Music
Faculty: Christopher Quinn (Director), Karlyn Bond, Brandon Derfler (Chair), Chris Puckett
Program Goals
- A solid understanding of music theory from the common practice period to the present, including tonal theory (i.e., harmony, the rules of voice leading, and four-part writing), and post-tonal theory
- Aural skills sufficient for competent melodic/harmonic/rhythmic dictation and sight-singing—collectively necessary for a balanced understanding of music theory, the ability to learn music accurately and efficiently, and to perform it capably and artistically
- Knowledge of the basic history of Western classical music—its forms and styles, and its connections to Western culture; and more in-depth knowledge of a few special topics within this overarching history
- Excellence on a particular instrument or voice in solo and ensemble performance
- The ability to write clearly and meaningfully about music and subjects relating to it
Objectives
The Florence J. Gillmor School of Music at Westminster offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music and also offers a music minor. Music majors must select an emphasis in vocal performance, piano performance, or music studies. The BA degree in music is an excellent choice for talented students who plan to pursue graduate work in music, for liberal arts students pursuing two majors in preparation for graduate school, and for musical pre-law or pre-med students. It is also a degree that would qualify students for any number of music-related jobs following college. Among musicians with sufficient talent and training for careers in the field, those with degrees in music are at an advantage over those without.
The School of Music also offers opportunities for anyone on campus interested in making music, regardless of backgrounds or areas of formal study. School performing ensembles—open to capable and committed students and, in some cases, members of the community—include the Westminster Community Choir, Westminster Chamber Singers, SugarTown, Westminster Chamber Orchestra, Westminster Jazz Ensemble, Westminster Chamber Players, and Westminster Opera Studio. (All of the above require at least an informal audition.) Private lessons and WCore courses in music are also available to students.
Program Requirements
An audition is required for status as a major or minor in music. Students must choose a primary instrument and audition on that particular instrument (e.g., piano, voice, guitar, violin, etc.). Live auditions are held each year on specific dates as announced on the School of Music web page. Music major aspirants auditioning before the end of March who are planning to enroll as first-year students the following fall semester will automatically be considered for music scholarships. All auditions taking place after March 31 will be for major or minor status only. Due to strict course sequencing, students wishing to graduate with a music major within a four-year course of study must begin their required course work fall semester of their freshman year, and audition for status no later than the end of their first semester.
Students seeking a music minor must audition before their sophomore year and begin their required course work no later than fall semester of that same year. In order to maintain music major or minor status, each student must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in music courses, and additionally pass each required music course with a minimum grade of C-.
Transfer students wishing to complete a music major at Westminster must complete at least half their total number of required music credits at Westminster, and be enrolled in a performing ensemble each semester while at Westminster. Transfer students wishing to complete a music minor must complete a minimum of nine credits of music—including two semesters of ensemble credit—at Westminster College. For more information, email the Music Department Chair, currently Dr. Brandon Derfler, at bderfler@westminstercollege.edu
Students must meet the college-wide graduation requirements in addition to the Music major:
- 124 total hours
- 30 upper division hours
- WCore or Honors requirements
Music Studies Major
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. World Language Requirement | 8 | |
Music majors must complete eight credit hours in a single world language. | ||
II. Performance-Based Coursework | 16 | |
Piano Proficiency Requirement | ||
Students must demonstrate reasonable piano proficiency, either through successful completion of a diagnostic test or alternately by taking a group piano course or private piano lessons at the discretion of the student’s music advisor. | ||
