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Music Department Undergraduate Program
Wesleyan undergraduate and graduate students enjoy the benefits of a rigorous and creative liberal arts university experience, marked by intimate individual and small group study, along with diverse offerings in musics from around the world found in very few of even the largest universities in the country. Numerous centers and programs at Wesleyan enrich the university's intellectual and cultural experience. Undergraduate and graduate alumni have attained international recognition as recording and concert artists, television film music producers, print and radio journalists, and music scholars and composers.
Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree Requirements
In the Spring of their sophomore year, most Wesleyan undergraduates declare their majors. Candidates for the music major design their own program in consultation with an advisor on the Music faculty. In their senior year all music majors complete a Senior Project; some elect to do an Honors Thesis of larger scope. A total of 32 credits (most courses equal one credit) are required for the Bachelor's degree: 18 course credits outside and 14 course credits within the Music Department.
Music majors take four courses in each of three capabilities: Theory/Composition, History/Culture, and Performance. Two additional courses--the 300-level Seminar for Music Majors--bring the total number of music credits to 14. The required Senior Project or Senior Honor's Project (Thesis) may increase the allowable music department credits applied toward graduation to 15 or 16, respectively. Prerequisites to the major are one year of music theory (MUSC 103, MUSC 201) or passing the equivalent by exam, one course in the History/Culture capability and one performance course (excluding private lessons) (Occasional courses taught by visiting faculty need to be approved by a department advising expert.). Diversity of musical experience is a core value of the Music Department and is expected of all music majors. To move toward this goal, at least two of the 14 music credits must be outside the student's main area of interest.
I. Credits by Capabilities Distribution
4 credits in Theory/Composition: 103, 201, plus 2 electives
4 credits in History/Culture: 4 electives (2 or 3 numbered 241-299)
4 credits in Performance: 4 electives (numbered 406-499)
2 credits of Seminar for Music Majors (numbered 300-310)
14 TOTAL
Plus 1 credit Senior Project or 2 credit Honor's Project
II. Credits by Prerequisites and Electives Distribution
Prerequisites: 3
Theory/Composition: 103, 201
History/Culture: 1 elective (numbered 105-199)
Major required courses: 2
Seminar for majors (numbered 300-310)
Seminar for majors (numbered 300-310)
Major electives: 9
Theory/Composition: 2 (numbered 202-299)
History/Culture: 3 (at least 2 numbered 241-299)
Performance: 4 (numbered 406-499)
Senior Project (1 or 2 semesters)
Honors Project (2 semesters)
INFORMATION FOR SENIOR MUSIC MAJORS
THE SENIOR PROJECT
All majors must complete a senior project by the end of the senior year. This project may take many forms, including a concert, a written thesis, a substantial musical composition, or a combination of such activities. The senior project requirement is also satisfied by the completion of an Honors Project, which is a project that may also encompass a composition, a concert, etc., but the Honors Project always contains a substantial written component; for this reason it is often called the “Honors Thesis”, although the project can include other components (see below).
Work on the senior project typically entails enrolling in Music 403 and/or 404 (the Senior Project Tutorial) or enrolling in Music 409 and 410 (Honors Thesis Tutorial; note that this is always a two semester undertaking). An Honors Project satisfies the departmental requirement for a senior project, even if it is not awarded Honors.
The student’s tutor is responsible for stating in writing that a student has completed a senior project. (In the case of a senior project that is being submitted as an Honors Project, the tutor’s evaluation of the honors project will satisfy this expectation.) Until the advisor has stated that a student has completed a senior project, that student has not satisfied the requirements for the Music Major. The advisor alone, or the advisor and the student, may invite other faculty members to examine and evaluate the student’s senior project. If a student feels that he or she has completed a senior project but his or her advisor disagrees, the student may appeal the matter to the Director of Undergraduate Affairs.
HONORS IN MUSIC
1) Becoming an Honors Candidate. If you wish to be considered for Departmental Honors in Music, you must complete an Honors Project and take both MUSC 409 and 410 (Honors Thesis Tutorial). You must notify the Honors College of your intentions before October 15 (using the form the Honors College sends to all seniors). In registering for MUSC 409 and 410, you will complete a form containing a written description of your project (including the details of the written component). This form must be approved by your Honors Tutor (who may or may not be your major advisor) and the Director of Undergraduate Affairs.
To register for MUSC 409 and 410, you must persuade a tutor of the viability of your project and that you are prepared to work at the highest level. A faculty member who remains unconvinced of your ability to complete all aspects of the project is under no obligation to serve as your tutor. If you cannot secure a tutor, you may not become an Honors Candidate.
Your Honors Tutor must be a tenure-track or adjunct professor in the Music Department or an Artist-in-Residence. (Double Majors preparing a thesis for two departments may also have a tutor from outside the Music Department.) Private Lessons Teachers may serve as important resources in preparing the project, and they may serve as one of the three readers (see “Evaluation” below).
Honors only will be awarded to students who have demonstrated compliance with Stage I and Stage II University General Education Expectations.
