Traditional Music Minor

The music minor in Traditional Music studies provides an opportunity for students to engage in many diverse areas of traditional music that exist in Appalachia and that are part of the rich tapestry of the Berea College community. Offerings include courses in African American Music, Appalachian Music, and World Musics. The minor provides for students to study traditional applied musics including Appalachian and Mariachi instruments, gospel voice and piano, and African drumming, among others. This minor provides formal academic credential for students interested in engaging traditional music as part of their Berea College education. 

Degree Requirements

The minor in Traditional Music requires a minimum of 5.5 course credits, as follows:

Required Core Courses

MUS 224/APS 224Appalachian Music (APS)

1 Course Credit

or

MUS 106World Music

1 Course Credit

or

MUS 234/AFR 234Afri-Amer Mus:Overview (AFR)

1 Course Credit

and

MUS 118AFundamentals of Music, Part I

1/2 Course Credit

MUS 324Music Composition

1/2 Course Credit

 

Required Distribution Course

Total of 2.0 MUA course credits for applied traditional instrument/composition lessons: 

MUA 105, 106, 107, 108, 325, 326, 327, 328, 335, 336, 337, 338, 340, 345, 346, 347, 348, or 400 A/CO/N/V/Y

Appalachian/Mariachi Instruments (A), Composition (CO), Gospel Piano (N), Gospel Voice (V)*, Traditional Drumming (Y).

MUS 103 (Class Voice) is a prerequisite for MUA Applied Voice.   

 

Total of 0.5 course credits in any traditional music ensemble (0.25 cr. each): 

MUS 130H African-Latin Percussion Ensemble 

MUS 135 Black Music Ensemble (cross listed as AFR 138)

MUS 130F Bluegrass Ensemble

MUS 130K Folk-Roots Ensemble

MUS 130M Mariachi Ensemble 

Total of 1.0 additional MUS or MUA course credit, chosen from any of the approved courses for the Traditional Music minor. 

 

Additional Considerations for the Music Minor Please meet with the Music Department Chairperson to obtain an advisor for the Traditional Music minor. The Traditional Music Minor can be combined with any major. No student may earn more than one minor in music.