Music
We offer two degrees in music. Students in the bachelor of music (BM) program can pursue a concentration in composition, performance, pre-certification choral or pre-certification instrumental. Pre-certification graduates continue on to CNU's master of arts in teaching (MAT) program with a concentration in choral music education or instrumental music education that leads to teacher certification (students training to become teachers must pursue the dual degree program BM/MAT in order to earn teacher certification).
Acceptance into the music programs is highly competitive. In addition to applying for admission to Christopher Newport, you must also apply to the music program and complete an entrance audition.
Bachelor of music
The primary emphasis is on developing the skills and knowledge to function as a teacher, performer or composer. Areas of concentration include choral and instrumental pre-certification, composition, and performance.
Bachelor of arts
Provides fundamental knowledge of written and aural skills, the history and development of music, and performance. The concentration in music studies serves students seeking a broad program of general education rather than intense specialization in the undergraduate years. The concentration in creative studies is designed for those interested in music technology and interdisciplinary studies.
Christopher Newport is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Students majoring in Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Music.
Core
- APP MUSC 131 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 132 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 231 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 232 - Applied Music
- MUSC 014 (four semesters)
- Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
- Four semesters of piano
- MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance (eight semesters)
- MUSC 492 - Music Capstone Project
Electives
- Six credits of upper-level music electives
- Six credits of upper-level, non-music electives
- Nine credits of upper- or lower-level non-music electives
- MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
- MUSC 200 - Music Technology
- MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
- MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
- MUSC 303 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
- MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
- MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
- MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
- Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
- Select one:
- PHIL 201 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
- PHIL 202 - Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 207 - Ethical Issues in Business: A Critical Thinking Approach
- PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
- PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
- PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
- RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
- Three credits in FNAR
- Three credits in THEA
Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Pre-Certification in Choral Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.
- MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
- MUSC 200 - Music Technology
- MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
- MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
- MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
- MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
- MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
- MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
- MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
- MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
- MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 265 - Foreign Language Diction I
- MUSC 266 - Foreign Language Diction II
- One 200-level course in French, German or Italian
- MUSC 415 - Orchestration
- MUSC 496 - Vocal Pedagogy
- MUSC 510 - Foundations of Music Education
- MUSC 520 - Choral Literature and Conducting
- MUSC 580 - Jazz Ensemble Techniques
- APP MUSC 131-132 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 231-232 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 331-332 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 431-432 - Applied Music: Senior Recital
- Eight credits in any of the following:
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
- MATH 125 - Elementary Statistics
- Select one:
- PSYC 207 - Lifespan Development
- PSYC 208 - Child Development
- PSYC 312 - Educational Psychology
- SOCL 314 - Education, Culture and Society
- CPSC 110 - Introduction to Computing
- THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
- Four semesters of piano
- One credit of electives, in or outside of MUSC
- Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass
Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Composition who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.
- MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
- MUSC 200 - Music Technology
- MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
- MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
- MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
- MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
- MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
- MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
- MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
- Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
- MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
- MUSC 411 - Post-Tonal Theory
- MUSC 413 - Counterpoint
- MUSC 415 - Orchestration
- APP COMP 131-132 and APP COMP 231-232
- APP MUSC 131-132 and APP MUSC 231-232 (non-composition); four semesters of MUSC 014 - Masterclass
- APP COMP 331-332 and APP COMP 431-432; four semesters of MUSC 014 - Masterclass
- MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
- MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
- Twelve credits of electives within or outside of MUSC
- Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
- Four semesters of piano
- Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance
Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Pre-Certification in Instrumental Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.
- MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
- MUSC 200 - Music Technology
- MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
- MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
- MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
- MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
- MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
- MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
- MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
- MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
- MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
- MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
- MUSC 260 - Voice Techniques
- MUSC 415 - Orchestration
- MUSC 510 - Foundations of Music Education
- MUSC 580 - Jazz Ensemble Techniques
- Select one depending on area of concentration:
- MUSC 530 - Wind Literature and Conducting
- MUSC 540 - Orchestral Literature and Conducting
- APP MUSC 131-132 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 231-232 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 331-332 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 431-432 - Applied Music: Senior Recital
- Eight credits in any of the following:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 111 -
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band (four credits of MUSC 112 are required for band emphasis)
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- MATH 125 - Elementary Statistics
- Select one:
- PSYC 207 - Lifespan Development
- PSYC 208 - Child Development
- PSYC 312 - Educational Psychology
- SOCL 314 - Education, Culture and Society
- CPSC 110 - Introduction to Computing
- THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
- Four semesters of piano
- Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass
- Four credits of chamber ensembles (MUSC 124 for percussion)
- One credit of electives in or outside of MUSC
Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Performance who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.
Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion, Keyboard, Strings, Voice
- MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
- MUSC 200 - Music Technology
- MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
- MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
- MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
- MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
- MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
- MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
- MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
- MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
- MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
- MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
- Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
- Instrumentalists select one:
- MUSC 391 - String Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 394 - Keyboard Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 396 - Woodwind Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 39
- MUSC 398 - Percussion Literature and Pedagogy
- Vocalists must take:
- MUSC 261 - Opera Workshop
- MUSC 265 - Foreign Language Diction I
- MUSC 266 - Foreign Language Diction II
- MUSC 450 - Vocal Literature
- MUSC 496 - Vocal Pedagogy
- THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
- One 200-level course in French, German or Italian
- Keyboardists must take an upper-level music elective, and all instrumentalists must take an upper-level elective that is writing intensive
- Twelve credits of electives within or outside of MUSC
- APP MUSC 133-134 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 233-234 - Applied Music
- APP MUSC 333-334 - Applied Music: Junior recital)
- APP MUSC 433-434 - Applied Music: Senior recital)
- Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- Four credits of chamber ensembles for instrumentalists (for percussion take MUSC 124 - Percussion Ensemble)
- Four for keyboardists
- Eight credits in:
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women's Chorus
- MUSC 117 - Men's Chorus
- One credit in MUSC 107 - Opera CNU for vocalists
- Four semesters of piano (keyboardists must take MUSC 216 - Advanced Keyboard Skills II)
- Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass