Music Performance, Minor

Program Code: MUSIC_UMNR

Program Description

The minor in music performance serves a wide variety of needs among the students who elect it. Those who have studied voice or an instrument through their high school years may pursue that study at a more advanced level. Participants in bands, orchestras, and choirs want to continue that activity at a higher level. Some find the minor an important adjunct to other studies such as speech pathology and audiology, speech communication, or broadcasting. This minor provides students in very demanding majors to build music performance into their lives as a balancing influence.

What is Music?

Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni said “music is sonorous air.” A more scientific definition might be “sounds organized in time.” With a history that likely pre-dates language, music is an in integral part of all societies for expression, communication and the fostering of community. In the words of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, “without music, life would be a mistake.”

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You studied music and performed in ensembles before college and want to continue study of your instrument/voice and performing.
  • You will be pursuing a non-music degree, but can see that music will be a life-long passion.

Entrance to Minor

Admission to the minor depends upon a successful performance audition.

Additional Information

For more specific information on entrance procedures, please visit the website for the College of Arts and Architecture.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 21

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 8 credits in applied music through Level IV: Primary8
Select 4 credits in ensembles4
Select 3 credits of electives in MUSIC3
Select 6 credits at the 400 level in MUSIC6

Learning Outcomes

Performing skills on chosen instrument/voice to present accurate and artistic performances.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Margaret Higgins
Academic Adviser
104 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9523
mah68@psu.edu

Career Paths

A minor in music performance lays the foundation for graduates to integrate their love and knowledge of music into any career path. 

Careers

When paired with the student’s primary area of study, this minor develops a unique skill set for every individual that may be applied in almost any career field. 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

SCHOOL OF MUSIC
233 Music Building I
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0431
music-ug-adm@psu.edu

https://arts.psu.edu/academics/school-of-music/