Academic ProgramsMusicmajor & minor
minor, major   
  • Humanities & Fine Arts

Music Major & Minor

The opportunity of a lifetime—that’s what a major in Music can mean for you.

You’ll learn history & theory, explore a myriad of performance opportunities in our 14 ensembles, experience musical theater on stage or in the pit, learn about the diversity of music around the work with our ethnomusicology offerings, and have the opportunity to take private lessons every semester with world-class performers and educators. 

As seniors you'll choose a senior capstone project that matches your talents and interests. Students are invited to do a solo recital, original research, original recording/production, and original compositions. We also support double majors, and encourage projects that span disciplines!


 

Choose your own way!    

The Department of Music celebrates the diversity of musical experiences – from performance and education to music business and production! Music majors at Washington College develop an individualized program that sets them up for success as they work towards a BA. Learn about some of the ways you can work your way through a music major, minor, or just participate in the department.     

Performance and Musical Theater

Love being on stage as a performer? This track is for you! Aimed more at students who aspire to careers as performers, whether as a classical soloist, musical theatre and opera, or as a member of an instrumental or vocal performance ensemble. Through private lessons, instrumental or vocal labs, and performance studies classes, you will learn how to be a performer of the highest caliber. This track typically culminates with a senior recital.

 

World Music and Ethnomusicology

Music from around the world your thing? Study the music of a variety of cultures around the world. This is accomplished through ethnomusicology (a blend of music history and anthropology) courses and participating in our many world music ensembles. Students often finish this track with a minor or double major in anthropology or a minor in ethnomusciology.

 

 

Recording and Production

Love technology? Want to be a recording engineer or producer? Focus on courses in Ableton and Protools in the Departments state-of-the-art recording studio. Take advanced seminars in electronic composition or advanced recording techniques. You can even take private lessons on composing with Ableton! The end result of this path is highly dependent on your interests and could be an original album, composing new electronic works, or recording ensembles on campus. 

 

Music Education

If your goal is to be a secondary education teacher, this is your path. In addition to general education courses, you will also study a variety of instruments in addition to your own. Courses will be selected to help you receive the pedagogocial skills needed to enter the world of music education. You will work closely with the Department of Education to achieve this goal!

 

Music Theory and Composition

Want to be a composer? With a firm foundation in music theory, students will explore their creative side and learn to work as a professional composer. Through private composition lessons, students will pursue their compositional interests. This could be film music, pop music, Classical music, or anything in between. Senior projects are large-scale compositions of some variety.

 

Music History and Criticism

More of a history buff than a performer? Have no fear, this track is for you! Study the history of music in society through the analysis of musical literature. This pathway ultimately concludes with a research paper.