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Music Minor

Do you love to sing or play an instrument? When you minor in music at Dordt, you'll turn your passion for music into a skill you can use for the rest of your life. You’ll gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of music through Dordt’s music minor. You’ll also learn how God can use your musical talents for his Kingdom.

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Program Overview

Dordt’s music minor is ideal for students who love playing music, performing, or conducting, but are choosing to major in another field. Music can build connections, help us express emotions, and teach us about other cultures. At Dordt, we want to help you improve your music skills. We also want to empower you to make a joyful noise, praising God for the gift of music.

Male student plays guitar

What You'll Learn

Through earning a music minor, you’ll learn how God can use your unique musical talents and abilities. You’ll learn from accomplished faculty in exceptional facilities. From music fundamentals and music literature to music history, conducting, and orchestration, you’ll grow both in knowledge and skill.

What You Can Do With A Music Minor

Paired with the right major, a music minor opens many doors for students. Here are just a few of the career opportunities you’ll discover when you minor in music:

Music Teacher

A Music Teacher educates students on instruments, sound, and performance of the instruments.

Musician

Musicians possess the talent and skills needed to play an instrument.

Music Producer

A Music Producer works with artists to help produce work that they can perform.

Career Preparation

͹Ƶ's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that ͹Ƶgraduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A ͹Ƶeducation provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”

To earn a music minor, students will need to complete five foundational music courses, two additional courses from tailored lists, three semesters of performances, and four credits worth of private lessons and ensembles.

  • Music Fundamentals: A course laying the foundation for musicianship and further study in music through the study of music fundamentals, i.e., rudimentary skills in notation, analysis, and composition as well as exposure to basic music literature.
  • Ear Training I: The development of basic skills in the reading and notation of rhythm and of diatonic melodies in major and minor, in hearing and playing primary triads, and in identifying major and minor scales and simple intervals.
  • Diatonic Harmony: Continuation of Music 103 through all aspects of diatonic harmony.
  • Ear Training II: Continuation of Music 103L. The further development of skills in the reading and notation of more complex rhythms and of diatonic melodies, in singing in alto clef, in hearing and singing all simple diatonic intervals, in hearing and singing all diatonic triads, and in identifying major, minor, and some modal scales.
  • Introduction to Music Literature: A survey of the basic repertoire and of masterpieces in several genres (art songs, symphonies, concerti, major choral works, etc.), involving extensive and intensive listening, and study of style and form.
  • Music History and Literature I: Study of the literatures, cultural contexts, and intertextual relationships of Western music, from Antiquity through the 15th century.
  • Music History and Literature II: Study of the literatures, cultural contexts, and intertextual relationships of Western music, from the 15th through the 18th century.
  • Music History and Literature III: Study of the literatures, cultural contexts, and intertextual relationships of Western music, from the 18th through the 19th century.
  • Worship and Liturgy: A study of the various liturgical worship practices of Christian denominations, with primary focus on music in the Reformed denomination. Experiences such as field trips and participation in various Christian worship practices will deepen the student’s familiarity with liturgy and practical (musical) skills needed in a worship context. Students will receive instruction on planning music for worship, gain exposure to a variety of materials and methods, and cultivate their own musical skills by designing liturgies, culminating in the development of a Reformed philosophy of church music. The course will help to prepare students to serve aptly in a church setting.
  • Basic Conducting: An introduction to conducting technique.
  • World Music: Examination of music heard in various contemporary world cultures, its aesthetic and stylistic aspects as well as its functions and underpinning ideas and values.
  • Orchestration: A study of transposition, instrumental ranges, and balance by arranging keyboard and choral works for instrumental ensembles.
  • Performance Class: Concert and recital attendance; presentations of special topics related to music.
  • At least four credits of private lessons and ensembles

See the course catalog for more information.

Ready to take the next step?

B.J. Haan Auditorium

As a music minor, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in the B.J. Haan Auditorium and it’s adjoining Music Building. These facilities include access to mechanical action and electro-pneumatic pipe organs, upright and grand piano practice rooms, instrumental practice rooms, a Yamaha Disklavier, and a Dekker harpsichord.

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BJ Haan

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