Columbia College Music Concentration

The Music Concentration is designed to take its place within Columbia College's liberal arts program. Its purpose is to give the student the experience of doing sustained and advanced work, including the possibility of independent research, within the field of music. The Concentration demands fewer points of credit than the Major, but still provides a structured program stipulating a core of required study and offering a range of options beyond that core.

A student should plan the Concentration in Music with the director of undergraduate studies in the first semester of the student's sophomore year. Prospective majors and concentrators must satisfy the prerequisites by the end of their sophomore year and are encouraged to complete them by the end of their first year as a Columbia student. All concentrators must consult the director of undergraduate studies each term before registering.

The following information is subject to change. Please consult with your advisor accordingly.

PREREQUISITES FOR THE CONCENTRATION

MUSI V1002: Fundamentals of Western Music, 3 pts, and its corequisite:

MUSI V1312: Introductory Ear-training, 1pt.

All prospective music concentrators are advised to satisfy the prerequisites prior to their declaration as majors or before the end of their sophomore year at the latest. These requirements may be fulfilled either through successful completion of the courses or through satisfactory performance on exemption examinations administered at the beginning of each semester by the department. A student may also place out of MUSI V1002 with a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination in music.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION

The Concentration requires at least 28 points, including:

Music Theory

MUSI V2318–V2319: Diatonic Harmony and Counterpoint, 3 pts per semester

MUSI V3321–V3322: Chromatic Harmony and Counterpoint, 3 pts per semester

Ear Training - four semesters (4 pts) of ear–training from among:

MUSI V2314–V2315: Ear-training, I–II, 1 pt each

MUSI V3316–V3317: Ear-training, III–IV, 1 pt each

MUSI W4318–W4319: Ear-training, V–VI, 1 pt each (if offered)

Music History

MUSI V3128: History of Western Music, Middle Ages to the Baroque, 3 pts

MUSI V3129: History of Western Music, Classical to Modern Period, 3 pts

Of the remaining 6 points, one course must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. No more than 3 points of instrumental or vocal lessons or participation for a letter grade in MUSI V1591-V1592 (University Orchestra), or V1598-V1599 (Chamber Ensemble) will count toward the concentration.

For details of the relevant courses, see Elective courses, Performance courses, and Asian-Music Humanities.

NOTE: Courses in which a grade of D or lower has been received do not count toward the major or concentration requirements.