Music

A major, with several possible concentrations, and a minor in music are available. Teacher certification in vocal and/or instrumental music education is also available for grades 5-12 or P-12. Minors in music for social change, music and worship or piano pedagogy may be combined with any major except music.

Major in music

43-85 credit hours (Core and one concentration area)

Core courses (21 credit hours):

  • Mus 201/202, Music Theory I & II 6
  • Mus 201/202-01, Keyboard Theory Labs 1
  • Mus 201/202-02, Aural Skills Labs 1
  • Mus 204, Survey of Music Literature 3
  • Mus 301/302, History of Music I & II 6
  • Mus 303, Advanced Music Theory I 3
  • Mus 410, Senior Seminar 1
  • Sophomore qualifying recital NC
  • Keyboard proficiency NC
  • Senior recital, project, or lecture recital NC

Generalist concentration (22-23 credit hours)

  • Mus 212, Introduction to Conducting1
  • Mus 304, Advanced Music Theory II 3
  • Mus 311, Topics in Music Literature 2
  • Applied music 14
  • One music elective from the following list: 2-3
    • Mus 208, Piano Pedagogy I (3)
    • Mus 210, Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • Mus 220, Building Community Through Music (2)
    • Mus 231, Lyric Diction for Singers (2)
    • Mus 308, Vocal Methods and Pedagogy (2)
    • Mus 312, Conducting I (2)
    • Mus 318, Conducting II (2)
    • Mus 355, Arts in London (4)
  • Participation in required ensembles each semester* NC
  • Pianists only: accompany sophomore recitals, etc., as directed by piano teacher NC

Music education concentration for P-12 certification (64-68 credit hours)

  • Mus 210, Elementary Music Methods 3
  • Mus 220, Building Community Through Music2
  • Mus 304, Advanced Music Theory II 3
  • *Mus 305, String Methods and Materials 1
  • *Mus 306, Woodwind Methods and Materials 1
  • *Mus 307, Brass Methods and Materials 1
  • **Mus 308, Vocal Methods and Pedagogy 2
  • *Mus 309, Percussion Methods and Pedagogy 1
  • Mus 312, Conducting I 2
  • Mus 318, Conducting II 2
  • Mus 330, Secondary Music Methods 3
  • Applied Music 12
  • Professional education courses (see Education department pages for details) 35
  • Participation in required ensembles each semester* NC
  • Pianists only: accompany sophomore recitals, etc., as directed by piano teacher NC

*coursework for instrumental licensure; **coursework for vocal licensure

Music for social change concentration (25-26 credit hours)

  • Mus 220, Building Community Through Music2
  • Mus 212, Introduction to Conducting1
  • One of the following courses: 2-3
    • Mus 208, Piano Pedagogy I (3)
    • Mus 210, Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • Mus 312, Conducting I (2)
    • Mus 330, Secondary Music Methods (2)
  • One related course chosen from the following: 3
    • Bus 319, Leading Non-profit Organizations
    • Educ 201, Foundations of Education
    • PJCS 360, Designing for Social Change
    • PoSc 210, Introduction to Public Policy
    • Soc 224, Introduction to Social Work
    • Soc 234, Ethnography and Culture
  • Mus 409, Internship 3
  • Applied Music 14
  • Participation in required ensembles each semester* NC
  • Pianists only: accompany sophomore recitals, etc., as directed by piano teacher NC

Music and worship concentration (26-27 credit hours)

  • One of the following courses: 3
    • Mus 208, Piano Pedagogy I
    • Mus 210, Elementary Music Methods
  • Mus 212, Introduction to Conducting1
  • Mus 311, Topics in Music Literature 2
  • Mus 312, Conducting I 2
  • Mus 409, Internship 1-2
  • Applied music 8
  • Three related courses chosen from the following: 9
    • Bibl 301, Hebrew Scriptures
    • Engl 203, Introduction to Creative Writing
    • Psyc 210 SW, Developmental Psychology
    • Rel 205 RW, Religion in America
    • Rel 320, Christian Theologies
    • Rel 322, Worshiping Communities
    • Rel 374, Congregational Ministries
    • Thea 235, The Power of Story
    • Thea 245, Aesthetics
  • Participation in required ensembles each semester* NC
  • Public demonstration of leading chamber ensemble or congregational singing NC
  • Pianists only: accompany sophomore recitals, etc., as directed by piano teacher NC

Piano pedagogy concentration (26 credit hours)

  • Mus 208, Piano Pedagogy I3
  • Mus 304, Advanced Music Theory II 3
  • Mus 310, Piano Pedagogy II2
  • Mus 311, Topics in Music Literature 2
  • Mus 409, Music Teaching Internship (three semesters, 1 credit each)3
  • Applied music 13-14
  • Participation/accompaniment in required ensembles each semester* NC
  • Accompany sophomore recitals, etc., as directed by piano teacher NC

*unless on SST or other off-campus program.

