Oct 10, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Minor


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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.

 Contact Information

Program Coordinator
​Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Catherine Brown
Performing Arts 263
360-650-6280
Catherine.Brown@wwu.edu

Department Chair
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Performing Arts 271
360-650-3772
Tim.Fitzpatrick@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Recording Engineer | Music Publishing | Music Journalism | Music Editing | Sound Mixing | Production Assistant | Music Industry | Arts Administration | Computer Programmer

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

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.

Requirements


Music Minor Core Sequence


The music minor core sequence is a combination of aural skills, keyboarding skills, and theoretical and analytical skills courses that takes three quarters to complete. Core music sequences begin fall quarter and will not repeat until the next academic year. Students must concurrently enroll in one course each of theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills each quarter, and will not be permitted to complete a core music sequence course as a stand-alone class unless a student successfully passes course equivalency, assessments or does not meet the prerequisite grade requirement of a C- or higher. Visit the Prospective Music Students webpage. For additional information on degree planning and advisement, visit the Current Music Students webpage.

Music Minor Survey/Elective Courses


In addition to the core requirements, music minors must complete the following courses as partial fulfillment of the degree program. Students may register for survey courses and elective credits during any quarter.

Electives (12 credits under advisement)


Students may register for additional survey courses, chamber music, major ensemble, and applied lessons to fulfill elective credits. Students will need to attend ensemble auditions for ensembles that require an audition. Students will need instructor permission to register for applied lessons, those enrolled in applied lessons must also concurrently enroll in a major ensemble. Other music department courses may be considered as electives with the permission of the undergraduate music advisor. 

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