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Music History and Literature

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The Bachelor of Music in Music History and Literature provides a rigorous core of courses in the history and literature of Western music and offers opportunities for deeper study in related fields such as music theory, literature, anthropology, philosophy, history and foreign languages. The degree culminates with an extended senior thesis under the mentorship of a member of the music history faculty. This degree is aimed primarily at students preparing to attend graduate school in musicology, although it might be of interest to students who are planning a career in a non-teaching, non-performing area of music such as ensemble management and representation, information sciences or educational media.
Opportunities are available for supported summer research and independent study. Also available to our students is the opportunity for exploration of the school’s extensive collection of period instruments in our Early Music Ensembles, which gives students a chance to perform music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance and Baroque Eras.
Students in this major have continued their studies in graduate programs in musicology at well-established programs such as those at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan.
RELATED MAJORS
AREAS OF STUDY
- Music Theory
- Aural Skills
- Music History
- Private Weekly Instrumental or Vocal Lessons
- Ensembles
- Advanced Study in Music Literature, Western and Non-Western Traditions
- Independent Research and Thesis Projects
- German Language
CAREER OPTIONS
- College Professor
- Educational Administrator
- Ensemble Management and Representation
- Information Sciences
- Educational Media
- Copyright Consultant
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Musicology
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Education
- Music Business
What’s special about this program?
This major can be personalized to fit the academic and professional pursuits of each student, individualized to incorporate minors, Honors Degrees, Degrees with Distinction, service learning, study abroad and research. We maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio and small classes, providing access to a passionate, invested and highly accomplished faculty comprised of professionally active performers, composers, educators, theorists and musicologists. The study of music at Delaware is enriched by nearly 300 performances each year by faculty, students, ensembles and guest artists. Additionally, the vast musical resources of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City are easily accessible to our majors.
Get Involved
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Xi Mu Chapter)
Sigma Alpha Iota (Eto Rho Chapter)
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
The Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI)
American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
The Jazz Educators and Performers Association (JEPA)
Music Management Student Assoc (MMSA)
College Music Society (UD Student Chapter)
Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic
American Musicological Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
A cappella and other musical groups
Nationally Connected Organizations
Ensemble Opportunities
Sample curriculum
ENGL110 |
Seminar in Composition
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MATH113 |
Contemporary Mathematics or higher
|
MUSC151/152
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Private Study
|
MUSC175/176
|
Class Piano I & II |
MUSC185/186 |
Aural Skills I &II |
MUSC195
|
Music Theory I |
UNIV101
|
First Year Experience |
Foreign Language Requirement
|
XX105 |
Ensemble Participation (varied)
|
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University/College Breadth Requirements
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MUSC251/252 |
Private Study
|
MUSC275/276
|
Class Piano: Intermediate I and II |
MUSC285/286 |
Aural Skills III & IV
|
MUSC196/295
|
Music Theory II & III |
MUSC211
|
Music History & Ideas |
MUSC212
|
Narratives of Western Classical Music |
GRMN105/106
|
German I & II- Elementary/Intermediate |
MUSC318
|
Global Music Studies |
Ensemble Participation (varied)
|
|
University Breadth Requirement
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MUSC351/352
|
Private Study |
MUSC296 |
Music Theory IV
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MUSC335
|
Basic Conducting |
Music History Period |
Choose 2 from MUSC314, MUSC315, MUSC316, MUSC317
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MUSC433/476
|
Still Breathing or Collegium Musicum |
Ensemble Participation (varied)
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University/College Breadth Requirement
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Elective Courses
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MUSC411
|
Topics in Music History |
MUSC611
|
Studies in Music History |
MUSC433/476
|
Still Breathing or Collegium Musicum |
Capstone
|
Either MUSC498 or UNIV401/402 |
Ensemble Participation (varied)
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University/College Breadth Requirement
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Elective Courses
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