Program Learning Goals:
Upon graduation in the Music Emphasis, students will be able to demonstrate:
● Proficient performing on an instrument and/or singing as assessed in private lessons, ensemble participation, semester juries in front of music faculty, and/or solo recital performances.
● Knowledge of Music Theory as it applies to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the music theory sequence of required courses.
● Aural Skills as they apply to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the ear training sequence of required courses.
● Knowledge and implementation of Music Technology as assessed during required music technology coursework.
● Skill and interpretation in Conducting as assessed during required conducting coursework.
● Knowledge of Music History as assessed during required music history coursework.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 58 credits is required, including the 28-credit Musicianship Core:
All Music majors require the 28-credit Musicianship Core, 14 or 21 credits from the Performance Curriculum (depending upon the emphasis), the six credits (or the equivalent) of foreign language (not required for the Music Education Emphasis), and Concert and Convocation Attendance Course (must be taken each semester of residence with a “Satisfactory” grade a minimum of six semesters). A minimum grade of “C” is required in all Music courses counted toward the major. To qualify for graduation all Music majors must meet performance requirements and piano proficiency.
Students enrolled in the Music Education K-12 Licensure professional degree emphasis will receive a 60 minute (One Hour) weekly lesson on their principal instrument/voice. This is in fulfillment of guidelines recommended for the professional degree (Music Education K-12 Licensure).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Musicianship Core | ||
| Consists of the four-course music theory and aural skills sequence, Introduction to Music, and the Senior Recital/Project which serves as the capstone. | ||
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 140 | Introduction to Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| MUS 400 | Student Recital or Project | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
21 credits from the Performance Curriculum (seven credits in Major Performance Organizations, four credits in Small Ensembles, eight credits in Private Lessons, the two-credit MUS 250 Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental; students must be registered for a major performing organization every semester in residence), three credits of Music electives, Concert and Convocation Attendance, six credits of foreign language, Performance Requirement (MUS 400 Student Recital or Project, or MUS 499 Internship in Music), and Piano Proficiency.
The Performance Curriculum consists of courses in Conducting, Major Performing Organizations, Small Ensembles, and Private Lessons.
The specific major performing organization required is determined by major instrument or voice.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting | ||
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| Major Performance Organizations | 7 | |
| courses may be repeated | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Small Ensembles | 4 | |
| courses may be repeated | ||
| Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | ||
| Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | ||
| Private Lessons | 8 | |
| courses may be repeated | ||
| Private Lessons (30 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (60 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (30 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (60 min) | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Foreign Language
Six credits of foreign language are required in the Music Emphasis. This requirement may be fulfilled by passing the appropriate CLEP test if sufficient skill has been attained.
Concert and Convocation Attendance
All Music majors must take MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance each semester in residence. Six semesters of MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance with a grade of “satisfactory” are required of all Music majors prior to graduation.
Performance Requirements for Majors
In order to qualify for graduation, all Music majors must pass specific levels of performance as judged by a jury of Music faculty. All Music Education majors must also present a senior recital (MUS 400 Student Recital or Project). Majors in the Music Emphasis and the Business Emphasis may elect MUS 400 Student Recital or Project, or MUS 499 Internship in Music. Please contact the Music Department for exact requirements.
Piano Proficiency
All students with a Music Major or Minor, with the exception of the Music Technology Minor, must pass the piano proficiency examination by the end of the required theory sequence. The two-semester sequence of MUS 173 Piano class and MUS 174 Piano Class may be taken for elective credits to prepare for the exam. The specific courses are not required courses and student assessed to have sufficient piano background may prepare for the exam independently. Please contact the Music Department for exact requirements.
Western Watershed General Education Requirements
Students must complete all Western Watershed General Education requirements to graduate.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
Degree Plans are for planning purposes. They reflect a suggested plan to complete the degree in a projected timeframe per program of study.
"Western Watershed Course(s)” refers to a course from the Tributaries area of the Western Watershed program. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
Sample Plan
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| WWGE 101/102/103/104 | Headwaters | 2 |
| MATH 105 | Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (GT-MA1) (or higher, pre-requisite determined with Advisor)) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 100 | Fundamentals of Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | .5 |
| MUS 173 | Piano class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Science Course w/Lab | 4 |
| MUS 174 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 17.5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Course | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Course | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | .5 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Course | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Course | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | .5 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| Credits | 12.5 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed Course | 3 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| Credits | 12.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| WWGE 301/302/303/304 | Delta | 1 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| Elective | MUS Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | .5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 9.5 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| Elective | (Upper Division) | 3 |
| Elective | Music Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| Elective | Music Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| Elective | Music Elective (Upper Division) | 3 |
| Elective | Music Elective or Internship (Upper Division) | 1 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 400 | Student Recital or Project | 2 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Total Credits | 111 | |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.