Music Major

Requirements for the Major in Music

Music is an essential part of a liberal arts education. At Pomona College, the Music major is designed to enable and integrate studies in ensemble and solo performance, theory and musicianship, music history, ethnomusicology, and composition. Students majoring in Music gain technical and conceptual foundations in an instrument or voice, a knowledge of diverse musical repertoires and practices, the ability to integrate musical knowledge and skills, awareness of Western and non-Western musical styles, and insight into the complex, multifaceted roles of music in intellectual and cultural life.

During their time in the Music program, students are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities necessary to become informed musicians who are able to make personally expressive contributions to society in a number of fields. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in music can gain preparation through additional in-depth work.

By the end of their studies in our department, students:

1. Develop the ability to hear, identify, model, engage, and work conceptually with elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, and form.
2. Develop the ability to read and realize musical notation, and to think critically about relationships between notation, composition, and performance.
3. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of a range of creative musical processes both modern and historical, sensitivity to aesthetic properties of style, and awareness of ways in which music communicates meanings in given contexts.
4. Expand knowledge of musical literature, music makers, and traditions, and engage ways in which these shape and are shaped by artistic, cultural, historical, and social forces.
5. Develop the ability to perform in both solo and ensemble contexts.
6. Cultivate skills of close, thoughtful, and critical listening, applicable to a range of career paths in and beyond music.
7. Develop habits of regular practice and informed exploration of music, whether familiar or initially unfamiliar.
8. Draw connections between musical knowledge and knowledge in other fields. 

The minimum requirements for the Major consist of the following courses. Except for courses restricted to CR/NC grading, the student must receive a grade of C or higher to count toward the Major.

1. Engaging Music (MUS 051 PO )
2. Two Music Theory and Musicianship courses (MUS 080 PO  and MUS 081 PO , or MUS 081 PO  and MUS 082 PO ).
3. The Seminars in Music History (MUS 121 PO  and MUS 122 PO ).
4. Music Composition since 1900 (MUS 184 PO ).
5. One course in Ethnomusicology (i.e.,  MUS 065 PO , courses numbered in the 70s or MUS 088 PO ).
6. Two course credits earned over a minimum of four semesters in a Pomona College music ensemble, e.g., Choir (MUS 031 PO ), Orchestra (MUS 033 PO ), Balinese Gamelan (MUS 041 PO ), etc.; In general, the four semesters should be in the same ensemble; consult with the department chair for guidance on how to pursue exceptions.
7. Four semesters in hour-long lessons (MUS 015 PO  and/or MUS 100 PO ) on the same instrument or voice. The Qualifying Exam should be passed in the first or sophomore year if at all possible.
8. One addtional course credit (one 1.0-credit course or combination of 0.25 and/or 0.5-credit courses) from the Pomona College Music Department.
9. Senior Colloquium (MUS 190 PO ). 

An independent Senior Project (MUS 192 PO ) is optional.  The above requirements total 12 to 13 course credits, depending on which lessons-courses are taken. Students who take MUS 004 PO  prior to MUS 080 PO  may count MUS 004 PO  as their addtional course credit. It is possible to combine the above basic major with one from another Pomona College department or program to create a double major. In any case, students are encouraged to take addtional courses offered by the Music Department.