If you are completing your Wesleyan residency at the end of the Fall semester, you may do the work on your Honors Project (and take the appropriate tutorials) during your last Spring and Fall semesters (in that order). In this case you should:
1) announce your intention to the Music Department and the Honors College at the beginning of your last spring semester;
2) complete all work on your project by the end of the Fall semester (including the concert if your project includes a concert);
3) check with the Music Department to be sure that readers are appointed at the end of the Fall semester to evaluate your project;
4) be prepared to return to the campus in the Spring following completion of your residency; you may be invited to undergo an oral examination as a candidate for High Honors.
2) The Honors Project. To be considered for Honors, your project must take one of the following forms:
a) a substantial written thesis (75 or more pages);
b) a concert and a written document (25 or more pages);
c) compositions(s) and a written document (25 or more pages);
d) compositions(s), a concert, and a written document (25 or more pages).
In the cases of b, c, and d above, the written document should address one or more of the following:
a) a statement of aesthetic purpose;
b) an analysis of the composed and/or performed music;
c) an explanation of the interpretation of the performed music;
d) a critical investigation of the historical and/or cultural context of the composed and/or performed works.
e) a research paper or critical investigation, not directly related to the concert or compositions.
Note that a journal of your experiences while preparing a concert and/or composition is not acceptable, nor can the essay simply be “expanded program notes” for the concert. If you choose to give a concert as part of your Honors Project, you may certainly provide program notes, but these will not satisfy the requirements of the written document. (See the criteria given under “Evaluation” below.)
3) Honors Thesis Student Symposium. There may be occasional meetings in which students present their progress.
4) Deadlines. A preliminary draft of the written component of the Honors Project must be completed by February 15 of the Spring semester. FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEADLINE MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING DISCONTINUED AS AN HONORS CANDIDATE. Tutors have the right to terminate work with a student who is not making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their project. A student’s need to meet University graduation requirements will not be considered in deciding whether to continue or discontinue a project.
The written component of the Honors Project must be submitted by early April (3 copies are required). If your project includes a concert, then your performance should be presented in the week reserved for that purpose. At a meeting of Music Majors at the beginning of the Fall semester all Senior Music Majors receive information concerning the scheduling of these concerts. It is the student’s responsibility to precisely follow the procedures and to meet the deadlines for the scheduling of Honors Recitals.
5) Evaluation. Three readers will evaluate all components of your Honors Project:
a) your Honors Project Tutor
b) a professor, Artist-in-Residence, or Private Lessons Teacher chosen by you and your tutor; c) one member of the Music Department Honors Committee
In evaluating your work, the readers will take into account the following: the originality of the project, programming, or interpretation; preparedness; ability; comprehension; sensitivity and humility; taste. In the case of concerts, the readers will not consider such factors as the size or enthusiasm of your audience, your publicity or promotional efforts, financial expense, social amenities, and whether or not the concert is performed by memory.
The thesis or written document should demonstrate the Honors Candidate’s ability to think creatively, organize thoughts, and communicate effectively. The written material will be judged on content, organization, clarity, and the mechanics of style (grammar, syntax, word usage, spelling, etc.) and documentation (notes and bibliography). It is the expectation of the Music Department that the writing will demonstrate a command of the conceptual issues addressed in the student's program of study. Because the written component of the Honors project becomes part of Wesleyan’s archives, the Honors Committee takes matters of presentation quite seriously; significant typographical problems in the written document may by grounds for denying Departmental Honors.
The Honors Committee will award honors on the basis of the readers’ evaluations. All departmental readers must recommend honors for a candidate to be successful. Students are entitled to copies of the readers’ comments. The Honors Tutor—not the Honors Committee—is responsible for assigning a grade for the courses MUSC 409 and MUSC 410; this grade need not reflect the decision of the Committee to award or deny Departmental Honors.
6) High Honors. The Honors Committee may invite some students to compete for High Honors by taking an oral examination. In deciding whom to invite, the Committee will take into consideration the readers’ evaluations, the students performance in courses as reflected in his or her transcript, compliance with the General Education Expectations, and the extent to which the student’s educational experience reflects the philosophy, goals and diversity of the department.
The purpose of the examinations is to explore the candidate’s breadth in music. Questions will relate both to the sutdent's thesis and overall education. There may be a listening component to this exam. The student will be expected to discuss music in general and specific terms.
Undergraduate Courses
Undergraduate Description
Courses Currently Offered (by CID)
Theory Prerequisites
History/Culture Gateways
FYI
Theory/Composition
History/Culture
Major Seminars
Performance/Study Groups
Graduate Courses
Tutorials, Thesis & Field Studies
Courses Not Currently Offered (by CID)
Undergraduate Applications
Please contact Office of Admission:
Wesleyan University
Office of Admission
70 Wyllys Avenue
Middletown, CT 06459-0265
(860) 685-3000
Undergraduate Financial Assistance and Assistantship Opportunities
Wesleyan admits students without knowledge of their financial need (except for international students) and awards all admitted students aid to the full extent of demonstrated need. Undergraduates are eligible for a variety of apprenticeships and assistantships that award a stipend to work closely with a faculty member.
Private Lessons Program
One credit of private lessons (one hour per week for twelve weeks) are available for credit. The cost is above and beyond tuition. Financial aid is available.
Music majors are are allowed to take one (1) Private Lessons course during each semester of their junior or senior years for which part of the fee will be paid be the university.
For more information please click here: Private Lessons Program
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