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    Music

    Morehouse prepares students to speak the global language of music.

    The Program at a glance

    Culture meets creativity, technology, and intelligence.

    Department

    The Morehouse Music Program fosters artistic talent, academic understanding, and respect for the highest professional standards.

    Learn More
    Earn the Major

    Students must take an advisory examination in music theory before matriculation in the program. The academic program director or division chair advises and places beginning theory students and students who take the theory diagnostic exam in ...

    Learn more
    Earn the Minor

    The music minor is a 16-18 credit hour course of study intended for the student who wishes to pursue a more in-depth study of music beyond the requirements of the general education curriculum through a variety of musical ...

    Learn More

     

    Morehouse College Glee Club 110th Annual Concert

    About Music

    • Overview

      THE MOREHOUSE MUSIC PROGRAM FOSTERS ARTISTIC TALENT, ACADEMIC UNDERSTANDING, AND RESPECT FOR THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.

      Our liberal arts curriculum encourages intellectual development, creativity, and perspective.

      Music is essential to the appreciation of the human experience. We study the music of African Americans and the ways in which music from different cultures interact. Students who major in music are exposed to contemporary technologies to enhance their studies.

      Majors choose an emphasis in performance (e.g., woodwinds, brass, strings, voice, piano, or organ), choral conducting and literature, or composition. 


      OUTCOMES

      Music is a natural expression of the human experience. We produce Morehouse Men who understand music theory as the global language of music. Men who understand the terminology and tools employed in those styles, while not losing sight of the historical, socio-political, and ethical issues in the cultures that created them. Whether in the Western tradition or the African diaspora, our alumni are prepared to effectively communicate, and advocate for, music as an essential part of life. In our program, they acquire performance skills, such as proper technique and methods of preparation. They apply those skills through experience both in solo and ensemble performance and they gain practical experience with software related to specific music emphases.

       

      Morehouse College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to award a Bachelor of Arts in Music: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21; Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703)437-0700. 

    • Earn the Major

      Curriculum

       
    • Earn the Minor

      Curriculum

      MINOR IN MUSIC

      The music minor is a 16-18 credit hour course of study intended for the student who wishes to pursue a more in-depth study of music beyond the requirements of the general education curriculum through a variety of musical experiences. The music minor is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge and appreciation of music as one of the liberal arts and to instill an awareness of the ways in which the music of African Americans interacts with music from different cultures. A minor in music may be used as a complement to the student’s major, especially for those who may wish to pursue further study in interrelated disciplines such as business and music, musical theater, or music therapy.

      THEORY
      4-6 HOURS

      Students pursuing a music minor must complete two consecutive semesters in the theory sequence listed below at the 200 level or higher with a grade of C or better. The student’s initial course is determined by a placement examination. The student may be placed in MUS 100 Music Fundamentals to prepare him for the courses in the theory sequence. This class would be viewed as a development course and not as part of the hours counting toward the minor.

      • HMUS 251 and 252— Elementary Theory of Music
      • HMUS 351 and 352— Advanced Theory of Music
      • HMUS 355— Contrapuntal Techniques
      HISTORY AND LITERATURE, OR MUSIC INDUSTRY
      6 HOURS
      • HMUS 111G— Masterpieces of Music
      • HMUS 116G— Oral Traditions in African American Folk Music
      • HMUS 203G— Introduction to Church Music
      • HMUS 204G— Survey of African American Music
      • HMUS 210G— History of Jazz
      • HMUS 215— Introduction to the Music Industry
      • HMUS 353–354— History of Music I and II
      PERFORMANCE
      4 HOURS

      The student pursuing a music minor must complete four semesters of Applied Music with a grade of C or better. At least two of the semesters must be in the same discipline, and the student must enroll in any corresponding seminar courses (e.g., Voice Seminar is a required lab component for Applied Voice). Minors should perform at least twice in student recitals. The repertoire and performance level must be approved by the student’s applied teacher for inclusion in any student recital.

      HMUS 101–202— 
      Applied Music

      Corequisite Performance Seminars
      • HMUS 112–213— Voice Seminar
      • HMUS 123–224— Wind Seminar
      • HMUS 125–226— String Seminar
      • HMUS 131–232— Piano Seminar
      ENSEMBLE
      4 HOURS 

      The student pursuing a music minor must complete four semesters of participation in any of the ensembles sponsored by the Music Program: Glee Club, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra. The choice of the ensemble must be approved by the faculty advisor to ensure that it complements the student’s overall plan of study in the minor. 

      • HMUS 119–120— Glee Club 
      • HMUS 219–220— Glee Club 
      • HMUS 167— Marching Band 
      • HMUS 267— Marching Band 
      • HMUS 367— Marching Band 
      • HMUS 467— Marching Band 
      • HMUS 168— Jazz Ensemble 
      • HMUS 268— Jazz Ensemble 
      • HMUS 368— Jazz Ensemble 
      • HMUS 468— Jazz Ensemble 
      • HMUS 169— Concert Band 
      • HMUS 269— Concert Band 
      • HMUS 369— Concert Band 
      • HMUS 469— Concert Band 
      • HMUS 191–192— AUC Symphony Orchestra 
      • HMUS 291–292— AUC Symphony Orchestra 

    THE MOREHOUSE MUSIC PROGRAM FOSTERS ARTISTIC TALENT, ACADEMIC UNDERSTANDING, AND RESPECT FOR THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.

    Our liberal arts curriculum encourages intellectual development, creativity, and perspective.

