Department Description
The music department is widely recognized for its excellent training of students in performance, education, history, theory, composition, and the enjoyment of music. Professional opportunities for music majors are many, as demonstrated by successful graduates working as performers, as teachers in private studios, colleges and public schools, in commercial music, church music, community musical organizations, and arts administration. Preparation for these postcollege opportunities are reflected in our curriculum: major concentrations in performance, musical arts, and courses leading to certification in music education. The faculty are active professional musicians who are dedicated to both performance and teaching. The department has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1961.
Our discipline is best experienced by the making of music, through singing, playing, composing, and improvising. It is enhanced through reflective study, critical thinking, and analytic and historic contextual study. The synthesis of the physical, intellectual, and spiritual knowing of music is both our method and our goal. All music courses, lessons, and ensembles are open to nonmajors. Some of those require students to be highly skilled, others require intermediate level skills, others are designed to initiate the newcomer to the study and making of music. Hamline's ensembles include students from all areas of the College of Liberal Arts. These ensembles range in size from large (45) to small (4), and include the A Cappella Choir, Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Women's Chorale.
Major Requirements
Students select one of three concentrations: musical arts, performance, or music education
PERFORMANCE
1. Seven semesters of performance studies at the 3000 level
2. Seven semesters of ensemble participation
3. Two music history courses-MUS 3350 and 3360-and one 4-credit music history elective
4. Three music theory courses-MUS 3410, 3420, and 3430
5. One 4-credit elective course in music
6. Pass Piano proficiency exam or four semesters of piano
7. Senior recital-MUS 5940
MUSICAL ARTS
1. Four semesters of performance studies at the 3000 level
2. Four semesters of ensemble participation
3. Eight credits of music history courses at the 3000 level (*see below)
4. Eight credits of music theory courses at the 3000 level (*see below)
5. Three courses in a related department, connected to the senior project.**
6. One 4-credit elective in music
7. Senior project (MUS 5930 or 5940)
**Upon declaration of the major in the sophomore year, a musical arts student submits a proposal to the music department faculty outlining a related course of study that connects music with an idea, discipline, or related field. For example, a student interested in aesthetics may take three philosophy courses and complete a senior project on the aesthetics of music, or a student may take three mathematics courses and produce a senior project on the relationship between music and mathematics.
*3000-level Music History and Theory courses listed by category.
HISTORY*
MUS 3300: Topics in Instrumental Literature
MUS 3310: Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Music
MUS 3320: Topics in Baroque Music
MUS 3330: Topics in Classical and Romantic Music
MUS 3340: Topics in Twentieth Century Music
MUS 3350: Music History I
MUS 3360: Music History II
THEORY*
MUS 3400: Dalcroze Eurhythmics
MUS 3410: Theory of Music I
MUS 3420: Theory of Music II
MUS 3430: Theory of Music III
MUS 3450: Arranging, Orchestration, and Computer Notation
MUS 3460: Instrumental Score Analysis and Conducting
MUSIC EDUCATION
(Licensing for K-12 Vocal, K-12 Instrumental Music)
Students are advised to declare a Music major in Performance, take general education classes offered in the Department of Education, and pursue the remaining State of Minnesota requirements for licensure through the ACTC.
