Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts
30 credits
Introduction
The Music Minor consists of a basic core of study in music theory along with ensemble performance, an introduction to music history, and optional private instruction and ensemble. The minor allows for individual preferences in intensifying studies in certain aspects of music and broadening the scope of academic pursuits while focusing on a major in a different field.
Why Consider a Music Minor?
This program is designed for the liberal arts student who has an interest in a higher level of music education but may wish to complete a major in another field. Students in the Music Minor program frequently complete studies in such fields as Theatre, Business, Journalism, Mathematics or one of the languages.
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Recording Engineer | Music Publishing | Music Journalism | Music Editing | Sound Mixing | Production Assistant | Music Industry | Arts Administration | Computer Programmer
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Admission and Declaration Process:
Admissions/Audition: All students must successfully complete an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument or voice to begin academic course work towards all music degree programs. Please visit our website for priority audition dates. Students who audition after primary audition dates will be considered on a space available basis. Due to the sequential nature of the music curriculum, mid-year applications are not recommended. Students electing to begin in a quarter other than Fall should seek advisement before requesting an audition. cfpa.wwu.edu/music/auditions
Advising: Music Minors are required to register for the first year sequence of Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Keyboarding concurrently Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters for one full year. Those that cannot commit to these three courses each quarter must wait before starting the sequence until the student schedule permits. This first year core sequence begins every Fall quarter. Please note, this does not apply to all students, and is dependent on each student’s incoming status, eligibility for placement exams, and academic progress within the department.
- Freshman: Freshman music minors will be placed into an advising session according to their major interest during Fall Advising & Orientation. Freshman will be emailed a set of courses they are required to register for if they are to begin the Music Minor. If students are unable to register for the core sequence due to scheduling conflicts, students must schedule an appointment with the Program Coordinator to determine if students are eligible to begin the music minor the following year.
- Transfer: Transfer students will declare their music minor during Transition Orientation, Transitions, or by appointment with the Program Coordinator after passing an Entrance Audition. Declaration is required to obtain access to all major restricted courses. Overrides will be entered prior to Transitions, or by appointment to give preliminary access to restricted courses before declarations are processed.
- Current WWU Students: Returning students will declare their music minor by appointment with the Program Coordinator after passing an Entrance Audition. Returning students should contact the Program Coordinator prior to their scheduled registration in order to obtain access to program restricted courses.
Placement Exams: Placement exams in Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Keyboarding are given only to students who have successfully passed an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument or voice. All auditioned students are eligible for placement exams if they meet the following eligibility requirements.
Eligibility:
Theory and Aural Skills (Ear Training): Students are eligible to complete placement exams if they have successfully completed the AP Theory Exam with a 3 or higher, or have successfully completed college level courses in the corresponding subject at another institution.
Keyboarding (Class Piano): Students are eligible to complete the keyboarding placement exam if they have successfully completed college level class piano courses at another institution. Those that have completed piano lessons will not be eligible to test out of our sequence without the completion of class piano at another institution. These students will instead be placed into an advanced keyboarding sequence.
Scheduling: Placement exams are scheduled each Fall quarter before term begins. Those that are attempting to start Winter and Spring quarter will be given placement exams on an individual basis contingent on faculty and room availability. Students attempting to start the major Winter or Spring quarter should contact our Program Coordinator as soon as possible to determine eligibility and to schedule exams. Study materials are available on request after a successful audition. Contact Program Coordinator for more details.
Placement Exam Advising: Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level. Students must complete the entire core sequence of theory, aural skills and keyboarding as a pre-requisite to all upper division core requirements. All credits received in theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills previously at other institutions will be transferred at the level for which it was earned, and may apply toward fulfillment of elective requirements for the major in music or in music education. Students may be required to repeat theory and/or aural skills/keyboarding skills courses previously taken at another institution.
Juries: Students enrolled in applied lessons must complete a jury up to three times during the academic year. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students should refer all questions regarding juries to their area coordinator and applied instructor.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for all Music Major and Minor courses.
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