Course Requirements

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Music Major Requirements (minimum 48 credits)

Upon admittance to the school, incoming freshman and transfer student music majors should contact the music program coordinator for information on placement exam and audition dates: Joseph C Schiavo or call (856) 225-6539.

Students majoring in music must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses:

Music Core Requirements (23 credits)

  • 50:700:161-162 Musicianship I, II (2, 2)
  • 50:700:205-206 Musicianship III, IV (2, 2)
  • 50:700:225-226 Music Theory I, II (3, 3)
  • 50:700:301 Sound Thinking (3)
  • 50:700:291,292 History of Music I, II (3, 3)

All students in the Theories and Histories and Music and Technology pathways will complete and publicly present a capstone project in their final year. This project will be under the supervision of a full-time faculty member with expertise in the student’s area of interest.

Performance (10 credits)

A minimum of four semesters of applied music on primary instrument or voice (1,1,1,1)

Students must pass keyboard competency examination, normally by the end of junior year. If students do not possess required keyboard skills, they must take applied piano until the proficiency requirement is satisfied.

Music majors enrolled in any applied music instruction (including remedial piano) are required to meet and demonstrate clearly regulated student outcomes through juried examination each semester. Should a student not meet the standards set by the department, the level must be repeated.

One of the following:

  • 50:701:140 Rutgers Choir (1) or
  • 50:701:347 Madrigal Ensemble (1) or
  • 50:701:348 Performance Ensemble (1) or
  • 50:701:321 Jazz Ensemble I (1)

Documented attendance at 10 college recitals or concerts each academic year.

Theories and Histories Concentration (15 credits)

Required (6 credits)

  • 50:700: 293 Topics in Music History III (3)

-or-

  • 50:700:325 Music Theory III (3)
  • 50:700:494 Capstone project (3)

Suggested Electives (min. 9 credits)

  • 50:700: 294 Topics in Music History IV (3)
  • 50:700:305 Gender in Music (3)
  • 50:700:321 Counterpoint (3)
  • 50:700:337 History of Opera (3)
  • 50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
  • 50:700:227Jazz Theory (3)*
  • 50:700:313 History of Jazz Singers (3)*
  • 50:700:412 History of Jazz (3)
  • 50:700:486 Composition and Technology Seminar (3)**
  • 50:700:490 Music Internship (BA)
  • 50:700:495-496 Honors in Music I,II (3,3)
  • 50:700:499 Individual Study (3)

Music majors with a concentration in Theories and Histories are required to take a comprehensive examination in music history
and theory during their senior year. Read more about the requirement.

Music and Technology Concentration (15 credits)

Required (6 credits)

  • 50:700:486 Composition and Technology Seminar (3)**
  • 50:700:494 Capstone project (3)

Suggested Electives (min. 9 credits)

  • 50:700: 302 Sound and Image (3)
  • 50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
  • 50:700:385 Composition I (3)
  • 50:700:391 Music and Computers (3)
  • 50:700:392 Topics in Electroacoustic Music (3)
  • 50:700:449 Audio Post-Production (3)***
  • 50:700:490 Music Internship (BA)
  • 50:700:495-496 Honors in Music I,II (3,3)
  • 50:700:499 Individual Study (3)

Music majors following the Music and Technology concentration are required to present a comprehensive portfolio of creative/production work during their senior year.

Music majors in the Music and Technology concentration are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Digital Studies Program.

Music Education Concentration (15 credits)

Students seeking teacher certification in music must complete the following requirements for music. For details about admission to the Teacher Preparation Program and its requirements, students should consult both their program director and the director of the Teacher Preparation Program.

  • Required (6 credits)
    • 50:700:329 Introduction to Conducting (2)
    • 50:701:471 Instr Methods: Percussion (1)
    • 50:701:478 Instr Methods: Strings (1)
    • 50:701:488 Instr Methods: Woodwinds (1)
    • 50:701:494 Instr Methods: Brass(1)
    • 50:964:443 Methods and Issues in Teaching Music (3)

Suggested Electives (min. 9 credits)

  • 50:700: 293 Topics in Music History III (3)
  • 50:700:325 Music Theory III (3)
  • 50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
  • 50:700:XXX Teaching Choral Music (3)*
  • 50:700:XXX Teaching Instrumental Music (3)*
  • 50:700:499 Independent Study (3)

Performance Concentration (15 credits)

  • Required (6 credits)
    • 50:700:XXX Applied Performance or Ensemble (3)
    • 50:700:494 Capstone project (3)

Suggested Electives (min. 9 credits)

  • 50:700:131 Singing for the Stage (3)
  • 50:700:271 Introduction to Music Technology (3)
  • 50:700:293 Topics in Music History III (3)
  • 50:700:325 Music Theory (3)
  • 50:700:337 History of Opera (3)
  • 50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
  • 50:700:412 History of Jazz (3)

Music Minor Requirements (minimum 20 credits)

  • 50:700:125 Introduction to Music Theory (3)
  • 50:700:161 Basic Musicianship I (2), or 50:700:162 (2)
  • 50:700:202 Introduction to Music (3), or 50:700:203 Introduction to World Music (3), or 50:700:413 World Music (3)
  • 50:700:225-226 Music Theory I, II (3, 3)
  • A minimum of six credits of music history.
    Attendance at five college recitals or concerts each academic year is strongly recommended.

Performance Studies (Applied Music 701)

The aim of performance studies is to present music as a liberal art, for its value as literature and as a record of one aspect of human achievement. Students are strongly encouraged to acquire and improve performing techniques as a necessary means of cultivating the art.

The music program offers instruction in instrumental and vocal music with a distinguished faculty of artist associates and welcomes students at all levels, including beginners. Note that an additional fee for private instruction is required.