Thirteen courses, with grades of C- or better, are required.

Core courses: For all music majors, the following core courses are required:

  • MUSC 113. Introduction to World Music
  • MUSC 175. Introduction to Recording Arts
  • MUSC 201. Diatonic Harmonic Practice
  • MUSC 202. Chromatic Harmonic Practice
  • MUSC 218. American Popular Music or MUSC 274. Jazz: 1900 to the Present
  • MUSC 311. From Plato and Aristotle to Bach and Handel (via Paris, Versailles, Venice, and London)
  • MUSC 312. 18th- and 19th-Century Music: From Mozart to Brahms
  • MUSC 313. Inventions and Revolutions in Music
  • At least four semesters of participation in department performance courses with a maximum of two semesters of MUSC 107. Music Lessons.
  • MUSC 400. Senior Project/Thesis Exercise. A senior project or thesis is required of all majors. The senior project or thesis may emphasize performance or research. It may be a recital, creative project, or thesis determined in consultation with the student’s departmental adviser or chair. Every senior enrolls in MUSC 400, and the senior project or thesis may be taken either for one-half or one full credit.

Electives: Choose any three 1.0-credit courses offered by the music department, subject to approval by the student’s departmental adviser or chair.

Recommended sequence of courses: All music majors must work closely with their adviser to arrange for a proper choice of electives and sequencing of courses. Below is a sample sequential list of courses:

  • in the first year, take MUSC 101. Basic Musicianship; other first-year options include MUSC 113 and MUSC 218. Students with extensive knowledge in music theory can request permission to begin the music theory core courses in their first year.
  • in the sophomore year, take MUSC 201, MUSC 202, MUSC 311, and MUSC 312.
  • in the junior year, take MUSC 313.
  • in the senior year, take MUSC 400.
  • ensembles and electives may be taken in any year.

Credit for musical performance will be granted in the following courses:

  • MUSC 105. Instrumental Ensemble
  • MUSC 107. Music Lessons (a maximum of two semesters counts towards the major)
  • MUSC 108. Steel Pan Ensemble
  • MUSC 109. Jazz Ensemble
  • MUSC 111. Samba Ensemble
  • Other performance courses may be counted, as determined by the Music Department.

All the performance ensembles invite repeated enrollment. Please note that four (4) performance courses are required, regardless of the number of credits earned in each of those courses.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled by one of the following courses:

  • MUSC 133. Blues Women to Nicki Minaj
  • MUSC 311. From Plato and Aristotle to Bach and Handel (via Paris, Versailles, Venice, and London)
  • MUSC 312. 18th- and 19th-Century Music: From Mozart to Brahms
  • MUSC 313. Inventions and Revolutions in Music

Cognate courses—Because of the diversity inherent in the discipline, study, and practice of music, there are many distinct areas that can be isolated as being preferentially cognate. For example, those students interested in music’s relations to other performing arts would be directed toward courses in theater and dance; those concerned with music as a force in society might consider courses in sociology, anthropology, educational studies, or international studies; those fascinated by music’s acoustical properties or its application to computers should investigate courses in physics, mathematics, or engineering; those pursuing liturgy-related studies should seek courses in religious studies. Appropriate cognate courses should be determined in consultation with the adviser at the time a student decides to declare the major.

Particularly helpful to any music major’s curriculum would be an understanding of foreign languages (especially Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Latin) and a basic grounding in world history.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Internships: Music-related internships can be arranged through the Career & Life Design Center.

Study away: Opportunities to pursue interests in music may be explored at a variety of study away programs.

Consortium Courses: Students wishing to participate in classes at the Hartt School of Music, as well as perform in a large wind ensemble (Capitol Symphonic Winds), may enroll through the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education.

Honors: Honors in music are awarded based on distinguished performance in the major, as evaluated by the entire music faculty.