2012 - 2013 Music Program (MUSC)

Objectives | Program Requirements | Academic Major | Perfromance Major | Music Minor | Course Descriptions

Faculty: Christopher Quinn (Director), Karlyn Bond (Chair), Michael Chipman, Brandon Derfler

Program Goals

• A solid understanding of music theory from the common practice period to the present, including species counterpoint, tonal theory (i.e. harmony, the rules of voice leading, and four-part writing), and post-tonal theory
• Aural skills sufficient for competent melodic/harmonic/rhythmic dictation and sight-singing—collectively necessary for a balanced understanding of music theory and the ability to learn music accurately and efficiently
• Knowledge of the basic history of Western classical music—its forms and styles, and its connections to Western culture; and more in-depth knowledge of a few special topics within this overarching history
• Excellence on a particular instrument or voice in solo and ensemble performance
• The ability to write clearly and meaningfully about music and subjects relating to it

Objectives

The Department of Music at Westminster College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a music minor. The major has a built-in choice of emphasis: academic or performance; each student must pick one or the other. The BA degree in music is an excellent choice for talented students who plan to pursue graduate work in music, for liberal arts students pursuing two majors in preparation for graduate school, and for musical pre-law or pre-med students. It is also a degree that would qualify students for any number of music-related jobs following college. Among those musicians with sufficient talent and training for careers in performance, those with degrees in music are unquestionably at an advantage over those without.

The Department of Music also offers opportunities for anyone on campus interested in music-making, regardless of their backgrounds or areas of study. School performing ensembles--open to capable and committed students and, in some cases, members of the community--include the Westminster Chorale, Westminster Chamber Singers, Westminster Chamber Orchestra, Westminster Jazz Ensemble, Westminster Flute Choir, and Westminster Opera Studio. Private lessons and LE survey courses in music are also available to students.

Program Requirements

An audition is required for status as a music major or minor. Students must choose a primary instrument and audition on that particular instrument (e.g. piano, voice, guitar, violin, etc.). Live auditions are held each year on specific dates as announced on the Music Department Web page. Music major aspirants auditioning before the end of March, who are planning to enroll as freshmen the following fall semester, will automatically be considered for music scholarships. All auditions done after March will be for major or minor status only. Due to strict course sequencing, students wishing to graduate with a music major within a four-year course of study must begin their major fall semester of their freshman year. Students desiring a music minor must audition before their sophomore year. Transfer students who would like to complete a music minor at Westminster must complete a minimum of nine credits of music courses, including two semesters of ensemble credit, at Westminster College. A minimum 2.5 GPA in music courses must be maintained for the music major and minor. For more information, call the office of the Music Department Chair at 801.832.2435.

For course prerequisites, please refer to the course description.

Music Major - Academic Emphasis

Recommended Plan of Study for Academic Music Major

Music Major - Performance Emphasis

Recommended Plan of Study for Performance Music Major

Music Minor

Recommended Plan of Study for Music Minor

Note: Ensemble and elective scheduling are flexible within the four-year plan of study, but the Department of Music strongly encourages every music minor to participate in a music ensemble every semester possible, beginning with the first semester of study.