Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2005-2006 
    
Undergraduate Record 2005-2006 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Music


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Requirements for Major


This program presents the study of music as one of the liberal arts. Students develop their understanding of music through critical and comparative studies; theory and analysis; composition; and development of skills in musicianship and performance.

In order to fulfill the requirements for a major in music, a student must complete at least 31 credits of academic course work. Beginning with courses taken in the spring semester, 2003, no course receiving a grade lower than C- will count toward major requirements.

I. Two introductory courses


A. Gateway course - Credits: 3


MUSI 305 (Music in the Twentieth Century )

B. Research skills - Credits: 1


MUSI 311 (Introduction to Music Research)

II. Four Core Courses


A. Critical and Comparative Studies in Music - Credits: 6


Two courses, including one course chosen from MUSI 300 (Studies in Pre-Modern Music [to 1500]), MUSI 301 (Studies in Early Modern Music [1500-1700]), MUSI 302 (Studies in Eighteenth-Century Music), MUSI 303 (Studies in Nineteenth-Century Music); and another course chosen from MUSI 307 (Worlds of Music), MUSI 308 (American Music), MUSI 309 (Performance in Africa), MUSI 312 (Jazz Studies).

B. Basic Theory - Credits: 3


MUSI 331 (Theory I). This course requires fluency in music notation. Students not meeting this prerequisite may improve their skills by taking MUSI 131 (Basic Musicianship) or MUSI 231 (Introduction to Musical Theory), but these courses do not count toward the 29 credits required for the major.

C. Composition - Credits: 3


One course chosen from MUSI 336 (Tonal Composition), MUSI 339 (Introduction to Music and Computers), MUSI 431 (Theory III), MUSI 435 (Computer Applications in Music).

III. Performance


A. Performance - Credits: 2


One course (2 or more credits) or, in the case of 1-credit lessons or ensembles, two semesters of the same course. Choose from the following categories: (1) curricular ensembles: MUSI 360 (Jazz Ensemble, 2 credits), MUSI 361 (Orchestra, 2 credits), MUSI 362 (Wind Ensemble, 2 credits), MUSI 364 (Coro Virginia, 2 credits), MUSI 365 (university Singers, 2 credits), MUSI 336 (Opera Workshop, 1 credit), MUSI 367 (Early Music Ensemble, 1 credit), MUSI 368 (New Music Ensemble, 1 credit), MUSI 369 (African Drumming and Dance Ensemble, 2 credits); (2) private lessons: MUSI 351-358 (Performance, 1-2 credits); (3) academic courses with performance emphasis: MUSI 230A or B (Keyboard/Fretboard Skills, 2 credits), MUSI 309 (Performance in Africa, 4 credits), MUSI 471 or 472 (Instrumental Conducting, 3 credits), MUSI 474 (Music in Performance, 3 credits), MUSI 475 or 476 (Choral Conducting, 3 credits); or (4) other approved performance activities: MUSI 359 (Supervised Performance, 2 credits).

B. Musicianship - Credit: 1


Students take at least 1 credit of musicianship (MUSI 333A, B, or C), as co-requisite (MUSI 332, MUSI 431), but further credits for musicianship do not count toward the minimum 31 credits for the major.

IV. Four Electives


Although the major can be completed in two years, students are strongly encouraged to complete MUSI 305, MUSI 311, and at least one course in critical and comparative studies by the end of their second year. Student planning to take MUSI 332 and 431 should normally begin their study of theory in the first or second year.

Students planning careers in music should complete at least 12 credits of advanced departmental course work beyond the minimum major requirements, choosing these courses in careful consultation with the faculty advisor, In addition, advanced performing students should perform a full recital in their fourth year.

Students who major in music and who have had instrumental or vocal training are encouraged to continue their performance studies and participate in curricular performing groups, MUSI 360 through MUSI 369. However, no more than eight credits of performance may be counted toward the 120 credits required for graduation from the College.

A. Electives - Credits: 12


Four additional courses (at least 3 credits each) numbered 300 level or above. Students seeking a broad survey of music should include among their electives at least two further courses in critical and comparative studies numbered 300 or above, or which at least one must be a seminar numbered 400 or above, and should also continue study of music theory at least through MUSI 332. Individual interests and goals may justify departure from this plan, as determined in discussion with the faculty advisor. In every case, the selection of electives must have the approval of the advisor.

Distinguished Majors Program in Music


Superior students with a GPA of at least 3.400 who seek independent study culminating in a thesis, a composition, or the performance of a full recital should apply for admission to the program no later than April 1 of the sixth semester. At that time the student should be nearing completion of requirements for the major. After a preliminary discussion with the undergraduate advisor, the student must submit a formal proposal to the departmental chair, to the advisor, and to the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project. The Distinguished Majors Committee will inform the applicant of the decision by April 15. To complete the program, the student must complete all 31 credits required for the music major plus six additional credits of independent study, MUSI 493-494, resulting in an extended essay on some historical or theoretical topic, in a substantial musical composition, or in a recital performance. Three weeks prior to the last day of classes in the semester, the student submits the project for examination. After the committee has evaluated the quality of the project, the student’s work in the program, in the major courses, and his or her overall scholastic accomplishment, it recommends the degree with either no distinction, distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction. Recommendations for all forms of distinction are then passed on to the Committee on Special Programs.

Additional Information


For more information, contact Laura Butterbaugh, McIntire Department of Music, 112 Old Cabell Hall, P.O. Box 400176, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4176; (434) 924-3052; www.virginia.edu/music.

Course Descriptions


Note: Because the subject matter changes each semester, courses numbered 360-369 may be repeated as often as desired, but no more than eight performance credits may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree in the College. These courses may not be applied toward the major.

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