Music

The Lehigh Music Department is devoted to the study, performance and appreciation of music, with a special commitment to collaboration across disciplines in the study of music as art and social practice. We offer a multiplicity of courses to educate our students in choral studies, composition, conducting, history, jazz, performance, recording technology, theory, and other subjects. We encourage majors and non-majors, undergraduates and graduate students alike to participate in our ensembles large and small, including choral groups, jazz orchestras and combos, marching band, philharmonic orchestra, string and wind ensembles, and symphonic band. Our students enjoy many opportunities to collaborate with renowned guest musicians, and we employ a staff of illustrious instructors for students who wish to take private instrumental or vocal lessons.

Our department is located within the Zoellner Arts Center, and features a music library, practice rooms, a composition and digital class piano studio, a comprehensive recording studio, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and a state-of-the-art concert facility, Baker Hall.

Major program

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program comprises three components: foundation courses, electives, and the capstone project. Foundation courses train students in music history and theory, as well as fundamental musicianship and performance skills. Together with a broad range of electives designed to help students identify individual areas of interest, these courses will give students the necessary skills and knowledge to develop the capstone projects that bring their academic efforts and ambitions to fruition.

The Music Major requires a minimum of 36 credits.

(1) Foundation
MUS 005	Keyboard Skills	1
MUS 007	Aural Skills (or pass the aural proficiency exam)	1
MUS 081	Foundations of Music	3
MUS 082	Elementary Harmony	3
Two consecutive semesters of ensemble participation		0-2
(2) Electives ¹
Two 100- or 200-level music courses that address any of the following areas: music genre, composer, conducting, composition, a historical period, or a specific historical-cultural topic.		6-8
All other music courses, lessons, and ensembles should be chosen in consultation with, and with the approval of, the undergraduate advisor and the capstone supervisor.		7-19
(3) Capstone
MUS 270	Capstone Preparation	1-4
MUS 370	Capstone Project	1-4
Total Credits		23-45

¹: Additional electives may be needed to achieve a minimum of 36 credits for the major.

Minor program

The Music Minor enables students to take courses in music history and culture, participate in music ensembles, choose elective courses from a broad range of topics, and take private music lessons. The Music Minor requires a minimum of 17 credits.

(1) One course from the following:		3-4
MUS 010	Introduction to Western Music
MUS 013	Music Cultures of the World
MUS 081	Foundations of Music
(2) Two consecutive semesters of ensemble participation		0-2
(3) One MUS course 3 credits or more		3-4
(4) Elective MUS courses, lessons, and ensembles		7-11
Elective courses, lessons, and/or ensembles are to be chosen in consultation with, and with the approval of, the undergraduate advisor.

Options FOR MAJORING IN MUSIC

Lehigh attracts many engineering and science students, as well as English, business, and accounting majors, who wish to continue their active involvement in music. Those students who wish to combine their scientific or engineering pursuit with music should take a look at the Arts/Engineering program or at IDEAS. Beyond those curricula, students in engineering, business, or other majors can, with good time management, pursue either a dual degree or a double major. For more information on these two options, please see https://cas.lehigh.edu/content/double-majors-and-dual-degrees.

Private lessons

Lessons in most instruments and voice may be taken for one credit per semester; students may also enroll for no credit to avoid overloading. Lessons must be arranged through the department at set fees that are not included in tuition. Please note that registering for lessons does not guarantee availability, due to occasional difficulties in scheduling.

Performing groups

Admission to performing ensembles is by audition (except for Choral Union, Symphonic Band, and Marching 97, which are open to all students). Students receive one credit per semester by registering for the appropriate course number. Students may also register for zero credit, as indicated in the catalog. Although there is no limit to the number of these courses that may be taken, students should check with their advisor to determine the number of credits that may be applied toward graduation.

Course Offerings

PLEASE NOTE: The course offerings are currently under revision and may not all be available at the time of registration.

Please see the Music Department Webpage for more information regarding Courses and Programs.

Courses

MUS 005 Keyboard Skills 1 Credit

For intended music majors only. Teaches keyboard competency including scales, prepared pieces, sight reading and other techniques. Leads to the Piano Proficiency exam requirement for all majors. Course may be repeated until Piano Proficiency exam is passed. A maximum of 2 credit hours may be counted toward the music major.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 007 Aural Skills 1 Credit

Intended for music majors and minors. This course focuses on singing, playing, and writing melodies/rhythms/harmonies in different tonalities and scales. It also explores chromaticism, mixed meters, singing and playing two-part music simultaneously, and singing together in parts. Course may be repeated until the Aural Proficiency exam is passed. A maximum of 2 credit hours may be counted toward the music major.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 010 Introduction to Western Music 3 Credits

Music can express that which cannot be said in words. This is part of the reason that it has been cherished in every culture in the history of humanity. By learning and applying active listening skills through a survey of Western Art Music, students develop an ability to think critically about music and to write intelligently about a wide range of musical experience. Intended for those not planning to major or minor in music.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU

MUS 013 Music Cultures of the World 3 Credits

An introduction to different musical styles, aesthetic, and humanistic approaches in understanding art, folk, traditional, and popular music of the world.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU

MUS 021 Marching Band 0,1 Credits

No audition required for admission.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 022 Wind Ensemble 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 023 Symphonic Band 0,1 Credits

No audition required for admission.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 024 Jazz Ensemble 0,1 Credits

Up to six credits may be used for graduation credit in CEAS and CBE. Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 027 Jazz Orchestra 0,1 Credits

Student/community/professional musicians performing classic, contemporary and original big band literature.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 031 University Choir 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 032 Choral Union 0,1 Credits

No audition required for admission.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 033 Glee Club 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Corequisites: MUS 031
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 034 Freshman Lab Choir 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 035 Dolce Treble Choir 0,1 Credits

Members from university choir sing treble music.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Corequisites: MUS 031
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 048 Chamber Music Collegium 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 049 Small Jazz Ensembles 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 061 Philharmonic Orchestra 0,1 Credits

Admission by audition.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: HU

MUS 065 Class Guitar for Beginners 0,1 Credits

Beginning techniques and skills for guitar, either acoustic or electric. For students with less than a year of guitar instruction. Students supply their own instruments. Fees associated with course.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 067 Class Drum Set for Beginners 0,1 Credits

Rudiments of drum set playing for students with less than a year of drum instruction. Fees associated with course.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 068 Class Piano for Beginners 0,1 Credits

Instruction for beginning piano students, including rudiments of musical notation in relation to the keyboard; beginning pieces for solo piano and the group. Fees associated with course.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, HU

MUS 070 Private Drum Set Study 0,1 Credits