Music Minors

There are six available music minors. The requirements for each are listed below.

General Music | Composition | Jazz Studies | Music Industry | Music ProductionReligious Studies and Church Music for Music Majors

Minor in General Music

  • MUS 344 and one other course
  • Four terms in a performance group that the student must attain and maintain membership in a major performance ensemble at Elmhurst University
  • Three terms of applied music for credit, either on the same applied instrument or voice or split with two terms in one and the third term on another instrument or voice

One-half of the total courses listed for the minor above must be earned at Elmhurst University.

Minor in Composition

The minor in composition/arranging is designed for music majors who wish to pursue studies in the analytical and creative aspects of music while maintaining a primary focus in another music discipline.

The minor in composition/arranging for music majors is awarded to students who have met the following requirements:

Minor in Jazz Studies

The minor in jazz studies is designed for students who wish to pursue a program of study in jazz and commercial music in addition to their primary area of study. This program creates the theoretical foundation necessary to be proficient in the study and performance of jazz and related commercial music. The art of improvisation is a major component of the music, and the study of it is essential to understanding the music. Students in this program will be educated in such a way that they may create a living for themselves in the world of jazz and commercial music.

Jazz study minors will also complete the following courses:

  • MUS 120 Jazz Fundamentals I
  • MUS 121 Jazz Fundamentals II
  • MUS 430 Jazz Improvisation I
  • One credit from the following:
    • MUS 318 The Making of Jazz (1 credit)
    • MUS 223 Jazz Keyboard Fundamentals (.50 credit)
    • MUS 325 Rhythm Section Fundamentals (.50 credit)
    • MUS 350 Jazz Arranging (1 credit)
    • MUS 431 Jazz Improvisation II (1 credit)
  • AMJ 202-302 Jazz Improvisation (1 credit)
  • Large Jazz Ensemble (three terms, noncredit to .75 credit)
  • Jazz Combo (four terms, noncredit to 2 credits)

Minor in Music Industry

The Music Industry Minor gives students an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in the rapidly growing music industry. Music publishing, copyright, live performance, artist management, royalties and recording contracts are explored in detail. Marketing, management and advertising are also studied which provide knowledge and experience necessary to be successful in the industry. The Music Industry minor prepares students for work in the industry in areas such as concert promotion, booking agencies, music law, performance management, licensing and royalty collection and distribution.

  • BUS 240 or 250 Principles of Marketing or Management Theory and Practice
  • MUS 330 Principles and Procedures in Music Business
  • MUS 340 Music and Entertainment Law
  • MUS 341 Concert Promotion and Venue Management
  • BUS 434 Advertising and Integrated Marketing Campaigns

Minor in Music Production

For students interested in a concentration in music production that prepares students for careers in media music, audio engineering, live mixing, record producing and more.

  • MUS 290 Digital Music I
  • MUS 291 Digital Music II
  • MUS 332 Production of Sound Recordings
  • MUS 333 Audio Engineering

The music production minor is a sequence of courses designed:

  1. As an examination of the role served by current recording, editing and production technology in the contemporary music industry
  2. To prepare students for employment in the music industry in various capacities, including arranger, media composer, sound recordist and editor, contractor, publisher and producer
  3. As an additive utility for students pursuing a major program in music
  4. As a program of study that is useful to students of other disciplines, such as computer science, media arts and more

Minor in Religious Studies and Church Music for Music Majors

The Department of Music and Department of Religious Studies have joined together to offer a linked program of study for students who want to serve the church through music and theology.

Requirements seek to provide a candidate with a breadth of study in music and theology, as well as provide a foundation in one of the areas of the University’s applied music program that ensures a sustainable level of musical expertise. Individuals interested in pursuing this minor should make their intentions known in writing to the chairs of the music and religious studies departments.

The minor in religious studies and church music for music majors is awarded to students who have met the following requirements:

  • Completion of the courses and requirements for the B.A. in Music
  • Completion of the following courses:
    • REL 200 Biblical Studies and Contemporary Issues
    • REL 320 The Emergence of Christian Thought
    • REL 321 Modern and Contemporary Christian Thought
    • MUS 215 Music in the Christian Church
    • MUS 369 Conducting I (.50 credit)
    • MUS 492 Independent Study and Research: Church Music Field Work

Additional course work in theology, conducting and orchestration is encouraged.

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