Requirements
Required for the Major
For students who matriculate Fall 2024 or later:
Seven required Music courses (including MUSC 0160 or passing placement test score.)
• MUSC 0101
• MUSC 0160 OR passing placement test score
• MUSC 0209
• MUSC 0260
• MUSC 0261
• MUSC 0333
• MUSC 0334
• One performance course at the 0200-level or above (MUSC 0205 counts)
• Two electives at the 0200-level or above
• MUSC 0400 (0101, 0209, 0260, 0261, 0333, and 0334 taken prior)
• MUSC 0704 (senior work) is not a core requirement, but it is required for departmental honors eligibility. Additionally, joint majors are required to take MUSC 0704 but not MUSC 0400, one performance course at the 0200-level or above (MUSC 0205 counts), and one elective at the 0200-level or above.
For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024:
Majors are required to take MUSC 0101; MUSC 0209; MUSC 0260-0261; MUSC 0333; MUSC 0334; a performance elective such as MUSC 0240, 0243, 0244, or 0500; two 0200-level or above elective music courses; and MUSC 0400 senior seminar.
Demonstrated proficiencies
Music majors will be required to demonstrate basic piano and sight-singing proficiencies in the semester at the end of Theory II (MUSC 0260).
In addition to the curricular requirements, majors are required to participate for four semesters in at least one departmentally-approved ensemble: Afropop Ensemble, Middlebury College Orchestra, Middlebury College Choir, or The Sound Investment Jazz Ensemble.
Required for the Joint Major
Joint Majors are required to take MUSC 0101; MUSC 0260-0261; MUSC 0333; MUSC 0334; two 0200-level or above elective music courses; and MUSC 0704 (senior work that combines both majors and is agreed upon by the advisers and department or program chair)
Required for the Minor
Students who pursue the minor in music are required to complete five music courses, two of which may be general introductory courses (0100 level) and three other courses at the 0200-0400 levels.
Music Theory Placement Exam
Who should take the placement exam?
Students who wish to enroll in MUSC 0249, MUSC 0260, or MUSC 0261 should take the music department placement exam or have completed MUSC 0160 or equivalent. Students are encouraged to take the exam even if they have taken AP Music Theory or completed other theory coursework outside of Middlebury.
Exam components
The placement exam includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions, a written portion submitted by email, and listening questions based on brief audio clips. The exam is untimed, but students are asked to complete it in a single sitting. We recommend setting aside approximately 90 minutes, though many students finish in less time.
Students taking the placement exam are required to abide by the Honor Code pledge: “I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.”
Exam window
To receive the exam link, please email Professor Nick Shea at nshea@middlebury.edu. If you already know which course you intend to take (MUSC 0249, MUSC 0260, or MUSC 0261), please mention it in your message.
Exam results
Results will be communicated to students by email from Professor Shea.
Contact with questions
Professor Nick Shea, nshea@middlebury.edu
Departmental Honors
Departmental honors in music reflect a student’s overall achievement in and contribution to the department, as well as demonstrated excellence in MUSC 0704 (Senior Work). To take MUSC 0704, students must have at least B+ grade average in music courses; and must submit a proposal for senior work (of one or two semesters in length) by April 1 of the junior year. Of note: MUSC 0704 (Senior Work) does not count as a course toward fulfillment of the music major.
Ensembles
Beginning in Fall 2025, all ensemble participation will appear on students’ transcripts.
Credit Option: Students may elect to earn one credit during one academic year (fall and spring semesters only). For the credit year, students will register for a non-credit ensemble course in the fall (MUSC AFRO, MUSC CHOI, MUSC ORCH, or MUSC JAZZ) followed by MUSC 0200, MUSC 0201, MUSC 0202, or MUSC 0203. In the spring, after which they will earn one credit and a letter grade. Students can use the distribution tags associated with MUSC 0200-0203 toward graduation requirements.
Non-Credit Participation: For all other ensemble participation, students will register for MUSC AFRO, MUSC CHOI, MUSC ORCH, or MUSC JAZZ and receive “P” (Pass) grades (0 credit). These grades will not count toward the five non-standard grades permitted for the degree.
If a student does not complete ensemble requirements in any semester, the instructor will alert the Registrar’s Office to drop the student, and the course will not appear on the transcript.
