U-MUS-MIN - Music - Minor

Music is among the most ancient of human pursuits and has long been viewed as a crucial part of education. As a discipline, it has its own logic and grammar in the understanding of which the mind is stretched and tested. Students at Duke encounter a variety of approaches to music that encompass the many ways that we create, perform, and comprehend it.

The Minor I: Score-focused serves students who are engaged in music making, widely and broadly conceived, or who are invested listeners and would like to develop their critical thinking about music, improve their listening and analytical skills, expose themselves to a range of practices, styles, and ideas about music, and explore avenues towards the professional world of music. Music Minor I: Score-focused is designed to complement Music Minor II: Listening-focused which caters to students are focused on aural practices. For Music Minor I, students will pursue aspects of theory, history, performance, and supplement with courses in their field of interest. Reading music notation is a requirement for Minor I. 

Courses fall into three broad categories: theory and composition, literature, history, and ethnomusicology, and applied music (performance). Within these are included many kinds of instruction, such as lessons in performance and composition; theory; history and literature lectures and seminars; electronic music classes; ensembles; practical laboratory work (such as ear-training or Listening Lab), coaching sessions in chamber music; and classes in improvisation. Students’ musical activity can vary widely across the spectrum. Almost every student has some personal involvement with music, and the courses aim to further that involvement, whether it is a simple hobby or a compelling interest.

Graduation with Distinction in Music Performance for Non-Majors

Candidates for distinction in music performance for non-majors apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies by April 1 of their junior year and are admitted to the program by a faculty committee (the thesis advisor must be a regular rank Music department faculty member) on the basis of recent live recordings. During the senior year the student will enroll in Music 401 (Advanced Study in Performance) both semesters. A distinction in musical performance project consists of (a) a full recital supported by a high-quality audio or video recording as documentation of the event; and (b) a written component, either in the form of an analytical paper or other organized commentary on the recital. One semester of research independent study (Music 393) is required in preparation of the written component. To be awarded distinction a student must maintain a GPA of 3.5 in the core music department courses, and a 3.3 GPA overall. For more information, please consult the music department website, https://music.duke.edu/undergraduate/graduation-with-distinction.

Website: music.duke.edu/undergraduate/minor