Columbia College Music Major

The Department of Music provides a solid foundation in music theory, history, and composition for its majors. At the same time, it offers other students introductory courses in musical literature, popular and world music, composition, and elementary musicianship. In addition, the music performance program provides a staff of distinguished performing artists to give private instruction and to coach chamber music ensembles.

The Music & Arts Library, located on the seventh floor of Dodge Hall, is an excellent study and research facility, possessing an extensive collection of musical scores, reference works, books on music, and audio and video recordings, with listening and viewing facilities and computer-aided instructional equipment.

A student should plan the Major 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. By the end of their first year as music majors, students should select a faculty adviser in their area of interest (e.g., music history, composition, music theory, or ethnomusicology). All majors 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 MAJOR

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

MUSI V1312: Introductory Ear-training, 1 pt.

Prospective music majors 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.

Keyboard Proficiency: All music majors will be required to take a keyboard proficiency exam upon entrance into the first semester of theory. If they do not pass the exam, they will be required to take MUSI W1517x – W1518y (Keyboard Harmony and Musicianship, 1 pt) each term, which will count against the maximum 4 points allowed for instrumental or vocal lessons toward the completion of the major.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

The major requires at least 40 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

Electives

At least three 3000- or 4000-level electives in the student's area of special interest to be selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and/or a faculty adviser in the area in question. The remaining points are to be earned through 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level courses chosen under these constraints:

* no more than 6 pts of courses at the 2000–level

* no more than 4 pts of instrumental or vocal lessons, or participation for letter–grade in MUSI V1591-V1592 (University Orchestra), or V1598-V1599 (Chamber Ensemble)

* MUSI V1517–V1518 (Keyboard Harmony and Musicianship), when they are necessary, will count against the 4–pt maximum in performance before any other lessons.

NOTE: A single course may count only for a single requirement.

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

Languages

For students who plan to do graduate work in music, the study of German, French , Italian, and/or Latin is highly recommended.

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