The BA in Music

Every student declaring a Music BA elects to focus in either Music Performance; HiTECC (History, Theory, Ethnography, Criticism, Composition); Jazz and American Music Studies; or Music Business, Recording, and Production. Regardless of their chosen area of focus, all students complete a set of basic requirements that balance training in musicianship with methods for critical inquiry.

Requirements

Program Requirements (36-39 credits)

Elements & Methods (all tracks)

  • MUSC 189 - Elements of Music Theory Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 256 - Elements of Diatonic Harmony and Polyphony Credit(s): 3
  • One course in the Elements of Musicology (3 credits) selected from
    • MUSC 217 - Jazz in America
    • MUSC 226 - History of Western Music I:  1600-1800
    • MUSC 227 - History of Western Music II: 1800-2000
    • MUSC 231 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology
    • MUSC 232 - Folk Music in America
  • MUSC 315 - Music Analysis Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 327 - Thinking Through Music Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 331-339 Seminar in Musicology Credit(s): 3

Track Requirements

Performance Track

The Music Department offers major study in: Voice, Piano, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, or Percussion.  An audition is required for entrance into the BA in Music with a focus in music performance. 

Applied Study & Ensemble Participation

  • Six semesters (6 credits total) of either MUSC 160 Choral Organization or MUSC 165 Instrumental Organization
  • Six semesters (12 credits total) of one of the following:
    • MUSC 250, 350, 450 - Piano for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 251, 351, 451 - Voice for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 252, 352, 452 - Woodwinds for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 253, 353, 453 - Brass for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 254, 354, 454 - Strings for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2
    • MUSC 255, 355, 455 - Percussion for the Performance Option Credit(s): 2

In addition students must participate in:

  • Weekly studio class or seminar
  • A Jury examination each semester in the Music Performance Option;
  • Performance on a Friday Afternoon Recital (FAR) each semester in the Music Performance Option or in some other public, faculty-sponsored event approved by the principal instructor.
Music Education

The Music Education Track at Geneseo combines the Music BA, Performance Track, with the Pre-professional Studies Minor in Music Teaching, K-12. This combination of major and minor is designed to prepare students to pursue graduate work in music education. Students interested in completing the minor must first be accepted to the Music BA Performance track on their primary instrument or voice. (see audition information here). Students completing the program are then advised on applying to Master's programs in music education where they pursue masters-level professional certification (in lieu of initial certification).

Eastman School of Music MA in Music Education with Professional Certification

In addition, students who complete the program may receive preferred applicant status to the Eastman School of Music's MA program in Music Education with Professional Certification. This status grants the student an admissions interview at the Eastman School. While the music education track and minor were developed in cooperation with Eastman, the program is broadly designed to prepare students to meet general entrance requirements for most Masters’ programs in music education, and particularly those leading to professional certification in music education in New York state.

Program Requirements (57 credits)

In addition to completing all degree requirements for the Music BA with a focus in Music Performance (36 credits), students must complete the additional Preprofessional Minor in Music Teaching; K-12 (21 credits).  

Coursework:

  • MUSC 141: Voice for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 240: Piano (2cr)
  • MUSC 257: Harmony II (3cr)
  • MUSC 259: Elements of Figured Bass (1cr)
  • MUSC 340: Piano (2cr)
  • MUSC 365, 366: Conducting I & II  (6cr)
  • SPED 692: Introduction to Special Education (3cr)

Three of the following methods courses in trumpet, clarinet, percussion, high strings, and low strings selected from:

  • MUSC 142: Woodwinds for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 143: Brass for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 144: Strings for the General Student (1cr)
  • MUSC 145: Percussion for the General Student (1cr)
HiTECC--History, Theory, Ethnography, Criticism

Six additional courses (18 credits) or equivalent selected under advisement from the following list with at least 9 credits at the 300 or 400 level

​​​​​History, Criticism, & Ethnomusicology

  • MUSC 217 - Jazz in America Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 222 - History of American Musical Theatre Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 231 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 232 - Folk Music in America Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 331 - Studies in Keyboard Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 333 - Studies in Vocal Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 334 - Music and Film: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 335 - Studies in Instrumental Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 336 - Music, Gender, and Sexuality: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 337 - Music, Race, and Ethnicity: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 338 - Folk Music in New York State Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 339 - Folk and Popular Music Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3

