Music Minor

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 musicology, 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.

Admission and Declaration Process:

To begin the music minor students must complete an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument or voice. Although we primarily admit students for the fall term, mid-year applicants are also accepted depending on space availability. Please visit the Music Auditions webpage to read about our different audition processes and navigate to the Entrance & Scholarship Audition page to explore audition dates, deadlines, and requirements. 

Declaration and Advising

Undergraduate music students are assigned to the Undergraduate Music Advisor (UMA) after being admitted through an Entrance Audition. Students will declare their major or minor during registration sessions, through email, or during advising appointments. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation registration sessions or by appointment to obtain access to all program-restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Visit the Current Music Students webpage for more information about advising after acceptance.

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.

Course Equivalency Assessments

We offer optional assessments for new students who wish to test out of one or more quarters of our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills. The type of assessment depends on whether students have transfer credit in our core music subjects. Assessments can be taken online or in person after a student has been accepted through an Entrance Audition. Visit the Prospective Music Student webpage to review assessment types, eligibility, study guides, and transfer credit policies.

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.