Since significant portions of the music curriculum are based on mastery of sequential study, such as applied music and theory, the department recommends as early a declaration as possible. Early declaration also allows students maximum benefit from private lesson study, since the department provides a half-subsidy for private lessons for declared music majors. The music department offers a music minor and Emory College allows a double major.

To declare a major, a student must satisfactorily pass an audition before the music faculty. An audition on the student’s major performance instrument must be arranged with the appropriate applied faculty member.  See Audition Information.

Music Major Requirements

A student must complete the required courses listed below to fulfill a music major. Additionally, the following apply:

• Students may count no more than four credit hours of Supervised Reading or Study Abroad courses toward fulfillment of the music major.

• Students may not count an Internship toward fulfillment of the music major.

• AP Music Theory Exam: A score of 4 will transfer to Emory as MUS 114 and count as an elective toward the music major.  A score of 5 will transfer to Emory as MUS 121 and the student may move on to MUS 122 in the spring semester. Students with extensive background in Music Theory may request to take the MUS 121 Exemption Test to place into a higher level of theory. If a student successfully passes the exemption test and places out of one or more Music Theory courses, these credit hours must be replaced with other Music courses. Students may not replace theory courses with MUS 300, 310, or 320. All students must complete 44 credit hours for the music major.

• No course for the major may be taken S/U.

Courses:

MUS 222: Theory and Analysis IV
MUS 245: Jazz Theory and Analysis
MUS 444: Counterpoint

We recommend that Music 121 be taken as soon as possible, since it initiates the set of theory courses that must be taken in sequence, each being a prerequisite to the others.

(2) History and Literature Survey of Western MUS 201 and 202 (8 hours)

(3) Applied Music for Majors: MUS 320 (8 hours minimum)

Students are expected to enroll in MUS 320 Private Lessons each semester. Perspectives on Performance (POP), Thursdays 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. in the Schwartz Center, is a required co-requisite to private lessons and part of the Music 320 curriculum. Attendance is required.

Enrollment in MUS 320 carries a fee of $400 a semester; the Music Department absorbs the remaining instructor fees associated with this one-on-one instruction. Accompanists for required performances are provided by the department at no additional charge as long as deadlines are met.

(4) Ensemble and Accompanying: MUS 300 (4 hours minimum)

Enrollment in one of the department's primary ensembles is required each semester. Students must enroll in the primary ensemble that supports their applied instruction. Voice students and students who cannot be placed in an instrumental ensemble will enroll in University Chorus.

* MUS 300 University Chorus
* MUS 300 Wind Ensemble
* MUS 300 Orchestra
* MUS 300 Collaborative Piano
* MUS 300 Jazz Ensembles
* MUS 300 World Music Ensembles

ONLY 16 HOURS OF APPLIED MUSIC AND ENSEMBLE CREDIT (MUS 300, 310 OR 320) MAY BE APPLIED TOWARD THE 128 ACADEMIC HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION, ALTHOUGH ALL APPLIED MUSIC AND ENSEMBLES MUST BE TAKEN FOR CREDIT

(5) Music Electives (8 hours)

Electives may be chosen from any of the department's offerings and one elective course should be taken at the 200-level or higher.  Students may not apply Music 300, 310, or 320 as electives.

Department of Music Learning Goals

(1) Analytical skills:  Students will demonstrate aural and written skills required to analyze basic harmonic, melodic, and textural examples of tonal music.  Students will acquire the necessary theoretical and methodological tools to engage with music from a diverse spectrum of cultures, styles, and historical periods.

(2) Critical thinking skills:  Students will demonstrate skills in writing and critical thinking by considering issues surrounding a wide variety of music and their larger connection with history, culture, and contemporary society.  Intellectual curiosity will be encouraged by employing methodologies and strategies of cultural inquiry through assignments requiring analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and argument.

(3) Creative and performative skills:  Students will acquire the facility to engage creatively with music through composition, improvisation, and performance.  Students will develop their skills in various forms of music-making, including concert performance, production and composition, collaboration, and digital music applications.

(4) Knowledge of content and context:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical and theoretical framework for ways in which music and sound intersect with aesthetic trends, geography, technology, race, gender, sexuality, and economics.  Students will acquire broad knowledge of western music and representative composers, and examine the range of contemporary and historical music performance practices found in a diverse global community.

Jazz Focus | Guitar Focus | Composition Focus

Jazz Focus - Music Major Requirements

Students interested in a Jazz Focus must complete one year as a music major in classical instruction.  At the end of the first year of study, students may schedule an audition with the Director of Jazz Studies, Gary Motley, for acceptance into the Jazz Focus. More...

Applied (MUS 320)

2 semesters classical instruction
2 semesters jazz instruction (and all subsequent semesters)

Perspectives on Performance, Thursdays 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in the Tharp Rehearsal Hall of the Schwartz Center, is a required part of the Music 320 curriculum. Attendance is required.

Ensemble (MUS 300)

4 semesters primary ensemble Jazz Ensemble/Combos while enrolled in jazz instruction

For details on the Emory Big Band click here.

For details on the Emory Jazz Combos click here.

Coursework

3-course theory sequence (121, 122, 221) Jazz Theory and Analysis (245), 201, 202 history survey and 2 electives: Jazz Improvisation (240) and Jazz: Its Evolution and Essence (115)

Guitar Focus - Music Major Requirements

Students interested in the Guitar Focus must participate in one of the primary ensembles (Orchestra, University Chorus, or Wind Ensemble) during the first year of study.  All subsequent semesters, students may enroll in the Guitar Ensemble to satisfy the ensemble requirement.

Applied (MUS 320)

4 semesters applied instruction

Perspectives on Performance, Thursdays 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in the Tharp Rehearsal Hall of the Schwartz Center, is a required part of the Music 320 curriculum. Attendance is required.

Ensemble (MUS 300)

2 semesters primary ensemble 2 semesters Guitar Ensemble (and all subsequent semesters)

Coursework

4-course theory sequence (121, 122, 221, 222) 201, 202 history survey 2 electives

Composition Focus - Music Major Requirements

The Department of Music offers a Composition Focus to eligible students.  All music major requirements apply. Admission to the Composition Focus is by application only. Students must be a declared music major, complete four semesters of Applied Music 320, complete the 4-semester music theory sequence, and have enrolled in MUS 347 or 348 before applying. Acceptance to the Composition Focus is based on student ability, success in the theory sequence, completion of required applied music, and proven diligence in Composition.

If accepted, the student should enroll in Counterpoint and Orchestration and may replace Applied Music 320 with Composition courses.

Concert Attendance

Attendance at concerts is an important part of the student's musical education. When possible, students should be present at concerts sponsored by the Department of Music. Several music courses require students to attend concerts at Emory or in the Atlanta area. Visit the Arts at Emory web site for a list of artists performing at Emory during the current academic year.