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
Three of the following:
| MUSC 103 | Introduction to Western Classical Music | 3.0 |
| MUSC 299 | Special Topics in Music | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9.0 |
Two of the following:
| MUSC 302 | World Music | 3.0 |
| MUSC 303 | History of Western Classical Music I | 3.0 |
| MUSC 304 | History of Western Classical Music II | 3.0 |
| MUSC 318/HON 318 | Theory and Practice in the Arts: The Philosophy of Music | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6.0 |
Required:
| MUSC 101 | Beginning Music Theory & Musicianship I | 3.0 |
| MUSC 201 | Intermediate Music Theory & Musicianship | 3.0 |
| MUSC 301 | Advanced Music Theory/Form & Analysis | 3.0 |
| MUSC 304 | History of Western Classical Music II | 3.0 |
| MUSP 474 | Junior Recital | 1.0 |
| MUSP 475 | Senior 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.)
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.