Program: Music, B.A. - Albion College - Modern Campus Catalog™

Jun 15, 2025

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Requirements for Major (8 units)

The eight-unit liberal arts music major is for students who have strong musical interests but who do not necessarily intend to pursue a full-time professional career in music. This major may not be used as a major in the elementary or secondary education program. Students interested in teaching music in the public schools should enroll in the 12 1/2 unit music major with music education emphasis. Students should begin their study by enrolling in the following courses in the fall: MUS 100 , MUS 104, an applied music lesson (one-half unit) and a departmental ensemble. If enrolling in the ensemble for credit will cause a student to exceed 4.5 units the ensemble may be audited. Students must enroll in an ensemble, for either 0.0 or 0.25 units, each semester in residence.

Students Selecting This Curriculum Must Complete Eight Units in Music as Follows:

Two units in applied music (private lessons). These must be taken for credit (either for 0.25 or 0.5 unit; 0.5 unit is recommended). One-half unit in conducting may be substituted for one-half unit in applied music by permission of music staff.
All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade.

Four Units in Music Foundations:

Two Units in Music Electives as follows (at least one unit from List A):

List A - Building on Core Studies

MUS 111: Music Appreciation (1 Unit)
MUS 113: Introduction to Opera (1 Unit)
MUS 120: Music Performance as a Creative Process (1 Unit)
MUS 202: Theory II (1 Unit)
MUS 216: Piano Literature (1/2 Unit)
MUS 217: Instrumental Literature (1/2 Unit)
MUS 218: Choral Literature (1/2 Unit)
MUS 230: Introduction to Conducting (1/2 Unit)
MUS 314: Music History II (1 Unit)
MUS 319: Evolution of Jazz (1 Unit)
MUS 330: Choral Conducting (1/2 Unit)
MUS 331: Instrumental Conducting (1/2 Unit)
MUS 401: Seminar (1/2 Unit)

List B - Vocational/Pedagogical/Performance Practice/Interdisciplinary

MUS 110: Rock-and-Roll in Society (1 Unit)
MUS 133: Opera Workshop (1/2 Unit)
MUS 137: Piano Chamber Music Ensemble (1/4 Unit)
MUS 205: Jazz Improvisation (1 Unit)
MUS 220: Diction for Singers (1/2 Unit)
MUS 221: Diction for Singers (1 Unit)
MUS 240: Brass Teaching and Techniques (1/2 Unit)
MUS 242: Woodwind Teaching and Techniques (1/2 Unit)
MUS 244: Stringed Teaching and Techniques (1/2 Unit)
MUS 246: Percussion Teaching and Techniques (1/2 Unit)
MUS 289: Selected Topics (1 Unit)
MUS 322: Teaching of Instrumental Music in the Schools (1 Unit)
MUS 325: Teaching of Music in the Elementary School (1 Unit)
MUS 328: Teaching of Choral Music in the Secondary School (1 Unit)
MUS 389: Selected Topics (1 Unit)

In Addition:

Students are expected to take applied music lessons each semester they are in residence.
Students are required to participate in at least one of the major performing organizations most appropriate to their primary performance medium (marching/symphonic band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble) each semester the student is enrolled in this curriculum. Keyboard performers may satisfy this requirement through accompanying; guitarists should make special arrangements with the chair of the Music Department.
Students at the senior level will present at least a half solo recital, or combination solo recital and small ensemble performance in which he or she is a participant in solo capacity. With permission from the music faculty, students may substitute an appropriate capstone project for the recital requirement.
Successful completion of MUS 100 Music Major Seminar (0 unit), 6 out of 8 semesters.
Successful completion of the keyboard laboratories in the following will satisfy the piano proficiency requirement.