Bachelor of Arts in Music

This degree is designed for students with serious preparation for and interest in the study of music within a liberal arts context. Approximately 35 percent of the course work is in music. Students build strong musical foundations through applied study, theoretical study, musicianship skills, and historical/ethnomusicological approaches

Advanced work in the major continues with a selection of courses that serve to concentrate and contextualize their understanding of music. Students may work with faculty members to focus on particular areas of interest within the degree (for example, composition, conducting, musicology, jazz studies, ethnomusicology) that can prepare them to pursue various specializations in graduate school.

The BA in Music offers a broad array of options, including the opportunity to pursue a second major or a minor in another disciplinary field. Graduates have gone on to pursue careers both in music and related fields, including arts administration, arts marketing, and music librarianship.

Major Requirements

• Mus_Clas 141, 142, 212, 241, 242, 313, 314
• Two additional restricted elective courses in music theory or history, one of which must be at the 300- or 400-level  (Mus_Clas 205, 218, 247, 248, 251, 304, 318, 341, 342, 442)
• Mus_Ens 330 (minimum of 6 semesters of a major ensemble on the student's principal instrument/voice);
• Mus 331 (minimum of 6 semesters of private lessons on the student's principal instrument/voice)
• Senior Capstone (Mus 456)

Bachelor of Music in Performance

This 36-course degree typically leads to graduate work in performance for those who seek careers as performers and studio teachers. It also provides the foundation for those pursuing careers as singers in opera and musical theater, as instrumentalists in orchestras and bands, as solo recitalists, collaborative pianists, conductors, college instructors, and church musicians. It is considered a professional music degree with approximately two-thirds of the course work in music. The requirements below begin with the class of 2016.

Major Requirements - Class of 2016 and Beyond

Voice Track

• Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (1.0 course units each)
• Participation in a Large Ensemble ( 0.25 course units each) during each semester in residence
• One semester of Chamber Music (0.25 course units)
• Two semesters of Opera Workshop (0.25 course units each)
• Vocal Diction 1 and 2 (0.50 course units each)
• Vocal Literature 1 and 2 (0.50 course units each)
• Vocal Pedagogy (0.50 course units)
• Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
• Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
• Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 212, 313, 314, 442)
• An elective course.

Voice students must also take one year minimum studying each of two approved languages, which are Italian, French, German, and Spanish.

Keyboard Track

• Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (1.0 course units each)
• Participation in a Large Ensemble (0.25 course units each) during each semester in residence
• Two semesters of Chamber Music (0.25 course units each)
• Four semesters of Accompanying (0.25 course units each): one vocal, one strings, one winds/brass/percussion, and one free choice
• Keyboard Literature (0.50 course units)
• Keyboard Pedagogy (0.50 course units)
• Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
• Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
• Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 212, 313, 314, 442)
• Four elective courses.

Strings Track

• Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (1.0 course units each)
• Participation in a Large Ensemble ( 0.25 course units each) during each semester in residence
• Seven semesters of Chamber Music (0.25 course units each)
• String Literature (0.50 course units)
• String Pedagogy (0.50 course units)
• Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
• Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
• Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 212, 313, 314, 442)
• 3.5 elective courses.

Wind/Percussion Track

• Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (1.0 course units each)
• Participation in a Large Ensemble ( 0.25 course units each) during each semester in residence
• Seven semesters of Chamber Music (0.25 course units each)
• Wind or Percussion Literature (0.50 course units)
• Wind or Percussion Pedagogy (0.50 course units)
• Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
• Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
• Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 212, 313, 314, 442)
• 3.5 elective courses.

Major Requirements - Classes through 2015

This 32-course degree typically leads to graduate work in performance for those who seek careers as performers and studio teachers. It also provides the foundation for those pursuing careers as singers in opera and musical theater, as instrumentalists in orchestras and bands, as solo recitalists, collaborative pianists, conductors, college instructors, and church musicians. It is considered a professional music degree with approximately two-thirds of the course work in music. The requirements below apply to classes through the graduating year 2015

• A sequence of eight course in Performance Studies that includes applied lessons, large ensemble, chamber music, master classes, instruction in pedagogy and literature for the student's instrument/voice, and field trips or other performance-related events; during the junior and senior years Performance Studies includes preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals. (Mus 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458)
• Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
• Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
• Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 212, 313, 314, 442)
• Elective courses. Voice students must also take one year minimum studying each of two approved languages, which are Italian, French, German, and Spanish

Bachelor of Science in Music Education

This degree prepares students for careers as music educators at all levels in public and independent schools upon graduation. The curriculum treats all aspects of music education, including general music, vocal/choral music, and instrumental music. Some students may also choose to pursue graduate work in music education or in music performance. Approximately one-half of the coursework is in music, while another 15 percent is in education courses. Pennsylvania K-12 music teaching certification is granted upon successful completion of all requirements.

Major requirements

• Music courses (MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 205, 212, 241, 242, 313, 314, 341)
• Music education courses (MUS_CLAS 120, 121, 149, 150, 152, 154, 156, 159, 320, 321, 410 or 412, 476, 440)
• Education Courses (MUS_CLAS 149, EDUC 201, 299, 340)
• Electives must include two math courses, one writing course, and one literature course in American or British literature.
• Other requirements include a capstone recital performance, seven semesters of participation in a major ensemble and some documented small ensemble experience, and applied study on the principal instrument/voice each semester in residence, and acceptance into music teacher education in the spring of the sophomore year and teacher education in the fall of the junior year.

Minor Requirements
MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 212, 313 or 314; a minimum of 4 semesters of participation in a major ensemble on the student's principal instrument culminating in Mus_Ens 230; a minimum of 4 semesters of private lessons on the student's principal instrument/voice culminating in MUS 231.

Ensemble Participation Policy

All students who are music majors are required to participate in their primary performing medium (instrument or voice) for credit in at least one large ensemble each semester of residence. For string players, this is the Orchestra. For brass, percussion, and woodwind players, the large ensembles are the Orchestra and Wind Symphony. For singers, they are College Choir or Women’s Choir. Singers pursuing the BM in Performance should also participate in Opera Workshop for a minimum of two semesters. Those students who play piano or guitar can satisfy the requirement by participation in either vocal or instrumental groups. All Bachelor of Music students are required to participate in chamber ensembles or appropriate chamber music experiences defined by their degree requirements

Music majors planning to graduate with the BA degree should register for MUS_ENS 330: Advanced Ensemble in their sixth (6th) semester of participation in the same major ensemble for a full course credit. NOTE: BS degree students may take MUS_ENS 330 as an elective credit in their sixth (6th) semester of participation in the same ensemble for a full course credit.

Music minors receiving Wagnild or Patrick awards have the same requirements as music majors. Others should follow the catalog requirements for the minor. Music minors should also note that in the fourth (4th) semester of their participation in a major ensemble (as defined above), they must register for MUS_ENS 230: Advanced Ensemble Performance to fulfill the ensemble requirement for the minor.

Friday Now Hear This!
Now Hear This! is a weekly time for our community of musicians to gather for student solo and chamber music performances, master classes, and presentations by Conservatory faculty members and guests. The purpose is to increase students' understanding of music, the aspects of music performance, and various professional issues related to music. Through attendance, students are exposed to a wide variety of repertory and styles, mediums, genres, and techniques. Attendance is required of all music majors. Music minors are required to attend during the semesters in which they are registered for private applied instrument/voice lessons. Any student registered for private applied study is eligible to perform.