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in music will:

  1. Demonstrate growth in musicianship and artistry for excellence in music performance.
  2. Demonstrate increased skills and knowledge for quality scholarship in music.
  3. Develop expertise toward effective pedagogies and leadership in music.
  4. Integrate performance skills, aesthetic understandings and academic work toward music’s service as an instrument of peacemaking and the deepening of Christian faith.
  5. Demonstrate preparedness for a vibrant career that includes using the musical arts for a positive contribution to society.

Planning guide

First year Goshen Core
Music Theory
Applied music
Survey of Music Literature
Second year Goshen Core
Music Theory (if not taken in first year)
Advanced Theory (if not in third year)
Specialty Course (see previous list)
Applied music
Courses in concentration
Sophomore recital
SST
Third year Goshen Core
Advanced Theory (if not in second year)
Applied music
Courses in concentration
Fourth year Balance of Goshen Core
Balance of major
History of Music
Topics in Music
Senior Seminar
Recital or paper
Fifth year Student teaching in fall for music education majors

Planning and advising notes

Music education students may take any of the following courses whenever offered: Mus 210, Mus 330, Mus 312, Mus 318. Music education students should see the Education department catalog and web pages for professional education courses required for certification to teach.

Additional requirements for the major and options for research and performance certificates are described below.

Additional requirements

Keyboard proficiency. Keyboard proficiency will require facility in sight-reading, keyboard technique, harmonization, transposition, improvisation and playing by ear. Prior to entering the first semester of music theory (Mus 201), an examination will be given to determine the student’s keyboard proficiency level and placement in the keyboard theory labs. Keyboard proficiency exams will be given during final exam days of each semester. In order to pass the keyboard proficiency exam, most students require a sequence of study that begins with the 200-level music theory keyboard skills labs and continues with at least one semester of private applied piano study. Students earning a grade of B or higher in Mus 250 Class Piano automatically meet the requirement. Fulfilling the keyboard proficiency requirement early on in the degree program is strongly recommended; keyboard proficiency must be completed before the senior recital permission for all music majors, and before student teaching for music education majors.

Departmental recitals. All music majors and minors are expected to attend the music department weekly recitals and perform periodically, as directed by their applied music instructor.

Sophomore qualifying recital. All music majors, minors and interdisciplinary majors with a focus in music are required to present 15-20 minutes of music in a public recital by the end of their fourth semester of applied music study. Successful completion of this requirement, as well as acceptable work in other music studies, is a prerequisite for continuing as a major in the department.

Junior recital/project. Junior recitals/projects are an option only for music majors pursuing the research or performance endorsements.

Senior recital/lecture-recital/project.  A permission performance is required one month prior to the public senior recital/presentation date. All program notes, translations and written documents must be submitted at the time of the permission, for review and approval.

Ensemble participation.  Each music major and minor has core ensemble requirements determined by the music faculty and in alignment with the primary instrument. Additional ensemble participation is possible if the core ensemble requirement is being met.

Minor in music

20-21 credit hours

  • Mus 201/202, Music Theory I & II 8
  • Mus 204, Survey of Music Literature 3
  • Mus 212, Introduction to Conducting1
  • Applied music 6
  • Music elective from the following options: 2-3
    • Mus 208, Piano Pedagogy I (3)
    • Mus 210, Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • Mus 220, Building Community Through Music (2)
    • Mus 231, Lyric Diction for Singers (2)
    • Mus 301, Music History I (3)
    • Mus 302, Music History II (3)
    • Mus 303, Advanced Music Theory (3)
    • Mus 308, Vocal Methods & Pedagogy (2)
    • Mus 311, Topics in Music Literature (2)
    • Mus 312, Conducting I (2)
    • Mus 355, Arts in London (4)
  • Participation in a core ensemble each semester* NC
  • Sophomore recital or project (may be given in junior or senior year) NC

*unless on SST or other off-campus program.

Planning and advising note

Students pursuing a minor in music, especially those receiving music scholarships, are strongly encouraged to complete all requirements by the end of their junior year, particularly the 201-202-204 sequence of courses.

Research and performance endorsement options

The following endorsement opportunities are for music majors who are considering graduate studies in a research or performance area.

Research endorsement requirements:

  1. Sophomore qualifying recital (15 min.) or lecture-recital (20 min.) involving live performance and sample of written scholarly work (3,000 words) on a music topic submitted to faculty.
  2. Junior project: a lecture or lecture-recital (30 min.) or a presentation at the student research symposium. Paper must be submitted to faculty for approval one month in advance.
  3. Senior presentation of a scholarly paper (60 min.), which may or may not include performance. A 9-10,000 word paper must be submitted to faculty one month prior to the public presentation.

Performance endorsement requirements:

  1. Sophomore qualifying recital (20-25 min.)
  2. Junior recital (30 min.)
  3. Senior recital (50-60 min.) A permission performance is required one month prior to the public senior recital date.
  4. Specific instrument requirements:
    Pianists – learn at least one full concerto (may serve as junior recital) and accompany at least three sophomore recitals or comparable collaborative performances.
    Violinists – learn at least one full concerto (may serve as junior recital)
    Other instrumentalists – significant sonata repertoire and full concerto or other collaborative chamber project.