Music

Preparing for Careers in Music Therapy at Westminster

Westminster College’s School of Music suggests taking the following courses to prepare for post-undergraduate studies in Music Therapy. Please discuss the details of which music degree might be best for you with a music faculty member.

Courses to Take:

• MUS 121 Music Theory 1
• MUS 121P Aural Skills Practicum I
• MUS 122 Music Theory 2
• MUS 122P Aural Skills Practicum 2
• MUS 123 Music Theory 3
• MUS 123P Aural Skills Practicum 3
• MUS 124 Music Theory 4
• MUS 124P Aural Skills Practicum 4
• MUS 125 Form and Analysis
• MUS 141 History of Western Music to 1750
• MUS 142 History of Western Music from 1750
• Applied Lessons in Major Instrument (8 semesters)
• Large Ensemble Credits with VP Designation (4 semesters)
• Large Ensemble Credits at the 500 level (4 semesters)
• Senior Capstone Thesis (Music Therapy Topic recommended)
• Guitar Lessons (may substitute electives if guitar concentrator; 2 semesters)
• Piano Lessons (may substitute electives if piano concentrator; 2 semesters)
• Voice Lessons (may substitute electives if voice concentrator; 2 semesters)
• MUS 271 Basic Conducting
• MUS 367 Jazz Improvisation or MUS 341: Percussion Lessons (choose 1)
• PSY 101 Introduction to General Psychology
• PSY 201 Statistical Methods and Analysis
• PSY 401 Abnormal Psychology
• SED 201 Foundations of Special Education
• BIO 101 Concepts of Biology
• *Additional recommended music courses:
  MUS 102 Introduction to Ethnomusic;
  MUS 130 Psychology of Music**; more guitar, piano, voice, jazz improvisation, or percussion lessons as schedule allows
• *Additional recommended psychology courses:
  PSY 225 Lifespan Development
  PSY 291 Adulthood and Aging
  PSY 431 Abmormal Child Development
  

Skills to develop:

• Read lead sheets
• Harmonize with the left hand of the piano while playing melody in the right hand and leading group singing in several different rhythmic styles: e.g., blues, country, pop, sacred
• Harmonize with right and left hands while strongly carrying a melody with the voice

Ordinarily, Westminster students are required to have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Pass the Piano Proficiency Exam. Piano Proficiency Examination Levels 1-3 must be completed by the end of the sophomore year, and Levels 4-10 must be completed by the end of the junior year.