Oberlin College Course Catalog

Music Program

The music program in the College of Arts and Sciences is supervised by the College Music Major Committee consisting of faculty members from both the Conservatory and the College. For information regarding membership of the College Music Major Committee, please consult the Oberlin College Directory or the Office of the Associate Dean in the Conservatory.

Courses. Although most courses in the Conservatory are open to qualified students in the College of Arts and Sciences, in reality many Conservatory courses (or the schedules of applied music teachers) become filled entirely with Conservatory students. Thus, although efforts are made to accommodate Arts and Sciences students, they should not expect to enroll in all the Conservatory courses of their choice. Where a course must be limited to majors in that department, such a restriction is usually noted in the catalog statement. The following courses listed below are specifically designed for College students.

100. Introduction to Western Art Music 3 hours
3HU
Second Semester.
A survey of Western music of the last 1000 years, with emphasis on new music and on concert life today. Focus throughout the course is twofold: on cultural context, past and present, that lends music its vitality; and on the development of various listening strategies. No previous musical training is required. Open to College of Arts and Sciences students only. This course (or MHST 101) is a prerequisite for all Music History survey courses (226, 235, 245, 255, 275). Enrollment Limit: 40.
Staff

103. Introduction to Musics of the World 3 hours
3HU, CD
First Semester.
This course explores the variety of musical traditions in the world by selecting five from the following areas: Africa, India, Indonesia, Japan, Europe, Native America, North America, and South America. The focus is dual, covering both sociology (the musicians, their roles, their audiences) and musicology (the instruments, elements of style, and basic theory) through a field project, listening, and in-class performance. No prior knowledge of music required. Students with a knowledge of musical notation and rudiments may wish to select from the 200-level Ethnomusicology courses. (See Conservatory course descriptions.)
Mr. R. Knight.

In addition, the following courses, described in the Conservatory section of the catalog, are recommended to qualified College students as first courses in several areas (note carefully any prerequisites and/or other limitations in each case): COMP 100 (The Craft of Composition), MHST 101 (Introduction to the History and Literature of Music), MUTH 120 (Introduction to Music Theory), MUTH 100 (Introduction to Aural Skills). Students who wish to elect any course in Music Theory and/or Aural Skills are required to take Music Theory Placement Test 1 and Aural Skills Placement Test 1. Attention is also drawn to PHYS 054 (Musical Acoustics).

Private Study. Private instruction by members of the Conservatory faculty or by advanced students supervised by the faculty is offered in composition, piano, voice, organ, strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar), woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon), brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba), percussion, and early instruments (harpsichord, fortepiano, recorder, Baroque flute, Baroque oboe, Baroque violin, Baroque cello, viola da gamba). College students are permitted, under the following conditions, to receive credit in private study (see also "Private Study" in the Conservatory of Music section of this catalog): The student must be certified as eligible for credit. This certification must be secured prior to the first semester in which credit is desired, and is based on an audition before the appropriate applied study or composition department. Secondary Private Study auditions are held during the orientation periods and/or during the first week of classes each semester. Results of the audition are normally posted one or two days following the auditions on the bulletin board outside Bibbins 113 in the Conservatory. Requirements for the audition, dates of auditions, and additional information on applied music or composition study are available, upon request, from the Applied Studies Administrative Assistant, Bibbins 113.

All assignments to teachers in private study are made by the Office of the Associate Dean in the Conservatory. Because of heavy demands for private study on certain instruments or in composition, it is not always possible to place qualified students on teaching schedules. Priority is given to the more advanced students. (See also "Supervised Student Teaching Program" and "Approved Student Teacher Program" in the Conservatory of Music section of this catalog.) A student assigned to private study must contact the teacher before the close of the first week of the semester or forfeit the spot on the teacher's schedule. College Music Majors must take any required primary or secondary private study for a letter grade.

