Music lessons & ensembles
The Music Department runs a large number of vocal and instrumental ensembles and offers private and small group instruction in voice and a wide variety of instruments for credit. Entering students generally register for lessons at the 100 level; only the most advanced and motivated first-years will be permitted to take lessons at the 200 level (consult instructor for placement).
An extra fee is charged for music lessons. Numerous scholarships are available. Entering students with prior musical experience are encouraged to audition for the Curd Scholarship at the start of the fall semester; continuing students compete for the Hill Scholarship in the spring; winners of both receive one year of free 30-minute lessons or discounted 60-minute lessons. Declared music majors automatically receive four semesters of free 30-minute lessons or discounted 60-minute lessons in the 3rd and 4th years. Students receiving financial aid should apply to the Office of Financial Aid for assistance with lesson fees. The Music Department also has a small amount of need-based scholarship aid available; apply to the Department Chair.
Important note about credits: Music lessons are not counted in the number of credits that determine whether a student has an "overload" (18 credits or above). Music ensemble credits ARE counted towards the overload, but do NOT count towards the major in music. It may be possible to participate in an ensemble without registering (with permission of instructor), however the Music Department does prefer students to register. Non-registered students are expected to be full participants, fulfilling the same expectations for attendance and commitment as registered students.
Introductory courses; non-majors
The Music Department offers three 100-level courses that require no previous background in music. Two are historical/cultural in emphasis: MUS 116 sharpens student's abilities to interpret music's complex interplay with other facets of culture, both western and non-western; MUS 110 provides a historical overview of Western classical music. Both courses require extensive listening to and reading, speaking, and writing about music. The third course, MUS 109, teaches the basics of music notation and music theory while developing practical skills. If the student has little background in music (especially if s/he cannot read or write music notation), but wants to take other music courses (especially MUS 112/111, music lessons, and/or ensembles), s/he should register first for MUS 109. Furthermore, MUS 201, 202, 203, 204, and 295 are often open to first-year students with no previous background in music; these are special topics courses whose prerequisites change depending on the topic. Qualified non-majors are welcome in all upper-level music courses.
The Major
A music major at Grinnell College encompasses a wide variety of pursuits. Potential majors are encouraged to meet with a member of the Music Department as soon as possible to develop a coherent curriculum that is tailored to their interests and abilities and leads them toward mastery in a particular area (e.g. Music History, Music Theory, Performance, Composition, Ethnomusicology, Jazz Studies, etc.) Please note that the 36 credits required for the major represent a minimum: students considering graduate study and/or a career in music will need to take additional coursework. Music majors are expected to participate in a department ensemble for at least two semesters (note that ensemble credits do not count towards the major).
The suggestions below identify the most efficient ways to satisfy prerequisites and the core major requirements and at the same time allow students the greatest range of specialized advanced courses. Students who intend to study abroad or double-major should pay particular attention to these suggestions.
The most important piece of advice is to take required theory/aural skills courses MUS 112/111 (a pre-requisite for most upper-level courses) and MUS 213/212 (a pre-requisite for required courses MUS 261-262 as well as MUS 217 and MUS 326) as soon as possible, preferably in the first year. Please note that MUS 213/212 is only offered in the spring. Therefore a student planning OCS in the Spring of the third year MUST take MUS 213/212 in the first or second year in order to graduate.
Prospective majors should also take MUS 261-262 as early as possible, preferably in the second year. Students planning a MAP in composition should take MUS 215 (fall only) and MUS 219 (spring only), or MUS 324 (fall only) or MUS 323 (spring only) in the second or third year.
The following diagrams show two possible four-year plans for completing the minimum requirements for a major in Music, with or without a semester of off-campus study:
Plan 1)
If the student is fluent in reading and notating music (see above), register in the first year for MUS 112/111 and MUS 213/212, then in the second year for MUS 261 and MUS 262. Prospective majors should also register for music lessons (MUS 120, 220, 221) and ensembles (MUS 101) (see below).
| FIRST YEAR FALL | FIRST YEAR SPRING |
| MUS 112/111 | MUS 213/212 |
| MUS 120 | MUS 120 |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| SECOND YEAR FALL | SECOND YEAR SPRING |
| MUS 261 | MUS 262 |
| MUS 120, 220, or 221 | MUS 120, 220, or 221 |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| THIRD YEAR FALL | THIRD YEAR SPRING |
| 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX | 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| or OCS* | or OCS* |
| *If doing OCS, take an additional 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX in the second (ideally) or third year. | |
| FOURTH YEAR FALL | FOURTH YEAR SPRING |
| 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX or 4XX | 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX or 4XX |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
Plan 2)
If the student waits until the second semester to enroll in MUS 112/111:
| FIRST YEAR FALL | FIRST YEAR SPRING |
| MUS 109 (if needed; does not count towards major) | MUS 112/111 |
| MUS 120 | MUS 120 |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| SECOND YEAR FALL | SECOND YEAR SPRING |
| MUS 201-4 or 215 | MUS 213/212 |
| MUS 120, 220, or 221 | MUS 120, 220, or 221 |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| THIRD YEAR FALL | THIRD YEAR SPRING |
| MUS 261 | MUS 262 |
| 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX (either fall or spring) | 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
| or OCS** | or OCS** |
| **if doing fall OCS, take MUS 261 in the fourth year instead; if doing spring OCS, take MUS 262 in the fourth year instead. Note that postponing MUS 261 and/or MUS 262 until the fourth year may eliminate the possibility of taking a MAP or seminar (MUS 322) in music history. | |
| FOURTH YEAR FALL | FOURTH YEAR SPRING |
| 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX or 4XX | 4 credits of MUS 2XX or 3XX or 4XX |
| MUS 101 | MUS 101 |
