Undergraduate Programs

Tufts University students are all welcomed to take Music Department classes, take private lessons in our applied program, and participate in our performing ensembles regardless of school, major, or minor. In fact, the vast majority of Tufts students do, at some point in their Tufts tenure, take part in a music activity. For those students who would like to study music at a more intensive or comprehensive level, the department offers both a general music major and music minor program. Please continue reading for details.

Undergraduate Concentration Requirements – Major
As of the Fall term 2011 changes made to the Music Department curriculum will take effect. Students who entered Tufts prior to Fall 2011 will continue under the old requirement unless they elect to complete the new requirements for the major that were in place when they entered. Please consult with your advisor about the details.

The curriculum required of music majors provides a rigorous, balanced exposure to the essential fields in liberal arts music studies, including composition, ethnomusicology, musicology, performance, and theory. Normally, students declare the major in music and choose a member of the full-time faculty as major advisor during the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students obtain the necessary signatures for declaration of major forms and change of advisor forms at the Department office. Undergraduate students who major in music are required to take ten courses in the Department. Students considering graduate studies in music or careers in music are advised to take additional courses beyond the ten required for the major; please see your advisor for a list of specific recommendations. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement in the major.

For students entering in Fall 2011 or after:

The ten courses required for the undergraduate major in music are:

1. History of Western Music (two one-credit courses): Music 142, 143
2. Principles of Tonal Theory I and II (two one-credit courses): Music 101, 102
3. Advanced Theory (one-credit course): Music 103-110
4. Ethnomusicology–World, Ethnic, Folk, and Traditional: Music 186, and one course chosen from 106-110, 171-186, OR one course chosen from 'E'.
5. Western Popular Music, Jazz, Global Musics, Cultural Theory (one-credit course): 187-196.
6. Performance–instrumental/vocal study (two half-credit courses): Music 68
7. Electives–Theory, Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Performance (two one-credit courses): Music 111-141, 146-199.

In addition to courses listed above for the music major, students must enroll in a performing-ensemble course (Music 69-96) for four semesters. Ensembles may be taken for credit or non-credit; however, credit for ensembles does not count toward the ten courses required for the major.

For students entering Fall 2008—Spring 2011:

Courses required for the undergraduate major in music are:

1. History of Western Music (two one-credit courses): Music 142, 143
2. Principles of Tonal Theory I and II (two one-credit courses): Music 101, 102
3. Advanced Theory (one-credit course): Music 103-110
4. Ethnomusicology (two one-credit courses): Music 171-192
5. Performance–instrumental/vocal study (two half-credit courses): Music 68
6. Electives–Theory, Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Performance (two one-credit courses): Music 111-141, 146-199.

In addition to courses listed above for the music major, students must enroll in a performing-ensemble course (Music 69-96) for four semesters. Ensembles may be taken for credit or non-credit; however, credit for ensembles does not count toward the ten courses required for the major.

Courses that fulfill requirements:

World Civilization Courses: Music 3, 5, 48, 50,
Arts Courses include ALL music courses except Music 59 (Psychology of Music)

Undergraduate Disciplinary Minor in Music
Tufts Music is pleased to announce that we have now formally revised our music minor. Music minors will now be able to take a broader range of courses and to pursue more easily their areas of interest in musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, and composition. We have expanded the number and range of courses that can count for the minor: two of the four required academic courses can now be chosen from the Mus 21-67 range.

This will allow such courses to count for the minor:

Mus 21 Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel
Mus 23 Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Mus 26 Beethoven
Mus 28 Opera
Mus 30 Fin de siecle Paris and Vienna
Mus 32 Composer of the Year
Mus 34 Developments in New Music
Mus 35 Music on Film/Film on Music
Mus 37 Women in Music
Mus 39 African American Music
Mus 41 History of the Blues
Mus 42 History of Jazz
Mus 44, History of Rock’n’Roll
Mus 46 Music in the USA since 1945
Mus 48 Music of Africa
Mus 50 Music of Asia
Mus 52 Music of the Middle East
Mus 54 Music and Prayer
Mus 59 Psychology of Music
Mus 64 Computer Tools for Musicians
Mus 65 Music Recording and Production
Mus 66 Electronic Music Inst. Design.

The other two academic courses must be taken at the 100-level.

As in the past, students must take two semesters of instrumental or vocal study, and must be in an ensemble for two semesters.

Offical Descriptions:

THE DISCIPLINARY MINOR IN MUSIC
Students who intend to make music studies a significant part of their course work at Tufts may choose the disciplinary minor in music. Students may take a broad range of courses or may choose a cluster of courses in such areas as musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, jazz studies, music technology, etc. The undergraduate minor in music requires five courses; at least two courses must be at the 100 level; the other courses may be chosen from 100 level courses or from Mus 21-67. Note: the prerequisite for all 100-level courses for the minor is Mus 10: Introduction to Music Theory and
Musicianship, or exemption from that course through the Music Theory Placement Test, given at the start of each semester. Two semesters in instrumental and/or vocal study (Music 68 or 195) are required; no more than one credit of private lessons may count toward the minor. Students minoring in music must enroll in a performing-ensemble course (Music 69-96) for two semesters, but these credits cannot count toward the minor. After consultation with a member of the full-time music faculty for advice on a suggested program of study, students should complete a minor declaration form (available from the department office).

UNDERGRADUATE INTERDISCIPLINARY MINOR IN MULTIMEDIA ARTS
An interdisciplinary minor in multimedia arts is offered by the Departments of Art and Art History, Drama and Dance, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Music and is administered jointly by the Department of Music and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. A detailed description of the minor and its requirements can be found in the alphabetical listings under Multimedia Arts in the bulletin. See Interdisciplinary Minors for more information.

CONCENTRATION CERTIFICATE
The concentration certificate in musical instrument engineering gives mechanical engineering students the opportunity to focus their education on the construction, performance, and manufacture of musical instruments. In order to receive the certificate, six courses must be completed in addition to the requirements above for the Bachelor of Science in mechanical
engineering. These courses include Mechanical Engineering 129, 137, and 139; Engineering Science 51, and either Mechanical Engineering 120 or 122. Mechanical Engineering 43 is also
required, and must include a design project related to musical instruments.

COURSES AT THE NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
A reciprocal arrangement between Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music allows students at both institutions to select a limited number of courses at either school that may be applied toward their respective degrees. Students may not take a course at the conservatory if it is offered at Tufts. This agreement does not apply to summer school. Students must first receive permission from their own dean, then from the dean of the second institution. (See Edith Auner for more information).

COMBINED-DEGREES PROGRAM WITH THE NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Music studies at Tufts are enhanced by the five-year double-degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts and a Bachelor of Music degree from New England Conservatory. Please consult the academic catalogue of the New England Conservatory for information about its programs.

New students interested in this program first must be admitted to both institutions; acceptance into the double-degree program is highly selective, based on both academic and musical competence. Transfer students are not normally accepted into this program; students currently enrolled at either school may apply for admission to the other institution and place themselves in contention for a place in the program. Students may discontinue the program and continue towards completion of the preferred degree at the chosen institution.
Students discontinuing either program may experience difficulties transferring credits from one institution to the other.

The cost of the program is based on Tufts undergraduate tuition rates. For information about the program, please contact:

Dean Jeanne Dillon, NEC liaison at Tufts University (617-627-2000);

or

The Dean of Enrollment Services
Office of Admission
New England Conservatory of Music
290 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115