Music Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Hamline’s music department integrates the development of musicianship skills with historical and theoretical study. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to take music courses and lessons, and participate in ensembles. Ensembles include A Cappella Choir, chamber music ensembles, Jazz Band and jazz combos, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Women’s Chorale.

International study opportunities include full term and short term options. Recently music majors have enjoyed full term study in England, France, and the Netherlands. During the January short term our popular Music History Abroad course alternates tours of northern, central, and southern Europe. Music majors have pursued successful careers in performance, composition, film scoring, teaching, music production, arts management, and professional fields relating to music.

Sundin Music Hall, with its warm ambience and acoustics, is used for student recitals, rehearsals and concerts. The hall has digital recording equipment, web-streaming capability, a Hamburg Steinway piano, and a nine-foot Yamaha concert grand piano.

The department has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1961.

Major Requirements

Students select an emphasis in either performance or musical arts. The performance emphasis requires the ability to develop significant repertoire culminating in a recital. With further post-baccalaureate education and training, students could go on to pursue graduate study at a conservatory or school of music, certification in music education, or careers in performance. Musical arts emphasis is recommended for students interested in pursuing a variety of interdisciplinary options in, for example, musicology, arts management or the music industry.

Performance Emphasis

Seven semesters of performance studies, 3000 and/or 5000 level
Seven semesters of ensemble participation
One 4-credit elective course in music
One 4-credit music history elective
Pass Piano proficiency exam or four semesters of piano

Musical Arts Emphasis

Six semesters of performance studies, 3000 and/or 5000 level
Six semesters of ensemble participation
Eight credits of music history courses at the 3000 level (**see list below)
Eight credits of music theory courses at the 3000 level (**see list below)
One 4-credit elective in music
MUS 5930 - Senior Musical Arts Project
Three courses in another department (*see below)

*Three courses must be completed in a related department, connected to the senior project. (Upon major declaration in the sophomore year, a musical arts student submits a proposal to the music department faculty outlining a related field. For example, a student interested in aesthetics may take three philosophy courses and complete a senior project on the aesthetics of music, or a student may take three mathematics courses and produce a senior project on the relationship between music and mathematics.)

**Music History Courses at the 3000-level (8 credits required):

**Music Theory Courses at the 3000-level (8 credits required):

MUS 3410 - Theory of Music I: The Language of Music
MUS 3420 - Theory of Music II: Techniques of Analysis & Composition
MUS 3430 - Theory of Music III: Chromatic Harmony
MUS 3710 - Composition-Popular Music
MUS 3720 - Composition-Classical Music
MUS 3730 - Composition-Jazz
No more than 4 credits of Composition may be credited toward the Theory requirement for Musical Arts.