Music Minor Requirements
2024 - 2025 Catalog
Music minor
A minor in music requires at least 23 credits. A student may not complete both a major and a minor in music. In meeting the requirements of this discipline-based minor, a student may not use more than nine credits that are also used to meet the requirements of another major or minor.
- MUS 121, 161,162, 163, 164, and either MUS 201 or 202
- Two additional 3- or 4-credit courses selected from music courses taken at the 200 level or above
- Three credits of ensemble coursework chosen from MUS 108-116
- Successful completion of MUS 200 for two terms.
- Required courses:
- MUS 121 - Worlds of Music
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 This course introduces students to musical cultures outside of the Western European tradition. Through readings, lectures, listening sessions, and research, students explore the musical traditions of Native American, African, African-American, Central and Southeastern European, Indian, Indonesian, Asian, Latin American, and Arab cultures. Whenever possible, attendance at a live concert of non-Western European music is included.
- MUS 161 - Music Theory I
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 Corequisite MUS 163 - Aural Skills I A study of scales, triads, and chord progressions. Instruction will include harmonic analysis and four-part writing from the 17th and 18th century common-practice tradition. This course covers the rudiments of music, analysis and part-writing of basic diatonic triads and dominant-seventh chords, the evaluation of music through performance analysis and the use of software to compose simple works with proper notation.
- MUS 162 - Music Theory II
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 Prerequisite MUS 161 and MUS 163 Corequisite MUS 164 - Aural Skills II A continuation of MUS 161, including scales, triads, chord progressions, four-part writing and harmonic analysis of the common practice period in Western music, especially focusing on diatonic harmony. It covers the various chord types used in tonal harmony: tertian triads and seventh-chords It will focus on the tendency of certain chords to progress to certain other chords.
- MUS 163 - Aural Skills I
Credits 1 Corequisite MUS 161 - Music Theory I This course aims to develop fundamental aural skills through ear-training (rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation) and sight-singing (pitch and rhythm) via ear-training and sight-singing exercises in class, homework assignments, and regular practice in singing and rhythmic drilling. In addition, students work on introductory level improvisational skills in singing as well as basic keyboard skills.
- MUS 164 - Aural Skills II
Credits 1 Prerequisite MUS 161 and MUS 163 Corequisite MUS 162 - Music Theory II This course aims to further develop fundamental aural skills through ear-training (rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation) and sight-singing (pitch and rhythm) via ear-training and sight-singing exercises in class, homework assignments, and regular practice in singing, rhythmic drilling, and keyboard harmony. In addition. students develop elementary level improvisational skills through guided materials including lead sheets.
and either
- MUS 201 - Music History I
or
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 A survey of music from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period.
- MUS 202 - Music History II
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 A survey of music from the Pre-Classical to the Late Romantic period. Student who take this course should have the ability to read music.
- Two additional courses
- MUS 201 - Music History I
or
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 A survey of music from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period.
- MUS 202 - Music History II
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 A survey of music from the Pre-Classical to the Late Romantic period. Student who take this course should have the ability to read music.
- MUS 221 - History of Jazz
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 A study of the development of jazz from its roots in turn-of-the-century New Orleans to contemporary styles. Strong emphasis is placed on listening and recognition of the performers and composers discussed.
- MUS 222 - A Year in Jazz
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 4 An in-depth view of a one-year span in the history of America's only native art form. Students become absorbed in the era through the study of seminal recordings, historic videos, and readings. Research projects complete the term.
- MUS 238 - The Music, Folklore, and Literature of Ireland
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 4 Prerequisite INTR 238 This course engages the music, folklore and literature of Ireland and the ways that the creation of these art forms is related to the places in which the art was created. We cover a wide variety of the history of Irish art and focus on the importance of place in the written, oral, and aural traditions of the island. Students study a range of musical compositions, styles, and traditions alongside the rich body of Irish folklore and folk customs that underlie these musical creations, as well as the rich literature that informs all of these artistic efforts. After the first week on campus, the remainder of the course takes place in Dingle in the West of Ireland and in Dublin.
