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 224 | Appalachian Music (APS) | 1 Course Credit |
| or | |
| MUS 106 | World Music | 1 Course Credit |
| or | |
| MUS 234/AFR 234 | Afri-Amer Mus:Overview (AFR) | 1 Course Credit |
| and | |
| MUS 118A | Fundamentals of Music, Part I | 1/2 Course Credit |
| MUS 324 | Music 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.