Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major (8 units)

The eight-unit liberal arts music major is for students who have strong musical interests but who do not necessarily intend to pursue a full-time professional career in music. This major may not be used as a major in the elementary or secondary education program. Students interested in teaching music in the public schools should enroll in the 12 1/2 unit music major with music education emphasis. Students should begin their study by enrolling in the following courses in the fall: Music 101, an applied music lesson (one-half unit) and a departmental ensemble. If enrolling in the ensemble for credit will cause a student to exceed 4.5 units the ensemble may be audited.

Students selecting this curriculum must complete eight units in music as follows:

• Four units in music theory: 101, 102, 201 and 202.
• Two units in music history: 313, 314.
• Two units in applied music (private lessons). One-half unit in conducting may be substituted for one-half unit in applied music by permission of music staff.
• All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade.

In addition:

• Students are expected to take applied music lessons each semester they are in residence.
• Students are required to participate in at least one of the major performing organizations most appropriate to their primary performance medium (marching/symphonic band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble) each semester the student is enrolled in this curriculum. Keyboard performers may satisfy this requirement through accompanying; guitarists should make special arrangements with the chair of the Music Department.
• Students must attend seven approved campus recitals and concerts per semester. Specific details concerning approved recitals and concerts and other information is in the Music Department Student Handbook and may be obtained from the Music Department Office.
• Successful completion of the keyboard laboratories in 101, 102, 201 and 202 will satisfy the piano proficiency requirement.

Requirements for Major with Performance Emphasis (12 1/2 units)

The music major with performance emphasis is for students who intend to study music within a broad spectrum of liberal arts studies. The emphasis in performance may lead to a career in music as a private music teacher, church musician or performer or provide preparation for graduate school. It is assumed that this introductory course sequence will be supplemented by further studies in music. Students should begin their study by enrolling in the following courses in the fall: Music 101, an applied music lesson (one-half unit), and a departmental ensemble. If enrolling in the ensemble for credit will cause a student to exceed four and one-half units, the ensemble may be audited.

Students selecting this curriculum must complete 12 1/2 units in music and other requirements as follows:

• Seven and one-half units in music: 101, 102, 201, 202, 216/217/218 (two of three), 313, 314 and 401.
• Four units in applied music (private lessons). Students must enroll for one-half unit each semester. During any semester that an off-campus program is elected, students are expected to arrange to take applied study.
• One unit elective in voice/piano/instrument classes, pedagogy, church music, literature or conducting. Vocal performance students are encouraged to elect Diction for Singers during their freshman or sophomore year.
• All courses for the major with performance emphasis must be taken for a numerical grade.
• At the end of the first semester of the sophomore year, students' performance level and academic progress toward the major will be evaluated by the faculty.
• Students at the senior level will present a full solo recital, or combination solo recital and small ensemble performance in which he or she is a participant in solo capacity. With the approval of the department, a research paper or project may be elected in lieu of the senior recital. The Music Department also encourages a recital, either entire or shared, at the junior level.
• Students are required to participate in at least one of the major music performing organizations most appropriate to their primary performance medium each semester (marching/symphonic band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble). Keyboard performers may satisfy this requirement through accompanying; guitarists should make special arrangements with the chair of the Music Department.
• Students must attend seven approved campus recitals and concerts per semester. A student attending Albion for four years must attend 56 concerts/recitals to graduate. Specific details concerning approved recitals and concerts and other information is in the Music Department Student Handbook and may be obtained from the Music Department Office.
• Successful completion of the 101, 102, 201 and 202 keyboard laboratories will satisfy the piano proficiency requirement.

Requirements for Major with Music Education Emphasis (12 1/2 units)

The major with music education emphasis provides certification for students who intend to teach music in grades K-12 for private and public schools. Students should begin their study by enrolling in the following courses in the fall: Music 101, an applied music lesson (one-half unit) and a departmental ensemble. If enrolling in the ensemble for credit will cause a student to exceed four and one-half units the ensemble may be audited.

Students selecting this curriculum must complete 12 1/2 units in music and other requirements as follows:

• Major—Seven and one-half units in music: 101, 102, 201, 202, 216/217/218 (two of three), 313, 314 and 401.
• Music Education Minor (required for teaching certificate)—Five units in specialized music performance courses, including three and one-half units in applied music (at least three units must be in a single performing area); one-half unit in voice/piano/guitar classes; one-half unit in Music 230; and one-half unit in Music 330 or 331. Specific recommendations for students whose principal performing area is keyboard, voice or an instrument are available from the Music Department.
• During any semester that an off-campus program is elected, students are expected to arrange to take applied study.
• Teacher Certification Requirements—Students in this curriculum must complete the required units of professional education courses taken through the Shurmur Center. Vocal students must elect Music 325 and 328, Education 202, 203, 373, 396, 423 and 432 plus one and one-half units selected from Music 240-246. Instrumental students must elect Music 322 and 325, Education 202, 203, 373, 396, 423 and 432 plus one and one-half units selected from Music 240-246. (Certification for secondary vocal music education alone requires one unit less than the K-12 music certification. Students interested in this alternative should contact the Music Department for specific details.)
• In order to complete the music education program in four years, students wishing to go off-campus should only do so in the fall semester.
• All courses for the major with music education emphasis must be taken for a numerical grade.
• At the end of the first semester of the sophomore year, students' performance level and academic progress toward the major will be evaluated by the faculty.
• Students at the senior level will present a full solo recital, or combination solo recital and small ensemble performance in which he or she is a participant in solo capacity. With the approval of the department, a research paper or project may be elected in lieu of the senior recital. The Music Department also encourages a recital, either entire or shared, at the junior level.
• Students are required to participate in at least one of the major music performing organizations most appropriate to their primary performance medium, each semester (marching/symphonic band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble). Keyboard performers may satisfy this requirement through accompanying; guitarists should make special arrangements with the chair of the Music Department.
• Students must attend seven approved campus recitals and concerts per semester. A student attending Albion for four years must attend 56 concerts/recitals to graduate. Specific details concerning approved recitals and concerts, carryover of excess credits or of deficits, and other information is in the Music Department Student Handbook and may be obtained from the Music Department Office or online at http://www.albion.edu/music/ (look under "Music Majors").
• Successful completion of the 101, 102, 201 and 202 keyboard laboratories will satisfy the piano proficiency requirement.