Requirements
Music Major
The music major consists of eleven credits that include courses from three areas: social and historical context (x1xx–x3xx), theory and composition (x4xx–x5xx), and performance (x6xx– x8xx). Majors can choose either to pursue a broader curriculum with some balance among these areas or to concentrate in one of them, as indicated in the concentrations listed below. All majors are required to take an independent study in their final semester that includes a seminar component. Honors work normally adds one extra course credit, and its second semester counts for the senior independent study.
General Concentration
The music major with a general concentration consists of eleven credits, distributed in the following way:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Social and Historical Context | ||
| MUS 1101 | Sound, Self, and Society: Music and Everyday Life | 1 |
| or MUS 2101 | Asking Questions about Music-Making: Musicological Methods | |
| Select two elective courses (x1xx–x3xx) a | 2 | |
| Theory and Composition | ||
| MUS 1401 | Introduction to Music Theory | 1 |
| Select two elective courses (x4xx–x5xx). a | 2 | |
| Performance | ||
| Select any classroom-based performance course (26xx) | 1 | |
| two consecutive semesters in a single ensemble (27xx) b | 1 | |
| two semesters of individual performance studies at an intermediate-level proficiency (28xx) b,c | 1 | |
| Other | ||
| Select one additional elective from any area between x1xx–x6xx. a | 1 | |
| MUS 4040 | Senior Project in Music | 1 |
| a | At least four elective courses must be at the 2000-level or above; at least one of these courses must be at the 3000-level. |
| b | Ensembles (MUS 27xx) and lessons (MUS 28xx) count for one-half credit per semester. |
| c | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music major advisor. |
Music in Social and Historical Context Concentration
The music major with a concentration in social and historical context consists of eleven credits, distributed in the following way:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Social and Historical Context | ||
| MUS 1101 | Sound, Self, and Society: Music and Everyday Life | 1 |
or MUS 1102 Music Histories and Cultures: A Non-Canonical Perspective | ||
| MUS 2101 | Asking Questions about Music-Making: Musicological Methods | 1 |
| Select four elective courses (x1xx–x3xx). a | 4 | |
| Theory and Composition | ||
| MUS 1051 | Fundamentals of Music | 1 |
| or MUS 1401 | Introduction to Music Theory | |
| Select one intermediate or advanced-level elective course (24xx–25xx or 34xx-35xx). | 1 | |
| Performance | ||
| two consecutive semesters in a single ensemble (27xx) b | 1 | |
| two semesters of individual performance studies at an intermediate-level proficiency b,c | 1 | |
| Other | ||
| MUS 4040 | Senior Project in Music | 1 |
| a | Three of these electives must be at the 2000-level or above, and at least one must be at the 3000-level. With departmental approval, two of these electives may be in a related field outside the music department. |
| b | Ensembles (MUS 27xx) and lessons (MUS 28xx) count for one-half credit per semester. |
| c | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music major advisor. |
Theory and Composition Concentration
The music major with a concentration in theory and composition consists of eleven credits, distributed in the following way:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Social and Historical Context | ||
| Select two elective courses (x1xx–x3xx). | 2 | |
| Theory and Composition | ||
| MUS 1401 | Introduction to Music Theory | 1 |
| MUS 2403 | Songwriting and Song Analysis | 1 |
| or MUS 2501 | Introduction to Composition | |
| or MUS 2551 | Introduction to Electronic Music | |
| Select two intermediate elective courses (24xx-25xx). | 2 | |
| Select one advanced elective course (34xx–35xx). | 1 | |
| Performance | ||
| Select two consecutive semesters in a single ensemble (27xx). a | 1 | |
| Select two semesters of individual performance studies at an intermediate-level proficiency a,b | 1 | |
| Other | ||
| MUS 4040 | Senior Project in Music | 1 |
| a | Ensembles (MUS 27xx) and lessons (MUS 28xx) count for one-half credit per semester. |
| b | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music major advisor. |
Performance Concentration
The music major with a concentration in performance consists of eleven credits, distributed in the following way:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Social and Historical Context | ||
| Select two elective courses | 2 | |
| Theory and Composition | ||
| MUS 1401 | Introduction to Music Theory | 1 |
| MUS 2403 | Songwriting and Song Analysis | 1 |
| Performance | ||
| Select two elective courses (26xx) | 2 | |
| Select two consecutive semesters in a non-notation-centered ensemble (2701–2712). | 1 | |
| Select two consecutive semesters in a notation-centered ensemble (2721–2752). | 1 | |
| Select two semesters of individual performance studies at an intermediate-level proficiency a | 1 | |
| MUS 3805 Advanced Performance Studies | 1 | |
| Other | ||
| MUS 4040 | Senior Project in Music | 1 |
| a | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music major advisor. |
Music Minor
The music minors consist of five credits that include both classroom-based and performance-based courses. Minors can choose either to pursue a broader curriculum or to minor in performance, as indicated below.
