Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Music is an essential part of a liberal arts education. At Â鶹ӰÊÓ, the Music major is designed to enable and integrate studies in ensemble and solo performance, theory and musicianship, music history, ethnomusicology, and composition. Students majoring in Music gain technical and conceptual foundations in an instrument or voice, a knowledge of diverse musical repertoires and practices, the ability to integrate musical knowledge and skills, awareness of Western and non-Western musical styles, and insight into the complex, multifaceted roles of music in intellectual and cultural life.

During their time in the Music program, students are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities necessary to become informed musicians who are able to make personally expressive contributions to society in a number of fields. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in music can gain preparation through additional in-depth work.

By the end of their studies in our department, students:

1. Develop the ability to hear, identify, model, engage, and work conceptually with elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, and form.
2. Develop the ability to read and realize musical notation, and to think critically about relationships between notation, composition, and performance.
3. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of a range of creative musical processes both modern and historical, sensitivity to aesthetic properties of style, and awareness of ways in which music communicates meanings in given contexts.
4. Expand knowledge of musical literature, music makers, and traditions, and engage ways in which these shape and are shaped by artistic, cultural, historical, and social forces.
5. Develop the ability to perform in both solo and ensemble contexts.
6. Cultivate skills of close, thoughtful, and critical listening, applicable to a range of career paths in and beyond music.
7. Develop habits of regular practice and informed exploration of music, whether familiar or initially unfamiliar.
8. Draw connections between musical knowledge and knowledge in other fields.