Music

The Department offers courses from beginning to graduate levels in performance practice, conducting, music history and criticism, non-western music, instrumental and digital music composition, music technology, and music theory. 

Music Major

Prerequisites: MUS 20 (Introduction to Music Theory) (unless exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam or by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department) and MUS 25 (Introduction to Sonic Arts) (unless exempted by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department). 

Requirements: General music major

• Two courses numbered between 20 and 29 exclusive of the prerequisites (MUS 20 Introduction to Music Theory, MUS 21 Melody and Rhythm, MUS 22 Harmony and Rhythm, MUS 23 Timbre and Form, MUS 25 Introduction to Sonic Arts, MUS 26 Sonic Linearity, MUS 27 Sonic Spectrum, MUS 28 Sonic Space and Form)
• One course numbered between 40 and 49 (MUS 40.03 Arts Policy in the United States, MUS 40.04 Music and Social Identity, MUS 41 Composer Seminar, MUS 44 Music in the Twentieth Century, MUS 45.01 Music and Gender, MUS 45.02 Songs of the Jewish People)
• Seven additional courses, of which five or more must be numbered 21 or above, and including: a) at least one course in the Individual Instruction Program (MUS 53–58), b) one course in the Performance Laboratories (MUS 50), and c) one course that represents the Non-­‐Western Cultures category within the World Cultures Requirement (these courses include: MUS 4 Global Sounds; MUS 45 Music and Gender, Songs of the Jewish People; MUS 50, section 4 Indonesian Gamelan; and MUS 51 Oral Tradition Musicianship). MUS 1 (Beginning Music Theory) and MUS 7 (First-Year Seminar) may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement. (MUS 45 may be used to fulfill 2 above; and MUS 50, section 4, and MUS 51 may be used to fulfill 3 above.)
• Culminating Experience: participation in the Department of Music’s culminating experience program during the senior year.
• Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments either by enrolling in MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or by passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.

Major with a concentration on composition & sonic arts

Students who follow this pathway will focus on gaining the necessary skills for making music in contemporary styles.

• MUS 2 (The Music of Today) or MUS 8 (Programming for Interactive Audio-Visual Art)
• Two courses numbered between 21 and 29 exclusive of the prerequisites (theory)
• Two courses numbered between 30 and 39 (MUS 30 Composition Seminar, MUS 31 Digital Music Composition, MUS 32 Improvisation, MUS 33 Theories of Music, MUS 34 Advanced Sound Design)
• One course numbered between 40 and 49 (time, place, and culture)
• Five additional courses, of which three or more must be numbered 21 or above, and including: a) at least one course in the Individual Instruction Program (MUS 53–58), b) one course in the Performance Laboratories (MUS 50), and c) one course that represents the Non-Western Cultures category within the World Cultures Requirement (these courses include: MUS 4; MUS 45; MUS 50, section 4; and MUS 51).  MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement. (MUS 45 may be used to fulfill 4 above; and MUS 50, section 4 and MUS 51 may be used to fullfill 5 above).
• Culminating Experience:  participation in the Department of Music's culminating experience program during the year.
• Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments either by enrolling in MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or by passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.

Major with a concentration on performance

Students who follow this pathway will focus on the development of their artistic and technical skills as performing musicians within the context of studying music history and culture, literature, and theory.

• MUS 6 (Masterpieces of Western Music) or MUS 10 (Lives and Works of the Great Composers)
• Two courses numbered between 21 and 29 exclusive of the prerequisites (theory)
• Two courses numbered between 40 and 49 (time, place, and culture)
• Three performance laboratory/lesson credits (MUS 50, 53–58), where there must be at least one performance laboratory credit and one lesson credit. MUS 52 may be substituted for one performance laboratory credit or one lesson credit. One lesson credit may be substituted with one MUS 60–69 course or with MUS 87.
• Three additional courses, of which one course must represent the Non-­‐ Western Cultures category within the World Cultures Requirement (these courses include: MUS 4; MUS 45; MUS 50, section 4; and MUS 51). MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement. (MUS 45 may be used to fulfill 3 above; and MUS 50, section 4, and MUS 51 may be used to fulfill a portion of 4 above.)
• Culminating Experience: participation in the Department of Music’s culminating experience program during the senior year.
• Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments either by enrolling in MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or by passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.

