Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
MUSIC
The Department of Music makes music through composition, improvisation, and performance and explores music’s meaning in the structure of individual works, the relations between them, and their place in the cultures that produce them. One of the most exciting things about music is that it brings together different types of thought and action. The most sensory and practical things and the most theoretical and abstract ones cannot be separated in the musician’s world. Thus, music enjoys a special place in the endeavor to understand ourselves. The program for majors is designed to introduce students to all the above ideas and activities, and students throughout the University are invited to join in any of them. In support of this multifaceted program, the department has assembled a diverse faculty, including experts in composition, performance, theory, history, jazz, and ethnomusicology and is committed to the principle of conducting its activities within an atmosphere that encourages communication and cooperation within that diversity. The department also welcomes double majors from all colleges within the University. For more information on the major, the minor, and the Department of Music, see http://www.music.pitt.edu/.
Note: Students considering declaring a music major or minor should take the Music Theory Placement test, available at the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Advising Center. A sufficient score will exempt them from the required Music 0100 Fundamentals of Western Music class. This exam takes about 60 minutes to complete.
Major Requirements
The music major, which includes the option to pursue either the standard music track or the jazz track major, requires a total of 37 credits. Required credits include the following.
Prerequisite course
- MUSIC 0100 Fundamentals of Western Music (3 credits)
Performance courses
Students are required to complete three terms of private lessons (one credit per term) and three terms of ensemble (one credit per term).
Choose one of the following tracks.
Music BA curriculum
- MUSIC 0222 Western Music to 1750
- MUSIC 0224 History of Western Music since 1750
- MUSIC 0411 Theory 1
- MUSIC 0412 Musicianship 1
- MUSIC 0415 Theory 2
- MUSIC 0416 Musicianship 2
- MUSIC 0417 Theory 3
- MUSIC 0418 Musicianship 3
- MUSIC 0419 Theory 4
- MUSIC 0420 Musicianship 4
- MUSIC 1904 Senior Seminar (with Senior Project **)
One of the following, taken during any term
- MUSIC 1332 Music in Latin America
- MUSIC 1340 Music in Africa
- MUSIC 1352 Music in Southeast Africa
- MUSIC 1354 Music in Asia
One elective from the following list
- MUSIC 1222 Medieval and Early Renaissance
- MUSIC 1224 Later Renaissance and Baroque
- MUSIC 1226 Classical and Early Romantic
- MUSIC 1228 Late Romantic and Early 20th Century
- MUSIC 1230 Music since 1945
- MUSIC 1320 Music in North America
- MUSIC 1326 African-American Music in the United States
- MUSIC 1332 Music in Latin America
- MUSIC 1340 Music in Africa
- MUSIC 1352 Music in Southeast Asia
- MUSIC 1354 Music in Asia
- MUSIC 1360 Global Popular Music
- MUSIC 1394 Intercultural Music
- MUSIC 1396 Music in Society
- MUSIC 1398 Women and Music
- MUSIC 1420 Composition 1
- MUSIC 1421 Composition 2
- MUSIC 1441 Electronic and Computer Music 1
- MUSIC 1442 Electronic and Computer Music 1
Music BA Jazz concentration
- MUSIC 0222 Western Music to 1750
- MUSIC 0224 History of Western Music since 1750
- MUSIC 0411 Theory 1
- MUSIC 0412 Musicianship 1
- MUSIC 0415 Theory 2
- MUSIC 0416 Musicianship 2
- MUSIC 0418 Musicianship 3
- MUSIC 0420 Musicianship 4
- MUSIC 0711 History of Jazz *
- MUSIC 1326 African American Music in the United States
- MUSIC 1731 Jazz Arranging 1
- MUSIC 1741 Jazz Improvisation 1
- MUSIC 1904 Senior Seminar (with Senior Project **)
* No prerequisite; can be taken in the freshman year
** The Senior Project may consist of recital, a paper, an oral presentation, or other culminating project suitable to the interests and abilities of the student and guided by a faculty member. Students must submit proposals to the director of undergraduate studies.
Minor Requirements
The music minor offers a coherent sequence of courses that will provide students with a reasonably broad introduction to the historical, theoretical, and practical branches of music. Required courses, totaling 19 credits, are as follows.
Required courses
- MUSIC 0100 Fundamentals of Western Music
- MUSIC 0411 and 0415 Theory 1 and 2
- MUSIC 0412 and 0416 Musicianship 1 and 2
- Two semesters of ensemble participation
One of the following
- MUSIC 0211 Introduction to Western Art Music
- MUSIC 0222 Western Music to 1750
- MUSIC 0224 History of Western Music since 1750 (with instructor’s permission)
- MUSIC 0242 (with instructor’s permission)
One of the following
- MUSIC 0311 Introduction to World Music
- MUSIC 1332 Music in Latin America
- MUSIC 1340 Music in Africa
- MUSIC 1352 Music in Southeast Asia
- MUSIC 1356 Music in the Middle East and India
Note: The department recommends that students considering a music minor take the prerequisite courses in the freshman year.
It is possible for students to test out of one or more of the required keyboard harmony, music theory, and/or musicianship courses; students should consult with the undergraduate advisor and/or the course instructor. The S/NC grading option (formerly the S/N option) is not permitted for required courses for the minor. All students interested in taking private lessons must complete a Request for Private Lessons form in the music department office, Room 110, Music Building. Music majors have first priority in scheduling private lessons, which cost an additional $320 per term.