Music
Overview

Make music with us – everyone is welcome! At St. Norbert College, we believe that music is more than a skill to master and is an integral part of who we are as humans. We use music to express individual feelings, communal values and societal conventions. When you study music theory, history and performance at SNC, you’ll connect time, language and culture. A thorough grounding in music lays the foundation for a life more deeply lived.

Everyone is welcome to make music at St. Norbert College. Whether you are pursuing a degree or you simply enjoy music, all incoming first-year students are welcome to audition for a music ensemble scholarship. Perform with one of our ensembles to reduce the costs of tuition. Come and join us! 

Credential Type

B.A.

Offered As

Major & minor
An Overview of SNC's Music Program Learn all about the music program at SNC, including the different academic paths as well as the opportunities to participate in our concert bands, jazz band, string orchestra and choirs.
Academic paths

At SNC, you can earn a degree in music education, music performance or liberal arts with a music emphasis.

For those majoring in music education, you will be certified to teach all areas of music (choral, instrumental, and elementary general music) for grades K-12.

These pathways are to be used as a guide. Refer to the Course Catalog for official degree requirements.

Courses Checklist
MUSI 170 Music Theory 1
MUSI 171 Music Theory 2
MUSI 195 Music Entrepreneurship (2 cr)
MUSI 201 Beatmaking and Production (2 cr)
MUSI 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4
MUSI 371 Survey of Western Music 1, Core - WT
MUSI 372 Survey of Western Music 2
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 382 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 cr) or MUSI 383 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 399 Junior Recital and Lessons (2 cr)
MUSI 499 Senior Recital and Lessons (2 cr)

Additional Coursework
Piano performance majors (6 credits)
MUSI 019 Accompanying (1 semester)
MUSI 028 Piano Ensemble (1 semester)
MUSI 321 Piano Pedagogy 1
MUSI 329 Piano Literature

Four semesters of lower division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 05xM, 2 cr each) and two semesters of upper division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 06xM, 2 cr each) 
or Four semesters of lower division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 05xM, 2 cr each) and one semester of upper division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 06XM, 2 cr) and MUSI 420 Merit Recital (4 cr)

Vocal performance majors (12-16 credits)
Eight semesters of principal ensemble

Two semesters of MUSI 016 Opera Workshop
MUSI 246 Vocal Diction I (2 cr)
MUSI 345 Vocal Literature (2 cr)
MUSI 349 Vocal Pedagogy 
Core language requirement (102 level or above) demonstrated in French or German

Instrumental performance majors (12 credits)
Eight semesters of principal ensemble

One of the following methods courses:
MUSI 362 Woodwinds
MUSI 363 Strings
MUSI 365 Brass
MUSI 366 Percussion

*Specific requirements for instruments can be found in the college catalog or in speaking with an advisor.

Courses Checklist:
MUSI 170 Music Theory 1
MUSI 171 Music Theory 2
MUSI 195 Music Entrepreneurship (2 cr)
MUSI 201 Beatmaking and Production (2 cr)
MUSI 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4
MUSI 371 Survey of Western Music 1, Core - WT
MUSI 372 Survey of Western Music 2
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 382 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 cr) or MUSI 383 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 399 Junior Recital and Lessons (2 cr)
MUSI 499 Senior Recital and Lessons (2 cr)
Four semesters of applied lessons on a single secondary instrument (1 cr each)
Four semesters of lower division applied composition (MUSI 057M, 2 cr each) and one semester of upper division applied composition (MUSI 067M, 2 cr)

Additional (4 Credits)
Composition majors studying voice: (4 cr)
MUSI 102 Group Voice (2 cr)
MUSI 246 Vocal Diction I (2 cr)

Composition majors studying other instruments: (2 cr)
One methods course (below) excluding that which includes their secondary instrument:
MUSI 362 Woodwind Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 363 String Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 365 Brass Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 366 Percussion Methods (2 cr)

Courses Checklist:
MUSI 150 Survey of World Musics
MUSI 170 Music Theory 1
MUSI 171 Music Theory 2
MUSI 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4
MUSI 371 Survey of Western Music 1, Core - WT
MUSI 372 Survey of Western Music 2
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 399 Junior Recital and Lessons
Six principal ensembles on primary instrument
Four semesters of lower division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 05xM) and two semesters of upper division applied lessons on primary instrument (MUSI 06xM)

