Minor in Music: Literature

Course Overview

The minor in music literature is distributed across applied study (private lessons), music theory, music history, piano, and ensembles. You will complete MUHI 200 Gateway to Music History and additional upper level music history or literature courses that deepen your understanding of major style periods, genres, and composers. Alongside these history and literature classes, you will take foundational work in music theory and sight singing/ear training, as well as group or secondary piano, so that you can read and analyze scores with confidence. Applied lessons and participation in appropriate ensembles connect what you learn in the classroom with live performance and active listening across a variety of repertoires.

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What You’ll Learn

Build a broad overview of Western art music history through MUHI 200 and additional literature or period based courses, exploring how musical styles evolve over time. Study specific genres, composers, or style periods in greater depth, using scores, recordings, and scholarly writings to understand how pieces are constructed and received. Strengthen your theoretical and aural skills through courses such as MUST 101 Sight Singing and Ear Training and introductory music theory, improving your ability to follow and analyze what you hear. Develop functional piano skills that support basic score reading and rehearsal at the keyboard, reinforcing your work in theory and literature. Connect classroom learning to performance through applied lessons and ensembles, experiencing the repertoire you study from both performer and listener perspectives. Practice critical listening, score study, and writing about music, helping you articulate informed perspectives on style, structure, and cultural context.

What Majors Pair with This Minor

Because it focuses on listening, context, and musicianship rather than intensive performance or composition, the Music Literature minor pairs well with many arts or history related majors. It is especially useful for students who want to ground their performing, teaching, or creative work in a strong understanding of repertoire.

Common pairings include:

• Majors in areas such as Theatre, Dance, or Art, for students interested in how music interacts with other performing and visual arts traditions.
• Humanities fields like History, English, or World Languages, where students may connect musical works to broader cultural, literary, and historical movements.