Information for students majoring in an academic area other than music

Students in the Department of Music fall into three categories:  Students majoring in an academic area other than music, students minoring in music, and students majoring in music.  Students majoring in an academic area other than music may participate in any ensemble or class in the Department of Music.  Some ensembles require an audition to be a member and others are open to everyone.  Additional information about all of the ensembles MSU has to offer is available on the Ensembles webpage.  Band scholarships are available for everyone (regardless of major area of study) in the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Basketball Pep Band.  More information about music and band scholarships is available on the Scholarships webpage.  Contact information for all music faculty is available on the Faculty webpage. 

Fine Arts Requirement and Kinesiology Requirement for non-music majors

The Academic Foundations requirement (core curricula) for all academic majors at MSU requires a course in the Fine Arts such as music or art appreciation.  Students may meet this requirement by taking three semesters of University Singers or Symphonic Band/Wind Ensemble.

The Academic Foundations requirement also requires three to four hours (two courses) of Kinesiology (Physical Education) courses.  Any student can substitute two semesters of Marching Band for each Kinesiology course.  Four semesters of Marching Band substitutes for the entire Kinesiology requirement. 

For additional information about being a non-music major member of the Department of Music, email the faculty listed below.

Information for Students Minoring in Music

All students selecting a minor in music must have their program approved in advance of registration by the Music Minor Advisor. 

23-24 semester hours

MUSC 1000 Recital Attendance (4 semesters)
MUSC 1601/1603 Music Theory I and Sight-Singing/Ear-training
MUSC 3723 Western and World Music Literature
MUSC 3733 Music History I or MUSC 3743 Music History II
2 semester hours from MUSC 1111 Beginning Piano or MUSC 1121 Piano Class (keyboard minors take MUSC 3823 Piano Pedagogy I, offered Fall semester only)
Major Ensemble (4 semesters)
Primary Performance Area (4 semesters, must be concurrently enrolled in major ensemble)
3-4 semester hours from the following:
        MUSC 1611-1613 Music Theory II and Sight-Singing/Ear-Training
        MUSC 3733 Music History I
        MUSC 3743 Music History II
        MUSC 4813 Foundations of Music I (Music in the Elementary School)
        MUSC 4823 Foundations of Music II (Music in the Secondary School)
        MUSC 4843 Basic Conducting
        MUSC 4893 Music Technology
Nine hours of the music minor must be at the advanced level. Up to 3 hours of upper-level ensemble may be counted toward the nine hours of advanced-level study.

Information for Students Majoring in Music

Choir and Vocal Studies
Keyboard Studies
Band and Instrumental Studies

Admission Requirements
Music Degrees
Music and Band Scholarships
Music Student Handbook
Music Catalog of Courses

All students interested in majoring in music should contact the relevant faculty listed below by phone, mail, or email to begin the process of becoming a music major at MSU.