- Degree Level
- Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered
- Minor
- school/college
- College of Arts and Sciences
Minor in Music
In Perfect Harmony with Your College Experience
Just because you’re away at college doesn’t mean you have to put your passion for music on hold. Arcadia’s Music Minor is the perfect complement to a liberal arts education—whether you’re an experienced musician or just getting started.
The program provides a variety of coursework and performance study options to meet the needs of those considering a career in music and a flexible and inviting curriculum welcomes students from across all majors to take music courses.
Join one of Arcadia’s ensembles for course credit…even take up a new instrument (or voice) with a private or group music lesson. What better way to bring harmony to your college experience!
Arcadia’s Music program provides a highly interactive opportunity for students to enrich their liberal arts experience through a Minor in Music. The program features a variety of coursework, including opportunities to take courses abroad through Arcadia’s acclaimed study abroad program. You can enroll in private music lessons as well as perform for course credit in one of Arcadia’s ensembles: Chamber Orchestra, University Choir, Women’s Ensemble, or Chamber Choir.
The program is distinguished by its strong sense of community and diverse, dedicated faculty, who have achieved numerous accolades through their many years of national and international experience in the music industry.
Music Minor Requirements
Credits
20 credits as listed below
Courses, Lessons, and Ensembles
- MU 101 Introduction to Reading and Writing Music
- MU 102 Reading and Writing Music II
- Minimum of 4 semesters participation in any musical ensemble
- Minimum of 2 semesters private study - voice, instrument, composition
- 1 additional music related 4 credit class
Featured Courses
Introduction to Reading and Writing Music
Required Course
In this elementary course in the elements and fundamentals of music, you will learn the practical application of clefs, scales, keys, rhythms and meters, chords, and a functional knowledge of the general field of music. Study the nature and organization of various kinds of performing groups, the business of music, and copyright and publishing aspects. No prior knowledge of music is necessary. MU 101
Reading and Writing Music II
Required Course
Review of music fundamentals, stressing harmonic procedures from a practical and functional point of view. Study the use of chords and chord progressions and includes creative work at individual levels of interest and competency. MU 102
University Choir
Elective Course
In this performance course, you will sing in a variety of musical styles. You will be given an opportunity to identify and perform classical, jazz, rock, pop, world and gospel music in a group setting. You will be instructed in sight-reading, blending as a group, musical styles and performance practices. There is no performance music fee for this course. May be taken more than once for credit.
Chamber Orchestra
Elective Course
You will learn by playing in a chamber orchestra (string players and instrumentalists. As a performer, you will study ensemble techniques and interpretation. You should own your instrument (or rent one) and have prior ensemble experience. There is no performance fee for this course. May be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Prior performance experience on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass) or enrollment in string performance study at Arcadia University as well as instruments (brass, woodwinds, percussion). If any discrepancy exists, an audition may be required to assess performance level.
Music in World Cultures
Elective Course
Expand your knowledge through a unique combination of lecture and participation in various aspects of a wide variety of non-western musical, artistic and cultural sources.
Audio Engineering Level I
Elective Course
Learn how to operate a digital audio workstation (DAW) to make sound recordings such as voice-over narrations, original songs, music soundtracks, podcasts, and audio content for the web.