Additional Coursework
Choral Music Education Emphasis (16 credits)
MUSI 031 Improvisation Workshop (1 cr)
MUSI 052N Piano Lessons (1 cr) – 1 semester
MUSI 195 Music Entrepreneurship (2 cr)
MUSI 246 Vocal Diction I (2 cr)
MUSI 349 Vocal Pedagogy (2 cr)
MUSI 362 Woodwind Methods (2 cr) or MUSI 366 Percussion Methods (2 cr) or 2 semesters of a primary instrumental ensemble (MUSI 012, 014, 025) or 1 semester of instrumental lessons (MUSI 05xN) AND 1 semester of a primary instrumental ensemble
MUSI 382 Advanced Choral Conducting (2 cr)
EDUC 315 Choral Music Methods for Junior and Senior High School (2 cr)

Instrumental Music Education Emphasis (17 cr)
MUSI 031 Improvisation Workshop (1 cr)
MUSI 051 Applied Voice (2 cr) or MUSI 102 Class Voice (2 cr) or Two principal choral ensembles MUSI 362 Woodwind Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 195 Music Entrepreneurship (2 cr)
MUSI 363 String Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 365 Brass Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 366 Percussion Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 383 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (2 cr)
EDUC 316 Instrumental Music in the Schools (2 cr)

Note: Candidates interested in earning K-12 Music licensure must also complete the K-12 Teaching Major.

See Education [EDUC] section for the major as well as additional certification requirements

Courses Checklist:
MUSI 170 Music Theory 1
MUSI 171 Music Theory 2
MUSI 195 Music Entrepreneurship (2 cr)
MUSI 201 Beatmaking and Production (2 cr)
MUSI 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4 (2 cr)
MUSI 371 Survey of Western Music 1
MUSI 372 Survey of Western Music 2
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting
Six principal ensemble courses on primary instrument (1 cr each)
Four semesters of lower division applied music on primary instrument (MUSI 05xM, 2 cr each)
MUSI 494 Internship
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychological Science

Additional Coursework (8-11 credits)
Two of the following:
MUSI 033 World Music Ensemble (1 cr)
MUSI 100 Group Guitar (2 cr)
MUSI 102 Group Voice (2 cr)
MUSI 150 Survey of World Musics
PSYC 212 Adult Psychopathology
PSYC 220 Lifespan Human Development
EDUC 317 General Music Methods
BIOL 105 Human Biology and Society
BIOL 120 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 216 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 217 Anatomy and Physiology II
Additional discipline-approved elective

Featured faculty

If there’s one thing that SNC professors and instructors have in common, it’s a passion for teaching and sharing their expertise. You’ll also find them dedicated to providing personalized guidance that supports your academic and career aspirations. Discover the distinguished scholars you’ll be learning from.

Adjunct Instructor of Music-Oboe

Adjunct Instructor of Music-Guitar

Adjunct Instructor of Music-Percussion
View all faculty
Male student stands in front of an art installation.
Kieran Wallace ’19

“The nice thing about SNC is the faculty involvement. Who they are and how they teach is amazing. Because of them, I was able to grow a lot as a musician.”

Kieran Wallace ’19
Read more
Career outcomes

Music is a major that can be woven into many careers. Whether you dream about performing music for a large audience or sharing the joy of instrumental or vocal music with others as a teacher, SNC can prepare you for success as a creative professional. Case in point: Our music education majors have a 100 percent placement rate after they graduate.

SNC music alumni have held jobs such as:

Header Banner
  • Band director
  • Choir director
  • Orchestra director
  • General music teacher
  • Church music director
  • Professional performer or composer
  • College professor
  • School administrator
  • Music therapist – hospital- to school-based
  • Studio lesson instructor
  • Arts administrator
  • Content creator
 Graduate studies

A music degree from SNC also lays the groundwork for graduate studies in related fields such as conducting, performance, history or musicology, composition, theory or music therapy — or a field that is informed by the study of music. With helpful preparation and placement assistance from SNC, our music alumni have attended graduate schools such as:

  • Belmont University
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • New York University
  • Oregon State University
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Utah
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
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