Degree Programs: Minors

The School of Music at George Mason University is pleased to currently offer the following music minor degree programs listed below. Please feel free to browse the University Catalog for more information about these programs and their requirements.

Minor in Music

The Minor in Music is an excellent choice for those students wishing to gain additional knowledge of Western Classical music without majoring in Music. Music minors receive training in Music Theory, Sightsinging and Ear Training, Music History, Ensemble Performance, Keyboard Skills, and Private Music Instruction.

Admission to the Music Minor is based upon audition and acceptance by the University. To learn more about the audition process, please click here. You may also view the Minor in Music Requirements in the 2008-2009 George Mason University Catalog.

Minor in Jazz Studies

The minor in Jazz Studies is open to students who wish to explore America’s unique art form. It is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists, including students who perform on instruments not normally associated with jazz. No prior experience in jazz is needed, but candidates must pass a music audition.

Coordinator: Jim Carroll

Admission to the Jazz Studies Minor is based upon audition and acceptance by the University. The minor is open to both music and non-music majors. To learn more about the audition process, please click here. You may also view the Minor in Jazz Studies Requirements in the 2008-2009 George Mason University Catalog.

Minor in Music Technology

This minor requires taking the following courses:

MUSI 100 Fundamentals of Music

MUSI 315 Intro to Music Technology

Course covers the basic topics of music technology. The students will learn how audio technology hardware and software is utilized in many different facets of the music technology field as well as hands-on experience and ability to use this technology in various situations.

MUSI 316 Topics in Music Technology
Prerequisite: MUSI 315 Introduction to Music Technology

Rotating set of three courses:
Electronic Composition
Science of Music
Recording Technology & Practices

This minor requires an interview for acceptance into the program. Please apply for the Minor in Music Technology here.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jesse Guessford.

Minor in World Music

This program is designed for those who wish to widen their scope of knowledge about music while deepening their understanding of the world's peoples. Students learn in the classroom, as well as experientially, in the form of applied studies and exercises in field work how music making functions within cultural contexts, conveying varied meanings in bodily action and musical sound worldwide. Students gain skills that will serve them in many fields of endeavor, from developing specific musical expertise to acquiring proficiency with technological and anthropological aspects of ethnographic enquiry.

Admission to the minor in World Music is open to Music and non-music majors. In order to be accepted into the World Music minor program, students must demonstrate to the coordinator a basic level of knowledge and training in some area of Western or non-Western music, or earn a grade of B or higher in MUSI 103 or 431.

Coordinator: Dr. Gregory Robinson

To learn more about the audition process, please click here. You may also view the Minor in World Music Requirements in the 2008-2009 George Mason University Catalog.