Catalog

Music Major & Minor

The music major provides an understanding of the elements of music, a historical perspective on music, and the opportunity to develop talents and skills by practice and performance. It prepares one to teach music, perform in community or church events, and evaluate performance quality.

Learning Objectives

Students completing Southern Virginia’s music major are expected to be able to:

  1. Hear, identify, analyze and work with the elements of music—namely, rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, texture, and dynamics. (Theory)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of a wide selection of musical literature, representative composers, works, principal style periods, genres, and cultural and political movements as reflected in the music studied. (History)
  3. Demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency on a chosen instrument according to department standards and criteria. (Instrument)
  4. Acquire knowledge of literature appropriate to their specific instrument, becoming acquainted with a cross-section of music from the repertory of the particular performance medium. (Repertoire)
  5. Develop ensemble techniques—namely, correct breathing, blend, balance, tone production, and intonation—on their particular instrument. (Ensemble)
  6. Demonstrate basic keyboard competency. (Piano)

Program coordinator: Dr. Eric Hanson

Major Requirements (42 credit hours)

Major Core (30 credit hours):

Major Electives I (Ensemble): 6 credit hours from among the following:

Major Electives III (Applied Music): 6 credit hours from among the following:

Download the Music Major Checklist

Minor Requirements (18 credit hours)

Minor Core (12 credit hours):

Minor Electives: 6 credit hours from among the following:

Download the Music Minor Checklist