Music Requirements

Requirements for the major

10 credits as follows:

• Proficiency:
  
  • Piano proficiency: development and completion of a customized piano skills plan as designed in consultation with the Director of Piano Studies
  • Participation in a music ensemble (6 terms, or equivalent participation as approved by the department)
• Core: 5 credits
  • One 100-level course (not including MUS 100, MUS 145, or MUS 169-179)
  • Music Theory: MUS 145, MUS 245, MUS 246
  • At least 3 Skills Workshops (MUS 169-179) Note: students without previous piano experience must take  MUS 176: Piano Skills Workshop
  • Research Methods in Music: MUS 201
  • 3 of the following period seminars
    • MUS 330: Seminar in Renaissance and Baroque Music
    • MUS 331: Seminar in Common-Practice Music
    • MUS 332: Seminar in Music of the Modern Era
    • MUS 333: Seminar in Jazz Topics or MUS 334: Seminar in Popular Music
    • MUS 335: Seminar in Ethnomusicology
  • 2 electives (at least 1 at the 300 level) at least 1 of which engages with music outside of the Western classical traditionAdvanced: 5 credits

Requirements for the minors

Music Performance

5 credits as follows:

• Music Theory I: MUS 145
• Music Theory II or Songwriting Workshop: MUS 245 or MUS 247
• Two Skills Workshops: MUS 169-MUS 179
• Communicating About Music: MUS 201
• Two electives (not including MUS 100, MUSL 100, or MUSL 200) note: two terms of MUSL 300 taken for credit may be used to fulfill one elective 
• Advanced performance as demonstrated by one of the following: Senior Recital, membership in the Cherry Street Combo (minimum 3 terms), or membership in other faculty-led Music Department ensemble (minimum 6 terms). 

Theory/Composition

6 credits as follows:

• Music Theory I: MUS 145
• Music Theory II: MUS 245
• Music Theory III: MUS 246
• At least 2 Skills Workshops: MUS 169-MUS 179 
• Communicating About Music: MUS 201 
• Composition Elective: MUS 247, MUS 303, or MUS 340
• One Additional MUS elective course

Musicology

6 credits as follows:

• Music Theory I: MUS 145
• Music Theory II: MUS 245
• At least 2 Skills Workshops MUS 169-MUS 179
• Communicating About Music: MUS 201
• Three additional MUS electives
  • At least one at the 300-level

Ethnomusicology

6 credits as follows:

• Music Theory I: MUS 145
• Music Ethnography: MUS 232
• At least 2 Skills Workshops MUS 169-MUS 179
• Communicating About Music: MUS 201
• Three additional MUS electives
  • At least one at the 300-level

Jazz/Popular Studies

6 credits as follows:

• Music Theory I: MUS 145
• At least 2 Skills Workshops: MUS 169-MUS 179
• Music History Elective: MUS 104, MUS 116, MUS 210
• Communicating About Music: MUS 201
• Three additional MUS electives
  • At least one at the 300-level 

Requirements for certification in Music Education

Students who want to teach music in elementary or secondary schools may prepare for teaching  certification. This demanding curriculum requires completing a major in music, a major in educational studies, and several courses specifically designed for music education. Students who complete these requirements and who pass the State of Illinois certification tests are qualified for recommendation for certification.  

Students interested in music education should contact both Professor Huguet (Music) and the chair of the Educational Studies Department as early as possible. In order to complete the program in four years at Knox, students must begin the music theory sequence in their first year. Specific requirements to prepare for certification in music education are as follows: 

Music

• Proficiency:
  • Piano proficiency: development and completion of a customized piano skills plan as designed in consultation with the Director of Piano Studies
  • Participation in a music ensemble (2 half credits, 6 terms, or equivalent participation)
• Core: 5 credits 
  • One 100-level course (not including MUS 100, 145, 169-179, or 182)
  • Music Theory: MUS 145, MUS 245, MUS 246
  • At least 3 Skills Workshops (MUS 169-MUS 179)
    • Note: students without previous piano  experience must take Piano Skills Workshop: MUS 176
  • Research Methods in Music: MUS 201 
• Advanced: 5 credits
  • 3 of the following period seminars:
    • MUS 330: Seminar in Renaissance and Baroque Music
    • MUS 331: Seminar in Common Practice Music
    • MUS 332: Seminar in Music of the Modern Era
    • MUS 333: Seminar in Jazz Topics
    • MUS 334: Seminar in Popular Music
    • MUS 335 Seminar in Ethnomusicology
    • MUS 336: Seminar in Musical Theatre
  • Two electives (at least 1 at the 300 level) at least 1 of which engages with music outside of the Western classical tradition 
• Additional requirements in Music required for certification:
  • MUS 307 Instrumental Techniques I 
  • MUS 309 Secondary Choral Methods 
  • MUS 311 Fundamentals of Conducting
  • MUS 308 Instrumental Techniques II or MUS 310 Vocal Pedagogy
  • Proficiency in an additional instrument
• Educational Studies: a major in K-12 Special Content Areas
  • Introductory course: EDUC 201
  • Foundation courses: EDUC 202 or EDUC 203, EDUC 204, EDUC 205, EDUC 208(.5),  EDUC 301, EDUC 310D
  • Methods course: EDUC 312D
  • Student Teaching: EDUC 340 (3 credits)