Students who are candidates for the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in the music program must satisfactorily complete music core requirements in addition to an area of concentration following a pathway in theories and histories, composition and music technology, performance, or music education.
Admission to the
music program requires proficiency in basic musicianship and theory skills. Candidates
who do not meet entrance standards in one or more areas will be required to
take appropriate remedial courses and demonstrate competency in order to
continue.
All students majoring in music must specify a primary instrument and satisfy performance requirements on that instrument. All students must submit a video portfolio of at least two contrasting works demonstrating performance ability prior to declaring the major.
Students wishing to declare the performance pathway as their concentration must formally audition for acceptance to the performance track.
Upon admittance to the school, incoming first-year and transfer student
music majors should contact the music program coordinator for information on
placement exam and audition dates.
Students majoring in music must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses:
Core Requirements - Required for All Majors (23 credits)
50:700:161-162 Basic Musicianship I,II (2,2)
50:700:205-206 Basic Musicianship III,IV (2,2)*
50:700:225-226 Music Theory I,II (3,3)
50:700:271 Introduction to Music Technology (3)
50:700:291,292 History of Music I,II (3,3)
*Theories and histories, composition and technology, and performance pathways only
All students in the theories and histories, composition and technology, and performance pathways must complete and publicly present a capstone project in their final year. This project will be under the supervision of a full-time faculty member with expertise in the student's area of interest.
Performance (10 credits)
All students must complete a minimum of 10 credits of performance courses, lessons, and/or ensembles.
All students must declare a primary instrument and are expected to take a minimum of four semesters of applied lessons on their primary instrument or voice. Students must also participate in at least one major ensemble.
50:701:140 Rutgers Choir (1) or 50:701:347 Madrigal Ensemble (1) or 50:701:348 Performance Ensemble (1) or 50:701:321 Jazz Ensemble I (1)
Students must pass a keyboard competency examination, normally by the end of junior year. If students do not possess required keyboard skills, they must take applied piano until the proficiency requirement is satisfied.
All music majors are required to meet and demonstrate clearly regulated student outcomes through juried examination each semester. Should a student not show sufficient progress or meet the standards set by the department, the jury examination must be repeated.
Documented attendance at 10 college recitals or concerts each academic year.
The following courses are required for the theories and histories pathway (6 credits):
50:700:293 Topics in Music History III (3) or 50:700:325 Music Theory III (3)
50:700:494 Capstone (3)
Suggested theories and histories electives (minimum 9 credits):
50:700:294 Topics in Music History IV (3)
50:700:305 Gender in Music (3)
50:700:321 Counterpoint (3)
50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
50:700:412 History of Jazz (3)
50:700:486 Composition and Technology Seminar (3)
Music majors following the theories and history path are required to pass a comprehensive examination during their senior year.
The following courses are required for the composition and music technology pathway (6 credits):
50:700:486 Composition and Technology Seminar (3)
50:700:494 Capstone (3)Suggested composition and music technology electives (minimum 9 credits):
50:700:302 Sound and Image (3)
50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
50:700:385 Composition I (3)
50:700:391 Music and Computers (3)
50:700:392 Topics in Electroacoustic Music (3)
50:700:449 Audio Postproduction (3)
50:700:486 Composition and Technology Seminar (3)
Music majors following the music and technology path are required to present a comprehensive portfolio of creative/production work during their senior year.
Music majors in the technology track are strongly encouraged to enroll in the certificate in digital studies program.
The following courses are required for the performance pathway (6 credits):
Students in the performance pathway must
complete an additional 3 credits of applied performance or ensemble.50:700:494 Capstone (3)*
*For performance students, the expectation is
that the Capstone project will be a public recital.
Music majors following the performance path are
required to pass a comprehensive examination during their senior year.
Suggested performance electives
(minimum 9 credits):
50:700:131
Singing for the Stage (3)
50:700:271
Introduction to Music Technology (3)
50:700:293
Topics in Music History III (3)
50:700:325
Music Theory III (3)
50:700:337 History of Opera (3)
50:700:373 Introduction to Composition (3)
50:700:412 History of Jazz (3)
Other recommended electives
Recommended courses in foreign language:
50:470:102 Elementary German II
(4) or 50:560:102 Elementary Italian II (4)
Transfer students should consult with the music
program coordinator prior to enrollment.
