Registering for Music Theory Courses

Non-Majors: Music Theory Courses

Students with little or no formal musical education may take Music 121, “Fundamentals of Music.” This course covers notational and theoretical materials of tonal music, addressing the vocabulary and syntax of that repertory, principally Western European art music from approximately 1600-1850 and contemporary popular song.

Music 121 fills a General College Aesthetic/Fine Arts perspective. Music 121 is a Visual and Performing Arts (VP) General Ed. Course.  Music 121 has no prerequisites or co-requisites.

Music Minors: Music Theory Courses

Students who intend to pursue a minor in music are required to take Music 121, “Fundamentals of Music.” The Undergraduate Bulletin lists the complete requirements for earning a minor in music. Students who wish to minor in music but have a particularly advanced background in music theory may choose to take Music 131 and 131L. Upon successful completion of Music 131 and 131L, students may submit a written request to their advisor to have these courses substitute for the Music 121 requirement.

Music 121 fills a General College Aesthetic/Fine Arts perspective.  Music 121 is a Visual and Performing Arts (VP) General Ed. Course.  Music 121 has no prerequisites or co-requisites.

Music Majors: Music Theory Courses

Students who intend to purse a major in music (either B.A. or B. Mus.) must take Music 131 (“Theory and Musicianship I”) and Music 131L (“Theory and Musicianship Lab I”). This course offers an intensive introduction to music theory, analysis, and musicianship skills, covering basic contrapuntal writing, introductory principles of harmony and voice leading.  Following Music 131 and 131L, students take additional music theory courses for their degree.

Music 131 and 131L:

“Music Theory and Musicianship I” and “Music Theory and Musicianship Lab I” are the initial music theory courses for all students pursuing a music major (either B.A. or B. Mus.). Non-majors and music minors with appropriate musical preparation may also take these courses. Some prior knowledge and skills are expected of all students taking these classes. In order to succeed in Music 131 and 131L, entering students need to have already mastered the following:

• be able to read fluently both treble and bass clefs
• understand key signatures and time signatures
• spell and identify simple melodic intervals
• spell major and minor triads on any given pitch
• sight-read simple rhythms and melodies on the student’s primary instrument

A diagnostic exam is administered on the first day of class to make sure that students have already acquired these skills at a satisfactory level.  Students whose incoming skill level does not meet expectations for Music 131 should take Music 121 first. Students are encouraged to study and review these skills prior to enrolling in Music 131. The following textbook may assist students who wish to undertake self-study in preparation:

• John Clough, Joyce Conley, Claire Boge. Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter: A Programmed Course in Elementary Music Theory, with an Introduction to Partwriting. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999.

Music 131 fills a General College Aesthetic/Fine Arts perspective. Music 131 is a Quantitative Intensive (QI) and Visual or Performing Arts (VP) General Ed. Course.  No placement exam or diagnostic exam is necessary to enroll in Music 131 and 131L. Music 131 requires concurrent enrollment in Music 131L AND concurrent enrollment in a recitation section (Music 131 sections 601 – 605).

Honors placement in Music Theory

Some semesters, honors sections of music theory courses are offered. Placement into these honors sections is by permission of the instructor only.  For Music 131H, students who have scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Music Theory exam or who have already taken a music theory course (through their high school, local college, or private study) may request placement in Music 131H.

Fall 2007:  the only honors theory course that is scheduled for Fall 2007 is Music 232H.  Placement into Music 232H is based on students' performance in Music 132.

Continuing Music Theory Studies:

Additional music theory courses are required for music majors (either B.A. or B. Mus.); please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin and your advisor for complete degree requirements. The core requirements for music majors include Music 132 and 132L, and Music 232 and 232L .  Note that a grade of "C" or better is required in Music 132 in order to register for the next course.   Music theory electives (Music 234, 235, 333, 334, and 338) are also available; prerequisites for these courses vary. Please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin and your advisor to choose a course of study best suited to your degree program, interests and area(s) of specialization.