Music Major with Music Performance Concentration, B.A.

Students can major in the following areas of performance: voice, piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, euphonium, guitar, composition, and conducting.

The music performance concentration requires 40 credits in music, with at least 15 credits at the 300 level or above. Students must audition for the department before declaring a major in music performance. Transfer students are required to complete at least 12 credit hours of their major at Hood, including 6 credits of applied music, MUSC 301, the senior recital, and at least one semester of music history. Credits earned by exam do not count toward the minimum credits to be earned at Hood.

Requirements for the Major

Required:

MUSC 101Beginning Music Theory & Musicianship I

3.0

MUSC 201Intermediate Music Theory & Musicianship

3.0

MUSC 301Advanced Music Theory/Form & Analysis

3.0

MUSC 304Music History and Literature II

3.0

MUSC 474Junior Recital

1.0

MUSC 475Senior Recital

2.0

10 credits of applied music in the area of the performance major

10.0

3 credits of music ensemble

3.0

Total Credit Hours:26.0

Successful completion of a Piano Proficiency Examination or completion of 4 credits of piano (two of which must be earned at Hood.)

Three of the following:

MUSC 103Introduction to Music

3.0

MUSC 299Special Topics in Music

3.0

Total Credit Hours:9.0

Two of the following:

MUSC 302World Music

3.0

MUSC 303Music History and Literature I

3.0

MUSC 304Music History and Literature II

3.0

MUSC 318/HON 318Theory and Practice in the Arts: The Philosophy of Music

3.0

Total Credit Hours:6.0

Piano Proficiency Examination Requirements:

Students will be expected to: (1) be able to play all major and minor scales, parallel motion, two octaves and primary chords in all keys, (2) play two pieces of early intermediate difficulty of contrasting styles (e.g., a selection from the “Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook,” a quick movement from a classical sonatina, a selection from Schumann’s “Kinderszenen,” etc.) and (3) sight-read a chorale or easy piano piece. It is strongly recommended that this exam be taken no later than first semester of the junior year, so that there will be sufficient time left for any remedial piano that may be needed.