Department of Music
Majors & Minors
All students will find in music a varied and enriching program in performance and study. Exceptional opportunities for both solo and ensemble performance are available, and all students are eligible to audition for membership in the College Choir and Chamber Music ensembles. Thr
ough audition, Whittier students may also participate for credit in the Rio Hondo Symphony and the Chorale Bel Canto, strong community ensembles under professional leadership. Individual instruction in voice, instruments, and composition is offered at all levels of proficiency by an outstanding artist-faculty. Class instruction is also available in piano.
The Whittier College Department of Music offers preparation for a wide range of career opportunities, and students with serious aspirations in music are encouraged to consider a major. In addition to applied music, class instruction is offered in conducting, music education, music literature and materials, theory, music business and music technology. A digital piano and music technology lab is available for student use and is integrated in several course offerings. Students may also develop areas of specialization or individual projects under faculty supervision in related fields such as church music, management, musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, music industries, and music theater.
GUIDELINES FOR THE MAJOR IN MUSIC
Core Courses (33 credits):
- Introduction to Music Theory and Musicianship, MUS 70 (3 credits)
- Harmony I, II, III, MUS 100H, 200H, 201H (9 credits)
- Musicianship, I, II, III, MUS 100M, 200M, 201M (3 credits)
- Instrumentation, MUS 300 (2 credits)
- Class Piano for Majors, MUS 110. This class must be taken concurrently with MUS 100H and 100M. A student may be exempt from MUS 110 through testing. (1 credit)
- Introduction to Music Technology, MUS 111 (2 credits)
- Music History I, II, MUS 203 and MUS 204 (6 credits)
- Introduction to Ethnomusicology, MUS 303 (2 credits)
- Conducting, MUS 305 (3 credits)
- Private Instruction, MUS 198; minimum four semesters (0 credits)
- Ensembles (chamber or choral; minimum five semesters (0 credits)
- Capstone Experience, MUS 400 (2 credits)
Additional Elective Requirements (at least 9 credits):
- Music Business, MUS 104 (2 credits)
- World Percussion Methods, MUS 105 (2 credits)
- History of Film Music, MUS 206 (JanTerm, 4 credits; Fall/Spring, 3 credits)
- Music Technology II, MUS 211 (2 credits)
- Recording Techniques, MUS 310 (2 credits)
- Current Topics in Music, MUS 390/490 (variable credits)
Proficiencies
All music majors must pass a piano proficiency examination before graduation. Music majors are expected to demonstrate basic keyboard skills by the end of the fi rst academic year in the department. Students expecting to major in music will be examined for keyboard skills upon entry into the music major. If the audition is not passed, the student is expected to enroll in Class Piano for Majors (MUS 110) or in private piano instruction until the proficiency examination is completed.
Proficiency Requirements:
- Play all major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves, hands together.
- Prepare a memorized composition of the intermediate level using the
damper pedal. - Accompany an instrumentalist or vocalist; appropriate assignments based on level and technique will be distributed in class.
- Prepare a harmonization of a simple folk tune.
- Read a piece of the late elementary level at sight.
GUIDELINES FOR a MINOR IN Music
Minimum Requirements (18 credits):
- Introduction to Music Theory and Musicianship, MUS 70 (3 credits)
- Harmony I, MUS 100H (3 credits)
- Musicianship I, MUS 100M (1 credit)
- Music History I, II, MUS 203 and 204 (6 credits)
- Introduction to Music Technology, MUS 111 (2 credits)
- Ensembles, Chamber or Choral (2 credits)
- Private Instruction, MUS 198 (1 credit). Music minors are expected to
participate in departmental activities and to attend music department
performances. A minor must be declared upon enrolling in Music History.
