Music Major Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Program of Study: to be planned with the department consultant before the end of the
sophomore year. Prospective music majors should complete the prerequisites by the
end of their sophomore year and are encouraged to complete them by the end of their
first year. By the end of her first year as a music major she should select a faculty adviser.

Prerequisites: BC 1001 or 1002, MUSI V 1002 Fundamentals of Western Music, and MUSI
V 1312 Introductory Ear-training. Prospective music majors are advised to satisfy the prerequisites
prior to their declaration as majors or before the end of their sophomore year.
This requirement may be fulfilled either through successful completion of the courses or
satisfactory performance on examinations administered each semester by the department.

Courses: At least 40 points, including MUSI V 2318–V 2319 Diatonic Harmony and
Counterpoint; V 3321–V 3322 Chromatic Harmony and Counterpoint; four semesters of
ear-training, unless the student is exempt by exam; the following two history courses: V 3128
History of Western Music I: Middle Ages to Baroque and V 3129 History of Western Music II:
Classical to 20th Century; and at least three 3000- or 4000-level electives in your area of
interest (theory, history, composition, or ethnomusicology). The remaining points are
chosen from 2000- to 4000-levels. No more than 6 points of 2000-level courses and no
more than 4 points of instrumental or vocal lessons will count toward the major.

Senior Project: Working with her adviser, a major must complete an original project in
her senior year. Normally, it may be the expansion of a paper done in a 4000-level course
(as long as it deals with primary sources), a composition, or a recital.

Keyboard Proficiency: Music majors will be required to take a keyboard proficiency
exam, which must be arranged by making an appointment with a member of the piano
faculty, immediately upon declaration of the major. Those who do not pass the exam will
be required to take MUSI W 1517x–W 1518y, for 1 point each term, which will count
against the maximum 4 points allowed toward completion of the major.

Languages: For students who plan to do graduate work in music, the study of German,
French, Italian, and/or Latin is recommended.

Note: With the permission of Gail Archer, Barnard Director, students may apply to take lessons
at the Manhattan School of Music or the Juilliard School. For non-majors, there is a six
semester limit, but majors may continue for the remainder of their program.
More information can be found on Juilliard's website.

Practice rooms: Piano practice rooms are available, at a nominal fee, upon application
to the Music Department in 319 Milbank. Application should be made during the first
week of classes. Preference in assigning hours is given to students taking piano instruction,
majors, and concentrators, in order of application. The organ studio in St. Paul’s
Chapel is available for organ practice. Arrangements should be made with Mary Monroe,
Associate in Organ Performance, during the first week of classes.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR
Courses for the minor: Four terms of theory, four terms of ear-training, and two terms
of history.