Undergraduate Study
The liberal arts tradition of Chicago encourages exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in music may study the areas of music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, and composition. Music courses cover the history of Western music, music analysis and criticism, world music, and the basics of composition. Courses explore the theory and analysis of music, harmony and voice leading, topics in music history and popular music, composition and computer music, and music from various regions of the world. Advanced undergraduates can register for certain graduate courses and seminars with consent of the instructor and approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Completing a music major requires twelve course credits and participation for at least three quarters in a performance organization approved by the Department of Music. To declare a music major, a student must consult with his/her College advisor and with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Music Department, Prof. Steven Rings. While the deadline for declaring a major at the U of C is spring quarter of a student's third year, it is recommended that a student declare a music major at the end of the first or beginning of the second year; the required sequences of introductory and advanced courses typically take three years to complete. Additionally, many students choose to attain departmental honors status by writing a large-scale B.A. paper or composition; such projects are developed through close relationships with one or more faculty members.
The minor program in music requires seven course credits and participation for at least three quarters in a performance organization approved by the Department of Music. To declare a music minor, students must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before the end of Spring Quarter of the third year.
Note that the Department of Music confers a Bachelor of Arts degree in music through the College; the Department does not offer a Bachelor of Music degree in performance.
An undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago is excellent preparation for further study. Music majors from Chicago have been accepted to the finest graduate music programs, including Harvard, Berkeley, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Indiana. Many have later secured faculty positions at leading colleges and universities or achieved careers as singers, instrumentalists, and conductors.
