The Music Major

Cornell’s music major carries the study of music to an advanced level through the integration of performance, music theory, and music history. It is designed to accommodate both students who are oriented toward eventual graduate or professional work in music and those who wish to take a more general approach. Music majors from Cornell have gone on to varied careers: musicology, composition, performing, conducting, teaching at the primary or secondary level, and arts management. Others have pursued careers outside of music, in medicine, law, and many other areas.

Students contemplating a major in music should arrange for advising in the department as early as possible, preferably during the freshman orientation period. Potential music majors not already assigned to a faculty advisor in Music should meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Entering students who already have a strong background in music theory should take the advanced standing examination given during the fall freshman orientation period; this examination is the only mechanism for gaining advanced placement in music.

Prerequisites for admission to the major are completion of MUSIC 2102 and 2104, at the latest by the end of the sophomore year (the freshman year is preferable), with an overall grade of B- or better in each course. In consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, students are expected to have chosen an advisor from among the department faculty before acceptance into the major; admission to the major is decided by the faculty as a whole. Students majoring in music will then design their course of study with their advisor.

Music majors must complete the Core Curriculum plus at least two electives. The electives allow students to focus in specific areas, such as composition, performance, jazz studies, vernacular music, Western art music, and Asian music. Students may, however, choose electives that reflect a more broadly-based study. Those intending to pursue graduate study or professional work in music will be advised to take further courses in addition to the two required electives. The honors program in music is intended to provide special distinction for the department’s ablest undergraduate majors.