• Students in the music major must pass a jury examination on their instrument at least once during their four years. Students selecting the Senior Recital track must pass a technical exam and three jury examinations prior to the senior year. Juries are held at the end of each semester.

Students who intend to enroll in the B.F.A. must audition to be considered a candidate for the program; it is recommended that the audition take place no later than the second semester of enrollment at Randolph College. Students accepted to the degree  perform both a sophomore and a senior recital.

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Music courses selected in consultation with advisor

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   ¹ Students select the interdisciplinary base in consultation with their advisor. Courses selected must be from ART, DANC, ENGL, EVST 306, or THTR with two departments represented and must include 1 course in artistic expression.

Students who seek a career in music education may combine any of these degree programs with the Teacher Education Program at Randolph College. Students may opt for licensure in Music (K-12) with either Vocal or Instrumental emphasis. Please see the Department of Education for more information.

MUSC 107 - MUSIC THEORY I (3)
An introduction to the rudiments of music including pitch and rhythm notation, meter, scale structures and key signatures, intervals, and triads. Emphasis is placed on learning to read music through exercises in ear training, singing, and piano. Hours credit: 3.

MUSC 108 - MUSIC THEORY II (3)
An introduction to part-writing from figured bass, diatonic seventh chords, melodic analysis and harmonization, and diatonic harmonic analysis. If the student wishes to include laboratory work, Music 108L should be taken concurrently. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisites: Music 107.

MUSC 108L - MUSIC THEORY II LABORATORY (1)
Ear-training, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony studies designed to provide aural understanding and practical application of theoretical knowledge of tonal music. Hours credit: 1. Corequisite: Music 107,108. Required of all majors.

MUSC 109 - INTRO TO MUSIC HISTORY (3)
A survey of the styles and types of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present with an emphasis on the repertoire and how to listen to it. Hours Credit: 3.

MUSC 129 - VOICE CLASS (1)
Designed for students with no college-level voice study. An introduction to the art and science of singing. Topics for discussion include anatomy/physiology of the voice, diet and nutrition, fitness and exercise, and voice types. Basic principles of vocal technique, musicianship, artistry, communication, posture, diction, breath control, and stage presence are also addressed. Hours credit: 1.

MUSC 131 - VOICE (1)
Hours credit for each semester: 1 or 2. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. It is expected that all students enrolled in Music 131 will complete both semesters of Music 135,136 (Diction for Singers) as prerequisite for a third year of Music 131R.

MUSC 133 - CHORALE (1)
A major performing ensemble which rehearses and performs sacred and secular choral music of all periods. Performances include the traditional Christmas Vespers, a major Spring Concert, and other programs, some with men's choruses. Hours credit: 1. Prerequisite: by audition only. Corequisite: 133L or sight reading proficiency. Click here to visit the Chorale website.

MUSC 133L - CHORAL SIGHT SINGING (0.5)
The building of basic music literacy skills expected in collegiate vocal performance ensembles, including recognition of time and key signatures and the ability to accurately read at sight rudimentary rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. Hours credit: 0.5. May be repeated once for credit.

MUSC 135 - DICTION FOR SINGERS (2)
Principles of foreign language singing diction, with use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and practical application. IPA/English/German. Both MUSC 135 and 136 must be completed to continue in Music 131R beyond two years. Hours credit: 2. Recommended for all first or second year voice students.

MUSC 136 - DICTION FOR SINGERS (2)
Principles of foreign language singing diction, with use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and practical application. IPA/Italian/French. Both MUSC 135 and 136 must be completed to continue in Music 131R beyond two years. Hours credit: 2. Recommended for all first or second year voice students.

MUSC 141 - HARPSICHORD (0)
Hours credit for each semester: 1 or 2. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

MUSC 171 - ENSEMBLE (1)
The study and performance of chamber music repertoire. Open to all instrumentalists. Hours credit for each semester: 1. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only.

MUSC 207 - MUSIC THEORY III (3)
Continued study of harmonic analysis and part-writing including modulation and secondary function. An introduction of analysis of form and compositional procedures including sixteenth- and eighteenth-century counterpoint, and binary, ternary, and theme and variation forms of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. If the student wishes to include laboratory work, Music 207L should be taken concurrently. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 108.

MUSC 207L - MUSIC THEORY III LABORATORY (1)
Continued study of ear training, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony to correlate with Music 207. Hours credit: 1. Corequisite: Music 207. Required of all majors.

MUSC 208 - MUSIC THEORY IV (3)
Continued study of harmonic analysis and part-writing with emphasis on chromatic harmonies and chromatic and enharmonic modulations. Includes consideration of art song and instrumental forms (compound ternary, sonato-allegro procedure, and rondo) in small and large-scale works of the late eighteenth through nineteenth centuries. If the student wishes to include laboratory work, Music 208L should be taken concurrently. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 207.

MUSC 208L - MUSIC THEORY IV LABORATORY (1)
Continued study of ear training, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony to correlate with Music 208. Hours credit: 1. Corequisite: Music 208. Required of all majors.

MUSC 215 - RAGTIME, BLUES, & JAZZ (3)
A survey of the rise, development, and relationship among ragtime, blues, and jazz from the 1890s to the 1940s. Hours credit: 3.

MUSC 218 - AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC: 1950'S-PRESENT (3)
A survey of the societal trends, culture, and musical styles that evolved in America from the 1950's to the twenty-first century. Representative musical styles from rock and roll to hip-hop artists. Hours credit: 3.

MUSC 222 - BEETHOVEN AND HIS ERA (3)
Beethoven lived during a time of revolutionary change in music, the period when classicism yielded to romanticism. Turning from tradition and casting aside convention, he created works of unprecedented complexity and force. The role and place of his compositions in that rapidly evolving milieu are the subject of this course. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

MUSC 224 - HISTORY OF WESTERN OPERA (3)
An introduction to the colorful and varied history of opera--from comic to serious, from ballad to grand. While focusing primarily on selected works currently in the repertoire, historically significant composers, works, and developments in opera will also be discussed. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 107 or permission of the instructor. Offered alternate years.

MUSC 227 - WOMEN IN MUSIC (3)
A survey of women in the history of Western music. Students will consider social and historical perspectives, examining how attitudes have developed toward women in music and how women have achieved renown in the field. Study of classical music genres will comprise the first half of the semester, exploring women as performers, composers, teachers, conductors, and patrons. The second half will cover contemporary genres: pop/rock, jazz and blues, folk/country, and rap/hip-hop. Hours Credit: 3. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

MUSC 233 - VOCAL ENSEMBLE (0.5)
A vocal chamber ensemble with emphasis on Renaissance madrigal, vocal jazz, and popular arrangements. Small ensemble rehearsal and performance techniques are developed, including performance without a conductor. Hours credit: 0.5. Prerequisite: by audition only. Corequisite: 133L or sight reading proficiency.

MUSC 241 - TOPICS IN PIANO (2)

Topics will be selected from keyboard mechanics (tuning, voicing, and other technical matters), piano literature, piano pedagogy, and vocal/instrumental accompanying. May be repeated for credit as topics differ. Hours credit: 2. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

MUSC 247-248 - CONDUCTING I, II (2,2)
First semester: fundamentals of conducting, exploration of expressive elements. Second semester: application of musical analysis and expression, and development of the ability to organize and lead rehearsals of vocal and instrumental ensembles, with the opportunity to lead a vocal ensemble in rehearsal to acquire practical experience in applying the techniques examined in the classroom. Hours credit: 2,2. Prerequisite or corequisite: MUSC 207. Alternate years: offered 2008–09.

MUSC 311 - HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC (3)
The history of music from the Middle Ages to the present. Discussion, which will use analyses of works and biography as points of departure, will be directed toward considerations of the development of the major style periods. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 207, 208 or permission of instructor.

MUSC 312 - HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC (3)
The history of music from the Middle Ages to the present. Discussion, which will use analyses of works and biography as points of departure, will be directed toward considerations of the development of the major style periods. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 207, 208 or permission of instructor.

MUSC 317 - STUDIES IN 20TH-CENTURY MUSC THEO & HIST (3)
A survey of selected twentieth-century styles of composition in Europe and America from theoretical and historical perspectives. Beginning with the works of Debussy, the course will consider selected works and their composers from the polytonal, freely tonal, atonal, twelve-tone, electronic, and minimalist schools of composition. Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: Music 208. Offered as needed second semester.

MUSC 332 - VOCAL PEDAGOGY (2)
The mechanism of the human voice, and methods of teaching singing in private voice lessons or in coaching voices in an ensemble are studied. Particular attention is paid to physiology and diagnosis and correction of vocal faults.

MUSC 491 - SENIOR RECITAL (1)
Preparation for and performance of senior recital, including the art of putting a program together, pacing, writing program notes, and other performance topics. Hours credit: 1. Corequisite: individual instruction.

MUSC 493 - TOPICS IN RESEARCH (2)
The first semester is devoted to acquiring bibliography and research techniques, while the second semester is used for the preparation and formal presentation of the senior paper. Hours credit: 2. Prerequisite: Music 317.

MUSC 494 - TOPICS IN RESEARCH (2)
The first semester is devoted to acquiring bibliography and research techniques, while the second semester is used for the preparation and formal presentation of the senior paper. Hours credit: 2. Prerequisite: Music 317.