private applied each semester. Theory concentration students will also take at least one 530 individual instruction theory credit in the senior year.

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
Introductory work in strict conterpoint through three- and four-part work in all the species.
An advanced course in analysis, focusing on the methodologies and concepts of music design originated by the Austrian theorist Heinrich Schenker. Emphasis is placed on the appropriate use of symbols and terminology in the reading and construction of graphs of complete tonal compositions.
A study of instrumentation and the devices and techniques for scoring transcriptions, arrangements and solos for orchestra and band, with special emphasis on practical scoring for mixed ensembles as they occur in public schools. Laboratory analysis and performance. Scoring of original works.
Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply.
† indicates a required course

Jazz Concentration

Students in the jazz studies concentration will take 530 private applied each semester. They will also take at least three credits of 530 jazz studies starting in the junior year.

A historical survey of U.S. music emphasizing stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples from colonial times to the present. Includes American musical theater, jazz, folk and popular styles.
A study of jazz theory, including notation, extended chords, improvision and practice.
A study of instrumentation and the devices and techniques for scoring transcriptions, arrangements and solos for orchestra and band, with special emphasis on practical scoring for mixed ensembles as they occur in public schools. Laboratory analysis and performance. Scoring of original works.
Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply.
† indicates a required course

Composition Concentration

The composition concentration students will take 530 private applied each semester. Composition concentration students will also take at least four credits of 530 individual instruction composition starting no later than the junior year.

A study of 20th-century compositional techniques, including modal and whole-tone materials, quartal harmony, polychords, atonality, serialism and various rhythmic and metric procedures. Aspects of form and analysis.
Introductory work in strict conterpoint through three- and four-part work in all the species.
An advanced course in analysis, focusing on the methodologies and concepts of music design originated by the Austrian theorist Heinrich Schenker. Emphasis is placed on the appropriate use of symbols and terminology in the reading and construction of graphs of complete tonal compositions.
A study of instrumentation and the devices and techniques for scoring transcriptions, arrangements and solos for orchestra and band, with special emphasis on practical scoring for mixed ensembles as they occur in public schools. Laboratory analysis and performance. Scoring of original works.
Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply.
† indicates a required course

Music Minor

Required courses:
Designed for music majors and minors and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Music core course.
For music minors and non-music majors, an introduction to the rudiments of music: notation, key signatures, theory, aural theory and so forth.
† indicates a required course

Three from

For the non-music major, a survey of Western music designed to increase the individual's musical perception.
Designed primarily for the non-music major, the course will focus on genre and period studies.
A historical survey of U.S. music emphasizing stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples from colonial times to the present. Includes American musical theater, jazz, folk and popular styles.
A general introduction to musical styles, compositional practices, and aesthetics of specific people groups within the Americas, Asia, and Africa. It discusses traditional, popular, and art music styles, and presents music intimately tied to value systems and social practice.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from early music through the Baroque era. Music core course.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from the classical period to the present. Music core course.
An advanced course in music history. Beginning with late-19th-century musical developments, the course continues chronologically through the 20th century. Designed for music majors and interested non-majors who read music well.
Voice, Piano, Orchestral and Band Instruments; Jazz studies; theory; composition. Additional fees apply.

Participation in any music ensemble for four semesters.