Minor in Music: Symphonic Instruments or Guitar

Course Overview

The minor in symphonic instruments or guitar is built around applied study on your primary instrument, ensemble participation, and core musicianship courses in theory, aural skills, music history, and piano. You will take a sequence of private lessons (MUSP 203 Minor Study) that focuses on technique, tone production, and stylistic development for orchestral instruments or classical guitar. Supporting coursework includes sight singing and ear training, introductory music theory, and a gateway music history course that broadens your understanding of musical style and context. You will also participate in large and small ensembles appropriate to your instrument, and you will complete recital attendance and performance requirements tracked through MUSC 499 Recital in your final semester of the minor.

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What You’ll Learn

Develop solid technical and musical skills on your primary symphonic instrument or guitar through individualized applied study and regular performance evaluations. Strengthen your understanding of music theory, including scales, chords, harmonic progressions, and formal structures that support confident practicing, ensemble work, and score study. Improve aural skills in sight singing and ear training, helping you internalize pitch, rhythm, and melodic patterns and respond more quickly in rehearsal and performance. Gain historical and stylistic perspective through MUHI 200 Gateway to Music History (or an equivalent survey), connecting your repertoire to broader musical traditions. Build ensemble skills in both large and small groups, including blend, balance, intonation, and section leadership, with specific options for winds, brass, percussion, strings, guitar, and related areas. Enhance keyboard or functional piano skills through group piano or secondary piano study, supporting score reading, warm up routines, and basic rehearsal at the keyboard.

What Majors Pair with This Minor

Because it combines focused applied lessons with flexible ensemble and elective options, the Symphonic Instruments or Guitar minor pairs well with a wide range of majors. It works especially well for students who want to keep performing at a high level while pursuing another primary field of study.

Common pairings include:

• Majors in areas such as Theatre, Dance, or Musical Theatre, where strong instrumental performance can support pit orchestra work, collaborative projects, or interdisciplinary performance.
• Non music majors in fields like Business, Communication, or STEM who want structured, credit bearing study on their instrument while developing creativity, discipline, and collaborative skills.
• Humanities and arts majors (such as Art, English, or History) who are active performers and want ensemble participation and private lessons to remain a consistent part of their undergraduate experience.