Minor Programs

Minor in Composition

Requirements for the minor can be found at Composition - Minor

Students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at The Catholic University of America with a major in an area other than composition may request permission to simultaneously complete a minor in composition.

Admission Requirements

The student must submit a portfolio of representative scores accompanied by recordings (if available) to the composition faculty. The composition faculty must approve the submitted scores before admission to a composition minor can be approved.

Program of Study

In addition to completing requirements in the major area, the student must also complete the following requirements to earn a minor in composition.

Minor in Music (With Performance)

Requirements for the minor can be found at Music w/ Performance - Minor

The subconcentration in music is open only to students who are not currently majors in music.

Successful completion of a proficiency audition is required for the option "with performance". Composers, in lieu of a proficiency audition, will submit original compositions for evaluation.

Program of Study

Credits
MUS 121, MUS 122 Ear training/Sight singing I, II* 4
MUS 123, MUS 124 Harmony I, II* 4
MUS 131 Music Literature 3
MUPI 3XX Applied Secondary Instruction** 3
MUS ___ Two Music Electives*** 6
MUS ___ Performing Organization 2
Minor in Music with Performance total credits: 22

*All students must take a Theory Evaluation Test before enrolling in these courses; this test determines whether a student needs to take MUS 101 Fundamentals of Theory prior to taking Harmony I/Ear-Training I. Students who have taken AP Music Theory do not need to take this test: they are placed into Harmony I/Ear Training I, and, depending on their score, may place higher. Please contact the chair of the department of Music Theory, History, and Composition if you have taken AP Theory.

**Three semesters of study at one credit per semester, all credits to be taken in the same instrument, voice, or composition category. A jury examination is required each semester.

***May include applied instruction taken at one credit or three credits per semester. Applied instruction taken at one credit per semester must add up to three or six credits in the same instrument, voice, or composition category. A jury examination is required for each semester of applied instruction.

Minor in Music (Without Performance)

Requirements for the major can be found at Music - Minor

The subconcentration in music is open only to students who are not currently majors in music.

No audition is required for the option "without performance."

Program of Study

Credits
MUS 121, MUS 122 Ear training/Sight singing I, II* 4
MUS 123, MUS 124 Harmony I, II* 4
MUS 131 Music Literature 3
MUS 183, MUS 184 Class Piano** 2
MUS ___ Three Music Electives*** 9
Minor in Music without Performance total credits: 22

*All students must take a Theory Evaluation Test before enrolling in these courses; this test determines whether a student needs to take MUS 101 Fundamentals of Theory prior to taking Harmony I/Ear-Training I. Students who have taken AP Music Theory do not need to take this test: they are placed into Harmony I/Ear Training I, and, depending on their score, may place higher. Please contact the chair of the department of Music Theory, History, and Composition if you have taken AP Theory.

**May be replaced with two semesters of applied instruction (MUPI) at one credit each on any instrument. A jury examination is required for each semester of MUPI.

***Suggested courses include (but are not limited to) History of Music I-III (MUS 325, MUS 326, MUS 327), History of Musical Theatre (MUS 385, 386), Harmony III-IV (MUS 223, MUS 224), Ear training/Sight singing III-IV (MUS 221, MUS 222). May include up to three credits of applied instruction (MUPI) taken at one credit or three credits per semester, pending a successful audition for the appropriate applied faculty. A jury examination is required for each semester of applied instruction. May also include up to three credits of performing organization (at one credit per semester), pending a successful audition for the organization.

Minor in Music Theory

Requirements for the minor can be found at Musical Theory - Minor

Undergraduate students that have met the prerequisite requirements may complete a minor in music theory.

Admission Requirements

The student can be admitted to the minor after completing MUS 224 Harmony IV (or MUS 126 Accelerated Harmony, should the accelerated sequence be offered) and completing a successful audition interview with the chair of the department of Music Theory, History, and Composition. In addition, the student must have maintained a grade of B- or better for all courses in the Harmony sequence (MUS 123, MUS 124, MUS 223, MUS 224). This minor is not open to BM composition majors.