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Music

Preparing for Careers in Music Therapy at Westminster

Music Therapy

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.

 

 

What can you do with a Music degree?

Imagine yourself a professional composer, music educator, performer in a symphony orchestra or opera company, college professor, symphony manager, or sales manager for a recording company.