Senior Capstone Project

All Music Majors will complete a Capstone Project in their senior year. To date students have chosen a variety of options, including composition of a string quartet, an internship at a recording studio, a solo senior recital, a research project on the psychology of music in the classroom, and the creation of a library of sound samples for use by Film Studies students.

Students will work closely with a music faculty advisor in designing and completing their projects. The four basic areas of endeavor are music composition, performance, research, or internship. Note: A Capstone Project in composition may not be selected unless the student has completed Music 470 - Music Theory & Composition III by the end of his/her junior year.

MUSIC 460 – Musical Internship
Prerequisites: successful completion (“C” or higher) of Music 470 & at least 2 of the World Culture courses (Music. 310, 311, 312, 313, 314)
In the second semester of the senior year, each student will complete Music 460 or Music 480. Music 460 consists of an internship with some outside organization, most typically a recording studio. This internship is designed to give practical hands-on experience in some area of the music business or other professional area in music. All internships must be approved, and an advisor selected by the end of the Junior year. (3 credits) Spring

MUSIC 480 – Written Thesis, Composition or Recital
Prerequisites: successful completion (“C” or higher) of Music 470 & at least 2 of the World Culture courses (Music. 310, 311, 312, 313, 314)
In the second semester of the senior year, each student will complete Music 460 or Music 480. Music 480 is a substantial final project which might consist of a thesis, a music composition (at least 5 min. in length), or a ½ Recital (approximately 30 minutes in length) or Music 460. Throughout this process, tutorials are scheduled regularly. All final projects must be approved, and an advisor selected by the end of the Junior year. (3 credits) Spring