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.
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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 course equivalency assessments, 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 Transitions, or by appointment with the program coordinator after passing an Entrance Audition. Declaring a music major or minor 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.
Course Equivalency Assessments: We offer three separate assessments to determine equivalency and placement in our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills for those who have successfully completed an entrance audition into our program. After assessments are complete the program coordinator will adjust course equivalency on each students’ TER (Transfer Equivalency Report), if required. All other music course equivalency will be determined by the admissions office and will not require an assessment, e.g. music ensembles, applied lessons, survey courses, etc.
- Eligibility: Transfer students and freshman are eligible for corresponding assessments if they have transferable credits in music theory, aural skills/ear training, and keyboarding skills/class piano. Combined courses with multiple topics will qualify for separate corresponding assessments. Incoming transfer students and freshman who achieved a 3 or higher on the AP Theory Exam are eligible for the music theory and aural skills assessments only. Students without transferable credits in keyboarding will be required to complete all keyboarding courses. Those with extensive piano lesson experience will enroll in an accelerated advanced keyboarding section along with piano majors and minors.
- Scheduling: Fall quarter assessments in music theory and aural skills will be scheduled online in July each year, keyboarding assessments will be scheduled online in the summer and in person directly before the academic year begins. Further details will be sent individually to students after the fall enrollment confirmation deadline for the university. Students attempting to begin in winter and spring quarters should contact the program coordinator to determine eligibility.
- Course Equivalency Assessment Advising: Students are encouraged to use study materials from previous institutions or exams to prepare for the assessments. Students will be sent a series of assessment topics but will not be supplied with study materials. Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level and may be required to repeat courses previously taken at another institution. All credits received in music theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills will be transferred as general credit, and will apply towards total graduation requirements, and/or major requirements contingent on assessment results.
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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