    Music is essential to the appreciation of the human experience. We study the music of African Americans and the ways in which music from different cultures interact. Students who major in music are exposed to contemporary technologies to enhance their studies.

    Majors choose an emphasis in performance (e.g., woodwinds, brass, strings, voice, piano, or organ), choral conducting and literature, or composition. 


    OUTCOMES

    Music is a natural expression of the human experience. We produce Morehouse Men who understand music theory as the global language of music. Men who understand the terminology and tools employed in those styles, while not losing sight of the historical, socio-political, and ethical issues in the cultures that created them. Whether in the Western tradition or the African diaspora, our alumni are prepared to effectively communicate, and advocate for, music as an essential part of life. In our program, they acquire performance skills, such as proper technique and methods of preparation. They apply those skills through experience both in solo and ensemble performance and they gain practical experience with software related to specific music emphases.

     

    Morehouse College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to award a Bachelor of Arts in Music: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21; Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703)437-0700. 

    Curriculum

     

    Curriculum

    MINOR IN MUSIC

    The music minor is a 16-18 credit hour course of study intended for the student who wishes to pursue a more in-depth study of music beyond the requirements of the general education curriculum through a variety of musical experiences. The music minor is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge and appreciation of music as one of the liberal arts and to instill an awareness of the ways in which the music of African Americans interacts with music from different cultures. A minor in music may be used as a complement to the student’s major, especially for those who may wish to pursue further study in interrelated disciplines such as business and music, musical theater, or music therapy.

    THEORY
    4-6 HOURS

    Students pursuing a music minor must complete two consecutive semesters in the theory sequence listed below at the 200 level or higher with a grade of C or better. The student’s initial course is determined by a placement examination. The student may be placed in MUS 100 Music Fundamentals to prepare him for the courses in the theory sequence. This class would be viewed as a development course and not as part of the hours counting toward the minor.

    • HMUS 251 and 252— Elementary Theory of Music
    • HMUS 351 and 352— Advanced Theory of Music
    • HMUS 355— Contrapuntal Techniques
    HISTORY AND LITERATURE, OR MUSIC INDUSTRY
    6 HOURS
    • HMUS 111G— Masterpieces of Music
    • HMUS 116G— Oral Traditions in African American Folk Music
    • HMUS 203G— Introduction to Church Music
    • HMUS 204G— Survey of African American Music
    • HMUS 210G— History of Jazz
    • HMUS 215— Introduction to the Music Industry
    • HMUS 353–354— History of Music I and II
    PERFORMANCE
    4 HOURS

    The student pursuing a music minor must complete four semesters of Applied Music with a grade of C or better. At least two of the semesters must be in the same discipline, and the student must enroll in any corresponding seminar courses (e.g., Voice Seminar is a required lab component for Applied Voice). Minors should perform at least twice in student recitals. The repertoire and performance level must be approved by the student’s applied teacher for inclusion in any student recital.

    HMUS 101–202— 
    Applied Music

    Corequisite Performance Seminars
    • HMUS 112–213— Voice Seminar
    • HMUS 123–224— Wind Seminar
    • HMUS 125–226— String Seminar
    • HMUS 131–232— Piano Seminar
    ENSEMBLE
    4 HOURS 

    The student pursuing a music minor must complete four semesters of participation in any of the ensembles sponsored by the Music Program: Glee Club, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra. The choice of the ensemble must be approved by the faculty advisor to ensure that it complements the student’s overall plan of study in the minor. 

    • HMUS 119–120— Glee Club 
    • HMUS 219–220— Glee Club 
    • HMUS 167— Marching Band 
    • HMUS 267— Marching Band 
    • HMUS 367— Marching Band 
    • HMUS 467— Marching Band 
    • HMUS 168— Jazz Ensemble 
    • HMUS 268— Jazz Ensemble 
    • HMUS 368— Jazz Ensemble 
    • HMUS 468— Jazz Ensemble 
    • HMUS 169— Concert Band 
    • HMUS 269— Concert Band 
    • HMUS 369— Concert Band 
    • HMUS 469— Concert Band 
    • HMUS 191–192— AUC Symphony Orchestra 
    • HMUS 291–292— AUC Symphony Orchestra 

    Featured Video Content

     

    95th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert

    With more than 100,000 views, the 95th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert aired virtually via the Morehouse College website, Facebook, and YouTube channels on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

     

    “I’m Building Me A Home” (From The “School Daze” Soundtrack)

    The Morehouse College Glee Club performs on the soundtrack for Spike Lee ’79’s breakout movie.

     

    HBCU Game Day

    HBCU Game Day spotlighted the Morehouse College House of Funk Marching Band.

    Meet Our Faculty and Staff

    Dr. David Morrow, Department Chair
    Stephanie Whitaker, Department Coordinator

    Headshot of Uzee Brown, Jr.
    Uzee Brown, Jr. Professor Emeritus
    Headshot of Aaron Carter-Ényì
    Aaron Carter-Ényì Assistant Professor
    Headshot of Benjamin Dawson
    Benjamin Dawson Assistant Professor NTT
    Headshot of Melvin Foster
    Melvin Foster Associate Provost for Academic Success/Associate Professor
    Headshot of William Herron
    William Herron Adjunct Professor
    Headshot of Chad “Sir Wick” Hughes
    Chad “Sir Wick” Hughes Associate Professor
    Headshot of Timothy Miller
    Timothy Miller Assistant Professor
    Headshot of David Morrow
    David Morrow Professor
    Headshot of Robert Tanner
    Robert Tanner Associate Professor