The music major is designed to enable a holistic understanding of musical cultures, aesthetics, and practices -- including classical, pop, rock, and jazz traditions. Students develop fundamental knowledge and skills in music theory and performance while also gaining historical and critical perspectives, thus preparing them to function as well-rounded musicians and critical thinkers in a variety of settings. The curriculum is flexible so as to enable students’ individual interests, aptitudes, and career trajectories, including performance, teaching, conducting, composition and arranging, recording and production, sacred music, cultural literacy and advocacy, and the academic study of music. Likewise, the music major or minor can pair well with other academic areas at Eckerd to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields including medicine, intellectual property law, music therapy, arts management and music entrepreneurship.
Music majors must complete a minimum of 12 courses:
Two music theory courses
- MU 111A Music Sound and Structure (or equivalent intro music theory course)
- MU 112A Popular Music Theory or MU 113 Form & Analysis (or equivalent intermediate theory course).
Students entering with the equivalent of one or two semesters of college-level music theory may substitute electives.
Two foundational music history & criticism courses from among the following
- MU 125A Thinking Musically
- MU 235A History of Rock
- MU 256G World Music
Two year-long performance courses from among the following
Courses in this category are 2 semesters for 1 course credit
- MU 245A Choral Literature & Ensemble
- MU 246A Instrumental Ensemble (Band, Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Rock Lab)
- MU 442A Applied Music
- Five electives chosen in consultation with a faculty mentor, no more than one of which may be a performance course and at least two of which must be at the 300 level or higher.
- Senior Project (MU 499) designed in conjunction with a faculty committee.
Music minors are required to take a minimum of 5 courses including: MU 111A Music, Sound, and Structure, MU 112A Popular Music Theory, or MU 113 Form & Analysis. Students entering with the equivalent of one or two semesters of college-level music theory may substitute electives. At least one music history and criticism course.
