Rutgers New Brunswick: Music Minor Available?

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a minor in music for students enrolled in schools other than the Mason Gross School of the Arts. The minor in music requires students to complete 18 credits in music through Mason Gross, including 6 credits in music theory, 6 credits in music history, and 6 elective credits in music. The Mason Gross School of the Arts offers a comprehensive music program with areas of concentration such as performance, music education, jazz studies, and composition. The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) also offers a music major for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Music minor requirements

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a minor in music for students enrolled in schools other than the Mason Gross School of the Arts who are not pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music. The minor in music requires students to complete 18 credits in music through Mason Gross.

The music minor requirements are as follows:

• At least 6 credits in music theory (e.g. 07:700:103, 104 or 07:700:133 Introduction to Music Theory).
• At least 6 credits in music history (e.g. 07:700:101, 102, or 07:700:131 Introduction to Music History).
• 6 elective credits in music, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Students can satisfy the elective requirements by taking further courses in music theory or music history, by participating in ensembles, or by taking approved music-related courses from other departments. At least 6 of the 18 credits required for the minor must be completed at Rutgers.

Students must receive a minimum grade of C in each required course to declare the minor. They may transfer up to six credits from another institution towards the completion of the minor, pending a review of the syllabus from the previous institution.

Music technology minor

Rutgers University's School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) offers a minor in music technology. The minor is open to students in schools other than the Mason Gross School of the Arts who are not pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree or a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music. The Mason Gross School of the Arts offers a comprehensive music program within the context of a public research university. The music technology program explores the intersection of music and technology in the areas of creativity, education, and performance. It fosters research in emerging technologies and technology-based performance practices and provides students with the technical skills they need to succeed as professional musicians in the 21st century.

The minor in music technology combines theoretical concepts in scientific, technical, and musical subjects with practical applications. Courses are offered in recording arts, digital audio composition, electronic music history, interactive music, and instrument design. The program requirements include:

• Introduction to Music Theory or above (3 credits)
• Making Music with Computers: Introduction to Digital Audio (3 credits)
• Digital Audio Composition (3 credits)
• Art of Production I: Recording (3 credits)
• Art of Production II: Mixing (3 credits)
• Advanced technology elective (3 credits) - choose one of the following:
• Interactive Computer Music
• Electroacoustic Musical Instrument Design

Students must receive a minimum grade of C in each required course to declare the minor. They may transfer up to six credits from another institution towards the completion of the minor, pending a review of the syllabus from the previous institution.

The facilities used in the program include the Sharon A. Fordham Multimedia Lab Classroom, located in the Mabel Smith Douglass Library, and the Robert E. Mortensen Hall Technology Suite and Recording Studio. The music technology area also presents the annual New Jersey Digital Audio Concert, which features performances of computer-based music by Rutgers students, faculty, and guest artists. Additionally, the Rutgers Interactive Music Ensemble, a performance ensemble that incorporates a wide range of musical technologies combining acoustic instruments and electronically generated sound, presents concerts at Douglass Library and Shindell Choral Hall.

Music major requirements

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in music through the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Students enrolled in the SAS must also complete its core requirements and a minor. Students enrolled in the School of Business, the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and the School of Engineering may complete the major in music in addition to their school of enrollment.

The BA in music requires students to complete 41 credits in music through the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Students gain a strong understanding of the fundamentals of music within the context of a broad education across multiple disciplines. To declare the BA in music, students must complete basic courses in music theory. An audition is not required for the BA or minor in music.

The music department at Rutgers offers a comprehensive music program within the context of a public research university. The degree programs prepare students to achieve excellence and professional success as creative artists, teachers, and scholars. The diversity of faculty specializations within the school provides a breadth of expertise rarely encountered in other programs.

Areas of concentration include performance with specializations in voice, keyboard, and orchestral instruments; music education; jazz studies; and composition. Students in performance and jazz are trained for professional careers as performers and educators. Students in composition are also prepared for professional careers as composers and educators. Students in music education graduate with certification to teach music in New Jersey public schools and receive extensive training in an instrument or voice. All four undergraduate areas provide rigorous instruction in music theory and history, as well as performance/composition, and are complemented by core requirements in the liberal arts.

To apply, applicants must submit the Mason Gross supplemental application and complete an audition and interview.

Music BA requirements

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a BA with a major in music through its School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Students enrolled in SAS must also complete its core curriculum and a minor.

The BA in music requires students to complete 41 credits in music through the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Students gain a strong understanding of the fundamentals of music within the context of a broad education across multiple disciplines. To declare the BA in music, students must complete basic courses in music theory. An audition is not required for the BA or minor in music.

The minor in music is open to students in schools other than the Mason Gross School of the Arts who are not pursuing the BA with a major in music, and to Mason Gross students who are not pursuing the bachelor of music degree. The minor in music requires students to complete 18 credits in music through Mason Gross. Students declare the minor through their school of enrollment.

The music minor consists of at least 18 credits, distributed as follows:

• At least 6 credits in music theory (e.g. 07:700:103, 104)
• At least 6 credits in music history (e.g. 07:700:101, 102)
• 6 elective credits in music, to be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor

Music BM requirements

The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University offers a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree with concentrations in Music Education, Performance, Jazz Studies, and Composition. The BM degree is a professionally oriented conservatory program that provides students with a holistic musical education. The curriculum prepares students for professional careers as performers, composers, and educators, with rigorous instruction in music theory, history, and performance/composition, complemented by core liberal arts requirements.

Music Education Concentration

The Music Education concentration focuses on developing PreK-12 music educators with the skills and knowledge needed for 21st-century music teaching. The program includes courses in music education, performance study (private lessons and ensembles), music history, music theory, ear training, and liberal arts. Students complete practicums in local schools and graduate with a Music Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing from the state of New Jersey, enabling them to pursue careers as music teachers.

Performance Concentration

The Performance concentration offers a rich curriculum that includes performance practice, private instruction, practical research, and hands-on training. Students receive weekly lessons with their major performance teacher and participate in ensembles and recitals. The music theory curriculum emphasizes aural skills, analytical techniques, and tonal harmony and counterpoint writing. The history curriculum includes Western art music and ethnomusicology.

Jazz Studies Concentration

The Jazz Studies concentration, located less than an hour from New York City and Philadelphia, offers students performance opportunities and access to renowned faculty and venues in these cities. The curriculum includes jazz theory, improvisation, composition, keyboard, and private lessons with renowned jazz musicians and educators. Students are prepared for professional careers in jazz and commercial music.

Composition Concentration

The Composition concentration prepares students for careers in contemporary concert music, film and media scoring, and teaching. The program nurtures students' creative abilities and helps them develop their voices within the contemporary music world. Students gain hands-on experience through performances of their compositions by orchestras, opera workshops, and multimedia concerts. They also receive mentorship in career development to prepare for professional composition careers.

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