Department of Music

Information and Departmental Plan of Study

The Department of Music aims to give students a broad foundation for making, performing, studying, and writing about music. As part of the major, students pursue work in two loosely defined areas: Culture and Criticism (C&C) and Materials and Making (M&M). M&M encompasses topics usually explored in hands-on, exploratory ways, such as composition, improvisation, theory, analysis, and electronic music. The C&C area focuses on the scholarly study of music, from historical and formalist analysis to cognitive science and ethnography. Whether our concentrators ultimately choose to make music, to research and write about it, or do both, they are encouraged to develop independent work that moves across traditional disciplinary or methodological boundaries.

Advanced Placement

The Department of Music does not grant advanced placement exam credit.

Prerequisites

Students interested in the music concentration are required to gain exposure to coursework in both the Culture and Criticism and Materials and Making areas before entering the department. The prerequisites are satisfied through the completion of MUS 105, one M&M course, and one C&C course. Under special circumstances, students may be able to place out of MUS 105 by demonstrating equivalent knowledge in an exam given by the music faculty or scoring a 5 on the AP Music exam. Students who place out of MUS 105 will be required to take an additional elective to meet the minimum requirement of 11 courses in the major.

Program of Study

Classes of 2023 and 2024: Concentrators are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements below, and are required to take the credit-bearing Junior Seminar. Students should consult the archived Undergraduate Announcement for details of the previous requirements.

Class of 2025 and beyond: Students majoring in music take a total of 11 courses in the major: three prerequisite courses (MUS 105, one M&M course, one C&C course); two additional courses in Culture and Criticism; two courses in Materials and Making (one of the three total M&M courses, including the M&M prerequisite, must include a significant musicianship/ear-training component; current eligible courses are MUS 106, MUS 245, MUS 261, MUS 316, and MUS 319, or an alternative approved by the DUS); three additional electives, two of which should be at the 300-level or higher; and a credit-bearing Junior Seminar (MUS 300). Music majors in the Program in Music Performance certificate may use one performance course (such as MPP 213, 214, 216, 219, 251, 252, MUS 340) as a departmental. Concentrators design their program of study in close consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and are strongly encouraged to meet with the DUS in their first year to plan potential paths through the curriculum, as some upper-level courses have their own prerequisites. In general, we encourage students to lead with their strengths but also to take risks and step out of their comfort zones, principles that should guide their course choices.

Independent Work

Junior Seminar – MUS 300

A fall-term junior seminar introduces students to some of the methodological, technical, creative, and disciplinary issues involved in the study and making of music. Assignments may relate to, or inform, their independent work, but will be graded separately from the JIW. Students who are abroad during the fall of junior year can complete the junior seminar during the fall term of senior year.

Junior Independent Work

Junior independent work begins in the fall, usually in the context of the junior seminar, and continues into the spring with a faculty adviser. The nature of this work can vary greatly, but for reference, it might consist of a research paper of approximately 30–40 pages, or an original composition of roughly 6–10 minutes (which would typically include a short paper detailing motivations and context for the composition). These are only guidelines, and the eventual scale of the work will depend on its nature. The specific goals for the project are worked out with a faculty adviser (identified during the fall semester), resulting in a proposal consisting of a summary of the project aims and context, an outline, and references to related work (bibliography for research papers, associated repertoire for compositions, and other material as appropriate to the project); this proposal should be submitted to the adviser and DUS before the end of fall semester, though the grade for the proposal will be held and included in the final grade for the year-long project.

Senior Independent Work

The senior independent work consists of a year-long project devised by the student and approved by a faculty adviser. Again, for reference, it might consist of a research paper of approximately 60–80 pages, or an original composition of roughly 12–20 minutes (including a short accompanying paper), but the specific topics can vary widely, as described above; as with the JIW, these are only guidelines, and the eventual scale of the work will depend on its nature. Ideally, a faculty adviser will be identified in the spring of junior year to help the student develop an appropriate scope for the project. The JIW and SIW topics need not be related, but often are. The thesis grade is the average of the grades given by the faculty adviser and a second faculty reader.

Senior Departmental Examination

On a date arranged by the department, senior concentrators must take a final departmental examination in the form of a scheduled senior thesis presentation. The senior thesis presentation includes an overview of the thesis focusing on motivation, methodology, and result. The total duration of the presentation should not exceed 30–45 minutes. The presentation is immediately followed by 10–15 minutes of questions from the thesis adviser and others in attendance.

Study Abroad

Music concentrators are encouraged to explore the many study abroad opportunities offered at Princeton. Among these is the unique collaboration Princeton maintains with the Royal College of Music in London (link is external), in which students have the opportunity to participate in a five-year double-degree program (A.B. and M.M.). Students spend the fall semester of their junior year in London. Interested current and prospective music majors should email the director of the Certificate Program in Music Performance for further details.

Additional Information

Ensembles and Instrumental and Vocal Lessons

Concentrators are encouraged to take an active part in performing music. All concentrators have the opportunity to take vocal or instrumental lessons from world-class professionals on the performance faculty. For students majoring in music or pursuing a certificate in performance, the full cost of these lessons is paid for by the University (during the junior and senior years). Note that MPP 298-299, Independent Instruction in Voice or Instrument, can only be taken once. Students can also gain exposure to performance by participating in one of the departmental ensembles. For further information on lessons, ensembles, and performance opportunities, please contact the department’s program manager.

Other Academic Preparation

Students planning graduate study in musicology or theory should achieve reading and speaking proficiency in at least one language, depending upon their areas of interest. Students with interests in composition may want preparation in engineering and computer science. Majors should discuss this with the DUS.

Certificate Program in Music Performance

This certificate encompasses music performance of many varieties, and includes tracks for composition and electronic music. For certificate requirements, see the description under Program in Music Performance.