Getting Started

College: HFA

(Revised Spring 2019)

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Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses.  Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major 

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing depth of experience.

PSYCH 100 (SB) is required for Music Education majors.
MUSIC 101 (AT) Introduction to Music Literature is required for most Music major subplans and for minors.

Suggested Major and Pre-Requisite Courses

Acceptance into the Music Major is by successful audition only.

MUSIC 101, 112, 114, 130

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How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students:  This major is restricted, which means students must apply through an on-campus process to be accepted into the major. The majors may have criteria for admission/acceptance into the major (e.g., specific courses, GPA)

Auditions are usually held in the Winter. Call the Music Admissions Director at 413-545-6048 with questions or submit an audition application at www.umass.edu/music.

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Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

There are many subplans within the Music major to choose from depending on the focus of students’ interest. Total number of credits for the major varies with each subplan. (Students in the Music Education subplan must earn a grade of “C” or higher in required courses.)

The basic core for the majority of the subplans involves the following:

• Five semesters of theory: MUSIC 112, 113, 212, 213, 312
• Four semesters each of the following:
  • aural skills: MUSIC 114, 115, 214, 215
  • music history/literature: MUSIC 101, 300, 301, 394MI
  • (piano class: MUSIC 130, 131, 132, 133 strongly recommended)
• Six to eight semesters each of applied lessons and ensembles.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes!  A minor is available! Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more. Acceptance into the Music Minor is by successful audition only.

For further information, contact:
Main Music Office, 413-545-2227
Fine Arts Center 273