Music
Overview

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.

Credential Type

B.A.

Credits Required

6–46

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 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4
MUSI 272 Music Theory & Performance
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)

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

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

Two semesters of:
MUSI 016 Opera Workshop
MUSI 246 Vocal Diction I
MUSI 345 Vocal Literature
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
MUSIC 384 Orchestration

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 (38 Credits)
MUSI 170 Music Theory 1
MUSI 171 Music Theory 2
MUSI 270 Music Theory 3
MUSI 271 Music Theory 4
MUSI 272 Music Theory & Performance
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)
Four semesters of lower division applied composition (MUSI 057M) and two semesters of upper division applied composition (MUSI 067M)
Four semesters of applied lessons on a single secondary instrument: voice, piano, or other instrument (1 cr each)

Additional (4 Credits)
Composition majors studying voice: (4 cr)
MUSI 246 Vocal Diction I (2 cr)
MUSI 349 Vocal Pedagogy (2 cr)
Composition majors studying piano: (4 cr)
MUSI 321 Piano Pedagogy 1 (2 cr)
MUSI 329 Piano Literature (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 : Coursework (46 credits)
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 272 Music Theory & Performance
MUSI 371 Survey of Western Music 1, Core - WT
MUSI 372 Survey of Western Music 2
MUSI 381 Introduction to Conducting (2 cr)
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 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)
MUSI 450 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (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 363 String Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 365 Brass Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 366 Percussion Methods (2 cr)
MUSI 383 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (2 cr)
MUSI 450 Pre-Student Teaching Seminar (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
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

Adjunct Instructor of Music-Guitar
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:

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  • 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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Dance Club
A place for students to partake in learning or teaching choreographed dance in genres such as jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, pom, and more.
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