MUSIC MINOR
The minor in music serves a wide variety of needs among students who are accepted into it. Students who have been active in music lessons, in bands, orchestras and/or choirs prior to college may wish to continue with formalized study. The minor may also serve as an important adjunct to other studies such as speech pathology and audiology, speech communication, or broadcasting. Those in very demanding majors may build music into their lives as a balancing influence. Other students may be pursuing interdisciplinary degrees in which music is appropriate.
Students in the music minor take many of the same core courses that the music majors take, there are merely fewer of them. It is theoretically possible to complete the minor in three years but those whose interest is primarily in performance should plan on beginning the minor in their freshman year.
An audition for admission to the minor is required. To arrange for an audition, students should contact a faculty member in the area of their intended applied study. Students will not be admitted to the minor without very strong skills in performance. Acceptance into the music minor is based on the audition and on the space availability in the applied area. A grade of C or above is required in all courses
Once students have been accepted by an applied faculty member, they may meet with the minor advisor to work out a plan of study and to apply formally to the minor program. Students are not enrolled in the music minor until this form is completed.
All students in the minor must take the following:
- Music 121, 122, 131, 132, 261 and 262.
- 8 credits in applied music (lessons) through level IV, four semesters
- 8 additional credits of music classes or applied courses (brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, voice or woodwinds) at least 6 of which must be at the 400 level.
Required Courses:
MUSIC 121 BASIC MUSICIANSHIP (1) Elementary sight singing, dictation, and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: ability to reproduce a simple rhythmic pattern after one hearing; ability to match pitch.
MUSIC 131 MUSIC THEORY (2) Review of rudiments, introduction to the fundamental linear and vertical features of tonal music. Prerequisite: ability to read musical notation; knowledge of music rudiments.
MUSIC 122 BASIC MUSICIANSHIP (1) Continuation of Music 121. Prerequisite: Music 121.
MUSIC 132 MUSIC THEORY II (2) Continuation of Music 131. Prerequisite: Music 131.
MUSIC 261 SURVEY OF MUSIC HISTORY (3) A survey of music history to 1750 with readings, listening, and lecture. Prerequisites: Music 131, 162; or Music 5 and Music 131.
MUSIC 262 SURVEY OF MUSIC HISTORY (3) A survey of music history from 1750 to the present. A continuation of Music 261.
Normal Sequence of Courses:
Year Fall Spring
I Music 121 Music 122
Music 131 Music 132
Applied 12xJ* Applied 17xJ
II Music 261 Music 262
Applied 22xJ Applied 27xJ
III (Applied 32xJ) (Applied 37xJ)
IV Music 4xx (2-3) Music 4xx (2-3)
Applied 42xJ Applied 47xJ
* Course numbers for applied courses are coded as follows:
- The first number refers to level. All music minors are required to take applied courses at the 100 and 200 level.
- The second number reflects the semester. 2 and 7 refer to a primary applied course, 3 and 8 refer to a course at performance level.
- The third number refers to instrument. 1 is for violin, 2 for viola, and so on.
- J indicates that the course requires an extra fee.
Note: There will be considerable variation from student to student in meeting 400-level course requirements. Students MUST meet regularly with the minor advisor in order to assure the completion of the minor.
Minor Advisor:
Prof. Timothy Hurtz
213 Music Building II
tfh2@psu.edu