- MUS 239 - Haydn and Mozart: A Musical Tour of Prague and Vienna
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 4 This course will trace the musical development of Haydn and Mozart in an historical and geographical context. Students will immerse themselves in the works of the two composers and explore the various cultural and biographical elements that influenced their compositional styles. Following an initial overview on campus, the course will take place in Prague and Vienna, with day trips to surrounding cities. Significant locations include: Lobkowicz Palace (Prague), the Estates Theatre (Prague), St. Stephen's Cathedral (Vienna), Schӧnbrunn Palace (Vienna), Haydnsaal (Eisenstadt), and Mozarteum
- MUS 240 - Ebony and Ivory: Spirituals and The Sacred Harp
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 Forged in the furnace of chattel slavery, Negro spirituals combined African musical practices and the oral tradition of story-telling with texts from biblical sources to give voice to the sorrow and hope of the enslaved. At the same time, the white people of antebellum America were singing songs they learned in a tradition of written symbols dating back to Guido of Arezzo (ca. 1000 CE), codified and collected in oblong tune books, the most famous of which was The Sacred Harp of 1843. Through readings, listening assignments, films, student presentations, and in-class singing, we will explore the origins and legacies of spirituals and shapednote songs of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
- MUS 261 - Music Theory III
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 Prerequisite MUS 162 Corequisite MUS 262 - Aural Skills III A continuation of MUS 162, focusing on analysis of harmonies, forms, and styles from the Romantic period, impressionism, and the early 20th century.
- MUS 295 - Topics in Music
FDR HA Fine Arts Distribution Credits 3 Selected studies in music with a focus on history and culture, non-classical genres, ethnomusicological topics, or performance. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
- MUS 423 - Directed Individual Project
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent May be repeated for degree credit with permission.
- Three credits of ensemble coursework chosen from:
- MUS 108 - Supervised Piano Accompanying
Credits 1 Prerequisite instructor consent A practical course in the skills of piano accompaniment, including sight reading, score reading, study of style, methods of expression, transposition, and rehearsal techniques. Students are expected to accompany solo vocalists and instrumentalists, play in chamber ensembles, or accompany the University choruses. A faculty member is assigned to coach and tutor the student. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 109A - Cantatrici
Credits 1 Cantatrici is a treble choir made up of singers representing a diverse cross-section of the student body, Cantatrici performs regularly throughout the campus and community, focusing on regional touring and community outreach. Cantatrici also routinely performs mixed choral repertoire with the Glee Club. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 109B - Glee Club
Credits 1 The oldest choral ensemble at W&L, dating back to early 20th century, the Glee Club performs regularly on campus, at athletic events, and in the community in the time-honored tradition of men's choral singing. The Glee Club also routinely performs mixed choral repertoire with Cantatrici. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 110 - University Singers
Credits 1 Prerequisite instructor consent University Singers are chosen by a competitive audition process each Spring, representing a wide cross-section of majors, resulting in one of the finest a cappella choirs in the region and undertaking national or international tours every year. The University Singers perform a wide variety of literature at major venues across the globe while serving as W&L artistic ambassadors in concert series, music festivals, conventions, and university events, including concerts, convocations, and the annual candlelight lessons and carols service. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 112 - Chamber Ensembles
Credits 1 Prerequisite instructor consent Small chamber groups consisting of vocalists and instrumentalists are created to perform music. Bluegrass Ensemble offers students the opportunity to study and perform the traditional music of Appalachia in which improvisation is encouraged. Brass Ensemble offers students the opportunity to study and perform literature for brass instruments in various combinations. String Ensemble offers students the opportunity to study and perform literature for violin, viola, cello, and double bass in various combinations. Woodwind Ensemble offers students the opportunity to study and perform literature for woodwind instruments in various combinations. This course may be repeated.
- MUS 113 - University Wind Ensemble
Credits 1 The University Wind Ensemble consists of wind and percussion players who perform band repertoire in concerts on and off campus. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 114 - University Orchestra
Credits 1 Students who play wind, percussion, or orchestral string instruments may join the Orchestra, which is composed of university students, as well as area professional musicians and local residents. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 115 - University Jazz Ensemble
Credits 1 The University Jazz Ensemble is made up of woodwind, brass, and rhythm section players and performs in a wide range of styles, from early swing to contemporary sounds. This course may be repeated for credit.
- MUS 116 - Bentley Musical Rehearsals
Credits 1 This course is designed for rehearsal of music in preparation for the annual Bentley Musical. This course may be repeated. Only those cast in the production may enroll. Rehearsals are scheduled each year subject to the availability of the cast and instructor. While some cast members rehearse during weekdays, most should expect evening and weekend rehearsals. An audition is required and such dates are announced in advance by the Departments of Music and Theater and Dance.
- Successful completion of MUS 200 for two terms.
- MUS 200 - Recital Attendance
Credits 0 Prerequisite Music major or minor A course focused on the development of listening and performance skills through attendance at Department of Music concerts and recitals. Students attend at least 75 percent of the afternoon and evening events sponsored by the Department of Music. Students must also attend the music convocation that takes place one Friday afternoon each month during the fall and winter terms. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Music majors must complete the course each term in residence after declaring the major. Music minors must complete two terms.
Two additional 3- or 4-credit courses selected from music courses at the 200 level or above