Students in the Institute of Music may pursue the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music degree. Any student wishing to pursue a B.A. in Music, who has not previously auditioned for the Institute of Music, must successfully complete an audition to officially declare the major. Students fulfill all general University requirements, including the specified distribution area and competency requirements expected of students in the College of Liberal Arts, and must complete 21 credits in courses other than music. Approximately one-third of the curriculum is the music major, which comprises required sequences in music theory as well as music history and literature, performance requirements and music electives. The B.A. degree in music provides an excellent liberal arts experience.
Students pursuing the B.A. in Music fulfill the capstone requirement by satisfactorily completing MUS 450, Senior Seminar. Students discuss a common set of readings designed to help synthesize their diverse experiences in music and complete a major research project on an approved topic, which consists of a written thesis and oral presentation.
Requirements for the Class of 2028 and Beyond
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
Total Credits required: 10
Music Scholarship (3 credits)
MUS 140, Music Theory and Musicianship I (1 credit)
MUS 141, Music Theory and Musicianship II (1 credit)
Any MUS 290 or MUS 390 musicology topics course (1 credit) – fulfills the Writing in the Major requirement
Applied Music (1 credit)
MUS BAS-VOC, applied music lessons, and/or MUS 272, 274, 276, or 277, large ensembles (1 credit)
Leadership/Interdisciplinarity (2 credits)
MUS 300, Music and the Related Arts (1 credit)
MUS 450, Senior Seminar, or MUS 454, Senior Performance/Creation Recital Capstone (1 credit)
Music Electives (4 credits)
One course must be at the 300- or 400-level unless a MUS 390 musicology topics course is chosen
Requirements for Class of 2026 and 2027
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
10 CREDITS IN MUSIC, 21 CREDITS IN CLA (MUST INCLUDE 1 CREDIT IN FINE ARTS)
CORE COURSES (5.75 CREDITS)
MUS 105—Introduction to Theory and Musicianship (.5) or Music Elective (.5) if exempted by placement exam
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
MUS 110—Introduction to Music Technology (.5)
Choose 1 credit from:MUS 265—History of Western Music I (1)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (1)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (1)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER REQUIRED COURSES (4.25 CREDITS)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 275—University Chorus, 276—Vox Animae, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble; .25 credit for 4 semesters (1)
Music Electives in applied music lessons, history, theory, or topics (3.25)
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# 300 and 400 level courses: |
Two |
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Senior requirement: |
Satisfactory completion of MUS 450. |
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Additional information: |
MUS 001–Concert Attendance each semester in residence as a declared major. Students must complete the core requirements for the CLA including distribution areas as well as W, S, and Q competencies. |
For the B.A. degree in music and the minor in music, students may choose to take applied music lessons as part of the course work (an audition is required). Students may take applied music lessons in any instrumental or vocal area within the Institute of Music. Only .25 credit of lessons per semester, with a total limit of 2 credits over the course of study at DePauw University, may be counted towards fulfilling requirements for the degree and minor.
Requirements for Class of 2025 and Earlier
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
10 CREDITS IN MUSIC, 21 CREDITS IN CLA (MUST INCLUDE 1 CREDIT IN FINE ARTS)
CORE COURSES (4.25 CREDITS)
MUS 111—Theory I (.5)
MUS 112—Theory II (.5)
MUS 121—Musicianship I (.75)
Choose .75 credit from:MUS 265—History of Western Music I (.75)
MUS 266—History of Western Music II (.75)
MUS 390—Music History Topics (.75)
MUS 450—Senior Seminar (1)
OTHER REQUIRED COURSES (5.75 CREDITS)
MUS 240—State of the Art (1)
MUS 271—University Orchestra, 272—Large Instrumental Ensemble, 273—University Band, 275—University Chorus, 276—Vox Animea, 277—Chamber Singers, or 278—Jazz Ensemble; .25 credit for 4 semesters (1)
Music Electives in applied music lessons, history, theory, or topics (3.75)
|
# 300 and 400 level courses: |
Two |
|
Senior requirement: |
Satisfactory completion of MUS 450. |
|
Additional information: |
MUS 001–Concert Attendance each semester in residence as a declared major. Students must complete the core requirements for the CLA including distribution areas, W, S, and Q competencies. |
For the B.A. degree in music and the minor in music, students may choose to take applied music lessons as part of the course work (an audition is required). Students may take applied music lessons in any instrumental or vocal area within the Institute of Music. Only .25 credit of lessons per semester, with a total limit of 2 credits over the course of study at DePauw University, may be counted towards fulfilling requirements for the degree and minor.