Music, AB

Location(s): On Campus

The Music Department provides an engaging environment for the student musician as well as for the general student. Instruction in music is available to all students, regardless of major, and our music ensembles and private music lessons afford them experiences that are personal and central to the liberal arts college experience. The department offers numerous curated events, including concerts and masterclasses that feature students, faculty, and renowned guest artists.

The Music Department is an active participant in interdisciplinary and community-focused activities across campus and in regional and international arenas, offering students leadership and performance opportunities ranging from local churches to international concert venues.

Major Program

The music major at Wesleyan College is designed to assist the student to develop her full potential as a musician/scholar. The curriculum offers a broad background that will develop and refine musicianship and performance skills while providing the student with principles that lead to a fuller intellectual grasp of the art.

Student learning outcomes for the program are:

Students will integrate and apply knowledge of music fundamentals
Students will categorize and distinguish, both aurally and visually, among stylistic components of music as related to specific periods, genres, and individual composers.
Students will demonstrate technical facility, exhibit musical understanding, and communicate expressively through both solo and ensemble performances.
Students will integrate and apply knowledge in research and/or performance.

Major Requirements:

Music Core Curriculum (21 total credit hours):

MUS 100: Introduction to Piano and Musicianship Credit: 3
MUS 150: From Bach to Rock Credit: 3
MUS 182: Harmony and Tonality Credit: 3
MUS 280: Advanced Harmony and Tonality Credit: 3
MUS 282: Form and Analysis Credit: 3
MUS 333: Philosophy of Music Credit: 3
MUS 470: Senior Seminar Credit: 3

Plus, select one concentration from three options of: General, Performance, or Pre-Music Therapy.

1. General Concentration (19 credit hours - 40 total credits):

MUS 215: Women, Music, and Culture Credit: 3
Applied Lessons 4 hours - 2 hours of voice or piano class are acceptable
Ensembles: MUP 101 , MUP 102 , MUP 103 , or MUP 104 Credit: 6 (4 hours must be MUP 101 )
Electives: Any combination of MUP or MUS courses to total 6 hours.

2. Performance Concentration (24 credit hours - 45 total credits):

MUS 215: Women, Music, and Culture Credit: 3
MUS 287: Music Literature Seminar Credit: 3
Applied Lessons Credit: 7
Ensemble MUP 101 , MUP 102 , MUP 103 , or MUP 104 Credit: 6 (4 hours must be MUP 101 )
MUP 471: Senior Music Recital Credit: 2 *
Any combination of MUP or MUS courses to total 3 hours

Note:

*In the semester before registering for MUP 471: Senior Music Recital , the student must audition for the faculty to continue in the Performance Concentration. If the student does not demonstrate ability to continue in the Performance Concentration, the student will be changed to a General Concentration.

3. Pre-Music Therapy Concentration (39 credit hours - 60 total credits):

Performance: Applied Lessons and Ensembles (16 hours)

MUP 107 and MUP 108 or X15/X25 Piano Class or Applied Piano Lessons Credit: 2
MUP 105 and MUP 106 or X14/X24 Voice Class or Applied Voice Lessons Credit: 2
MUP 104 or X11/X21 Percussion Ensemble or Applied Percussion Lessons Credit: 2
Additional applied study in guitar, piano, or voice Credit: 4
MUP 101 /MUP 102 : Vocal Ensemble Credit: 4

Requirements outside of music (23 hours):

BIO 103: Human Biology Credit: 4
OR
BIO 110: Principles of Biology I-Biological Processes Credit: 4
BIO 210: Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit: 4
EDS 114: Understanding Learning Credit: 3
MUS 278: Integrating Music into Elementary Content Areas Credit: 3
PSY 101: General Psychology Credit: 3
PSY 325: Psychological Disorders Credit: 3
PSY 340: Testing and Therapy Credit: 3
OR
PSY 240: Developmental Psychology Credit: 3

Integrative Experience

Each student will complete an Integrative Experience in which they enhance their capacity for integrative thinking through an interdisciplinary capstone experience that encourages them to make connections between their major and general education. This experience will help them reflect on the methods, approaches, and/or content of their major discipline and give them an opportunity to connect their discipline with both their general education and with the world outside the classroom. The integrative experience requirement is fulfilled in the music major by MUS 470: Senior Seminar .

Professional Development

Throughout their Wesleyan education each student is given opportunities to explore professional and career choices, and to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for professional success. Each student will complete PDE 350: Professional Practice Seminar and PDE 400: Professional Development Experience .

Postgraduate Opportunities

Students who major in music may pursue graduate study in a variety of specialized music areas such as performance, church music, music history, or music teaching. Many find employment in a church as singer, organist, and/or choir director. Graduates often establish studios for private teaching. The training and discipline received through music study can provide an excellent foundation for graduate work in humanities and social science areas as well.

Concerts and Recitals/Attendance

Opportunities abound for the student to hear music at Wesleyan.

The Music Department considers attendance at concerts, masterclasses, and recitals to be an essential part of the music student’s education.

Performing Opportunities

Master classes are offered regularly in voice, organ, and piano. Performance classes and department recitals provide the student opportunities to perform before an audience of her peers. The Concert Choir, Wesleyannes, and Percussion and Instrumental Ensembles offer additional performance opportunities for students.