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Music Minor

Open to Any Major

18 Credits

The Music and Theatre Arts Department offers a music minor that supplements your any academic major by studying music at an in-depth level.

Since music pervades society, the Music and Theatre Arts Department seeks to increase students’ awareness of the musical world and influence their cultural lives through critical listening and active participation in music making. The music minor has a full range of courses including music theory, music history/literature, as well as performing ensembles for every interest.

 large number of our music minor graduates continue to explore their performing medium by participating in professional, regional or community ensembles. The minor complements many majors related to leadership, creativity, organization skills, discipline, practical experience and critical thinking. Many alumni continue to work with school and community groups outside of their daily routine and some often incorporate their experiences within their professional lives.

Ensembles include concert choir, Madrigal Singers, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble, Raider Marching Band, basketball pep band, brass & woodwind chamber ensembles, and the University-Community Orchestra. Each year, more than 450 students perform for local audiences as well as throughout the United States and abroad. Students representing virtually all degree programs take time out of their busy schedules to participate in Shippensburg’s music ensembles for the sheer enjoyment of making music.

Course Work for a Music Minor

Introduction to Music (MUSI 121) must be taken as a pre-requisite prior to or within the first two semesters of declaring a Music Minor and does not count toward the required 18 credits. MUSI 121 also fulfills the University General Education, Creativity and Expression (A) rubric requirement. Students then proceed through the nine required and nine elective credits to complete the minor.

Visit the catalog for course descriptions.

Required Courses (9 Credits):

  • MUSI 140 - Class Piano, Level I 
  • MUSI 212 - Music Theory I 
  • MUSI 320 - Masterpieces of Music

Elective Courses (9 Credits):

Courses may be chosen from the remaining curricular choices or in consultation with the Department Chair. Students must take one 300/400 level course as an elective.

Please choose from the following list:

  • Theory
    • MUSI 312 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
  • History
    • MUSI 129 - American Popular Music Credits: 3
    • MUSI 216 - Music & Film Credits: 3
    • MUSI 227 - Opera and Music Theatre Credits: 3
    • MUSI 261 - World Music Credits: 3
    • MUSI 315 - Music in the United States Credits: 3
  • Performance Courses
    • MUSI 150 - Basic Guitar Credits: 3
    • MUSI 260 - Voice Class, Level I Credits: 3
    • MUSI 270 - Brass Instrument Class Credits: 3
    • MUSI 272 - Strings Class Credits: 3
    • MUSI 340 - Class Piano, Level II Credits: 3
    • MUSI 380 - Basic Conducting Credits: 3
    • MUSI 393 - Selected Topics in Music Credits: 1-3
    • MUSI 490 - Selected Topics in Music Credits: 1-3\
  • Performing Ensembles
    Each ensemble is 1 credit, per semester taken. Students may take/retake ensembles as many times as they choose. However, only a maximum of 3 credits will count as an elective towards the Music Minor and graduation.
    • MUSI 101 - Brass Ensemble 
    • MUSI 103 - Marching Band 
    • MUSI 104 - Concert Band 
    • MUSI 105 - Concert Choir
    • MUSI 109 - String Ensemble
    • MUSI 113 - Jazz Ensemble 
    • MUSI 117 - Madrigal Singers
    • MUSI 132 - University-Community Orchestra 
    • MUSI 158 - Woodwind Ensemble C

Please contact the Music Department Office for audition/membership information: (717) 477-1638.

Contact the Music & Theater Arts

Performing Arts Center 220 Phone: 717-477-1638