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Why pursue a music degree at North Central College?

With a degree in music, you won’t have to choose between performance or music education – you can be involved in a variety of ways! Music majors work closely with faculty to carve out their own niche, studying music performance, music composition and improvisation, and music technology. Music majors are equipped for several different pathways when they graduate, including becoming a performer, music journalist, music therapist or attending graduate school. At North Central College you will strengthen many aspects of your musicianship and creative expression. Music majors are passionate, creative, collaborative and above all, love their instrument and voice. In this program, you’ll gain a solid liberal arts foundation and one-to-one attention working on your craft.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN 

  • Putting extensive time and effort into honing your musical craft
  • Exploring performance, education and administrative aspects of music
  • Performing live in orchestras, operas or bands

then a degree in MUSIC might be for you. 

Why study music at North Central College? 

In the Classroom

Coursework topics: 

  • Arranging and Orchestration
  • Aural Skills
  • Class Piano
  • Computer and Electronic music
  • Doing Music History
  • Doing Ethnomusicology
  • Elements of Conducting
  • Music As Social Life: The Field of Ethnomusicology
  • Music Now
  • Music Technology
  • Music Theory
  • Piano Pedagogy
  • Piano Literature

Beyond the Classroom 

As a music major, you can: 

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Cater your lessons and performances around areas of interest like jazz, musical theatre, opera or classical.
  • Get involved in an acapella group like No Control A Capella, One Note Stand, Sonata Problem and Tonacity.
  • Hone your jazz skills and knowledge with Jazz Club or Vocal Jazz Ensemble
  • Share composition ideas at the North Central College Composer’s Consortium.
  • Perform in a variety of campus venues and ensembles—our more than 20 student groups range from small to large instrumental ensembles and choral ensembles.

More department information.

Music, B.A.

The B.A. in music is designed for the student interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences without focusing on performance or music education. The concentration includes a global perspective and technological perspective with an emphasis on research and writing.  

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Electives

Eight credit hours from the following:

Performing Ensemble

One credit hour (2 semesters of .5 credit hours) of a performing ensemble (MUEN prefix)

Piano Proficiency

Students are reqired to complete eight credit hours through class piano or through proficiency.

Applied Lessons

Students are required to register for two semesters and to complete a minimum of one credit hour of MUAL courses.

Capstone

Additional Requirements

  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Jazz Studies, B.A.

The B.A. in Jazz Studies is designed for students interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences with a particular focus on jazz performance or composition. Entrance into the Jazz Studies performance track is determined by audition with the jazz faculty.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Jazz Courses

Applied Jazz Lessons

  • Applied Jazz lessons on primary instrument/voice each semester
    • Two credit hours at the 100-level
    • Four credit hours at the 300-level

Applied Jazz Piano

Additional Requirements

  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.
  • MUEN 121 participation required each semester.
  • Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad.

Note:

*See department or music guidebook for additional details.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Music Performance, Instrumental Track, B.A.

The B.A. Music Performance, Instrumental Track is designed for students interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences with a particular focus on instrumental performance. Entrance into the music performance track is determined by audition with the music department.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Instrumental Track Courses

Applied Instrumental Lessons

  • Students are required to register every semester and to complete a minimum of two credit hours of 100-level MUAL and four credit hours of 300-level MUAL on the primary instrument.

Instrumental Ensemble

  • Participation in an approved instrumental ensemble (MUEN prefix) is required each semester. A minimum of four credit hours must be taken.

Piano Proficiency

Students are reqired to complete eight credit hours through class piano or through proficiency.

Capstone

Additional Requirements

  • Successful completion of the entrance audition.
  • Successful completion of the continuation audition.
  • Complete the Junior recital.
  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.

   * See department guidebook for additional details and recital guidelines.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Music Performance, Piano Track, B.A.

The B.A. Music Performance, Piano Track is designed for students interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences with a particular focus on piano performance. Entrance into the music performance track is determined by audition with the music department.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Piano Track Courses

Applied Piano Lessons

Students are required to register every semester and to complete a minimum of two credit hours of MUAL 110 and four credit hours of MUAL 310.

Piano Proficiency

Students are required to complete eight credit hours through class piano or through proficiency.

Capstone

Additional Requirements

  • Successful completion of the entrance audition.
  • Successful completion of the continuation audition.
  • Complete the Junior recital.
  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad.

   *See department guidebook for additional details.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Music Performance, Vocal Track, B.A.

The B.A. Music Performance, Vocal Track is designed for students interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences with a particular focus on voice performance. Entrance into the music performance track is determined by audition with the music department.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Vocal Track Courses

Applied Vocal Lessons

Students are reqired to register every semester and to complete a minimum of four credit hours of MUAL 100 and four credit hours of MUAL 300.

Piano Proficiency

Students are reqired to complete eight credit hours through class piano or through proficiency.

Capstone

Additional Requirements

  • Minimum of four credit hours of the following: MUEN 101, MUEN 102.
  • Successful completion of the entrance audition.
  • Successful completion of the continuation audition.
  • Complete the Junior recital.
  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.

   *See department guidebook for additional details and recital guidelines.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Music Composition, B.A.

The B.A. with a major in Music Composition is designed for students interested in obtaining a wide range of musical experiences with a particular focus on composition. Entrance is determined by audition with the music department.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

Core Music Courses

Composition Courses

Applied Composition Lessons

Students are required to register every semester and to complete a minimum of two credit hours of MUAL 105 and four credit hours of MUAL 305.

Piano Proficiency

Students are reqired to complete eight credit hours through class piano or through proficiency.

Capstone

Additional Requirements

  • Successful completion of the entrance audition.
  • Successful completion of the continuation audition.
  • Complete the Junior recital. Composition majors may opt for an instrumental or vocal junior recital.
  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Six concerts per semester while enrolled as a music major, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.

  *See department guidebook for additional details and recital guidelines.

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Music Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Music.

A minimum of 22 credit hours, including:

Elective

One of the following:

Applied Lessons

Four semesters of Applied Lessons (MUAL) totaling a minimum of two credit hours.

Additional Requirements

  • Completion of requisite number of concert attendance. Three concerts per semester while enrolled as a music minor, unless student teaching or studying abroad. See department guidebook for additional details.
  • Students must register in order to be eligible to participate in ensembles.  Students must register for credit unless they have already reached the 18.0 credit limit.

Jazz Minor

The Jazz Minor offers courses in Jazz Harmony, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History. Students can select a combination of courses to study while developing keyboard skills and learning to collaborate with other students in jazz ensembles.

Two of the following:

One of the following:

Applied Jazz

  • Two Credit Hours of Jazz Applied Lessons

Ensemble Participation

One Credit Hour of the following:

Explore our Music Education and Musical Theatre programs!

Music Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in music have been accepted at:

  • Indiana University
  • Boston Conservatory
  • Northern Illinois University
  • University of Missouri
  • Northeastern University
  • Vandercook College of Music
  • Washington University
  • Illinois State University

Careers

Recent graduates of music include:

  • Performance (vocal, instrumental, jazz, musical theatre)
  • Composition and arranging
  • Private studio teaching
  • Music library science
  • Arts management
     

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