Undergraduate Studies in Music
Welcome to the Department of Music at Stanford University.
We invite all Stanford students to pursue their musical explorations in an environment rich in talent and knowledge through programs that focus on students’ interests in fields such as performance, composition, theory, conducting, history, and computer music.
The Music Major is a comprehensive series of courses that builds a solid foundation in music. Within the major, the Music, Science, and Technology specialization provides a well-rounded education by offering the same core of essential music courses in addition to more technology-based courses. We also offer a Music Minor, which provides a well-rounded education that establishes both a foundation for an informed appreciation of music and a basis for further study.
The Department of Music welcomes all students to participate in the Department’s offerings regardless of their major. We strive to offer students an exciting setting in which they can continue enriching their lives through music in a wide variety of disciplines while at Stanford and beyond.
Programs of Study
The Music Major
The undergraduate major in Music is built around a series of courses in theory, musicianship, analysis, and music history, as well as performance (both individual and ensemble) and piano proficiency requirements. Our program is rooted in the Western, classical tradition; however, courses in modern composition and theory and jazz theory and history are available as well. Students may also choose to concentrate in one of four areas (performance, conducting, composition, history/theory), should they wish to study any particular discipline in more depth.
The Piano Proficiency Examination is an important aspect of the Music Major. For information about what is expected, please download the Piano Proficiency Examination. You will need a Stanford ID and password to access this document.
Prospective majors are urged to consult a department major advisor as early as possible to plan a program that allows sufficient time for major coursework, practice, and University General Education Requirements
Contact the Undergraduate
Student Services Officer (
)
for current information on required courses, recommended schedules, and
other details of the music major.
Music, Science & Technology Major (MST)
The specialization in Music, Science, and Technology (MST) is designed for those students with a strong interest in the rapidly evolving realm of computer music technology, digital audio, and signal processing, and in the acoustic and psychoacoustic foundations of music. The program entails course work and faculty-supervised research projects in the highly multidisciplinary environment of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). This program can serve as a complementary major to students interested in science and engineering. Additional information on the MST program is available by contacting CCRMA:
Doreen B. Townsend Center for
Computer Research in Music and Acoustics
tel: 650.723.4971
fax: 650.723.8468
email: info@ccrma.stanford.edu
Music Minor / Minor In Music, Science and Technology
The minor in Music or in MST provides students with a core of essential courses in music that will establish a foundation for informed appreciation of music and a basis for further study, should the student wish to pursue it. To declare a minor, follow the declaration procedures outlined in the Stanford Bulletin or the quarterly Time Schedule.
The Double Major
In any given year, 15-20 percent of students majoring in Music simultaneously pursue a major in another department. Please consult the Degree Requirements section in the Stanford Bulletin for University guidelines regarding the declaration of multiple majors. While completing a double major is certainly possible, it does require extra planning, and we strongly recommend that students speak with their advisors in both majors before declaring.
Concentration Program
Concentrations are offered in performance, composition, conducting, history, and theory. Each requires six additional course units of coursework in the concentration area beyond the basic Music Major requirements. During their senior year, concentrators must also register for a 4-unit, faculty-supervised independent project, culminating in a recital, composition, conducting project, or a research paper. Concentration projects are reviewed by a committee of faculty members who give their approval for successful completion of the concentration, and who may or may not recommend that the concentrator receive the distinction of Honors in Music.
Honors
Honors in Music is awarded by the faculty to concentrators who have produced an independent project of exceptional, graduate-level quality. Conferral of honors is done solely through faculty consultation. Students do not need to apply or petition for honors.
Advising
Each newly declared Music major is assigned an advisor who aids the student in mapping out a course of study that satisfies both University and major requirements. The student-advisor relationship is an extremely important one that gives the student an opportunity to express intellectual concerns and discuss academic interests with someone who knows a great deal about music. Students must meet with their advisors at least once per quarter to have their study lists approved.
