A Major in Music with a concentration in Liturgical Music prepares students to work as church music directors. This concentration provides students the experience of working with pastors, choirs and congregations, building their skills and talents as future musicians and directors.
Conducting a choir or a congregation requires verbal and non-verbal communication skills, musical and liturgical knowledge, and a generosity of spirit—things that aid in leading and engaging others in worship. This major, while concentrating in the Roman Catholic tradition, will also prepare students for work in other Christian denominations, mainline Protestant and Orthodox, as they will study these different liturgical traditions, as well as their works of sacred music.
Building upon the solid curricular foundation already established in the Music program, this new major combines the study of sacred text and song, imagery, melody and rhythm. It is inherently a portrayal of interdisciplinary drawing from both the disciplines of theology and music.
Curriculum
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MUSC 144 | Music Theory I 1, 2, 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 145 | Musicianship Lab I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 244 | Music Theory II 1, 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 245 | Musicianship Lab II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 344 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUSC 252 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSC 353 | Music History II | 3 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 6 |
| Chorus (One Each) | |
| Liturgical Choir: Cantorum (Three Semesters) (One Each) | |
| Chamber Choir (One Each) | |
| MUSC 255 | Music in Catholic Worship | 3 |
| MUSC 333 | Music and Ritual in Catholic Liturgical Life | 3 |
| MUSC 394 | Internship in Music | 3 |
| 3 |
| Conducting | |
| Jazz Improvisation | |
| Composition I | |
| Applied Music: Organ (three semesters if not student's primary instrument) | |
| MUSC 387 | Solo Recital: MUSC Capstone | 1 |
| or MUSC 388 | Lecture/Recital: MUSC Capstone |
| Total Hours | 42 |
Applied Music Lessons
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate:
- a thorough understanding of the basic elements related to music theory: rhythm, melody, and harmony.
- an understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures; and the ability to employ this understanding in written and verbal analyses.
- proficiency in the basic areas of musicianship: keyboard, aural skills, and sight-singing.
- a basic knowledge of music history resulting, in part, from score analysis, dedicated listening, and concert attendance.
- the ability to apply critical thinking towards music and its contextualization.
- the technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression.
- the knowledge and skills necessary to work collaboratively as part of a musical ensemble.
- the development of metacognitive skills.
- a working knowledge of the artistic considerations necessary to produce and perform a solo recital (capstone project)
