Music
Roger Williams University offers a diverse, intimate music program which includes a Music Major (B.A. in Music), a Music Minor, and a Concentration in Music as part of the University's Core Curriculum. Our music faculty are dedicated professionals with a deep commitment to excellence in music, helping students explore many different possibilities in our program.
Music Majors may explore many different aspects of music, including music composition, music technology and production, music performance, music history, and global music. All majors will develop a solid foundation of Western music theory and music history, and will be able to take lessons in voice or an instrument of choice. Among the facilities available for students to use is our state-of-the-art electronic and computer music production facility, The Berquist Music Technology Lab. Our majors frequently augment their education by double-majoring, or minoring, in complimentary programs such as business, marketing, management, public relations, journalism, and graphic design. Students may also combine a music major with major in psychology, aiming at careers in music therapy, music psychology, or music cognition. Other possibilities include adding a minor in film studies, visual art, computer science, education, dance, or theatre.
If music is not your main focus for attending college, but you have a deep passion and interest in music, we have a customizable Music Minor. which will allow you to take lessons in voice or an instrument of your choice, and explore a wide variety of interests including music composition, music production and technology, and global music.
Applying
If you are accepted by the University you are welcome to major in Music; the program does not have a separate audition requirement. Our B.A. degree provides a broader focus than one would find in a conservatory, and our philosophy is to work with students at all levels of skill and knowledge to develop their understanding of music-- in the world, in history, and in performance.
After you have competed the Foundation courses for the major you will have an opportunity to choose one of two tracks for your remaining courses. The “Music & Culture” track highlights performance and world culture through music, and the “Music & Technology” track explores 21st century developments in music, as influenced by new electronic and computer technologies.
In addition to studying Music, we encourage our students to take advantage of their access to world-class professional programs right here on campus. Our Music Majors have gone on to study and work in music performance and recording, music therapy, and arts management.
For information on how to apply to Roger Williams University, go to the Admissions page. If you have already studied music theory, you can get information on taking a test-out for Music 170 Basic Musicianship, the prerequisite to the Music Program's three-course theory sequence, by downloading the Test-Out description, or emailing Assistant Professor Elliott McKinley.
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 junior year.