Music Minor
Introduction
Canisius University offers a minor in Music for those students who wish to build on an established background as well as those new to the study of music. This minor allows students to complement their major studies in other academic departments with the study of music; its history, the "toolkit" needed to listen to and appreciate music from a range of cultures, and an opportunity to develop a well-rounded enjoyment of it.
Music courses inspire students to continue their interests in music performance from their middle and high school years, and foster a deeper appreciation for the range of music they will encounter through their lives. Participation in the three student ensembles (Choral, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble) and/or taking lessons with local professional musicians will allow them to continue or create connections to music and with fellow musicians.
Additionally, a music minor is an advantage to students seeking employment in many fields including education, marketing, digital media arts, strategic communications, and audio production.
ADVISEMENT
All students should have an advisor in the minor and should contact the Program Director of the Fine Arts Programs directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. All minors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their minor electives, developing their entire academic program, and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum. If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner. Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.
To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.
Curriculum
The music minor enables students majoring in other academic departments to complement their studies with the study of music. The 18-credit program includes courses in theory and music history and can include music performance.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FAM 115 | Fundamentals of Music 1 | 3 |
| FAM 119 | Masterpieces of Music | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| History of Rock and Roll | ||
| World Musics | ||
| America's Music | ||
| Canisius and the BPO Experience | ||
| Women in Music | ||
| Music of the Baroque Period | ||
| 19th Century Music | ||
| Art Music from 1900 to the Present | ||
| The World of Music Theater | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
Any combination of FAM courses, music ensembles and music lessons | ||
| Music Technology 2 | ||
| Digital Audio/Music Production 2 | ||
HON 322 | ||
| Art Song | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Courses
FAM 115 Fundamentals of Music 3 Credits
Basic elements of music, its terms, and its notation including pitch, rhythm, chords, dynamics, tempo, and other aspects. Students will gain familiarity with the piano keyboard.
Prerequisite: none.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: fall, spring & summer.
FAM 119 Masterpieces of Music 3 Credits
A survey of Western art music from medieval Gregorian chant to the present, including the study of musical elements, historical background, musical style, and masterworks of various periods.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts), Global Awareness
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 122 History of Rock and Roll 3 Credits
A survey of the history of rock and roll and its impact on American and world culture. The musical and cultural roots of rock and roll and the evolution of the style over several decades will be examined.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: Occasionally.
FAM 123 World Musics 3 Credits
Survey course, including folk, traditional, and art music of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North and South America. Classes include listening and videos with the study of instruments, dances, songs, and rhythms of these cultures.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts), Global Awareness
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 124 America's Music 3 Credits
Music made or continuously used by Americans up to the present: sacred congregational music, vernacular music, African-American music, and cultivated traditions. Historical and sociological development of folk, jazz, and popular music as uniquely American.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: spring & summer.
FAM 126 Music Performance 1 Credit
Half-hour private lessons designed for all levels of experience are offered in piano, organ, harp, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and conducting. For music majors, music minors, education majors with a music concentration, and music scholarship winners (no fee).
Prerequisite: permission of department chair; limited to music majors, music minors, music scholarship students, & music education students with a concentration in music.
FAM 130 America's Music 3 Credits
This course introduces students to music made or continuously used by Americans up to the present: sacred congregational music, vernacular music, African-American music, and cultivated traditions. The historical and sociological development of folk, jazz, and popular music as uniquely American music will also be studied. This course is 100% online. (Field 3)
Offered: every fall, spring, & summer.
FAM 171 Chorale 0 Credits
A mixed-voice singing group that performs repertoire in both the classical and popular styles (Same as FAM 181 except for 0 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 172 Jazz Ensemble 0 Credits
Jazz ensemble that plays a wide range of music from Count Basie to Maynard Ferguson and everything in between (Same as FAM 182 except for 0 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 174 Chamber Orchestra 0 Credits
Chamber orchestra that performs a wide range of orchestral literature from the Baroque period through the 20th century. Concert programs provide students with wide experiences in the orchestral arts (Same as FAM 184 except for 0 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 181 Chorale 1 Credit
A mixed-voice singing group that performs repertoire in both the classical and popular styles (Same as FAM 171 except for 1 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 182 Jazz Ensemble 1 Credit
Jazz ensemble that plays a wide range of music from Count Basie to Maynard Ferguson and everything in between (Same as FAM 172 except for 1 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 184 Chamber Orchestra 1 Credit
Chamber orchestra that performs a wide range of orchestral literature from the Baroque period through the 20th century. Concert programs provide students with wide experiences in the orchestral arts. (Same as FAM 174 except for 1 credit).
Offered: fall & spring.
FAM 212 Canisius and the BPO Experience 3 Credits
Classes meet at both Canisius University and Kleinhans Music Hall as students study music on stage, behind the scenes, and in the orchestral repertory with Canisius University faculty, BPO conductors, soloists, and managers.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts), Global Awareness
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 213 Women in Music 3 Credits
Roles of women composers and performers in art music from the time of ancient Greece through the present as they struggle to break the confines of traditional gender roles to gain equal representation and recognition.
Fulfills College Core: Diversity, Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 217 Music of the Baroque Period 3 Credits
A study of Western art music of the Baroque period (1600-1750) beginning with the early operatic works of Monteverdi and concluding with the mature masterpieces of Bach and Handel. Many different instrumental and vocal genres are covered in this course, including concerto, sonata, suite, opera, cantata, and oratorio.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts), Global Awareness
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 219 19th Century Music 3 Credits
Great composers of the Romantic period, including their lives, selected works, musical style, and influence.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts), Global Awareness
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 220 Art Music from 1900 to the Present 3 Credits
Covers impressionism in music, which ushers in the twentieth century, European music 1910-1945, American music, and new music since 1945.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 223 The World of Music Theater 3 Credits
The course covers basic elements of the history of musical theater: its beginnings, how it has evolved, comparison of past and current trends, performers – past and present, styles of music used, lyrics. It also explores how music theater mirrors, imitates, comments, or predicts current world affairs.
Fulfills College Core: Field 3 (Literature and the Arts)
Offered: occasionally.
FAM 226 Music Performance 2 Credits
Half-hour private lessons designed for all levels of experience are offered in piano, organ, harp, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and conducting. For music majors, music minors, education majors with a music concentration, and music scholarship winners (no fee).
Prerequisites: Music major, Creative and Performing Arts Interdisciplinary Studies major, music minor, music scholarship holder, Education major with a concentration in music.
Offered: every fall & spring.
FAM 250 Music for Children 3 Credits
Course provides the backgrounds, models, and skills necessary to create musical experiences for the pre-school and elementary-age child.
Offered: occasionally.
