The Pitt-Johnstown Music Department is proud to announce the availability of a music minor, starting in the fall of 2008.  The music minor consists of courses in both music performance and music lecture classes.  Students interesting in enrolling as a music minor should contact Prof. Webb via e-mail (jeffwebb@pitt.edu) or by phone at (814) 269-7155.

            The minor in music consists of 18 credits.  The credits are broken up into three different categories; Music Fundamentals, Music History, and Performance.  The distribution is as follows:

Music 413-Theory and Ear-Training 1

Music 414-Theory and Ear-Training 2

The students who wish to take these courses will have to be able to read/analyze music at a level of proficiency to be determined by a diagnostic exam.  If a student cannot read/analyze music at the required level, they will be placed in a new course entitled Music Rudiments (course number to be determined).  This course would work in a similar fashion to the way the Theory/Ear-Training 1 course currently works.  This course would assume no musical ability.  The course would introduce students to musical notation, rhythms, and articulations.  The course would not be included in the 6 fundamental credits for the minor, but would rather act as a General Education requirement course.

            The music history portion of the music minor would focus on music in Western Culture.  Unlike in the past, the ability to read music is a prerequisite for these courses. 

History of Western Art Music to 1750

History of Western Art Music since 1750

            This portion of the music minor is broken into two components; ensemble participation and private lessons.  At its core, music is a performance-driven medium.  It is important that students who wish to study music have sufficient outlets to practice and perform on their instruments.

The Pitt-Johnstown Concert Choir

The Pitt-Johnstown Concert Band

The Pitt-Johnstown Women’s Chorus

Private Lessons- 3 credits (each course garners 1 credit hr. per semester)

Voice

Piano

Woodwinds

(other instrument families as needed)