Administrative Process: Ensemble directors will finalize rosters after auditions and submit them to the academic department coordinator by the end of the second week of classes. The coordinator will forward rosters to the Office of the Registrar who will register the students.
The following ensembles require two semesters of enrollment to earn one (1) credit:
MUSC 0200 (Middlebury Afropop Band): In this course students explore classic and contemporary popular music from across the African continent and its diaspora through rehearsals, readings, discussions, screenings, and listening sessions. The repertoire blends traditional African styles with R&B, rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, funk, EDM, and other Western and Afro-diasporic influences. The band’s activities culminate in end-of-semester concerts, tours, recordings, and performances at college-wide events. Open to players of all skill levels on any instrument, including African percussion, electric guitar, electric bass, keyboard, drums, horns, and voice. Some competency on one’s instrument is expected; reading music is not required. By audition. 4 hrs/week. (D. Kafumbe)
MUSC 0201 (Middlebury College Choir): Students in the College Choir study and perform polyphonic choral music of the traditional choral canon, global traditions, and new compositions. In weekly rehearsals, students develop sight-singing, vocal technique, and ensemble performance skills, and cultural study, including how diverse repertoires contribute to ensemble pedagogy and performance. The College Choir presents concerts each fall and spring, annual Lessons and Carols services, tours periodically, and participates in Convocation and Baccalaureate services. Open to Middlebury students by audition. 4 hrs/week. go/choiraudition, go/choir (J. Buettner)
MUSC 0202 (Middlebury College Orchestra): In this performance-based class we will explore the repertoire, language, and styles of orchestral music from the early Baroque to the present day. Regular group and sectional rehearsals focus on performance and ensemble playing techniques. The orchestra presents two concerts a year, hosts a concerto competition, performs with professional soloists, frequently premieres new works, and participates in special events. Instrumental proficiency recommended. Audition required. Open to all students without prerequisite. 4 hrs/week. (E. Bennett)
MUSC 0203 (Middlebury Jazz Ensemble): In this ensemble course students cover performance practices throughout the history of the Jazz idiom, from the early 20th Century to the modern era. Through rehearsal and performance, we explore a wide range of jazz ensemble repertoire in a group setting comprised of a standard big band lineup — saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, and drums — with occasional guest instrumentalists and vocalists. Instrumental or vocal proficiency is required but previous jazz experience is not. Open to Middlebury students by audition. 4 hrs/week. (K. Saulnier)
While the following groups do not confer course credit, students participating in them receive a half-price discount on private music lessons.
MUSC AFRO (Middlebury Afropop Band): The Middlebury Afropop Band performs classic and contemporary popular music from across the African continent and its diaspora, blending traditional African music with Western and Afro-diasporic styles. Students learn songs by ear and create their own arrangements. The band presents two end-of-semester concerts, tours, records, and performs at college-wide events. Non-credit participation only. (D. Kafumbe)
MUSC CHOI (Middlebury College Choir): The Middlebury College Choir performs concerts each fall and spring, participates in Baccalaureate and other College functions, and tours or engages in special projects annually. Audition required, with attention to sight-reading, listening skills, and vocal production. Intent to participate for the full year or multiple semesters is strongly encouraged. Open to all students without prerequisite. Non-credit participation only. (J. Buettner)
MUSC ORCH (Middlebury College Orchestra): The Middlebury College Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra exploring repertoire from Bach and Mozart to the present day. The orchestra welcomes students from all disciplines and presents two concerts a year, participating in special events as well. Audition required; open to all students without prerequisite. Non-credit participation only. (E. Bennett)
MUSC JAZZ (Middlebury Jazz Ensemble): The Middlebury Jazz Ensemble continues Middlebury’s 90-year tradition of swing and jazz, performing contemporary arrangements alongside timeless classics. The ensemble features the standard big band lineup — saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, and drums — with occasional guest instrumentalists and vocalists. Non-credit participation only. (K. Saulnier)
Private Music Lessons
Music majors and non-music majors are welcome to take private music lessons with Middlebury College Affiliate Artists. No auditions are required; private music lessons are considered extracurricular and do not confer course credit. The fall and spring lessons series include ten 45-minute lessons; the winter term series includes four lessons. Fees are billed directly to the student’s account (discounts may apply). More information is available at https://www.middlebury.edu/college/academics/music/private-lessons.