Skip to Main Content

Music – BA

Program Overview:

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students who wish to pursue a major in music in a liberal arts setting. B.A. in Music majors receive comprehensive training in the core music curriculum and the liberal arts. It is designed to be a more independent degree in which students may concentrate in a number of areas such as applied performance, music history and music theory or composition. The standard for each concentration is much more intense than the general music curriculum. Audition is concentration specific and musicianship is the core of this degree program. Additionally, it offers the student many curricular options as well as diversity among career choices and graduate study.


Program Contacts:

Program Requirements:

An audition with members of the Music Department faculty is required for everyone who wishes to major in Music at The College of Saint Rose. For examples of appropriate audition repertoire, please consult the College of Saint Rose Music Webpage: www.strose.edu/music.

Entering students with an advanced placement grade of 4 or 5 in the written and/or aural section of the AP Music Theory Exam will be advanced to MUS 201 Music Theory III and/or MUS 203 Advanced Ear Training and Sight Singing, respectively.

Music talent awards and academic scholarships are available to qualified entering students on the basis of their musical and academic abilities. Music talent scholarship recipients are required maintain a minimum average of 3.0 in their music courses and a minimum cumulative average of 2.0. Those who perform at an acceptable level on a secondary instrument or voice that may serve the needs of Department ensembles are also eligible for awards. 

Applied music instruction on their principal instrument or voice is required of all Music majors. All Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to complete eight semesters of applied study on their major instrument as specified in their given tracks. Repertoire Class and Music Convocation are required for each semester registered for applied lessons. Students are required to successfully complete an Upper Divisional Jury at before advancing to their fifth semester of applied lessons. Semester and annual juries are part of the assessment tools used in applied study.  Please consult specific syllabi for detailed requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to participate in the major performing group appropriate to their applied concentration for eight semesters. All transfer students are required to take a minimum of four semesters of their major performing ensemble at The College of Saint Rose.

MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra: Participation in this ensemble is required of all music majors whose applied area is violin, viola, cello, harp or double bass.


All Bachelor of Arts in music majors are required to complete four semesters of small ensembles appropriate to their applied Degree Track.  These ensembles include: Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Brass Choir, Flute Choir, Woodwind Quintet, Double Reed Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Trombone Choir, Chamber Winds, Madrigal Singers, Opera Workshop, Women’s Chorale, Baroque Flute Ensemble, Men’s Glee Club, Clarinet Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Mixed Vocal/Instrumental Ensemble, Vocal/String/Piano Chamber Music Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Strings.

Students enrolled in music degree programs are required to attend ten live performances per semester as a member of the audience. Performances that will fulfill the concert attendance requirement are those presented by college and university ensembles, college student recitals, college faculty recitals, professional orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists, student playbacks and selected commercial music performances which are approved by the music faculty of the individual Repertoire classes (MUS 100).

Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to pass the piano proficiency prior to being approved to begin their capstone project. It is administered during final exam week and may be taken during subsequent semesters until passed. Prerequisites: MUS 281 and MUS 282.

Basic Musicianship and Performance

36

Degree Track

14

Major Performing Ensembles

8

Capstone (MUS 490)

1

Liberal Education Courses

41

Electives

22



MUS 101Music Theory I

3

MUS 102Music Theory II

3

MUS 201Music Theory III

3

MUS 202Form/Analysis West/Non-W Music

3

MUS 260Introduction to Musical Style

3

MUS 301Music History 1

3

MUS 302Music History 2

3

MUS 253Jazz: Historical Overview

3

MUS 254History of Rock

3

MUS 303World Music

3

MUS 304American Music

3

MUS 306History of Musical Theater

3

MUS 103Ear Training and Solfege

2

MUS 104Ear Training and Solfege

2

MUS 203Adv Ear Train/Sol

2

MUS 204Adv Ear Train/Sol

2

MUS 281Keyboard Harmony 3

2

MUS 282Keyboard Harmony 4

2

MUS 484Piano Proficiency

0

Students must take Small Ensemble for 4 semesters at either 0 or 1 credit.

Students will select a degree track by the end of their sophomore year. Students will need to complete any additional audition requirements specific to their chosen track before being accepted into the track. 


MUS 287Jazz Guitar Ensemble

0 or 1

MUS 289Symphony Orchestra

0 or 1

MUS 290Symphonic Band

0 or 1

MUS 291Masterworks Chorale

0 or 1

MUS 292Wind Ensemble

0 or 1

MUS 490Capstone Project

1

Students must fulfill the College Wide Liberal Education requirements. MUS 257, Music Technology, can be taken to fulfill L08 requirement. L05 requirement is fulfilled through Music courses.

