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Music History and Literature
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The Bachelor of Music in Music History and Literature provides a rigorous core of courses in the history and literature of Western music and offers opportunities for deeper study in related fields such as music theory, literature, anthropology, philosophy, history and foreign languages. The degree culminates with an extended senior thesis under the mentorship of a member of the music history faculty. This degree is aimed primarily at students preparing to attend graduate school in musicology, although it might be of interest to students who are planning a career in a non-teaching, non-performing area of music such as ensemble management and representation, information sciences or educational media.
Opportunities are available for supported summer research and independent study. Also available to our students is the opportunity for exploration of the school’s extensive collection of period instruments in our Early Music Ensembles, which gives students a chance to perform music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, or Baroque eras.
Students in this major have continued their studies in graduate programs in musicology at well-established programs such as those at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan.
RELATED MAJORS
AREAS OF STUDY
- Music Theory
- Aural Skills
- Music History
- Private Weekly Instrumental or Vocal Lessons
- Ensembles
- Advanced Study in Music Literature, Western and Non-Western Traditions
- Independent Research and Thesis Projects
- German Language
CAREER OPTIONS
- College Professor
- Educational Administrator
- Ensemble Management and Representation
- Information Sciences
- Educational Media
- Copyright Consultant
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Musicology
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Education
- Music Business
- Entertainment Law
What’s special about this program?
This major can be personalized to fit the academic and professional pursuits of each student, individualized to incorporate minors, Honors Degrees, Degrees with Distinction, service learning, study abroad and research. We maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio and small classes, providing access to a passionate, invested and highly accomplished faculty comprised of professionally active performers, composers, educators, theorists and musicologists. The study of music at Delaware is enriched by nearly 300 performances each year by faculty, students, ensembles and guest artists. Additionally, the vast musical resources of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City are easily accessible to our majors.
Get Involved
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Xi Mu Chapter)
Sigma Alpha Iota (Eto Rho Chapter)
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
The Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI)
American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
The Jazz Educators and Performers Association (JEPA)
Music Management Student Assoc (MMSA)
College Music Society (UD Student Chapter)
Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic
American Musicological Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
A cappella and other musical groups
Nationally Connected Organizations
Ensemble Opportunities
Sample curriculum
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing | MUSC 152 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music II |
| MUSC 151 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music I | MUSC 176 - Class Piano: Elementary II |
| MUSC 175 - Class Piano: Elementary I | MUSC 186 - Aural Skills II |
| MUSC 184 - Music Fundamentals: Theory and Fluency | MUSC 195 - Foundations of Music Theory |
| MUSC 185 - Aural Skills I | MATH 113 or MATH 114 or MATH 115 or MATH 221 or MATH 241 |
| UNIV 101 - First Year Experience I | Additional Language Elective at 105 level or above |
| Ensemble | Ensemble |
| Breadth Requirement (1/8) | |
| Credits: 14 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| MUSC 196 - Musical Objects: Analysis and Application | MUSC 252 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music IV |
| MUSC 211 - Music, History, and Ideas | MUSC 276 - Class Piano: Intermediate II |
| MUSC 251 - Private Study for Bachelor of Music III | MUSC 286 - Aural Skills IV |
| MUSC 275 - Class Piano: Intermediate I | Music Theory - course offerings vary by term 2-3 credits |
| MUSC 285 - Aural Skills III | MUSC 212 - Narratives of Western Classical Music |
| GRMN 105 - German I - Elementary | GRMN 106 - German II - Elementary/Intermediate |
| Ensemble | MUSC 476 - Collegium Musicum |
| Ensemble | |
| Credits: 16 | Credits: 16-17 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| Ensemble MUSC 433 or MUSC 476 | MUSC 314 or MUSC 315 or MUSC 316 or MUSC 317 |
| MUSC 314 or MUSC 315 or MUSC 316 or MUSC 317 | MUSC 318 - Principles of Ethnomusicology |
| MUSC 335 - Basic Conducting | MUSC 352 - Private Study for Music Education VI |
| MUSC 351 - Private Study for Music Education V | MUSC 411 - Topics in Music History |
| Breadth Requirement (2/8) | Ensemble MUSC 433 or MUSC 476 |
| Breadth Requirement (3/8) | Breadth Requirement (4/8) |
| Music Theory - course offerings vary by term 2-3 credits | Ensemble |
| Credits: 16-17 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| Breadth Requirement (5/8) | Breadth Requirement (7/8) |
| Breadth Requirement (6/8) | Breadth Requirement (8/8) |
| UNIV 401 - Senior Thesis (DLE) or MUSC 498 - Music History Capstone | MUSC 611 - Advanced Topics in Music History 3 credits |
| Elective | Elective |
| Ensemble MUSC 433 or MUSC 476 | Ensemble |
| UNIV 402 - Senior Thesis (Capstone) | |
| Credits: 13 | Credits: 13-16 |