Normally, College students will receive two hours of credit in applied study per semester and thirty minutes of instruction weekly or four credits in composition and one hour of instruction weekly. Exceptionally talented students, upon the written recommendation of the private study teacher and with the approval of the Associate Dean in the Conservatory, may be given four hours of credit and one hour of applied study instruction weekly. No additional tuition will be charged for the one-hour lesson unless the four hours of credit increase the student's registered hours to more than 16 for the semester. Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who wish approval to perform a non-required recital must complete two departmental or studio recital appearances before approval is requested. A student may apply a maximum of 32 hours of private study toward the BA degree. A student whose work does not merit continuation of private study with a teacher may be removed from the schedule.

A student who at his or her own volition discontinues applied study instruction for one or more semesters is not guaranteed a future place on a teacher's schedule. A student who has discontinued lessons on the piano for more than one semester is required to reaudition. No student may take lessons on more than one instrument without payment of additional tuition (see "Tuition" in the Expenses section of this catalog.)

Musical Organizations. Qualified students in the College of Arts and Sciences are accepted, with or without credit, for membership in Musical Union, Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Oberlin Wind Ensemble, Oberlin College Community Strings, College-Community Winds, Collegium Musicum, Javanese Gamelan, Mandinka Ensemble, Performing the Music of India, Opera Theater, and various string, woodwind, and brass ensembles under the direction of members of the Conservatory faculty. Each of these may be taken for one credit hour per semester, and may be repeated for credit. A College student may apply a maximum of ten credit hours of ensemble work toward the BA degree. For further details consult the Conservatory of Music section of this catalog.

Major. The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music is an integral part of the liberal arts program of the College of Arts and Sciences. Oberlin offers four music majors: one with an emphasis on Music History and Theory, one with an emphasis on Performance, one with an emphasis on Composition, and one with an emphasis on Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA). Students majoring in music are permitted to choose only a single emphasis from the four offered. Students who desire more professional training in music than these programs allow are advised to consider the double-degree program described below. A student may not major in music in the College of Arts and Science if he/she is pursuing a double-degree program.

The History-Theory Emphasis major stresses the study of music as one of the liberal arts. A student who chooses this major might go on to graduate study in music, or to a career connected with music such as arts management or music criticism. There is no entrance requirement for the major; a successful audition for secondary private study (see above) is necessary to complete the major requirements.

The Performance Emphasis major is designed to meet the needs of a student who is fully qualified to enter the Conservatory with a major in performance but who prefers to receive a liberal arts degree instead, while still pursuing a fairly rigorous training in performance. The junior and senior years in this curriculum resemble the freshman and sophomore years in a Conservatory performance major. Admission to the Performance Emphasis major is by audition before the appropriate private study department; this audition is equivalent to the audition for admission to the Conservatory. In cases where an applicant is clearly qualified to pursue this course of study, admission to the major may take place before the student arrives at Oberlin. The entrance audition is waived for a student who has passed a Conservatory Second Major Committee Examination. A student in the Conservatory who has failed the Second Major Committee Examination may not audition for the Performance Emphasis music major.

The Composition Emphasis major is intended for the student who is qualified to enter the Conservatory with a major in composition, but who prefers to receive a liberal arts degree instead, while still pursuing fundamental training in composition. The junior and senior years in this curriculum resemble the freshman and sophomore years in a Conservatory composition major. Admission to the Composition Emphasis major requires the approval of the composition faculty. Admission procedures and standards for admission are equivalent to those established for admission to the Conservatory as a composition major. Students interested in this major should consult the Conservatory Admissions office for further information regarding requirements for admission to this major. In cases where an applicant is clearly qualified to pursue this course of study, admission to the major may take place before the student arrives at Oberlin. A student in the Conservatory who has failed the Second Major Committee Examination in Composition may not apply for the Composition Emphasis music major.

