Music

Faculty: Christopher Quinn (Director), Karlyn Bond, Brandon Derfler (Chair), Chris Puckett

Music Courses

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

 

Four Year Plan - BA Music Studies

 

Music Major—Performance Emphasis (Piano)

 

Recommended Plan of Study for Piano Performance Major

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Music Major—Performance Emphasis (Vocal)

 

Four Year Plan - BA Music - Vocal Performance

 

Music Minor

 

Recommended Plan of Study for Music Minor

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.