Mar 29, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2017-2018 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2017-2018 [Archived Catalog]

Music


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The B.S. in Music focuses on preparing musicians for careers in creative professions combining depth in music with breadth in the sciences, media, and engineering. It advances music study within the technological university by preparing students for the multiplicity of roles available to musicians in the 21st century.

The core music curriculum consists of 40 credits.  The music core may be taken as a standalone degree or as a dual major with various science and engineering disciplines.   The curriculum detailed in this proposal can also be supplemented with 4 course, 16 credit minor in various interdisciplinary arts fields, including interactive arts, animation, and filmmaking.  

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Intent, a Portfolio, and a Portfolio Description. There are no live auditions. For more information about how to submit your materials, please access https://rpi.slideroom.com/#/Login.

  • Statement of Intent: Write a 1-2 page essay that describes your interest in the major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or independent projects completed.
  • Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio of musical materials comprised of 3-5 works that best represent your creative abilities. These may include, but are not limited to, audio and video recordings of compositions and performances, scores, and software programs. Acceptable formats for portfolio items are DOCX, PDF, AIFF, WAV, MP3, QUICKTIME, JPEG, or PNG.
  • Portfolio Description: Describe each item in your portfolio, including the medium, year created, and your role in the creation of the work.

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

  • an ability to evaluate musical works in relation to style, period, and social context.
  • an ability to effectively discuss and critique one’s own work and the work of others.
  • proficiency integrating technologies appropriate to creative practice.

First Year


Fall


  • Humanities/Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Humanities/Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


  • Math or Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • ARTS 2XXX Private Music Lessons Credit Hours: 1

OR

  • Choice of Music Ensemble (ex. Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Roots of Africa Music Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, etc.) Credit Hours: 1 

Spring


  • Math or Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Humanities/Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Humanities/Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • ARTS 2XXX Private Music Lessons Credit Hours: 1

OR

  • Choice of Music Ensemble (ex. Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Roots of Africa Music Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, etc.) Credit Hours: 1 

Third Year


Summer Arch*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, the Summer Arch courses would be taken during the fall semester. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • Math or Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Depth Requirement Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • ARTS 2XXX Private Music Lessons Credit Hours: 1

OR

  • Choice of Music Ensemble (ex. Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Roots of Africa Music Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, etc.) Credit Hours: 1 

Fall OR Spring


  • ARTS 4XXX Interdisciplinary Research Seminar Credit Hours: 4
  • Math or Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Depth Requirement Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • ARTS 2XXX Private Music Lessons Credit Hours: 1

OR

  • Choice of Music Ensemble (ex. Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Roots of Africa Music Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, etc.) Credit Hours: 1 

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

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