The TIMARA Emphasis major is intended for the student who is qualified to enter the Conservatory with a major in Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA), but who prefers to receive a liberal arts degree instead, while still pursuing fundamental training that combines traditional musical skills and understanding with the exploration of the very latest techniques for musical expression. The junior and senior years in this curriculum resemble the freshman and sophomore years in a Conservatory TIMARA major. Admission to the TIMARA Emphasis major requires the approval of the TIMARA faculty. Admission procedures and standards for admission are equivalent to those established for admission to the Conservatory as a TIMARA major—demonstrated musical proficiency comparable to that shown by applicants in such other areas as performance and composition. Students interested in this major should consult the Conservatory Admissions office for further information regarding requirements for admission to this major. In cases where an applicant is clearly qualified to pursue this course of study, admission to the major may take place before the student arrives at Oberlin. A student in the Conservatory who has failed the Second Major Committee Examination in TIMARA may not apply for the TIMARA Emphasis music major.

Normally, admission to the music major will take place before the end of the sophomore year. A student planning to major in music should discuss his or her plans and the requirements for the major with the chairperson of the College Music Major Committee (CMMC) soon after arrival at Oberlin. The student should select an advisor as soon as possible to determine the most advantageous sequence and distribution of courses. Advisors for students electing the History/Theory Emphasis major will normally be drawn from the College Music Major Committee or from the Music History or Music Theory faculties. Students majoring in music with the Performance Emphasis, the Composition Emphasis, or the TIMARA Emphasis will normally be advised by the major teacher.

Students are expected to register for Music Theory and Aural Skills courses each semester until they have completed the requirements. Part or all of these requirements may be waived by placement examination when the student enters Oberlin. Either MUTH 130 or 131 (Music Theory I) serves as a prerequisite for MUTH 132 (Music Theory II).

Music Theory I-IV and Aural Skills I-IV must be taken concurrently, e.g., a student will register for Music Theory I (MUTH 130 or 131) and Aural Skills I in the same semester. Under certain circumstances, with the permission of the appropriate division director and the Music Theory division director, students will be allowed to take Aural Skills IV and Music Theory IV separately.

Minor. No minor in music exists for College of Arts and Sciences students.

In this Department

History-Theory Emphasis

Music Major: History-Theory Emphasis
Course Requirements

Hrs.
8 Secondary Private Study (4 semesters)¹
3 MUTH 101, 102, 201 (Aural Skills)²
12 MUTH 130 or 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory I-IV)³
3 Upper-division Music Theory elective
3 CMUS 100 (Introduction to Western Art Music)⁴
12 History and Musicology electives⁵
2 Ensemble electives⁶
2 Music electives
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45

¹Must be four semesters on the same instrument (or voice).²Aural Skills I-III must be taken concurrently with Music Theory I-III; e.g., a student will register for Music Theory II and Aural Skills II in the same semester. It is strongly recommended that all Music Majors also take Aural Skills IV, preferably in the same semester as Music Theory IV.³ Part or all of the MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 requirement may be waived by placement examination.⁴ May be waived by examination. MHST 101 (Introduction to the History and Literature of Music, four credits) is highly recommended for Music Majors in place of CMUS 100.⁵ Three courses at the 200 level, and one course at the 300 level are required. Two of the three 200-level courses must be chosen from MHST 226, 235, 245, 255, or 275. The third course may be chosen from Ethnomusicology 100 or any of the 200-level Ethnomusicology or 200-level Music History courses.⁶ Any Conservatory ensemble. Only one credit per ensemble per semester may be counted toward the major.

Honors. An Honors Program is available for History/Theory Emphasis music majors qualified to do research leading to a BA with Honors. Generally in the second semester of the junior year, a music major wishing to do honors work will submit a detailed proposal to the chairperson of the College Music Major Committee. Entry to the Honors Program is contingent upon the Committee's approval of both the proposal and the student's choice of advisor.

Students admitted to the Honors Program must enroll in CMUS 400/401, Senior Honors. The requirements for the successful completion of the Honors project include a scholarly thesis and comprehensive examinations. More detailed information is available from the chairperson of the College Music Major Committee.