Private Lessons (primary instrument) (8) | ||
Four consecutive semesters are required. | ||
MUSC 191, 192, 291, 292 (2 credits each) | ||
Performing Ensembles (8) | ||
One of the following must be taken eight different semesters: | ||
MUSC 315 Westminster Community Choir (1) | placement audition required | |
MUSC 325 Westminster Jazz Ensemble (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 335 Westminster Chamber Orchestra (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 345 Westminster Chamber Singers (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 365 Westminster Opera Studio (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 375 Westminster Percussion Ensemble (1) | placement audition required | |
MUSC 385 Westminster Chamber Players (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 395 SugarTown Acappella (1) | audition required | |
III. Academic Coursework | 16 | |
MUSC 171 Music Theory I (3) | Piano Proficiency Requirement | |
MUSC 181 Aural Skills I (2) | ||
MUSC 271 Music Theory II (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 281 Aural Skills II (2) | MUSC 181 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
MUSC 351 History of Western Classical Music I (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 352 History of Western Classical Music II (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 353 History of Western Classical Music III (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 354 History of Western Classical Music IV (3) | MUSC 271 | |
IV. Elective Courses | 15 | |
Fifteen hours of music coursework and music-related WCFAH courses (any 100-level or higher music courses). A minimum of 9 elective credit hours must be upper-division academic music courses. | ||
V. Senior Project | 2 | |
MUSC 421 Senior Project (2) | MUSC 292 | |
TOTAL HOURS FOR MUSIC STUDIES MAJOR | 57 |
Four Year Plan - BA Music Studies
Fall | Spring | |
First Year | WRIT 110 or Writing Emphasis WCore Course (take MUSC 104 instead if recommended from
diagnostic test) MUSC 191 Ensemble Learning Community |
MUSC 171 MUSC 181 MUSC 192 Ensemble Music Elective Elective |
Sophomore Year | MUSC 271 MUSC 281 MUSC 291 Ensemble Music Elective WCSAM |
MUSC 292 Ensemble MUSC 352 or 354 WCFAH 219 Music Elective Elective |
Junior Year | World Language I Ensemble WCFAH 132 Music Elective WCSBS |
World Language II Ensemble MUSC 207 Music Elective Elective |
Senior Year | Ensemble WCSAM MUSC 351 or Elective Elective |
MUSC 421 WCSBS Ensemble Elective |
Music Major—Performance Emphasis (Piano)
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. World Language Requirement | 8 | |
Music majors must complete eight credit hours in a single world language. | ||
II. Performance-Based Coursework | 24 | |
Private Music Lessons (16) | ||
Two credits must be taken every semester except the eighth. | ||
MUSC 191, 192, 291, 292, 391, 392, 491 (14) | ||
MUSC 420 Senior Recital (2) (final year) | MUSC 491 | |
Performing Ensembles (4) | ||
Must be repeated for four semesters. | ||
MUSC 385 Westminster Chamber Players (1) | audition required | |
Collaborative Piano Performance (4) | ||
MUSC 331 Collaborative Piano I (2) | ||
MUSC 332 Collaborative Piano II (2) | ||
III. Academic Coursework | 38 | |
MUSC 171 Music Theory I (3) | ||
MUSC 181 Aural Skills I (2) | ||
MUSC 271 Music Theory II (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 281 Aural Skills II (2) | MUSC 181 | |
MUSC 351 History of Western Classical Music I (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 352 History of Western Classical Music II (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 353 History of Western Classical Music III (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 354 History of Western Classical Music IV (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 371 Music Theory III (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 381 Aural Skills III (2) | MUSC 281 | |
MUSC 471 Music Theory IV (3) | MUSC 371 | |
MUSC 481 Aural Skills IV (2) | MUSC 381 | |
MUSC 341 Piano Literature I (2) | ||
MUSC 342 Piano Literature II (2) | ||
MUSC 343 Piano Pedagogy (2) | ||
IV. Elective Courses | 4 | |
Four hours of music coursework and music-related WCFAH courses (any 100-level or higher music courses). | ||
TOTAL HOURS FOR PIANO PERFORMANCE MAJOR | 74 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Piano Performance Major
Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
First Year |
MUSC 331 |
MUSC 171 MUSC 181 MUSC 192 MUSC 385 |
Sophomore Year | MUSC 271 MUSC 281 MUSC 291 World Language |
MUSC 292 MUSC 371 MUSC 381 World Language |
