Major/Minor

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MUSIC MAJOR
All students who wish to major in music must complete the core curriculum, consisting of the following eight block courses: MU391, 392, 393, 411, 412 (western and comparative music theory; MU393, should be completed before the end of the junior year); MU315, 316 (music history); and MU301 or MU399 (creative component/music since 1945).  Four other elective block courses from the department offerings, three of which must be from the 200-level or above, are also required (only one block of MU104, "World Music", of MU150, "Music in Western Culture", or MU202, American Music" can be applied toward the major).  As an elective, senior majors must complete a senior integrative experience by taking 401, 430, or 435. 

In addition, all music majors must complete at least one unit of private performance study, participate in an ensemble directed by the department for four semesters (one of these must be a world music ensemble, such as Balinese Gamelan or African Drumming, taken before or during MU393).  Majors must satisfy the piano proficiency requirement (all major and minor scales, one Bach two-part invention or the first movement of a classical sonatina, one Chopin prelude, and one 20th-century work of at least intermediate difficulty) no later than the beginning of the junior year, or take four semesters of piano lessons at Colorado College.  Majors must also demonstrate knowledge of a music notation software system, through examination, an independent study block, or by taking MU200.  Music majors who plan to satisfy state teaching certification requirements should consult with their advisors as early as possible in their college career.

Music majors may request permission from the music department to undertake a senior project to receive departmental honors at graduation.  Upon the successful completion of the project, the full-time faculty members of the department will take into account the student’s performance in departmental courses, the senior project, and presence in the department in judging whether honors will be awarded.  During the year the department will sponsor a series of performances by faculty and student ensembles and soloists, as well as extended visits by distinguished visiting artists.  Music majors must attend 10 such department-approved concerts per semester in the semesters following the declaration of the major to broaden their understanding of the problems of the concert world and to gain a deeper understanding of performance and literature.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MUSIC MINOR
To fulfill requirements for a music minor at Colorado College, students must complete a minimum of 6 units of course work, including one unit of ethnomusicology (such as 104, 221, 222, 295, 393, etc.).  In addition, three units out of the following four dealing with major aspects of the western classical tradition: 1) Baroque music (one unit in aspects of western classical music before 1750 – 150, Music in Western Culture; 210, Splendor of the Baroque; 227-8, other appropriate topics courses; 315, Music History I);  2) Viennese Classicism (one unit that covers major aspects of the Viennese Classical period – 150, Music in Western culture; 204, From Mozart to Mahler; 212, Mozart and his Age; 223, Beethoven; 227-8, other appropriate topics courses; 315, Music History II); 3) Romanticism (one unit that covers major aspects of the Romantic period – 150, Music in Western Culture; 204, From Mozart to Mahler; 207, Opera; 227-8, other appropriate topics courses; 316, Music History II); and 4) Music since 1900 (one unit that covers major aspects of 20th- and 21st-century musics – 150, Music in Western Culture; 205, Jazz; 211, The Miles Davis Years; 227-8, other appropriate topics courses; 301, Composition; 399, Experimental Music).  Also required is at least one-half unit in theory or composition (199, Pre-Theory; 200, Music @ the Computer; 228, Topics: Intro. to Jazz Theory; 301, Composition; 391, Theory I, or any subsequent course in the theory sequence; 399, Experimental Music).  The minor requires at least one additional one-block academic course in Music, one year of ensemble performance or studio music at Colorado College, and attendance at five department-approved concerts per semester following the declaration of the minor to broaden their understanding of the problems of the concert world and to gain a deeper understanding of performance and literature.