Music

The undergraduate music program offers a major and minor in music; a master's of art degree in jazz history and research is offered through the Graduate School-Newark. In addition, courses and performance opportunities are available to Rutgers students in all types of music.

The music program offers exciting possibilities for students to learn the foundations of musical performance as well as histories of global music cultures and traditions, philosophies of music, experimental and contemporary art and media practices, and the role of music and art in democracy, community engagement, and social justice. Because of the unique backgrounds and collaborative approach of our academic and world-renowned performance faculty, the music program at RU-N is positioned at the cutting edge of contemporary music studies. We train our students to think in interdisciplinary ways and to learn how music and art can inform and enhance work in diverse marketplaces and industries.

Performance and research opportunities open to music students include Express Newark, a campus-community incubator for artist engagement and public scholarship; the Rutgers Chorus, which performs globally and has produced multiple recorded albums; and the Institute of Jazz Studies, the world’s foremost jazz archives and research library.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements

Our music major curriculum is designed to give students a broad understanding of music.  It consists of three components: the music theory sequence, courses in music history, and applied music.  The theory sequence gives students a foundation in music analysis and composition.  The history courses provide students with an historical and stylistic background in music from different periods and cultures.  Applied music, which includes private lessons and ensembles, helps students express themselves musically through vocal and/or instrumental performance.  Classroom studies in applied musicianship are designed to further their skills of musicianship.  Our curriculum includes all types of music, including classical, jazz and world music.  An academic background of this kind prepares students for careers in teaching, performing and music technology, as well as related post-baccalaureate studies.

Music History and Theory Courses (27 credits)
  • 21:087:101  Introduction to Music (3)
  • 21:087:121  Music Theory I (3)
  • 21:087:122  Music Theory II (3)
  • 21:087:224  Applied Musicianship (3)
  • 21:087:235  Advanced Studies in Music Theory  435 (3)
  • 21:087:236  Advanced Studies in Music Theory 436 (3)
  • 21:087:237  Survey of Western Music to 1750 (3)
  • 21:087:238  Survey of Western Music Since 1750 (3)
    Three credits from the following:
  • 21:087:280  World Music (3)
  • 21:087:201  Music, Culture and Technology (3)
  • 21:087:135  Music and Film (3)
  • 21:087:202  Opera and Music Drama (3)
  • 21:087:265  Jazz (3)
Applied Music Courses (6 credits)
  • All students majoring in music should aim for at least six semesters of private study in voice, piano, or guitar. Ensembles (Chorus and Mosaic) also count toward applied music.
Ensemble Courses (credits vary)
  • Students majoring in music must enroll each semester in a departmental ensemble (Chorus or Mosaic Jazz Ensemble)
Arts, Culture and Media Departmental Core Requirements for Music (6 credits)
  • 21:083:101  Introduction to Arts, Culture and Media (3)
  • Three credits from the following:
  • 21:083:301  Colloquium in Arts, Culture, Media (3)
  • 21:083:401  Seminar in Arts, Culture, Media (3)

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements

Music History Courses (6 credits)
  • 21:087:101  Introduction to MusicOne class selected from:
  • 21:087:280  World Music (3)
  • 21:087:201  Music, Culture and Technology (3)
  • 21:087:135  Music and Film (3)
  • 21:087:265  Opera and Music Drama (3)
  • 21:087:265  Jazz (3)
  • 21:087:237  Survey of Western Music To 1750 (3)
  • 21:087:238  Survey of Western Music Since 1750 (3)
Music Theory Courses (6 credits)
  • 21:087:121  Music Theory I (3)
  • 21:087:122  Music Theory II (3)
Applied Music Courses (6 credits)
  • Any combination of ensembles with or without Applied MusicianshipChorus or Mosaic Jazz Ensemble (credits vary) 21:087:224  Applied Musicianship (3)
  • Photo of Samantha Bassler
  • Samantha Bassler
  • Samantha Bassler (she/her) has taught music history at RU-Newark since 2012. Educated at Nyack College, Merton College of the University…

  • Faculty member, Li-Chan Chen-Maxham
  • Li-Chan Chen-Maxham
  • Lyric Soprano Li-Chan Chen-Maxham was a leading soprano in the ensemble of the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern in Germany for six consecutive…

  • Faculy member, Leighann Narum
  • Leighann Narum
  • Leighann Narum teaches classical guitar in applied studies at Rutgers University-Newark. Ms. Narum has performed in Merkin Concert Hall in…

  • Pictured: Wayne Winborne
  • Wayne Winborne
  • Wayne Winborne is executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) at Rutgers University-Newark, the largest and most comprehensive…

Student Projects

  • Student playing guitar