Required for the major in music

Students who major in music will acquire:

  1. Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
  2. An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory.
  3. The ability to read at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to professional standards appropriate for the particular music concentration.
  4. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music concentration.
  5. Keyboard competency.
  6. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences.

The major requires 90 units in music, to include:

  1. Music theory: 30 units
    1. MUTH 151, 161, and 171 or MUTH 201, 211, and 221
    2. MUTH 152, 162, and 172 or MUTH 202, 212, and 222
    3. MUTH 251, 261, and 271
    4. MUTH 252, 262, and 272
    5. MUTH 301, 311, and 321
  2. Musicology: 18 units
    1. MUCO 211, 212 (12 units)
    2. 6 units in courses numbered 400 or above
  3. Performance:
    1. 18 units minimum of applied individual instruction. 6 consecutive terms of study are required
    2. 5 units: MURP 271, 272, 273, 274, 275 for students whose primary instrument is voice
    3. Students must complete a qualifying examination
    4. Students must participate in either individual or ensemble performance study in each term in which they are in residence on the Appleton campus
  4. Ensemble: 6 units minimum of ensemble performance study. A maximum of 9 units of ensemble performance study may apply to the major
  5. Keyboard skills: 3 units MURP 201, 202, 203 or 2 units MURP 301, 302 or demonstrated proficiency
  6. Additional electives in music to total 90 units
  7. An approved lecture, lecture/recital, or senior project must be presented during the last three terms of study at Lawrence

Please refer to the Conservatory Handbook and departmental handbooks for other regulations and information on the major in music. In addition to the 90 units in music, students must complete 126 units in disciplines other than music, including all requirements for the B.A. degree (see "Degree and General Education Requirements").

Senior Experience in music

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts with a major in music are required to present a lecture, lecture/recital, recital, or senior project during the last three terms at Lawrence. Students in this program are encouraged to consult their advisers early in the junior year. If a recital is performed, it is subject to the regulations administered by individual applied areas as described above. For other projects, a proposal must be submitted and approved by the B.A. in Music Committee.

The following are guidelines to apply to the other projects that must be approved by the B.A. in Music Committee.

  1. The proposal for the project should be submitted in writing.
  2. The initial proposal should be submitted no later than week 8 of the term prior to the one during which the project will be completed.
  3. The project proposal should state in specific detail exactly what the project entails and exactly what the student will do to complete it. The proposal should also briefly indicate how such a project builds on the student’s prior experiences at Lawrence, and why it may be a logical conclusion to his or her music major.
  4. In general, this project should not simply comprise work the student has done for any course, but instead it should involve some work done beyond and outside of the prescribed curriculum for the music major. In some instances, work done for an elective independent study (e.g., not one used to satisfy a curricular requirement) may be acceptable.
  5. Final approval of the proposal should be obtained by the end of the term prior to the one during which the project will be completed.
  6. All projects must include some formally written component. This may, in some instances, simply serve as a relatively brief context for projects that do not essentially comprise written work (e.g., recordings, radio or television broadcasts, films or videos, multi-media installations, manufacture of musical instruments, etc.).
  7. Though interdisciplinary projects are encouraged, the theory, history, or practice of music still should be a major focus of all acceptable proposals. For example, “the effects of performance anxiety on the human digestive system” would be a biology project, and would not be acceptable; on the other hand, “effective strategies for coping with performance anxiety” could be perfectly acceptable (even if it deals largely with discussions of what one should or should not ingest prior to a performance).
  8. Once the project has been completed, a Lawrence Conservatory faculty member should certify that the project has met a minimum satisfactory standard of quality.

Required for the minor in music

  1. Music theory: 18 units in
    1. MUTH 151, 161, and 171 or MUTH 201, 211, and 221
    2. MUTH 152, 162, and 172 or MUTH 202, 212, and 222
    3. MUTH 251, 261, and 271
  2. Musicology: 12 units in MUCO 211, 212
  3. Performance: MUIN (Applied Individual Instruction) 9 units and 3 terms of study
  4. Ensemble: MUEN (Ensemble Performance Study) 3 units and 3 terms participation
  5. Keyboard skills: 3 units: MURP 201, 202, 203 or 2 units: MURP 301, 302 or demonstrated proficiency

Other opportunities

All courses in music may be elected by any qualified Lawrence student. Ensembles are open to university students by audition. Private instruction (Applied Music Individual Instruction) is available by permission of the instructor, based on audition or interview and faculty schedules. A per-term fee for private lessons and the use of practice facilities is charged to non-music majors (see Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance). For students who drop private instruction prior to the end of the second week of the term, a refund will be given for the remainder of the term provided the registrar and the conservatory office are officially notified of the change in registration. Refunds are not provided after the second week of the term.