Admission as a World Music Major
Music students who have developed a strong interest in world music and have demonstrated a high standard of academic achievement may apply for acceptance as a major in world music once they have met the requirements listed below. Application for admission to the works music major is usually made prior to the end of the sophomore year. Students who have achieved a passing score in their main performance medium may enter the College of Musical Arts as pre-World Music majors but are still required to apply for formal acceptance to the major once they have met the requirements to do so. It is also possible to add world music to an existing major for a double major.
Applicants should submit a 2-page statement of purpose to the department chair, indicating why they are interested in the degree, and how they plan to use it. Applicants are also encouraged to meet with all ethnomusicology faculty prior to submitting the statement. The ethnomusicology faculty will review the applications and the candidates’ qualifications. For acceptance as a major, a student must have achieved a 3.0 average in each of the following groups of courses: music theory and history (MUCT 1510 , MUCT 1520 , MUCT 2510 , MUCT 2610 ), world music or jazz (MUCT 2360 , MUCT 2370 , or MUSP 2190 ), and aural skills (MUCT 1410 , MUCT 1420 , MUCT 2410 ). Students with an average of 2.5 to 2.9 may be accepted as majors on probationary status. Students accepted on this status must achieve a 3.0 average in major area courses within two semesters, summer excluded. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation as a world music major.
MUCT Small Ensembles
The department offers small ensembles as a training ground for performance practice and a showcase for music of different genres. Participation in a variety of MUCT small ensembles by world music majors is strongly encouraged.
Degree Requirements
The bachelor of music degree with a major in world music requires 122-128 hours. All world music degree candidates are subject to general requirements listed under Academic Policies , as well as general requirements listed under Bachelor of Music degree, none of which are superseded by individual degree requirements.
Completion Requirement
Candidates for the bachelor’s degree with a major in world music are required to submit scholarly papers that demonstrate an understanding of historical and cultural issues and basic research techniques. This is accomplished through MUCT 4200 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology .
