Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 [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 these materials, please see the Admissions Office.

  • Statement of Intent: Students write a 1-2 page essay that describes their interest in the major and their goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or independent projects completed.
  • Portfolio: Students prepare a digital portfolio of musical materials comprised of 3-5 works that best represent their 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: Students describe each item in their portfolio, including the medium, year created, and their role in the creation of the work.

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

Students who complete this curriculum will demonstrate:

  • 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


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnotes 1,2 below)
  • Private Music Lesson or Ensemble Credit Hours: 1
    (See footnote 3 below)

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnotes 1,2 below)
  • Private Music Lesson or Ensemble Credit Hours: 1
    (See footnote 3 below)

Second Year


Fall


  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Private Music Lesson or EnsembleCredit Hours: 1
    (See footnote 3 below)

Choose one of the following three:


Spring


  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Private Music Lesson or Ensemble Credit Hours: 1
    (See footnote 3 below)

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


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

  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall OR Spring


*Fall semester on campus is recommended if possible.

  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

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
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Footnotes


  1. Students should take an Inquiry course during their first year. For a listing of HASS Inquiry courses go to: https://info.rpi.edu/hass-inquiry.
  2. Students should take a HASS communications-intensive course during their first three semesters. 
  3. The performance requirement of the Music B.S. includes 4 credits of Private Music Lessons or  Ensemble. Students choose from any of the offered music ensembles (ex. Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Roots of Africa Music Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, etc.) or private music lessons offered for credit. 

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