- For more information about the Department of Music and its programs,
call 650.725.1932 or email the Undergraduate
Student Services Officer:
- To declare a Music major, use AXESS and make an appointment with the Undergraduate Student Services Officer or by calling 650.725.1932
Your Postgraduate Life
Students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies should consult their advisor, departmental graduate students, and the Undergraduate Advising Center located in Sweet Hall. Peterson’s Guide to Graduate Study is a valuable resource for information on different programs and schools, as are the individual catalogues of various institutions. Requests for applications are accepted in the Autumn quarter and require a great deal of organization to complete and track. Be sure to ask for as much information as you feel you need, e.g., financial aid, housing, etc.
Any student applying for graduate school should expect to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and possibly other examinations related to the individual program. Students should take the GRE early in the year in order for the results to reach the schools to which they are applying in time. Be prepared to request recommendations early in the year from your professors for your graduate school applications. You may also be required to audition, send recordings and/or scores, enclose research papers, or submit a portfolio.
For students interested in entering the work force, the possibilities for Music majors include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Lessons and Scholarships
Sign Up for Private Lessons (Applied Music)
Many Stanford students (including non-Music majors) want to take music lessons with our outstanding faculty. Fees for lessons are $400 per quarter for non-majors, and $200 per quarter for Music majors. If you are new to Stanford, you will have to audition, regardless of whether or not you submitted a supplemental audition. Be prepared to play etudes, a sonata, a concerto excerpt, or anything else that demonstrates your abilities. Consult the Proficiency Requirements to see if you currently play at the minimum level at which we expect students to perform. To sign up for lessons in winter or spring quarter, you must contact the faculty member directly or check with staff in the department office to see if there is room in the studio.
To qualify for the lower lesson fees available for Music majors, you must not only be a declared Music major, but also be currently enrolled in, or have completed the first sequence of the core courses, or you must obtain written permission from the Undergraduate Student Services Officer and/or your academic advisor.
Bills for lessons are prepared in the department and sent through Student
Financial Services about six weeks into the quarter. Questions about bills
should be directed to Nette Worthey()
in the Music Office, not to
Student Financial Services.
Note that no refunds are given for lessons dropped after the deadlines listed. You must fill out a drop form (available from your instructor), give it to the Student Services Officer, AND drop the course on AXESS by the deadline to obtain a refund. Otherwise, you will be charged—no exceptions.
Apply for Scholarships (Applied Music Awards)
Scholarships are available for currently enrolled Stanford students to assist those who would otherwise be unable to afford private instruction. The Friends of Music at Stanford and other private donors have raised funds for full scholarships (for majors) and partial scholarships (for non-majors). Please do not apply unless you honestly need the assistance, as doing so reduces the pool of funds available to students in need and results in smaller awards for everyone.
If you are not eligible for need-based assistance, there are some other scholarship categories available, such as Music in Medicine, designed to encourage pre-med and medical students to continue their study of music, and Engineers in the Arts. Please use the appropriate application for each award.
Applications are available in the gray carousel in front of the Music Office, and should be returned to the main office (Braun 101) no later than the third Friday of the quarter (see due date on application). Applicants must follow all application requirements, including the writing of quarterly thank-you notes. Declared Music majors who apply for assistance in Autumn quarter and will be taking lessons all year need only apply in Autumn; other students, and majors who apply in Winter and Spring, must apply each quarter.
Performance Opportunities
Recitals
Students taking departmental lessons have the opportunity to perform in academic (Music major senior recitals) and non-academic recitals. As most senior recitals take place in the Spring quarter, informal (or non-academic) recitals are generally limited to Autumn and Winter quarters. Students may share recitals as well. For detailed guidelines, please see the Scheduling Recitals section of our website.
Ensembles
The Department boasts a variety of student vocal and instrumental ensembles. Membership is open to all students regardless of major; however everyone must audition. Groups hold auditions every Autumn quarter; schedules are posted outside the Music Office. If you would like to join an ensemble during the year, contact the ensemble director for audition information and to see if there is space available.
Signups for audition times for ALL ensembles and private studios for the 2006–07 school year will take place starting Thursday and Friday September 21st and 22nd, and Monday and Tuesday, September 25th and 26th in the courtyard of Braun Music Center. All students are required to audition for ensembles; returning students should ask their instructors whether auditions for private instruction are necessary or not. Auditions will be mostly held September 26–28. For more details, please visit the Main Office (Braun 101), open 8 am–noon, and 1–4 pm.
