2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Music >
Lecturer Joel Larue Smith, Director of Jazz Activities; jazz
composition, theory, and performance
Lecturer Michael Ullman, music history: blues and jazz
Research Professor/Rabbi Jeffrey Summit,
ethnomusicology
Music plays an essential role in a liberal arts college
education. Musical studies integrate mind, body,
and spirit. Students who study music in college
prepare themselves for a lifelong appreciation of
the musical arts. The faculty of the Department of
Music guides students along a rigorous yet joyful
pursuit of knowledge in the following fields:
instrumental/ensemble performance, theory of
music, history of music, social/cultural musical
context, and music composition. Music studies are
interdisciplinary, drawing on other disciplines in
the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics,
sciences, and engineering. Studies in music teach
transferable skills of value for careers in the
professions and business.
The Department of Music offers courses in the
disciplines of composition, ethnomusicology,
musicology, performance, and music theory. Our
curriculum is inclusive and diverse, with emphasis
on the traditions of Western classical music,
American music (especially African American music
and jazz), and world music (especially African
and Middle Eastern music). Individual study of
instrumental and vocal performance and participation
in performing ensembles is enthusiastically
endorsed; students may earn academic credit for
these musical activities.
The Music Department’s flexible program
serves (a) those students who would choose music
as a major or minor, and (b) all students seeking to
develop their musical knowledge and/or performance
skills. Students may major in music, double
major in music and another field, or minor in
music. Music courses fulfill many requirements (arts
distribution, world civilizations, international
relations, American studies, and several interdisciplinary
minors). The courses, programs, and
facilities of the Music Department are open to all
members of the Tufts community.
PERFORMANCE OPPortunitieS
The Music Department provides students the
opportunity for private study of instrumental and
vocal performance with the outstanding faculty in
our performance music program. Lessons may be
taken for half credit (0.5) or not for credit (NC).
A fee of $700 (2013–14) is required; beginning in
the junior year, students majoring or minoring in
music are eligible for a ninety-percent tuition
waiver for two semesters. For detailed information,
contact Edith Auner, Coordinator of Performance,
at 617-627-5616.
Faculty in the Department of Music teach a
diverse variety of courses in ensemble performance,
including African Music Ensemble (Kiniwe),
Arabic Music Ensemble, chamber ensembles,
Chamber Singers, Tufts Concert Choir, Early
Music Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Gospel Choir,
Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, Tufts Jazz Orchestra,
Jazz Improvisation Ensembles, New Music
Ensemble, Opera Ensemble, Pep Band, Tufts
Symphony Orchestra, and University Wind
Ensemble. Enrollment in performing groups
requires audition; contact the Department office for
audition information, 617-627-3564. Musical
excellence is highly valued, but membership is more
inclusive than in music conservatories.
UNDERGRADUATE concentrATION
REQUIREMENTS
The curriculum required of music majors provides
a rigorous, balanced exposure to the essential fields
in liberal arts music studies, including composition,
ethnomusicology, musicology, performance, and
theory. Normally, students declare the major in
music and choose a member of the full-time faculty
as major advisor during the spring semester of the
sophomore year. Students obtain the necessary
signatures for declaration of major forms and
change of advisor forms at the Department office.
Undergraduate students who major in music are
required to take eleven courses in the Department.
Students considering graduate studies in music or
careers in music are advised to take additional
courses beyond the eleven required for the major;
please see your advisor for a list of specific recommendations.
No course may be used to fulfill more
than one requirement in the major, though some
performance and composition courses may be
repeated for credit.
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