400, 401. Senior Honors
3 hours 3HU
First (400) and Second (401) Semester.
Staff

In this Department

Performance Emphasis

Music Major: Performance Emphasis
Course Requirements

Hrs.
16 Principal Private Study (4 semesters)
3 MUTH 101, 102, 201 (Aural Skills)¹
12 MUTH 130 or131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory I-IV)²
3 CMUS 100 (Introduction to Western Art Music)³
9 Music History electives⁴
2 Ensemble electives⁵
____
45 ¹Aural Skills I-III must be taken concurrently with Music Theory I-III; e.g., a student will register for Music Theory II and Aural Skills II in the same semester. It is strongly recommended that all Music Majors also take Aural Skills IV, preferably in the same semester as Music Theory IV.² Part or all of the MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 requirement may be waived by placement examination.³ May be waived by examination. MHST 101 (Introduction to the History and Literature of Music, four credits) is highly recommended for Music Majors in place of CMUS 100.

⁴ Three courses at the 200 level are required. Two of these must be chosen from MHST 226, 235, 245, 255, or 275. The third course may be chosen from Ethnomusicology 100 or any of the 200-level Ethnomusicology or 200-level Music History courses.

⁵ Any Conservatory ensemble. Only one credit per ensemble per semester may be counted toward the major.

Non-Course Requirements. Private Study Committee Examinations: First and Second Major Committees. Performance Requirement: one divisional recital or studio class appearance.

The First Major Committee Examination is to be taken at the end of the second semester of Principal Private Study, and the Second Major Committee Examination is to be taken at the end of the fourth semester of Principal Private Study. Students who receive a majority of unsatisfactory grades on the Second Major Committee will be denied permission to continue in the Performance Emphasis major.

In this Department

Composition Emphasis

Music Major: Composition Emphasis
Course Requirements

Hrs.
12 COMP 102 (A&B), 103 (A&B), 202 (A&B), 203 (A&B)¹
4 COMP 300, 301 (Orchestration)
3 MUTH 101, 102, 201 (Aural Skills)²
12 MUTH 130 or 131, 132, 231, 232 (Music Theory I-IV)³
3 Upper-division Music Theory elective
3 CMUS 100 (Introduction to Western Art Music)⁴
3 MHST 275 (Music Since 1914)
3 Music History elective⁵
2 Ensemble electives⁶
____
45 ¹At the time of acceptance into the College Music Major with Composition Emphasis, the Department will determine whether one or more semesters of COMP 102 (A&B), 103 (A&B) or COMP 202 (A&B), 203 (A&B) may be waived before beginning Private Study.² Aural Skills I-III must be taken concurrently with Music Theory I-III; e.g., a student will register for Music Theory II and Aural Skills II in the same semester. It is strongly recommended that all Music Majors also take Aural Skills IV, preferably in the same semester as Music Theory IV.³ Part or all of the MUTH 131, 132, 231, 232 requirement may be waived by placement examination.⁴ May be waived by examination. MHST 101 (Introduction to the History and Literature of Music, four credits) is highly recommended for Music Majors in place of CMUS 100.⁵This course may be chosen from Ethnomusicology 100 or any of the 200-level Ethnomusicology or 200-level Music History courses other than the required MHST 275.⁶ Any Conservatory ensemble. Only one credit per ensemble may be counted toward the major.

Recommended Course. TECH 100 (Introduction to Music Technology I) is strongly recommended; any course in the TIMARA program may be substituted.

Non-Course Requirements. First and Second Major Committee Examinations. The first will consist of a review by the department of a student's work in composition at the completion of the second semester of composition study. The Second Major Committee Examination will consist of a review at the completion of the fourth semester of composition study. For more information, see "Private Study Committee Exams" in the Composition Major grid located in the Conservatory section of this catalog. A student who receives an unsatisfactory evaluation on either of the Major Committee Examinations will be denied permission to continue in the Composition Emphasis major.

In this Department