Listed below are the principal instrumental and vocal ensembles at Stanford. Each is open to all qualified Stanford students; some are also open to members of the community. Visit the Ensembles section to learn more about rehearsal and performance schedules, audition requirements, and minimum proficiency levels for each group. To determine eligibility for academic credit, please see the Department of Music portion of the Stanford Bulletin.
Choral Ensembles- Chamber Chorale
- Early Music Singers
- Memorial Church Choir
- Symphonic Chorus
- University Singers
- Stanford Symphony Orchestra
- Stanford Wind Ensemble
- Stanford Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos
- Chamber Music Groups
- Stanford Taiko
- Flute Ensemble
Other Ensembles (Links to Non-Departmental Groups)
These are some of the non-Music Department groups that have auditions in the fall quarter. For more information, look in the Stanford Directories
- Mariachi Cardenal de Stanford
- A Cappella Groups
- Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band
Services and Resources
Music Students Association
The Music Students Association (MSA) is the body through which students communicate with faculty, administration, and one another concerning improvement of music programs and ensembles at Stanford. Every Stanford student who takes classes or lessons, or who participates in Department of Music ensembles, is automatically a member and is entitled to vote in the MSA elections.
The MSA sponsors noon-time recitals, a series of musicology colloquia, and social gatherings. It also provides student representatives for various department committees. Notice of MSA meetings is posted in the department and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you have questions or would like to be involved, ask for further information in the Department office.
Music Library
The Music Library supports music research, composition and performance at Stanford with a collection of 110,000 books and scores, 34,000 sound and video recordings, 9,000 microforms, and several hundred active periodical subscriptions. Most of Stanford's rare music materials form the Memorial Library of Music, housed in the Green Library Department of Special Collections. Some music books and recordings are also located in the Green Library stacks and the Media/Microtext Center.
Music Library hours during the academic year are:
Monday–Thursday, 9am–10pm
Friday. 9am–5pm
Saturday, 1pm–5pm
Sunday, 1pm–10pm
Hours for intersessions and holidays are posted spearately on the Music Library's website, as is information on access, borrowing, course reserves and more.
Archive of Recorded Sound
300,000 recordings in the Archive of Recorded Sound make it one of the five largest archives of its kind in the United States. From wax cylinders to compact discs, the collection reflects the entirety of recorded sound history. See the archive's website for information on hours, listening appointments, and research consultations.
Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA)
The acronym “CCRMA” (pronounced like “karma”) refers to Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, one of the most important organizations of its kind in the world. Located at the Knoll, CCRMA offers classroom and practical instruction in every aspect of computer-generated sound and composition. 650.723.4971 or visit the CCRMA website for information.
Center for Computer-Assisted Research in the Humanities (CCARH)
Located in Braun Music Center, Room 129, the Center for Computer-Assisted Research in the Humanities (CCARH) is a pioneer in the field of large-scale databases for music research. Since 1984, CCARH has been developing databases of musical information and has compiled electronic scores for the works of J.S. Bach, Handel, and many others. CCARH offers courses in music information processing, with an associated lab available for student use. Call 650.725.9240 for information.
Borrow an Instrument
If you play in a department ensemble or are taking lessons with Department of Music faculty and need an instrument, you may be able to borrow one from our collection. A recommendation is required from your teacher or conductor. The curator of our general collection, and of the Harry R. Lange Special Collection, is Herb Myers in room 217 of the Braun Music Center. He can also be reached at 650.723.0635 or 650.854.1447.
Friends of Music
Friends of Music (FoM) is a community-based volunteer support organization for the Department of Music. Its members work to raise funds for scholarships for student music lessons and for other department programs and needs. FOM also serves as a liaison to the community, promoting the activities of the department with outreach programs such as the Faculty Showcase series and the Pied Piper Concerts for children. Friends of Music needs student volunteers, and we hope students will help if called on, as FoM’s work benefits us all. Contact the Friends’ office for more information at 650.723.1780 or by email.
Concert Recordings
Tapes and CDs from all concerts are available for a small fee. Please order your recording in advance of the concert. It takes about two weeks to get a copy of the concert tape. Forms are in the gray carousel in front of the Music Office (Braun 101).
