Music

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Many students come to Colgate with significant musical experience behind them, won through arduous and focused study. The fundamental aim of the curriculum in music is to develop that experience to its utmost potential. Performance ensembles and private instruction build directly on that experience, while classroom instruction introduces student musicians to important ideas, histories, and various cultures that inform and broaden that experience. Qualified students can choose to develop in ways that most interest them. Those who choose to major in music will find their development guided by a balanced program of performance and classroom studies. Graduating majors have gone on to graduate study in every area of music or have immediately entered careers in arts management, mathematics, medicine, law, business, sound engineering, and many other fields.

Another fundamental aim of the curriculum is to introduce students with little or no musical background into the world of music as part of Colgate’s liberal arts program. These students should begin with 

Upper-level courses divide into three groups: history, theory, and performance. The history courses are designed to give students an understanding of music through a study of composers and historical periods. The theory sequence teaches how music is put together and how to write it. The performance courses offer opportunities for students to engage in the art of performance and to gain credit in department-sponsored ensembles and private instruction.

Students with some musical background are encouraged to take MUSI 215  and MUSI 216  or MUSI 203  first. MUSI 215  and MUSI 216  can be taken in any order.

The music department offers extensive performing opportunities open to all qualified students regardless of major. The Colgate University Orchestra and Colgate University Choral Ensembles are the large performing organizations (auditions required). Performance opportunities are also offered in the Colgate Chamber Players (chamber music) and Colgate University Concert Jazz Ensemble. Private instruction in most instruments and in voice is available to students at an additional fee. All of these programs (except private instruction) may be elected on a credit or non-credit basis, and they are open to all Colgate students regardless of major.

The department recommends that students planning graduate work in musicology acquire background in foreign languages.

Course Information

Course classifications:

History and Appreciation (H&A)
Performance (PF)
Theory (TH)

Awards

The Class of 1909 Music Prize — awarded by the department to “the person who has, during the year, contributed the most to the advancement of the standards of musical performance on the campus.”

The Donald Lloyd Cotton ‘36 Endowed Prize — established to recognize one or more outstanding student musician(s). Recipient(s) are eligible to submit a proposal for an additional grant that provides financial support for the furtherance of the student’s music education. The grant may be used to cover expenses such as the purchase of musical instruments or relevant equipment, private music lessons, music research projects, summer music school, or music festival participation. Grants are awarded based on the merit of the written proposal, demonstrated musical talent, and participation in music department programs.

The Felix Eyle Memorial Prize in Music — awarded annually to an outstanding violin student at Colgate. The recipient is chosen by the faculty of the music department solely on the basis of talent, not financial need. The student will be featured during a normally scheduled concert.

The Robert G. Ingraham Memorial Music Prize — established as an annual award to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the president, dean, chair of the Department of Music, and director of CSLI, did the most to promote and stimulate good music as an undergraduate by voluntary activity, leadership, performance, or participation in the band, orchestra, choir, glee club, or any other musical endeavor, individual or group.

The Lorey Family Senior Music Prize — established in 2012 by Evan Lorey and Paul Schupf, in memory of Wilhemine and Fred Lorey, and awarded annually to one or more senior majors in music. This award will benefit talented students who excel in the history, theory, and composition of music.

Transfer or Advanced Placement Credit

May be given at the discretion of the department faculty to students who have completed music courses at other institutions or taken an AP exam in music.

Honors and High Honors

Candidates for honors in music must

1. Have or exceed, by the time of graduation, a major GPA of 3.50 and an overall GPA of 3.20.
2. Complete an honors project (MUSI 470 ) with a grade of at least A–.
3. Pass a general examination in music history and theory.

Candidates for high honors in music must

1. Have or exceed, by the time of graduation, a major GPA of 3.80 and an overall GPA of 3.20.
2. Complete an honors project (MUSI 470 ) with a grade of at least A–.
3. Pass with distinction a general examination in music history and theory.

To elect MUSI 470 , the candidate must provide the department chair with a written proposal for the project by April 15 for a fall-semester project or December 1 for a spring-semester project. The project should have as its outcome a thesis, a composition, or a recital. It is both approved in advance and graded by the entire department.

Study Group

The Venice off-campus study group offers credit courses in music. For more information, see Off-Campus Study .

Majors and Minors

• Music Major

• Music Minor

Courses

• MUSI 101 - The Beatles
• MUSI 103 - Basic Music and Songwriting (TH)
• MUSI 111 - The History of Rock (H&A)
• MUSI 141 - Traditions of Catholic Music (H&A)
• MUSI 151 - The Musical Experience (H&A)
• MUSI 161 - The History of Jazz (H&A)
• MUSI 203 - Harmony I (TH)
• MUSI 204 - Harmony II (TH)
• MUSI 205 - Popular Songwriting Workshop
• MUSI 208 - Jazz Theory and Improvisation (PF)
• MUSI 215 - Music History I: Medieval through Baroque Periods (H&A)
• MUSI 216 - Music History II: Classic through Modern Periods (H&A)
• MUSI 217 - Chamber Music I (PF)
• MUSI 220 - Digital Music Studio (TH)
• MUSI 221 - World Music (H&A)
• MUSI 230 - University Orchestra I (PF)
• MUSI 232 - Colgate Concert Jazz Ensemble I (PF)
• MUSI 234 - University Chorus I (PF)
• MUSI 236 - Private Instruction I (PF)
• MUSI 245 - Composition (TH)
• MUSI 291 - Independent Study
• MUSI 301 - Criticizing Music (TH)
• MUSI 302 - Composition in Historical Styles (TH)
• MUSI 311 - The Arts in Venice during the Golden Age (Venice Study Group) (H&A)
• MUSI 317 - Chamber Music II (PF)
• MUSI 330 - University Orchestra II (PF)
• MUSI 332 - Colgate Concert Jazz Ensemble II (PF)
• MUSI 334 - University Chorus II (PF)
• MUSI 336 - Private Instruction II (PF)
• MUSI 391 - Independent Study
• MUSI 470 - Senior Seminar
• MUSI 491 - Independent Study

Return to: Division of Arts and Humanities