Program Structure

Students majoring in music take courses in six areas: music theory, music history, performance studies, ensembles, music media and conducting.

Through the study of music theory, students develop an aural comprehension of tonal and non-tonal music, an understanding of the harmonic language and voice-leading principals of the "common-practice" style, and an understanding of the musical vocabulary, analytical systems, and structural and formal principals that apply to music since 1600.  Students develop the necessary skills to read orchestral scores and to write in standard musical notation for the instruments of the orchestra.  Students develop the ability to understand a wide range of musical traditions and cultural practices, ranging from the western classical tradition to the music of selected non-western cultures.  Students will be able to discuss music critically, and will be prepared to engage in meaningful research in musical fields.  Student performers will develop an expressive interpretation of solo repertoire through an understanding of compositional process and historical style with the necessary technical proficiency.  Students will demonstrate advanced ensemble skills and contextual understandings of repertoire by artistically performing music representing a variety of genres, stylestic periods and cultures.