Susquehanna University
BA in Music
Selinsgrove, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 54,440 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* November 1 — Early Action 1. November 15 — Early Decision. December 1 — Early Action 2. February 1 — Regular Decision admission application deadline; late applications welcome as space permits. March 1 — International Students
** tuition 2022-23
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Music major that combines with any field
If music is your passion, there’s no place like Susquehanna. Enjoy small-school advantages and big-school opportunities at one of the best liberal arts music programs in the country.
We encourage you to double major. It gives you a unique educational experience and invaluable flexibility when it comes to your career.
Our arts administration minor is a perfect addition, preparing you for the business side of music. Or choose from any of our more than 100 majors and minors.
- Pair your music B.A. with psychology and pursue music therapy in graduate school.
- Love science as well as the arts? Major in biology and music.
- Want to go into the marketing or administrative side of music? Add a business or communications major.
Grow as a musician, performer, and thinker
You’ll get one-on-one mentoring from teachers who are experienced educators and active performers. We’re an undergraduate-only program, so you won’t compete with graduate students for performance opportunities.
Enjoy bright, airy rehearsal and performance facilities-even our practice rooms have windows! Our magnificent Stretansky Concert Hall is an ideal performance space for acoustic music.
Be ready for anything
Gain skills that cross all disciplines.
You’ll know how to work in large and small groups from being part of performance ensembles. You’ll hone leadership skills through conducting and teaching. You’ll know how to look at a subject extensively through various lenses — theoretical, historical, emotional, and cultural.
You’ll be more than ready to continue your music studies at graduate schools like Peabody Institute of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, or Yale University—or venture into a field related to your second major.
Our graduates have become teachers, joined symphonies, and become administrators at major performance venues.
Gallery
Curriculum
Requirements for Degree
When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
Double-counting restriction
Students pursuing a major in the music department may double-count a maximum of 8 semester hours toward another major or minor.
Music Opportunities for Non-Music Majors
The department provides a variety of music opportunities for all students, regardless of their majors and career goals. Nonmajors may take upper-level music courses with the permission of the instructor. The department also welcomes nonmajors in performing groups and private study upon a successful audition or permission from the instructor.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Students interested in combining a solid foundation in music with the opportunity to pursue in-depth study in another area may choose this degree. The Bachelor of Arts capstone may be an independent study project in music or a department-approved recital. (MUSC-506 Independent Study for two semester hours is always used for Bachelor of Arts capstone registration). Students who are double majors may elect a capstone in the other major in place of or in addition to the music capstone. Students complete university Central Curriculum requirements plus the following courses with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Each course below must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
12 Music Literature
- 2 MUSC-152 Survey of World Music
- 4 MUSC-245 The Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Eras
- 4 MUSC-250 The Music of the Classic and Romantic Eras
- 2 MUSC-350 20th-Century Music
8 Music Theory
- 2 MUSC-161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-163 Ear Training I
- 2 MUSC-164 Ear Training II
14 Applied Music (instrumental and vocal concentrates)
- 6 Major Lesson (six semesters of half-hour lessons)
- 1 MUSC-034 Piano Class I
- 1 MUSC-035 Piano Class II
- 0 MUSC-555 Forum (six semesters)
- 6 Large Ensemble (six semesters)
16 Applied Music (keyboard concentrates)
- 6 Major Lesson (six semesters of half-hour lessons)
- 0-1 MUSC-037 Piano Class III
- 1 MUSC-038 Piano Technique (for piano concentrates only)
- 2-3 MUSC-066 Collaborative Piano (the third semester for keyboard concentrates who place out of MUSC- 037)
- 0 MUSC-555 Forum (six semesters)
- 4 Large Ensemble
- 2 Collaborative/Medium/Small Ensemble (keyboard concentrates)
7-10 Additional Semester Hours
- 4 Any music course other than lessons or ensembles
- 0-2 MUSC-506 Independent Study in Music (if capstone requirement is fulfilled in music; otherwise, no independent study required)
- 3-4 Any two of the following:
- 2 MUSC-261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony
- 2 MUSC-262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis
- 2 MUSC-263 Ear Training III
- 2 MUSC-265 Ear Training IV
- 1 MUSC-037 Piano Class III (not for keyboard concentrates)
4 Semester hours from the course(s) with the THEA, ARTG, ARTH, or ARTS prefixes or PHIL-235 Aesthetics
Applied Music Lessons
Lessons carry one or two semester hours of credit. Students earn credit of one semester hour for a weekly half-hour lesson. Bachelor of Arts majors take a one-semester-hour lesson on their major instrument. Music education majors and performance majors take a weekly one-hour lesson on their major instrument and receive two semester hours of credit.
