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  • Music (MSC)/
  • Music, B.A.

Music, B.A.

  • Requirements
  • Honors

Requires 36 hours in music and must include the following courses:

Course List
Code Title Hours
Required Major Courses
MSC 121Music History and Culture I3
MSC 122Music History and Culture II3
Additional Music History and Culture electives3
MSC 131Music Theory I4
MSC 132Music Theory II4
Two Music Theory electives6
MSC 200Music Events (two semesters)0
Select one of the following options:
Option 1: Liberal Arts Concentration
Select one additional Music History and Culture elective or Music Theory elective3
Select three additional elective credits from the following:3
Music History and Culture electives
Music Theory electives
Approved Music electives
MSC 181Individual Instruction2
or MSC 182 Individual Instruction
Music Ensembles *2
One additional performance credit:1
Music Ensembles *
MSC 175
Chamber Music
MSC 181
Individual Instruction
or MSC 182
Individual Instruction
MSC 397Senior Project2-3
or MSC 398 Senior Honors Project
Option 2: Performance Concentration (audition required) **
MSC 382Senior Recital2-3
or MSC 383 Senior Honors Recital
Music Ensembles *4
MSC 181Individual Instruction2
or MSC 182 Individual Instruction
MSC 282Individual Instruction for the Performance Concentration2
Three additional elective credits3
Music History and Culture electives
Music Theory electives
Approved Music electives
MSC 175
Chamber Music (Only 1 semester of MSC 175 credit will count towards electives)
*

The following ensembles satisfy the Music Ensembles requirement for the music major and minor: MSC 140 Orchestra; MSC 141 Wind Ensemble; MSC 142 Jazz Ensemble; MSC 145 Concert Choir; MSC 146 Chamber Choir; and MSC 150 Gamelan Ensemble. Pianists and guitarists are strongly encouraged to enroll in one of the above ensembles, but may also fulfill the ensemble requirement through participation in chamber music (MSC 175F, MSC 175G, MSC 175H).

Singers in the performance concentration must fulfill the ensemble requirement by enrolling in MSC 145 or MSC 146. Students in the performance concentration who play a band or orchestral instrument must fulfill the ensemble requirement by performing on their primary instrument in MSC 140, MSC 141 or MSC 142.

 
**

To be admitted to the concentration in performance for the music major, a student must first successfully complete MSC 131 and at least 2 hrs. in MSC 181 and/or MSC 182 and then pass an audition before the music faculty. Students should consult their MSC 181/MSC 182 individual instructors as soon as possible about specific audition requirements. The audition should be taken by the end of the sophomore year in order to complete the MSC 282 individual instruction prerequisite for the senior recital.

Music History and Culture Electives 

Course List
Code Title Hours
MSC 101Introduction to the Music of World Cultures3
MSC 102Introduction to Modern Popular Music3
MSC 103Introduction to Jazz3
MSC 104Music of Latin America3
MSC 105Performing Arts of Asia3
MSC 106Performing Arts of Bali3
MSC 108American Music3
MSC 109Gender, Sexuality, and Music3
MSC 110History of the Wind Band3
MSC 111History of Musical Theatre3
MSC 112Music and Film3
MSC 113Video Game Music3
MSC 123Special Topics in Music History & Culture3
MSC 240Music of Italy3
MSC 241Music in Vienna3

Music Theory Electives 

Course List
Code Title Hours
MSC 133Music Theory for Western Classical Styles3
MSC 134Music Theory for Popular and Jazz Styles3
MSC 135Advanced Aural and Keyboard Skills3
MSC 139Special Topics in Music Theory3

Approved Music Electives 

Course List
Code Title Hours
MSC 159Improvisation1
MSC 165Music Production and Recording I1.5
MSC 166Music Production and Recording II1.5
MSC 167Alexander Technique for Musical Performers0.5
MSC 168Brass and Woodwind Class0.5
MSC 186Conducting3
MSC 300Senior Seminar in Music2-3

Qualified majors (departmental GPA of 3.3, overall GPA of 3.0) are invited by the department to apply for admission to the honors program in music. To be graduated with the designation “Honors in Music,” a student must successfully complete either a senior honors recital (MSC 383) or a senior honors project (MSC 398). For more information, students should consult any member of the departmental faculty. 

 

2025-2026 Bulletin

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