Interdisciplinary Studies
Combine music with other majors to create a unique opportunity for artistic expression. The interdisciplinary studies concentration let you integrate serious music study with other areas of emphasis, combining your talent and interest in music study with another career path.
Musical Theater Concentration
With our musical theater concentration, you can hone your creativity and build community so that you can serve more fully in a variety of careers. By combining theater with our interdisciplinary music major, you will learn techniques of voice training with core courses in music, theater techniques with core courses in theater, and take electives in both theater and music to enhance your knowledge and skills in both areas.
Annual musical productions will give you many opportunities to practice your new skills and hone your stage presence. A senior capstone project puts you at center stage, putting everything you’ve learned into practice in one finale project.
Curriculum
Core courses
(required of all majors and must be passed with a grade of C or better for graduation credit and enrollment in next sequential course, if applicable):
- †CMUS 120 Fundamentals of Music - 3
- CMUS 181 Music Theory I - 3
- CMUS 281 Music Theory II - 3
- CMUS 250 Music History I - 3
- CMUS 260 Music History II - 3
- #CMUS 200 Landscape of Music - 0
- *CMUS 411 Conducting I - 4
- #MUPS Private studies - 7
- #MUES Ensembles - 7
# required each semester of enrollment on the EMU campus
† may test out of this requirement
Music majors are strongly encouraged to take CMUS 250 Music History I and CMUS 260 Music History II in sequential order.
Interdisciplinary Studies Track (15-18 SH)
Required courses for the interdisciplinary studies track in music include the core courses listed above plus the following (must be passed with a grade of C or better):
- CMUS 201 Topics: World Music - 2
- Music elective courses - 4
- Three upper level courses from another university department, chosen in consultation with advisor - 6-9
- MUPS 491 Senior Project - 3
Real-world learning
Interdisciplinary music major Andrew Claasen composed, performed and recorded an original song as part of his senior practicum.
“I really learned to appreciate all that goes in to making one professional song,” he says, “let alone an entire album. I learned to listen with purpose, noting how specific tones and instruments meshed and combined.”
“Lay Your Burdens Down.” Vocals, Andrew Claasen and Lauren Gibson. Drums, Landon Heavener. Bass, Robby Meadows.
Andrew graduated in 2012 and began a service term with the the MCC service program SALT in August 2012, spending a year in Costa Rica working with adults with developmental disabilities.
Careers and life after graduation
Upon graduation, each interdisciplinary studies student is prepared for an entrance level opportunity for graduate study and for entering a music-related career. While the traditional EMU music major offers studies in performance and music education, the interdisciplinary studies concentration offers additional in-the-field learning opportunities like instruction of piano pedagogy, vocal pedagogy, or Suzuki violin pedagogy. Additional performing options include conducting, composition, and jazz. Other practical opportunities include music management and music industry.
More theoretical areas of interest, such as ethnomusicology, music history, or music theory are also options for study and work in music and related fields.
Review the music program the catalog.