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Year 1:

 

Fall (14-16 credits)

Spring (14-17 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 101: Music Theory I (3)

MUS 102: Music Theory II (3)

MUS 103: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 104: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 181: Keyboard Harmony (2)*

*If haven’t passed exam*

MUS 182: Keyboard Harmony II (2)*

*If haven’t passed exam*

MUS 260 Intro to Musical Style (3)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

ENG 105 (4)

Choice: Lib Ed History (3)

 

Choice: Lib Ed Lab Science (4)


Year 2:

 

Fall (16 credits)

Spring (14 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

MUS 202: Form & Analysis (3)

MUS 201: Music Theory III (3)

MUS 204: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 203: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 282: Keyboard Harmony IV (2)

MUS 281: Keyboard Harmony III (2)

MUS 484: Piano Proficiency (0)

MUS 257 Music Technology (3)

Chamber Music (1)

Choice: Lib Ed Language (3)

Choice: Lib Ed Phi/Religion (3)

 

Choice: PE Lib Ed (1)

 

 


Year 3:

 

Fall (15 credits)

Spring (16 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 301: Music History I (3) *Fall*

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 291: Masterworks (1)

MUS 302: Music History II (3) *Spring*

Chamber Music (1)

Chamber Music (1)

Choice: Lib Ed Literature (4)

Choice: Math Lib Ed (3)

Choice: Lib Ed L11 (4)

Choice: Econ/Politics Lib Ed (3)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

Choice: History of Rock/Jazz History/World Music/American Music (3)


Year 4:

 

Fall (16 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

 

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 393 Applied (1)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 100 Repertoire (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 200 Convocation (0)

Chamber Music (1)

MUS 450 Capstone Project (1)

Choice: Further Disciplinary (2)

Elective (3)

Choice: PE Lib Ed (1)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)   

Elective (3)

 

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Year 1:

 

Fall (15 credits)

Spring (15-16 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 101: Music Theory I (3)

MUS 102: Music Theory II (3)

MUS 103: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 104: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 260 Intro to Musical Style (3)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

ENG 105 (4)

Choice: Lib Ed History (3)

 

Choice: Lib Ed Lab Science (4)


Year 2:

 

Fall (15-16 credits)

Spring (15-16 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

MUS 282: Keyboard 4 (2)

MUS 201: Music Theory III (3)

MUS 202: Form & Analysis (3)

MUS 203: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 204: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 281: Keyboard 3 (2)

MUS 484 Piano Proficiency ( 0)

MUS 257 Music Technology (3)

Choice: Lib Ed Phi/Religion (3)

Choice: Lib Ed Language (3)

Choice: Lib Ed Math (3)

 

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)


Year 3:

 

Fall (15-16 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 301: Music History I (3) *Fall*

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 291: Masterworks (1)

MUS 302: Music History II (3) *Spring*

MUS 322: Piano Pedagogy (2)

MUS 323: Piano Literature and Pedagogy (2)

Choice: Lib Ed Literature (4)

Choice: PE Lib Ed (1)

Choice: Lib Ed L11 (4)

Choice: Econ/Politics Lib Ed (3)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

Elective (3)


Year 4:

 

Fall (15 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

 

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 393 Applied (1)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

Ensemble: MUS 289, 290, or 292 (1)

MUS 100 Repertoire (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 200 Convocation (0)

Choice: History of Rock/Jazz History/ World Music (3)

MUS 450 Capstone Project (1)

Elective (3)

Choice: Further Disciplinary (2)

Elective (3)

Choice: PE Lib Ed (1)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)   

Elective (3)

 

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Year 1:

 

Fall (15-17 credits)

Spring (14-17 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 101: Music Theory I (3)

MUS 102: Music Theory II (3)

MUS 103: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 104: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 260 Intro to Musical Style (3)

MUS 182: Keyboard Harmony 2 (2)*

MUS 181: Keyboard Harmony 1 (2)*

*If haven’t passed exam*

*If haven’t passed exam*

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

ENG 105 (4)

Choice: Lib Ed History (3)

 

Choice: Lib Ed Lab Science (4)


Year 2:

 

Fall (14-15 credits)

Spring (16 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 201: Music Theory III (3)

MUS 282: Keyboard 4 (2)

MUS 203: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 202: Form & Analysis (3)

MUS 281: Keyboard 3 (2)

MUS 204: Ear Training/Solfege (2)

MUS 257 Music Technology (3)

MUS 484 Piano Proficiency ( 0)

MUS 291: Masterworks (1)

MUS 291: Masterworks (1)

MUS 434: Vocal Diction (2)

MUS 435: Vocal Pedagogy (2)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

Choice: Lib Ed Phi/Religion (3)

 

Choice: Lib Ed PE (1)



Year 3:

 

Fall (15-16 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 301: Music History I (3) *Fall*

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 291: Masterworks (1)

MUS 302: Music History II (3) *Spring*

Lib Ed L11 (4)

Choice: Lib Ed Math (3)

Choice: Lib Ed Language (3)

Choice: PE Lib Ed (1)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

Choice: Econ/Politics Lib Ed (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)


Year 4:

 

Fall (14-15 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

MUS 393: Applied Music (1)

MUS 393 Applied (1)

MUS 100: Repertoire Class (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 200: Convocation (0)

MUS 100 Repertoire (0)

Choice: Small Ensemble (0-1)

MUS 200 Convocation (0)

MUS 291 Masterworks (1)

MUS 450 Capstone Project (1)

Choice: History of Rock/Jazz History/ World Music/American Music (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Choice: Further Disciplinary (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)   

Elective (3)

 

Culminating Academic Experiences:

MUS 490Capstone Project

1

Professional Accreditation:

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

Find Out More: