Music Major in the Course Program
The music major curriculum normally includes the following components. Every student’s program is subject to approval by music faculty, taking into consideration the student's background and goals. We welcome individualized proposals, which are evaluated and approved on the basis of consultations with the music faculty. We emphasize the importance of depth and mastery of musical skills and understanding, and we also recognize the value of studying the diversity of musical cultures.
For more information please see the catalog.
| Course Major | Minimum number of required courses: | Eligible Courses: |
| Music Theory: | 3 | Music 11*, 12*, and 13* |
| Musicianship: | four semesters | Music 40a*, 40b*, 40c*, and 40d* |
| Upper level Music Theory elective: | 1 | Music 14, Music 016, Music 115, or other upper level theory |
| Music History: | 2 | Music 20, 21, 22(W), 23(W) |
| Ethnomusicology: | 1 | Music 002C, 003B, 005A, 005F, 006C, 006D, 007A, 008A, 008B, 009B, 010, 029, 031, or 100. Additional courses in Ethnomusicology with approval of the Dept. Chair |
| Senior Comprehensive: | 1 | Music 94* |
| Ensemble : | four semesters | Chinese Music Ensemble, Chorus/Garnet Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Taiko, Wind Ensemble, Gamelan |
| Elective: | 1 | Any course, upper or lower level, in Music History and Literature, Ethnomusicology, Music Theory, Conduction and Orchestration, or Composition. May include Dance or Theater with Dept. approval |
| Keyboard Proficiency: | Keyboard exam* Please note: Beginning with the class of 2026, successful completion of MUSI 012 will satisfy this requirement. | |
| * Required |
Credit/No Credit Policy
Courses taken during the first semester of the first year are taken CR/NC for all students. After that semester, students majoring in music may elect to take at most one (1) upper-level music course and one (1) course in the Music 40A, B, C, D musicianship sequence as credit/no credit and must receive a recorded grade of CR. The senior comprehensive project (Music 94) cannot be taken credit/no credit.