Junior Year | MUSC 351 MUSC 391 MUSC 471 MUSC 481 |
MUSC 352 |
Senior Year | MUSC 341 MUSC 353 MUSC 385 MUSC 491 |
MUSC 342 |
74
Music Major—Performance Emphasis (Vocal)
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. World Language Requirement | 8 | |
Music majors must complete eight credit hours in a single world language. | ||
II. Performance-Based Coursework | 28 | |
Piano Proficiency Requirement | ||
Students must demonstrate reasonable piano proficiency, either through successful completion of a diagnostic test or alternately by taking a group piano course or private piano lessons at the discretion of the student’s music advisor. | ||
Private Music Lessons (voice) (16) | ||
Two credits must be taken every semester except the eighth. | ||
MUSC 191, 192, 291, 292, 391, 392, 491 (14) | ||
MUSC 420 (Senior Recital – final year) (2) | MUSC 491 | |
Performing Ensembles (10) | ||
At least one of the following must be taken every semester. | ||
MUSC 345 Westminster Chamber Singers (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 365 Westminster Opera Studio (1) | audition required | |
Conducting Courses (2) | ||
MUSC 301 Choral Conducting (2) | ||
III. Academic Coursework | 37 | |
MUSC 171 Music Theory I (3) | Piano Proficiency Requirement | |
MUSC 181 Aural Skills I (2) | ||
MUSC 311 English & Italian Diction for Singers (2) | ||
MUSC 312 French & German Diction for Singers (2) | ||
MUSC 271 Music Theory II (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 281 Aural Skills II (2) | MUSC 181 | |
MUSC 371 Music Theory III (3) | MUSC 271 | |
MUSC 381 Aural Skills III (2) | MUSC 281 | |
MUSC 471 Music Theory IV (3) | MUSC 371 | |
MUSC 481 Aural Skills IV (2) | MUSC 381 | |
Choose three of the following: | ||
|
MUSC 171
MUSC 271
MUSC 271
MUSC 271
|
|
Choose two of the following: | ||
|
||
TOTAL HOURS FOR VOCAL PERFORMANCE MAJOR | 73 |
Four Year Plan - BA Music - Vocal Performance
Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
First Year |
Piano Proficiency Requirement |
MUSC 345 MUSC 171 MUSC 181 MUSC 192 MUSC 312 |
Sophomore Year | MUSC 271 MUSC 281 MUSC 291 WCFAH 345 World Language |
MUSC 292 MUSC 345 MUSC 371 MUSC 381 World Language |
Junior Year | MUSC 365 MUSC 345 MUSC 391 MUSC 471 MUSC 481 MUSC 351 or 353 |
MUSC 365 MUSC 303 MUSC 301 MUSC 345 MUSC 352 or 354 MUSC 392 |
Senior Year |
MUSC 304 |
MUSC 305 |
Music Minor
Requirement Description | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
I. Piano Proficiency Requirement | 0–2 | |
Students must demonstrate reasonable piano proficiency, either through successful completion of a diagnostic test or alternately by taking a group piano course or private piano lessons at the discretion of the student’s music advisor. | ||
II. Performance-Based Coursework | 4–6 | |
Private Lessons (primary instrument) (2-4) | ||
Two consecutive semesters are required. | ||
MUSC 191, 192, (1-2 credits each) | ||
Performing Ensembles (2) | ||
One of the following must be taken two different semesters. | ||
MUSC 315 Westminster Community Choir (1) | placement audition required | |
MUSC 325 Westminster Jazz Ensemble (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 335 Westminster Chamber Orchestra (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 345 Westminster Chamber Singers (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 365 Westminster Opera Studio (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 375 Westminster Percussion Ensemble (1) | ||
MUSC 385 Westminster Chamber Players (1) | audition required | |
MUSC 395 SugarTown Acappella (1) | audition required | |
III. Academic Coursework | 16 | |
MUSC 171 Music Theory I (3) | Piano Proficiency Requirement | |
MUSC 181 Aural Skills I (2) | ||
MUSC 271 Music Theory II (3) | MUSC 171 | |
MUSC 281 Aural Skills II (2) | MUSC 181 | |
Choose two of the following: | ||
|
MUSC 171 MUSC 271 MUSC 271 MUSC 271 |
|
IV. Elective Courses | 4 | |
Four hours of music coursework and music-related WCFAH courses (any 100-level or higher music courses). | ||
TOTAL HOURS FOR MUSIC MINOR | 24–28 |
Recommended Plan of Study for Music Minor
Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
Freshman Year | Piano Proficiency Requirement MUSC 191 Music Ensemble |
MUSC 171 MUSC 181 MUSC 192 Music Ensemble |
Sophomore Year | MUSC 271 MUSC 281 |
Music Elective(s) |
Junior Year | MUSC 351 or 353 | MUSC 352 or 354 |
Senior Year | Music Elective(s) | Music Elective(s) |
Note: Ensemble and elective scheduling are flexible within the four-year plan of study, but the Department of Music strongly encourages every music minor to participate in a music ensemble whenever his/her schedule allows.