Music (BA)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Music to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Music majors from Advising:
- Don’t forget to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- MUSC 380: Advanced Applied Music requires all students submit application & audition video by August 1 here.
- It is preferred that students complete Applied Music credits on the same instrument, though multiple instruments are approved on a case-by-case basis.
- If you prefer to take a foreign language in your first semester, you may do so and make room by swapping out one Core class. Be sure to take your placement exam unless you have no classroom experience with the language. The placement exam will tell you which course to enroll in for fall.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Music major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- MUSC 144 (3 credits)
- MUSC 145 (1 credit)
- MUSC 109 required for Jazz Studies
- MUSC 107 required for Vocal Performance
- One applied music course (Applied Music enrollment is granted via online application & audition video, deadline August 1--see website for details)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Three of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 9 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100M, UCLR 100C, or UCLR 100E
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Ethics Knowledge: PHIL 181, PHIL 182, THEO 185, or THEO 186
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Music major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- MUSC 144 (3 credits)
- MUSC 145 (1 credit)
- One ensemble course (1 credit): MUSC 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 289, or 290
- One applied music course (1 credit; audition required for voice and piano)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
One of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 3 total credits):
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: Any 100/200/300-level HIST course
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Quantitative Knowledge: CJC 206, COMP/MUSC 122, COMP 125 or 150, ISSCM 241, MATH 108, or STAT 103
- Foundational Scientific Knowledge: ENVS 101
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Music to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.