The music curriculum at Hillsdale College has been developed to give students a broad knowledge of music’s function in our society and culture, to place music in a historical perspective, and to prepare students for careers in music or for admission to graduate programs in music. It has also been designed to allow students the option to double major in music and another chosen discipline.
Students progress through three semesters of music theory, beginning with figured bass and four-part chorale writing and moving into harmonic analysis of historical whole movements and multi-movement works. The musicianship lab develops skills in sight-singing, listening exercises, and basic keyboard proficiency.
The history classes survey music from Gregorian chant through the twentieth century. Students learn to identify key aspects of various musical genres and understand their relationship to the historical and cultural context.
Students interested in music education may opt for classes in conducting or music pedagogy, and students more performance-oriented may choose additional history or theory courses.
Special Requirements
Senior music majors finish their studies with a full senior recital. In some circumstances, students may replace the full recital with a half recital and pre-approved project, which typically discusses music theory, history, pedagogy, composition, or conducting.
Requirements
Note: This is a general overview of the major and minor. For more information, please consult the current college catalog, or contact the department.
Major Requirements
The concentration in music requires a minimum of 40 credit hours, which includes the fine arts core requirement. After completion of MUS 206 (ideally fall semester freshman year), students must complete:
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- Music 201: Theory I
- Music 221: Theory II
- Music 321: Theory III
Six credits of music history courses chosen from the following:
- Music 322: History & Literature of Music I
- Music 323: History & Literature of Music II
- Music 325: History and Literature of Music III
In addition, students must take three credit-hours selected from any 400-level music history course, 12 credit-hours of Applied Music and four hours of music electives at the 300 or 400 level excluding private instrument/voice study.
All students declaring a concentration in music are required to pass a Music Department juried audition prior to registration for 300-level lessons.
Every semester, students majoring in music or intending to major in music must participate in the appropriate ensemble and enroll in private study on their primary instrument/voice.
During the senior year of study, as an extension of the 400 level of private study, students majoring in music are required to present a full recital on their major instrument/voice or a half recital and a project. The project may be in the areas of music theory, music history, music pedagogy, music composition or conducting.
Major Requirements with an Emphasis in Education
The concentration in music with an emphasis in education requires a minimum of 47 credit hours, which includes the fine arts core requirement. The required courses are the same as the requirements for the Music Concentration EXCEPT in place of the four credits of electives (at the 300 and 400 level), students must complete:
- MUS 324: Beginning Conducting
- MUS 417: The Teaching of Music in the Classroom
- EDU 360: Philosophy of Education
- EDU 401: Liberal Arts Teacher Apprenticeship
In addition, students must participate in a primary ensemble (orchestra, choir, or band) for one semester on a secondary instrument/voice, and they must also pass a keyboard proficiency exam, which includes sight-reading, harmonization, basic improvisation, and performance.
Minor Requirements
The minor in music requires a minimum of 21 credit hours. After completing MUS 206, students choosing to minor in music must complete:
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- Music 201: Theory I
One course chosen from:
- Music 322: History & Literature of Music I
- Music 323: History & Literature of Music II
- Music 325: History & Literature of Music III
In addition, students must take four semesters of lessons on an instrument or voice and four semesters of participation in a primary ensemble.
Minor Requirements with an Emphasis in Education
The minor in music with an emphasis in education requires a minimum of 26 credit hours. After completing MUS 206, students choosing to minor in music must complete:
- MUS 201: Music Theory I
- MUS 417: The Teaching of Music in the Classroom
- either MUS 324: Beginning Conducting or 310: Music Pedagogy
- EDU 360: Philosophy of Education
- EDU 401: Liberal Arts Teacher Apprenticeship
Additionally, students must complete four semesters of lessons on an instrument or voice, four semesters of participation in a primary ensemble, and one semester in a primary ensemble on a secondary instrument. They must also pass a keyboard proficiency exam, which includes sight-reading, harmonization, basic improvisation, and performance.