General Music Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course x1xx-x3xx a | 1 | |
| MUS 1051 | Fundamentals of Music | 1 |
| Select two other classroom electives (x1xx-x6xx). a | 2 | |
| Select either two consecutive semesters in a single ensemble (27xx) or two semesters of individual performance studies with intermediate-level proficiency b,c | 1 | |
| a | At least two of these four elective courses must be at the 2000 level or above. |
| b | Ensembles (MUS 27xx) and lessons (MUS 28xx) count for one-half credit per semester. |
| c | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music minor advisor. |
Music Performance Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1401 | Introduction to Music Theory | 1 |
| or MUS 2403 | Songwriting and Song Analysis | |
| Select one other classroom elective (x1xx-x6xx). | 1 | |
| Select two consecutive semesters in a single ensemble (27xx). | 1 | |
| Select two semesters of individual performance studies at an intermediate-level proficiency a | 1 | |
| MUS 3805 Advanced Performance Studies | 1 | |
| a | Intermediate-level proficiency assessed in consultation with student's music minor advisor. |
Additional Information and Department Policies
- With departmental approval, students may count up to two courses taken at another college or university toward the major, and one such course toward the minor.
- First-year writing seminars do not count toward the major or minors.
- Only one academic course (MUS X1XX - X6XX) in which the grade of CR (Credit) is received may count toward the major or minors, and only grades of C- or higher count toward the major or minors.
Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB)
Students who received a minimum score of four on the Music Theory AP exam or an IB Music Theory score of six or higher should take the music theory placement exam. Placement in MUS 2403 Songwriting and Song Analysis results in one credit that is the equivalent of MUS 1401 Introduction to Music Theory. If a student earns a grade of C- or higher in MUS 2403 Songwriting and Song Analysis, this credit can count toward the major. Placement into MUS 1401 Introduction to Music Theory or MUS 1051 Fundamentals of Music results in no credit. In order to receive credit for advanced placement work, students must have their scores officially reported to the Office of the Registrar by the end of their sophomore year at Bowdoin.
Music Ensembles and Individual Performance Studies
The following provisions govern both ensembles and individual performance studies:
- All music ensembles (27xx) and individual performance studies (x8xx) count for one-half credit per semester and are graded on a Credit/D/Fail Only basis. The symbol for a grade of credit in a Credit/D/Fail Only course is CR# (see the Registrar's website for details).
- Advanced level individual performance studies (38xx) count for a full credit and are graded with standard letter grades.
- Ensembles (27xx) and individual performance studies (x8xx) may be repeated for credit, but students may only register for the initial semester iteration once.
- The course number for the first semester of participation ends with an odd number; all subsequent semesters end with the even number immediately following.
- Visit the Class Finder for additional information on the music ensembles and individual performance studies on offer currently.
Music Ensembles
- Most ensembles meet weekly for at least three hours with the ensemble coach. Explicit expectations are provided by the coach each semester.
- Members of ensembles must attend all rehearsals and participate in all dress rehearsals and performances.
- Two semesters of participation in an ensemble for credit where a grade of CR# is earned fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) distribution requirement.
- Students may participate in some ensembles on a non-credit basis upon instructor or departmental approval only.
- For auditioned ensembles, students typically audition prior to enrollment in their first semester. Reauditioning is typically not required for participation in subsequent semesters.