A fee is charged per semester for individual lessons that are not stated specifically as curricular requirements (nonmajors or extra lessons for majors). Such lessons are contingent upon faculty availability within the normal teaching load.
Course Options
Music Courses
- MUSC 001 Brass Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 002 Brass Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 003 Organ Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 004 Organ Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 005 Piano Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 006 Piano Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 007 String Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 008 String Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 009 Voice Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 010 Voice Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 011 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 012 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 013 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 014 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 015 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 016 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 017 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 018 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 023 Composition Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 024 Composition Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 034 Piano Class I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 035 Piano Class II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 037 Piano Class III, Credits: 1
- MUSC 038 Piano Technique, Credits: 1
- MUSC 049 Piano Class IV: Musicianship Skills, Credits: 1
- MUSC 066 Collaborative Piano, Credits: 1
- MUSC 072 Symphonic Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 073 Stadium Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 074 Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 075 Fall Musical Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 076 Small Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 077 Training Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 078 Jazz Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 079 Jazz Improvisation, Credits: 1
- MUSC 082 University Choir, Credits: 1
- MUSC 083 University Chorale, Credits: 1
- MUSC 084 Diction I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 085 Diction II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 086 University Chamber Singers, Credits: 1
- MUSC 089 Opera Studio, Credits: 1
- MUSC 101 Introduction to Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 102 A Study of Jazz, Credits: 4
- MUSC 130 Popular Music and Society, Credits: 4
- MUSC 152 Survey of World Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 163 Ear Training I, Credits: 2
- MUSC 164 Ear Training II, Credits: 2
- MUSC 215 Music in Christian Rituals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 220 Privilege in Classical Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 225 Miranda’s “Hamilton”, Credits: 4
- MUSC 245 Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 250 The Music of Classic and Romantic Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis, Credits: 2
- MUSC 263 Ear Training III, Credits: 2
- MUSC 265 Ear Training IV, Credits: 2
- MUSC 270 Topics in Music, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 275 Introduction to Arts Leadership, Credits: 4
- MUSC 350 20th Century Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 353 The Practice of Church Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 355 Audio Engineering Fundamentals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 356 Music Production in the Recording Studio, Credits: 4
- MUSC 361 Counterpoint, Credits: 2
- MUSC 364 Performance Arts Technology for Educator, Credits: 3
- MUSC 367 Computer Music Composition, Credits: 4
- MUSC 368 Computer Music Performance, Credits: 4
- MUSC 369 Beginning Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 370 Orchestration, Credits: 2
- MUSC 371 Instrumental Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 372 Choral Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 399 Pedagogy, Credits: 2
- MUSC 450 Topics in Music Literature, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 500 Full Recital, Credits: 2
- MUSC 501 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 503 Half Recital, Credits: 0–0
- MUSC 504 Internship, Credits: 4
- MUSC 506 Independent Study in Music-Capstone, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 555 Forum, Credits: 0–0
Music Education
- MUED 039 Classroom Instruments, Credits: 1
- MUED 040 Brass Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 041 Woodwind Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 042 String Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 043 Percussion Class, Credits: 1
- MUED 046 Brass Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 047 Woodwind Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 048 String Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 200 Public School Education/Music Education, Credits: 2
- MUED 339 General Music Education Methods & Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 345 Instrumental Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 351 Choral Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 355 Music for Exceptional Children with/ Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 400 Student Teaching, Credits: 0–4
- MUED 405 Student Teaching Seminar, Credits: 2
- MUED 500 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
Program Outcome
Learning Goals
- Performance—Students integrate technical skills and knowledge to be able to complete a successful performance in a particular area of concentration.
- Aural skills and analysis.
- Music history—Students can place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Composition and improvisation.
- Technology—Students identify and employ appropriate technology applicable to their area of specialization.
- Synthesis—Students integrate their music studies through a means appropriate to their curriculum.
Students in the music department may, with department head approval, complete a music technology minor in addition to a major in music.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have gone on to graduate school at:
- University of Florida
- University of Southern Maine
- Stony Brook University
- University of North Texas
- Boston University
- Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Drexel University
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University
- University of Michigan
- New England Conservatory of Music
- Northwestern University
- Peabody Institute of Music
- Pennsylvania State University
- Temple University
- Yale University
Graduates have gone on to jobs at:
- Milton Area High School
- Temple University
- Widener University
- Atonement Lutheran Church
- Staats Operette Dresden
- University of North Texas College of Music
- South Shore Symphony Orchestra
- Pinellas Youth Symphony
- University of Connecticut
- Loyalsock Township School District
- Stone Hill Middle School
- Jumoke Academy Charter Schools
- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
- Utah Oper
English Language Requirements
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