Music Major Requirements

The Music major consists of 48 semester hours of which 28 semester hours are core courses (MUS 113-114, 209-210, 211-212, 213-214, 311-312, 313, and 314) required of all students. In addition, the student must complete 20 semester hours of studio instruction in piano or voice as later listed in the sequence of courses in this section. All Music and Music Education majors must participate in the Concert Choir and other musical ensembles unless excused by the Department Chair. Students must also pass the Sophomore Proficiency Examination and the Senior Comprehensive Examination.

Voice majors must demonstrate a level of proficiency at the piano as described in the Music Program Handbook to the satisfaction of the Music faculty before being certified for graduation. Junior students are required to present a half-recital in their performance emphasis before receiving credit for the second semester of studio instruction at the junior level. Each graduating senior performance major must present a full-length recital and prepare and defend a senior thesis. The thesis and its defense must be completed and passed before the student is permitted to present the senior recital.

Music Performance Majors

Students who graduate from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor's degree in Music (performance emphasis) will demonstrate proficiency in music theory, music history, music performance, and basic piano skills. These skills combined with many performance opportunities prepare the students to become performers or to continue their studies in graduate school.

Music Education Majors

Students who graduate from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education will be prepared to teach elementary and secondary music students in the public school system. These students will possess an understanding of the role of music in the school curriculum and will be prepared to develop techniques for teaching music.

The goal of Music Education courses is to assist the student in understanding the role of music in the school curriculum and to develop techniques for teaching music.

The Music Education major consists of 51 semester hours in Music and Music Education, including MUS 113-114, 213-214, 209-210, 211-212, 313, 314, 311-312, 100, 333, 221, 222, 251-352, 331, 412, and 115 through 414 (Piano emphasis) or 117 through 417 (Vocal emphasis). Voice students must also complete six semester hours of Piano and demonstrate proficiency at the piano.

Music Education majors will be required to present half recitals in the junior and senior years and will not write a senior thesis. Instead they will prepare a written analysis of the student teaching experience. Music Education majors should expect to attend at least two sessions of summer school. In addition to the Music and General Education requirements, Music Education majors will complete the following courses in Education:

EDU 101 Professional Development Seminar
EDU 214 Educational Psychology
EDU 221 Introduction to Foundations of Education
EDU 336 Tests and Measurement
EDU 421 Curriculum and Research
EDU 424 Student Teaching (or EDU 436)
EDU 436 Student Teaching (or EDU 424)

Major in Music Performance: Suggested Course Sequence

Major in Music Education: Suggested Course Sequence