Advising for Music Core Requirements

Many music courses are intended for Music Majors and Minors. Some can be taken with permission from an instructor, such as Music History (MUS 321, 322, 323, and 324). Since the three Music Major programs are fairly large and the program is sequential, it is very important that students get started on the music core as soon as possible, preferably fall of the freshman year. The recommended program is as follows:

  • MUS 111 | Music Theory
  • MUS 171 | Applied Music (Enroll in Applied Music appropriate to instrument/voice. All students enrolling in applied music will need approval from a music faculty member before enrolling for lessons.)
  • Large Ensemble Enroll in a large ensemble (Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Orchestra) appropriate to instrument/voice.
  • ALL STUDENTS RECEIVING MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE APPLIED MUSIC LESSONS AND BE IN AN APPROPRIATE LARGE ENSEMBLE EVERY SEMESTER.
  • Large Ensemble: Enroll in a large ensemble (Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Orchestra) appropriate to instrument/voice.
  • MUS 100 | Recital attendance
  • MUS 185 | Functional Piano:
  • The Music Department required all music majors and minors MUST PASS PIANO PROFICIENCY before graduation. 
    • It is the responsibility of each student to fulfill the requirements of the piano proficiency syllabus (available in the Music Department) BEFORE the MUS 371 semester (fifth semester) of applied music lessons.  Functional Piano (MUS 185 and MUS 186) may be taken in order to prepare the student for the piano proficiency exam. Piano Proficiency Exams are given at the end of each semester.  Students can take all sections or complete sections at a time.  Prior to the exams, students should contact the piano faculty for any material that needs advance preparation (usually 2 weeks before the exam date).  All questions about the exam should be directed to the piano faculty. 
    • This can sometimes be waived if the student has adequate piano skills, or it can be delayed until the sophomore year. The delay is not recommended because so much of later study depends upon piano skills, but students who are piano proficient may choose this path.

Any other questions should be referred to a faculty member in the music department.

Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses | 503-352-2897
Dr. Dijana Ihas | 503-352-2108
Dr. Tim Stephens | 503-352-2155
Dr. Scott Tuomi | 503-352-2872

Rev 2019