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2025-2026 University Catalog
Music, B.A.
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The Music Major at Roger Williams University offers a solid foundation in music including theory, history, the study of musical styles in Western culture, and music technology. The major provides an introduction to the music of cultures from around the world. This program leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.
The Roger Williams University Music Major offers three unique, student-centered tracks that reflect the mission of the University: Composition and Music Production, Music Performance, and Music Scholarship and Global Studies. All three tracks in the music program are student-centered and include a fee waiver for all applied private lessons in an instrument of choice and/or private lessons in composition as long as the student remains in good academic standing with the university.
Track #1: Music Composition and Production highlights the creation of new, original music focused on the interests and strengths of the student. These may include but are not limited to music for film/tv/games, songwriting, music for theater, dance, and music for the concert hall. Through the intensive study of music composition, music theory, arranging, orchestration, and music technology and production techniques, students of a wide range of abilities will develop a broad knowledge of the field. This track can prepare students for continuing in both a professional career and further study in composition (graduate study, etc.).
Track #2: Music Performance engages students in the performance and study of music through one-on-one applied study in voice and/or an instrument of choice. Students in this track will perform in university ensembles. Furthermore, students will consider the evolution of popular music styles as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define Western culture, and explore musical expression globally. All program majors will have their applied lesson fees waived as long as they remain in good standing.
Track #3: Music Scholarship and Global Studies will ask students to consider the evolution of popular music styles as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define Western culture, engage in one-on-one applied study in voice and/or and instrument of choice, and perform in university ensembles. Students will further investigate the wide scope of scholarship and applied research in music inclusive of the study of music history (musicology) and music theory, and/or consider the broad panoply of musical expression throughout the world. The program is student-centered and can prepare students for further study of music in the fields of musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and music cognition.
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Program Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Music must satisfy University General Education requirements. All majors will complete the music foundation requirements (27 credits) and the additional coursework outlined in their chosen track of study: Music Composition and Production (17 credits), Music Performance (16 credits), or Music Scholarship and Global Studies (15 credits). Foundation Courses (28 credits)
Music Theory and Musicianship (13 credits)
These courses lay a solid foundation in music theory and musicianship. Music majors will be required to pass MUSIC 110 Introduction to Music Theory and Musicianship with a C or better or demonstrate their knowledge and ability through successful written/oral examination before engaging in the music theory and musicianship core sequence of courses. Music History and Literature (9 credits)
These courses lay a solid foundation in both the history and styles found in the Western musical tradition.
Music Technology (3 credits)
This course provides a foundation in the basic techniques of using computers and digital methods for music editing and creation. Capstone (3 credits)
The capstone project (thesis/composition/recital or internship) must be approved by Music faculty and done during the final year of study.
Select one of the following: Choose one of the following tracks:
Track #1: Music Composition and Production (17 credits)
Music Composition and Production highlights the creation of new, original music focused on the interests and strengths of the student. These may include but are not limited to music for film/tv/games, songwriting, music for theater, dance, and music for the concert hall. Through the intensive study of music composition, music theory, arranging, orchestration, and music technology and production techniques, students of a wide range of abilities will develop a broad knowledge of the field and can prepare students for continuing in both a career and further study in composition (graduate programs, etc.). The program is student-centered and includes private lessons in composition, with a fee waiver for the lessons as long as the student is in good academic standing. Composition & Production Coursework (6 credits)
Composition Lessons (4 semesters)
Take a minimum of four (4) semesters of applied composition (MUSIC 334). Ensemble (1 semester)
Take one (1) semester in any available university music ensemble including MUSIC 141 Chorus, MUSIC 151 Instrumental Ensemble, and MUSIC 152 Digital Music Ensemble. Electives (6 credits)
Choose any two (2) courses in MUSIC at the 200 level or higher.
If offered, one of the chosen electives must be either MUSIC 420 Computer Music Programming or MUSIC 425 Scoring for Film, TV, and Video Games. Track #2: Music Performance (16 credits)
Music Performance engages students in the performance and study of music through one-on- one applied study in voice and/or an instrument of choice, and they will perform in university ensembles. Furthermore, students will consider the evolution of popular music styles as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define Western culture, and explore musical expression globally. All program majors will have their applied lesson fees waived as long as they remain in good standing. Applied Lessons (6 semesters)
Take a minimum of six (6) semesters of applied music instruction in an instrument of choice or voice. At least four (4) semesters should be taken in the student’s chosen primary instrument or voice. The remainder may be chosen in any instrument/voice or the student may take applied composition. Ensemble (4 semesters)
Take a minimum of four (4) semesters in any active university music ensemble, including MUSIC 141 Chorus and MUSIC 151 Instrumental Ensemble. Electives (6 credits)
Choose any two (2) courses in MUSIC at the 200 level or higher. Track #3: Music Scholarship and Global Studies (16 credits)
In Music Scholarship and Global Studies, students consider the evolution of popular music styles as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define Western culture, engage in one-on-one applied study in voice and/or and instrument of choice, and perform in university ensembles. Students will further investigate the wide scope of scholarship and applied research in music inclusive of the study of music history (musicology) and music theory, and/or consider the broad panoply of musical expression throughout the world. The program is student- centered, and can prepare students for further study of music in the fields of musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and music cognition. All program majors will have their applied lesson fees waived as long as they remain in good standing. Applied Lessons (2 semesters)
Take a minimum of two (2) semesters of applied music instruction in an instrument of choice or voice. The student may take applied composition to satisfty this requirement. Ensemble (2 semesters)
Take a minimum of two (2) semesters in any active university music ensemble, including MUSIC 141 Chorus and MUSIC 151 Instrumental Ensemble. Electives (12 credits)
Choose any four (4) courses in MUSIC. At least two (2) must be at the 300 level or higher. Choices should be made in consultation with the student’s primary advisor and aligned with the goals and interests of the student. |
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