Music Theory (4 courses = 16 credits)

• MUS 131, 231, 231, 232 (Music Theory I, II, III, IV)

Music History (2 courses = 8 credits)

Two courses selected from the following History of Western Music Sequence:

• MUS 203 (Ancient to Baroque)
• MUS 204 (Classical to Romantic)
• MUS 205 (Music Since 1900)

World Music Elective (1 Course = 4 credits)

One course selected from the following:

• MUS 104 (Intro to World Music & Ethnomusicology)
• MUS 313 (Music of Latin America)
• MUS 314 (Music of Asia)
• MUS 327 (Music, Ritual and Early Christianity)
• MUS 406 (Theory and Method in Ethnomusicology)

Music Electives (2 Courses = 8 credits)

• Any two four-credit courses in music (except MUS 100)

Performance Requirements (18 credits):

 

for students of Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Strings, and Voice:

• Four semesters of two-credit applied music in their declared area (8 credits)
• Two semesters of two-credit applied or class piano, or by passing a piano proficiency exam (4 credits)
• Performance ensemble participation (6 credits)
  • Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion students must acquire at least 4 credits in MUS 277 Symphonic Band. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music. 
  • String students must acquire at least 4 credits from MUS 291 String Orchestra. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music.
  • Voice students must acquire at least 4 credits from MUS 283 College Chorus. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music.

for students of Guitar and Composition:

• Four semesters of two-credit applied music in their declared area (8 credits)
• Two semesters of two-credit applied or class piano, or by passing a piano proficiency exam (4 credits)
• Six additional credits of additional applied music or ensemble participation, of which at least 4 credits must be in a large ensemble (MUS 277 Symphonic Band, MUS 281 Jazz Ensemble, MUS 283 College Chorus, or MUS 291 String Orchestra) (6 credits).

for students of Piano:

• Four semesters of two-credit applied music in their declared area (8 credits)
• Ten additional credits of additional applied music or ensemble participation, of which at least 4 credits must be in a large ensemble (MUS 277 Symphonic Band, MUS 281 Jazz Ensemble, MUS 283 College Chorus, or MUS 291 String Orchestra) (10 credits).

Other Expectations

• Music majors must attend and participate in department-designated performances and events. In this regard, the department faculty reserves the right to assign majors to specific tasks and responsibilities.
• If a Music Major intends to pursue graduate work in music, the department strongly recommends studying two years of German or French, in that order of preference.
• Music Majors are required to perform as a soloist in a student performance class or honors recital at least once.
• Music scholarship students must remain enrolled in a large ensemble every semester while a student at Washington College. See above for further explanation. 

Senior Capstone Experience (4 credits):

The Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) in music may be fulfilled by writing an extensive research paper or an extended composition; by presenting a research paper in conjunction with a lecture recital; by performing an hour-long solo recital; or by combining a half recital with a research paper. Students may pursue an alternate SCE project with the approval of the department chair. Students who double major are encourage to explore a project that satisfies both majors. The SCE will be accorded Pass, Fail, or Honors, and, upon successfully completing it, the student will receive four credits. Click Here for more information.

Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion students must acquire at least 4 credits in MUS 277 Symphonic Band. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music. ○ String students must acquire at least 4 credits from MUS 291 String Orchestra. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music. ○ Voice students must acquire at least 4 credits from MUS 283 College Chorus. The remaining 2 credits may come from any other ensemble offered by the Department of Music.

Music scholarship students must remain enrolled in a large ensemble every semester hile a student at Washington College.