Auditioned Ensembles
- MUS 2711 Jazz Combos - Initial Semester and MUS 2712 Jazz Combos
- MUS 2721 Chamber Ensembles - Initial Semester and MUS 2722 Chamber Ensembles
- MUS 2731 Orchestra - Initial Semester and MUS 2732 Orchestra
- MUS 2741 Chamber Choir - Initial Semester and MUS 2742 Chamber Choir
Non-Auditioned Ensembles
- MUS 2705 Middle Eastern Ensemble - Initial Semester and MUS 2706 Middle Eastern Ensemble
- MUS 2707 South Asian Performing Arts Ensemble-Initial Semester
- MUS 2751 Concert Band - Initial Semester and MUS 2752 Concert Band
- MUS 2761 Bowdoin Electro-Acoustic Ensemble – Initial Semester
Individual Performance Studies
- Any student is eligible to take individual performance studies, e.g., private music lessons, for credit regardless of musical background or access to an instrument. To borrow an instrument, please inquire with Equipment Manager Delmar Small when registering.
- Students and instructors meet weekly for hour-long lessons; specific meeting times are determined based on the students’ and instructors’ schedules.
- Performance study courses numbered 18xx are introductory level group lessons while performance study courses numbered 28xx and 38xx are individual lessons. The availability of seats and instrument selection is subject to change.
- The deadline to officially register is one week after the start of classes, and the deadline to drop is two weeks from the start of classes. Students should note that the deadline to register for individual performance studies is earlier than all other Bowdoin courses.
- Students taking lessons for credit pay a fee of $840 for twelve one-hour lessons per semester. Music majors and minors may take two semesters of single instrument lessons free of charge. Students who receive financial aid will not be charged fees for lessons.
- Students who begin studying their instrument at Bowdoin as beginners must perform in their fourth semester of study and each semester thereafter. All other students must perform in their second semester of study and each semester thereafter.
- Beginner level lessons, including those with a 18xx course number will not count towards a music major or minor. Lessons taught at an intermediate and advanced level may count towards a music major or minor. The department defines intermediate-level proficiency as having a basic technical facility of one's instrument or voice. Intermediate proficiency will be assessed in consultation with the student's Applied Music Instructor at the start of the first semester of Initial Semester lessons.
- Individual Performance Studies do not count towards the VPA requirement.
- More information about the process for registering for individual performance studies can be found on the music department's website.
Individual Performance Studies Instructors for 2024–2025
Bass (Pop/Jazz): Duane Edwards
Bassoon: David Joseph
Cello: Christina Chute
Clarinet: Titus Abbott
Contrabass: Duane Edwards
Drums: Ronald Miller
Fiddle: Christina Chute
Flute: Krysia Tripp
French Horn: John Boden
Guitar (all styles): Jeff Rojo
Guitar (Pop/Jazz): Gary Wittner
Harp: Virginia Flanagan
Oboe: Kathleen O'Connor-McNerney
Organ (Classical): Hentus van Rooyen
Piano (Classical): Naydene Bowder, Gulimina Mahamuti
Piano (Classical; by special permission from professor, only): George Lopez
Piano (Pop/Jazz): Scott Martin
Saxophone: Titus Abbott
Trombone: Anita-Ann Jerosch
Trumpet: Scott Johnston
Viola: Kirsten Monke
Violin: Dean Stein, Yasmin Vitalius, Kirsten Monke
Voice (Classical): Christina Astrachan
Voice (Pop/Jazz): Mesa Schubeck
Voice (Pop/Jazz; by special permission from professor, only): Jeffrey Christmas
Information for Incoming Students
The Department offers text-based sociological/historical inquiry courses open to first-year students in which placement is not required. For fall 2024 those courses are MUS 1051 Fundamentals of Music and MUS 1101 Sound, Self, and Society: Music and Everyday Life. Students with any background in theory/composition are strongly encouraged to take the music placement exam to access the department's notation-based music theory/composition courses.
Students considering further study in music or a possible major/minor are encouraged to take a music course in the first year, specifically MUS 1401 Introduction to Music Theory or MUS 2403 Songwriting and Song Analysis, depending on placement results. Most academic music courses (MUS x1xx - x6xx) and two semesters of an ensemble count towards the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) distribution requirement. Individual performance studies (x8xx) do not count towards the VPA distribution requirement.
Seating is limited, but any student is eligible to take individual performance studies/lessons regardless of musical background or access to an instrument. See above for more details about music ensembles and individual performance studies and note that most participants in music ensembles and individual performance studies are not music majors/minors, so all students with an interest should consider participating. Students with questions should contact the department.
This is an excerpt from the official Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook. View the Catalogue