Major with a concentration on time, place, and culture

Students who follow this pathway will focus on the ways that history and culture have shaped music in particular times and places, and develop their ability to interpret, analyze, and critique music as a key element of culture, history, and social life.

• MUS 4 or MUS 6
• Two courses numbered between 21 and 29 exclusive of the prerequisites (theory)
• Two courses numbered between 40 and 49 (time, place, and culture)
• One additional TPC course (these courses include: MUS 2–6 (MUS 2 The Music of Today, MUS 3 American Music, MUS 4 Global Sounds, MUS 5 History of Jazz, MUS 6 Masterpieces of Western Music), MUS 10–12 (MUS 10 Lives and Works of the Great Composers, MUS 11 Introduction to Opera, MUS 12 Music, Ceremony, Ritual, and Sacred Chant), and MUS 40–49 (MUS 40.03 Arts Policy in the United States, MUS 40.04 Music and Social Identity, MUS 41 Composer Seminar, MUS 44 Music in the Twentieth Century, MUS 45.01 Music and Gender, MUS 45.02 Songs of the Jewish People))
• Five additional courses, of which three or more must be numbered 21 or above, and including: a) at least one course in the Individual Instruction Program (MUS 53–58), b) one course in the Performance Laboratories (MUS 50), and c) one course that represents the Non-­‐Western Cultures category within the World Cultures Requirement (these courses include: MUS 4; MUS 45; MUS 50, section 4; and MUS 51). MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement. (MUS 45 may be used to fulfill 3 or 4 above; and MUS 50, section 4, and MUS 51 may be used to fulfill 5c above.)
• Culminating Experience: participation in the Department of Music’s culminating experience program during the senior year.
• Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments either by enrolling in MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or by passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.

Modified Major

Prerequisite: MUS 20 (unless exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam or by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department) or MUS 25 (unless exempted by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department).
 
Requirements:

• Six music courses exclusive of the prerequisite, together with four courses from another department or from multiple departments. The six music courses must include at least one course from MUS 21–29 and one course involving musical performance or composition. MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not be used to fulfill the modified major.
• Culminating Experience: participation in the Department of Music’s culminating experience program during the senior year.
• Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments either by enrolling in MUS 53 (individual piano lessons) or by passing a keyboard proficiency exam administered by the department. Students taking the keyboard proficiency exam must do so no later than the spring term of their third year.

Music Minor

Prerequisite: MUS 20 (unless exempted by a grade of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam or by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department) or MUS 25 (unless exempted by an equivalent exam administered by the Music Department).
Requirements:

• Two courses numbered between 21 and 29 exclusive of the prerequisite (theory)
• One course numbered between 40 and 49 (time, place, and culture)
• Three additional courses, of which two must be numbered 21 or above, and including at least one course in the Department of Music’s Individual Instruction Program (Music 53–58) or one course in the Department of Music’s Performance Laboratories (MUS 50). MUS 1 and MUS 7 may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement. MUS 87 may count as an elective but may not be used as a substitute for the Individual Instruction Program. Demonstration of proficiency on keyboard instruments is recommended but not required.

1.       SAT Reasoning or ACT (with Writing);

2.       2 SAT Subject Test Scores;

3.       The common application essay;

4.       Within the Common Application, Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write a brief response to one of the following supplemental essay prompts. Candidates choose one topic and respond;

5.       A counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. In addition, a peer recommendation is strongly encouraged;

6.       Resume;

7.       Brief abstract of an independent research project;

8.       IELTS or TOEFL (no minimum scores).

9.      Applicants for first-year admission with well-developed talent in the fine or performing arts—studio art, dance, theater, film and media studies, and/or music—who intend to participate in and/or study the arts, may submit supplementary materials for review by the faculty. 

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