Music at Bethany is an academic discipline and a recreational activity. If you have an interest in developing your musical abilities as a major or minor you may choose a music major that will help you to polish and refine your personal skills. Every major will choose an area of emphasis from the following offerings:
- Church Music
- Conducting
- Music History
- Performance
- Theory and Composition
When you begin working on a music major you’ll experience a series of foundational music encounters with music theory, music skills, music history, and ensemble and individual performance. At the conclusion of your work you will have the opportunity to exhibit your developing expertise in a senior capstone project, a recital, presentation of a composition or paper that reflects the emphasis you’ve chosen.
You’ll also be invited and encouraged to perform with other students, faculty members, guest artists, and master teachers via the many ensembles we have at the college. You’ll join with other students who love to sing and play. The performance groups aim for polished presentations, but they are also designed so that all participants will have an opportunity for refreshment and “re-creation” in both rehearsals and performances.
Entry into the Major
Students should apply for admission into the degree program at the end of their third semester. Acceptance into the music degree programs requires a minimum 2.8 GPA in the music coursework of the first two years, and three semesters of ensemble and applied music.
Core Requirements
Required lower division courses:
- MUSC111 Music Theory I, MUSC112 II, MUSC211 III, and MUSC212 IV
- MUSC114 Music Skills I, MUSC115 II, MUSC214 III, and MUSC215 IV
- MUSC121 Music History I and MUSC122 II
Required upper division courses:
Five of the following:
- MUSC303 Music Communication and Technology
- MUSC335 Music Theatre
- MUSC340 Survey of World Dance
- MUSC341 Music of the Renaissance and Baroque
- MUSC342 Music of the Baroque and Classic Era
- MUSC343 Music of the 19th Century
- MUSC344 Music of the 20th Century
- MUSC417 Counterpoint and Composition
- MUSC418 Analysis and Composition
- MUSC435 Opera and Lyric Theatre
- MUSC440 World Music
- MUSC480 Topics in Music
Additional core requirements:
- Eight credits of applied music (private lessons)
- Eight credits of ensemble music
