Requirements for majoring in music
The Music Department does not require a music major audition prior to admission to Calvin. The auditions held in February are for music scholarships. Students who are interested in majoring or minoring in music will be required to take an Assessment Test in Theory either during Passport (for incoming first year or transfer students) or during the spring semester before taking MUSC 108 (for current Calvin students.)
Music major approval
Approval to be a music major in either the BA or BMEd program is granted upon completion of the following requirements (usually accomplished by the end of the first year):
- an overall GPA of at least 2.5
- a grade of "C" or better in MUSC 105 (Introduction to Music), MUSC 108 (Music Theory I), and MUSC 108L (Music Theory I Lab)
- piano proficiency evaluation: either a pass, or if deficient, beginning piano lessons
- a grade of "C" or better in two semesters of applied lessons
- a passing score in the performance jury at the end of the 2nd semester; those wishing to be Performance concentrates must receive a passing score in a concentrate approval jury.
Please note: some programs have additional requirements that must be met to complete the major; please see individual program pages for information.
Minimum Musicianship Requirements
The department insists on a certain level of skill in keyboard and aural comprehension for all its graduates. While a student may already possess fine keyboard skills and a keen ear, and while keyboard and aural skill development are aspects of all theory courses—Music 108, 207, 208, and 213—the department also requires of all BA and BMEd majors the successful completion of the Piano Proficiency test.
Keyboard Requirements
Level One – Playing a prepared piece
- This may be one movement of a Clementi sonata, a Bach two-part invention, or another piece of comparable difficulty. (Check with Dr. Kim if in doubt about the suitability of a piece.)
- The level is required of all music majors and should be taken as early as possibly. Students who are unable to fulfill this requirement should sign up for remedial piano lessons.
Level Two – Demonstration of keyboard harmony skills
- this consists of three parts:
1. Harmonizing a given melody using diatonic chords plus at least one of the following: an altered chord, a secondary function chord, or a modulation. This may be prepared in advance but during the exam the student will only have the melody.
2. Playing two short harmonic progressions, one major and one minor, from Roman numerals. These will consist of diatonic chords only and will be in keys not exceeding three sharps or flats. These will not be prepared in advance.
3. Playing one longer harmonic progression from Roman numerals. In addition to diatonic chords, this progression will include some chromatic harmony. This progression may be prepared in advance.
Level Three – Piano competency
This level is required of all Bachelor or Music Education students and should be taken as soon after Level 2 as possible.
1. Playing an accompaniment to a simple art song or choral piece. This will be assigned and may be prepared in advance.
2. Harmonizing two or three short melodies, one of which will be in minor. These melodies will be in keys not exceeding three sharps or flats and can be harmonized entirely with diatonic chords. There will not be prepared in advance.
3. Playing two or three short melodies in c-clef or written for transposing instruments. These melodies will be in keys not exceeding three sharps or flats. These will not be prepared in advance.
4. Playing from an open score. Instrumentalists: 3-parts with one part transposing or in c-clef; vocalists: 4-part vocal score in G and F clefs. This will be assigned and may be prepared in advance.
Keyboard Requirements (printable version)
Assessment Test in Theory
Our regular music theory sequence begins with Music 108 (Music Theory I), offered in the spring semester of the freshmen year. This course assumes that students are familiar with the rudiments of music theory, including such concepts as scales, keys, intervals, triads and seventh chords. Before any student can enroll in Music 108 they need to demonstrate their proficiency in music fundamentals by taking a music theory placement test. This test is administered either during Passport (for incoming first year or transfer students) or during the spring semester before taking 108 (for current Calvin students.) Students who do not achieve a high enough score on the placement test should enroll in Music Theory Fundamentals (MUSC 100, a 2-credit course) in the fall semester, which will prepare them to take Music 108 in the spring semester of that same year. A complete list of topics covered on the music theory placement test and required for admittance into Music 108 can be found here. Questions about the Theory Placement test , please contact Dr. Benita Wolters-Fredlund.
Ensemble Requirements
- Each of the music major programs requires ensemble participation. The number of semesters of participation and in which ensemble(s) depends on the particular program.
- Students who have the requisite piano or organ skill, if their program does not require participation in a specific ensemble, may do accompanying to satisfy the ensemble requirement. To qualify, the amount of work required of the student should be equivalent to that required by an ensemble, and the work must be done under the regular supervision of a faculty member (e.g. in choir rehearsal or in lessons). Permission to substitute accompanying for the ensemble requirement must be obtained from the department chairperson.
Concert Attendance Requirements
Every music major must attend four concerts or recitals per semester (other than events in which they participate and in addition to the normal Recital Hour performances). Three of those must be sponsored by the music department; the other must be a professional performance off-campus. One of the required four concerts may be in a popular genre, but must be either college-sponsored or approved by the department.
Each student must fill out a blue music major attendance card (available in the music office), attach a program or ticket stub and return it after the concert. Attendance at these concerts/recitals is a requirement of Music 180. Failure to fulfill these requirements will result in an “Incomplete” for Music 180.
A “music major” is defined as any student who has declared such a major and is registered in 207 (Music Theory II) and 213 (Aural Perception and Keyboard Harmony). The above requirements must be met beginning in the sophomore year.
Music majors who have schedule conflicts with Music 180 and who have to attend concerts or recitals to compensate for such absences, there will be only one additional concert/recital to attend per semester which must be a professional performance off-campus. Please notify the Music office if you have a schedule conflict.
Program File
A file of each music major’s record is kept by the Music Department on Knightvision and is open to the student for inspection. This file contains information on requirements met, copies of recital programs, as well as any official documents pertaining to the student’s academic record. Also available is a section for music majors to store copies of their coursework to aid in building a music portfolio.
