Music Department

Requirements of the Standard Major

Students who are interested in majoring in Music should consult a Music professor or the Chair in their sophomore year to plan their academic programs. Ethnomusicology students should consult with the Chair. Prospective Music majors should complete the prerequisites by the end of their sophomore year and are encouraged to complete them by the end of their freshman year. By the end of their first year as a Music major, the student should select a faculty advisor.

The Music major's courses should include:

1. Foundation Courses: 
2. Courses: Minimum of 40 points, including 
   1. Music Theory I - IV
   2. History of Western Music I: Middle Ages to Baroque
   3. History of Western Music II: Classical to 20th Century
   4. Topics in Music and Society 
   5. Three courses in musicianship: Musicianship: Rhythm, Musicianship: Melody, Musicianship: Harmony 
   6. At least three 3000- or 4000- level electives in an area of interest (theory, history, composition, or ethnomusicology)
   7. Remaining points from 2000- to 4000- level electives. (No more than 6 points of 2000- level courses and no more than 4 points of instrumental or vocal lessons count towards the major.)
   8. Senior Seminar (4 points)
3. Senior Project: It can be an expansion of a paper written in a 4000- level course, a composition, or a recital.

Requirements of the Ethnomusicology Track

The Ethnomusicology major is not subdividable further without consultation with the Ethnomusicology faculty about whether that is appropriate.

1. Prerequisites
   1. Choose one:
      1. An Introduction to Music
      2. An Introduction to Music II
   2. Choose one to take ideally during sophomore year; cannot be deferred to senior year:
      1. Topics in Music and Society
      2. Social Science of Music 
2. Courses
   1. Diatonic Harmony/Counterpoint 
   2. Diatonic Harmony/Counterpoint 
   3. Ear Training I 
   4. Ear Training II 
   5. Topics in Music and Society
   6. Up to 4 performance credits (lessons or ensembles)
   7. One 3000-level Western music history course 
   8. One Asian Humanities-Music (AHMM) course 
   9. Three ethnomusicology electives, one at the 2000 level and the others from the upper division electives 
   10. Two courses in Anthropology, one at the introduction to cultural anthropology level; the other, an elective 
   11. Strongly recommended in junior or senior year - Field Methods and Techniques in Ethnomusicology 
3. Ethnographic thesis of 30-40 pages, developed over the senior year

Recommendations

• Languages: Students who plan to do graduate work in music, the study of German, French, Italian, and/or Latin is recommended.
• Music Lessons at the Manhattan School of Music or the Juilliard School: Current students should consult with Gail Archer, the Barnard Director, to apply to take lessons. Prospective students and current students should refer to the Juilliard School Programs and the Manhattan School of Music Program information page. (For non-majors, there is a six-semester limit but majors may continue for the remainder of the program.)

Resources

• Regular Practice Rooms: Practice rooms are available, at a nominal fee, upon application to the Music Department in 319 Milbank. Applications should be made during the first week of class. Preference in assigning hours is given to students taking piano instruction and majors.

Barnard College is in a unique position that allows students to cross-register with neighboring Manhattan School of Music. Please see their website for more information on eligibility, applying, auditioning, and what the program entails.

Contact Information:

Professor Gail Archer, Barnard College Music Major Advisor (garcher@barnard.edu)

Get to know our students:

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