Major
Numerous career opportunities are available to music majors. Music graduates with a primary interest in performance have entered the field of professional performance, with such ensembles as the Roger Wagner Chorale, the U.S. Air Force Band, and the National Symphony. A graduate in music education can earn a degree in music therapy with an additional year of study at a university. Practical experience in this field can be arranged during the January term at Luther.
Education is another popular path for music majors; Luther graduates have succeeded in securing excellent positions in the music education field. Many have done further study at leading graduate schools in music education or a performing area and have subsequently entered college teaching.
Other career opportunities exist in church music, music criticism, music management, librarianship, instrument repair, publishing, radio, television, and piano and organ tuning.
Core Requirements
- 121 Theory I 3 hours
- 122 Theory II 3 hours
- 121L Ear Training I 1 hour
- 122L Ear Training II 1 hour
- 231 Theory III 3 hours
- 233 Ear Training III 1 hour
- 250 Introduction to Conducting 2 hours
- 332 Theory IV 3 hours
- 332L Ear Training IV 1 hour
- 341 History of Music: Antiquity through 1750 4 hours
- 342 History of Music: The Classical Period 2 hours
- 343 History of Music: The Romantic Era 2 hours
- 344 History of Music: Contemporary 4 hours
- 351 Conducting: Choral 2 hours or 353 Conducting: Instrumental 2 hours
- 7 semesters of private lesson study in the student’s major applied area.
The above courses are the music major core. A sequence of courses can be arranged to allow a student to begin a major in the sophomore year. All courses in the department may be applied toward completion of the fine arts requirement.
Additional Requirements
- Recital Requirement
- All music majors must present a half recital or its equivalent in general recital appearances.
- Ensemble Requirement, Piano Proficiency, Recital Attendance
- All music majors must complete an ensemble requirement which may be satisfied in a variety of ways. (See music department policies booklet.) Music majors are also required to meet a piano proficiency requirement and to attend recitals as directed by departmental policy.
- Permission to Continue Major
- Acceptable musical and academic progress, regularly reviewed by the music faculty, shall permit the student to continue as a major in the department.
Click here for the Music Department Student Guidelines and Policies.
Required for certification to teach music K–6 and 7–12
Completion of the music major, completion of the secondary education program, and student teaching at elementary and secondary levels. See education department for K–12 minor requirements.
Transfer Students
Prior to initial registration, all transfer students must make an appointment with the music department to determine the number of music credits and other requirements for the major that will be accepted for transfer. Any transfer student expecting to graduate as a music major at Luther College must complete at least 8 hours of course work in the department and at least 3 semesters of private lesson study in the student’s major applied area while at Luther College.