In the first two years of study for the major in music, all
students take the same lower-division course work, which
typically includes two years of music theory and musicianship,
one year each of music history and applied music study, and
ensemble performance. In their third and fourth years,
students choose upper-division courses along one of the three
specialty tracks, concluding their studies with a required senior
project. Our three undergraduate tracks are: (1) Composition, (2) History,
Theory, and Ethnomusicology, and (3) Performance.
The track in history, theory, and ethnomusicology involves
extensive work in analyzing the interplay between composers,
musicians, patrons, and cultural influences or historical events
as they relate to the development of a particular musical style,
genre, or idea.
Composition track allows students to study, practice, and
demonstrate their creative abilities through original
composition, arrangement, orchestration and in numerous mediums.
MUS 103 offers students the chance to hear their works performed.
Through analysis, score study, and instrumentation training,
students learn various compositional tools. They learn how to
develop effective notation in order to realize their work fully.