The Music Major

Set within a vibrant liberal arts environment, the music BA at Geneseo emphasizes a combination of broad ranging and critical inquiry, applied learning, and artistic growth. The department offers a single Music BA with every student majoring in music selecting one of the four primary tracks listed below. All BA tracks consist of the same series of core courses in addition to more specialized electives in each area. 

In addition, the Music program at Geneseo offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of areas of study whether as tracks in the Music BA, academic minors, or certificate programs. Certificate programs may be combined  or "stacked" and completed en route to the Music BA by selecting the HiTEC track within the major.

Music BA Learning Outcomes

All students completing the Music BA, regardless of the specific track they select, will demonstrate the following upon completion of their coursework in music.

  • I. Formal Understanding: Students will be able to hear, identify, and symbolically analyze the formal rudiments of music, including rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and form.

  • II. Historical Understanding: Students will be able to identify and describe the characteristic features of various musical styles and practices and the ways these shaped and were shaped by broader historical and social contexts.

  • III. Communication: Students will be able to critically evaluate, develop, research, and defend arguments about music in both formal and informal settings.

  • IV. Difference and Power: Students will be able to identify and articulate the ways that difference and power shape musical practice and values in specific socio-historical contexts.

  • V. Performance: Students will demonstrate technical, interpretive, and collaborative aspects of music performance on their primary instrument or voice.

Music BA, Major Tracks

Music Minors and Certificate Programs