Harmony, Composition, & Conducting

  • MUSC 256 - Elements of Diatonic Harmony and Polyphony Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 257 - Elements of Chromatic Harmony Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 258 - Elements of Jazz Harmony Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 259 - Elements of Accompaniment and Figured Bass Credit(s): 1
  • MUSC 317 - Orchestration Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 346 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation I Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 347 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation II Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 356 - Contemporary Harmony for Composition Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 357 - Counterpoint Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 365 - Conducting I Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 366 - Conducting II Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 456 - Composition for the Music Major Credit(s): 2

Music Business, Recording, & Production

  • MUSC 102 - Introduction to Music Technology Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 202 - Introduction to Music Business and Entrepreneurship Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 302 - Music Recording and Production Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 303 - Film and Game Scoring Credit(s): 3

*In addition to the electives listed above, students may also include 6 semesters of ensemble participation (MUSC 160 and 165) and/or applied study, and one 3- or 4-credit course, from another humanities or social science discipline, with an emphasis on theory, toward the elective requirement.

HiTECC--Composition Diploma

Composition Diploma

  • MUSC 102 Introduction to Music Technology Credit(s): 3
  • One additional course (3 credits) in the Elements of Musicology from
    • MUSC 217 Jazz in America
    • MUSC 226 History of Western Music I
    • MUSC 227 History of Western Music II
    • MUSC 231 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
    • MUSC 232 Folk Music in America
  • MUSC 259 Elements of Figured Bass and Accompaniment Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 317 Orchestration Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 356 Contemporary Harmonic Practice Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 357 Compositional Counterpoint Credit(s): 2
  • MUSC 439 Portfolio Review Credit(s): 2
  • and one from:
    • MUSC 302 Recording and Production Credit(s): 3
    • MUSC 303 Film and Game Scoring Credit(s): 3
    • MUSC 456 Composition Credit(s): 2
Jazz and American Music Studies

Electives in American Music (6-10 credits)*

  • MUSC 165 - Instrumental Organizations: Jazz Ensemble Credit (1)**
  • MUSC 222 - History of American Musical Theatre Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 258 - Elements of Jazz Harmony Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 291 - Music and Ideas: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 336 - Music, Gender, and Sexuality (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 337 - Music, Race, and Ethnicity(subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 338 - Folk Music in New York State Credit(s): 3
  • MUSC 339 - Folk and Popular Music Study
  • MUSC 346 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation I
  • MUSC 347 - Jazz Harmony and Improvisation II
  • MUSC 439 - Portfolio Review

Interdisciplinary Courses (3-7 credits)

  • AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
  • BLKS 200 - Introduction to Black Studies
  • ENGL 318 - Black British Literature and Culture Credit(s): 4
  • ENGL 337 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 4
  • ENGL 439 - American Ways: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
  • HIST 164 - African American History from 1877 Credit(s): 4

Notes

* Upper-level requirement: at least 9 elective credits either in MUSC and/or in the related interdisciplinary coursework must be at the 300 or 400.
** A maximum of 3 credits of MUSC 165 may be applied to the elective total.

Music Business, Recording, and Production

Students electing to focus in Music Business, Recording, and Production complete additional, specialized coursework, leading to an individualized applied learning project. There is no audition, performance, or recital requirement for the Music BA track in Music Business, Recording, and Production. 

Music Business, Recording, & Production courses (21 credits)

  • ACCT 102 – Introduction to Financial Accounting
    or ENON 110 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • MUSC 102 - Introduction to Music Technology
  • MUSC 202 - Introduction to Music Business and Entrepreneurship
  • MUSC 302 - Music Recording and Production
  • MUSC 303 - Film and Game Scoring
  • MUSC 304 - Music Recording and Production II
  • MUSC 395 – Internship in Music Business or Production 

Music BA Learning Outcomes

All students completing the Music BA, regardless of the specific track they select, will demonstrate the following upon completion of their coursework in music.

  • I. Formal Understanding: Students will be able to hear, identify, and symbolically analyze the formal rudiments of music, including rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and form.

  • II. Historical Understanding: Students will be able to identify and describe the characteristic features of various musical styles and practices and the ways these shaped and were shaped by broader historical and social contexts.

  • III. Communication: Students will be able to critically evaluate, develop, research, and defend arguments about music in both formal and informal settings.

  • IV. Difference and Power: Students will be able to identify and articulate the ways that difference and power shape musical practice and values in specific socio-historical contexts.

  • V. Performance: Students will demonstrate technical, interpretive, and collaborative aspects of music performance on their primary instrument or voice.