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.
Prerequisites for acceptance into the music major: Students should have completed a minimum of MUSI 011/040A and one Music History or Ethnomusicology course from the list below to be considered as a music major.
For more information, please see the catalog.
| Course Major | Minimum number of required courses: | Eligible Courses: |
| Music Theory: | 3 | Music 011*, 012*, and 013* |
| Musicianship: | four semesters | Music 040a*, 040b*, 040c*, and 040d* |
| Upper level Music Theory elective: | 1 | Music 014, Music 115, or other upper level theory |
| Music History: | 2 | Music 020(W), 021(W), 022(W), 023(W) or 104. Additional upper level history course with approval of the Dept. Chair |
| Ethnomusicology: | 1 | Music 002A, 002C, 003, 003C, 005A, 006D, 007A, 007C, 008B, 009B, 010, 100, or 109. Additional courses in Ethnomusicology with approval of the Dept. Chair |
| Senior Comprehensive: | 1 | Music 094* |
| Ensemble : | four semesters | Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chorus, Garnet Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Chinese Music Ensemble, Taiko, Gamelan, Critical Mass |
| Elective: | 1 | Any course, upper or lower level, in Music History and Literature, Ethnomusicology, Music Theory, Conducting and Orchestration, or Composition. May include Dance or Theater with Dept. approval |
| Keyboard Proficiency: | Keyboard exam* (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 (any one-credit course numbered MUSI 012 or higher; see below) and one (1) course in the Music 040B, C, D musicianship sequence as credit/no credit and must receive a recorded grade of CR. Any other classes being counted towards the major must be taken for a grade. The senior comprehensive project (Music 94) cannot be taken CR/NC.
List of Upper Level Music Courses
Generally, courses numbered MUSI 012 and above are considered "upper level" courses (excluding musicianship, ensembles and Class Study of Guitar). The following are upper level offerings for 2026 - 2028:
MUSI 012: Harmony, Counterpoint, and Form 2
MUSI 013: Harmony, Counterpoint, and Form 3
MUSI 014: Harmony, Counterpoint, and Form 4
MUSI 017: Introduction to Orchestral Conducting
MUSI 019: Composition
MUSI 020: Medieval/Renaissance Music (W)
MUSI 022: 19th Century Music in Europe and the U.S. (W)
MUSI 100: Ethnomusicology Seminar
MUSI 104: Chopin
MUSI 109: Music, Race and Politics: 19th- and 20th-Century Jazz in the U.S.
MUSI 115: Music Theory Seminar
