Pathways to the Major

Pathways to your Music Major

Pathway I
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN MUSIC 261: THEORY I (pre-requisite) / ENSEMBLE (1 of 2)   MUSIC 361: THEORY II / Applied Lessons (1 of 2)
SOPHOMORE MUSIC 461: THEORY III / MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I / MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / Ensemble (2 of 2)
JUNIOR MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III / Applied Lessons (2 of 2) MUSIC 258: MUSIC HISTORY IV / CHOICE from ABC (1 of 2) 
SENIOR CHOICE from ABC (2 of 2)  / Elective (approved by DUS)  

We recommend starting your Freshman year with MUSIC 261 (Music Theory I). Choosing this first pathway you would complete your music major by Fall Senior year. You would complete two classes for the major per semester. This would allow you to study abroad for a semester.

Pathway II
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN MUSIC 161 (if not enough theory background to start with 261) / ENSEMBLE (1 of 2)  MUSIC 261: THEORY I (pre-requisite) / ENSEMBLE (2 of 2)
SOPHOMORE MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I / Applied Lessons (1 of 2) MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / Applied Lessons (2 of 2)
JUNIOR MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III / CHOICE from ABC (1 of 2)  MUSIC 361: THEORY II / MUSIC 258: MUSIC HISTORY IV 
SENIOR MUSIC 461: THEORY III / CHOICE from ABC (2 of 2) Elective (approved by DUS) 

Even if you don't have enough theory background coming to Duke you should not hesitate to start your path as a music major. By taking two classes per semester you would only have one elective class left in your final senior semester. Even studying abroad would not impact completing your Major. Check with the DUS about taking a Music elective class abroad.

Pathway III
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN Ensemble (1 of 2)  Ensemble (2 of 2)
SOPHOMORE Applied Lessons (1 of 2) / ELECTIVE (approved by DUS)  MUSIC 261: THEORY I / Applied Lessons (2 of 2)
JUNIOR MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I / CHOICE from ABC (1 of 2)  MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / MUSIC 261: THEORY II
SENIOR MUSIC 361: THEORY III / MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III MUSIC HISTORY IV / CHOICE from ABC (2 of 2)

You are passionate about music. You arrive at Duke and start participating in ensembles and are taking lessons. You discover that music is a doable major in addition to your other major. Even if decide to become a music major at the end of your sophomore year, you will still be able to complete all requirements. 


Pathways to your Music Major - Concentration in Performance

Pathway I
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN MUSIC 261: THEORY I (pre-requisite) / Applied lessons (0.25 credit) / ENSEMBLE (1 of 2) MUSIC 361: THEORY II / Applied lessons (0.25 credit) 
SOPHOMORE MUSIC 461: THEORY III / MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I /Applied lessons (0.5 credit)  MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / Ensemble (2 of 2) / Applied lessons (0.5 credit) 
JUNIOR MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III / Applied Lessons (2 of 2) / Applied lessons (0.5 credit)  MUSIC 490S or 500 / MUSIC 401 (1 of 2)
SENIOR MUSIC 401 (2 of 2) / Elective approved by DUS  

We recommend starting your Freshman year with MUSIC 261 (Music Theory I). Choosing this first pathway you would complete your music major by Fall Senior year. This would allow you to study abroad for a semester. 

Pathway II
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN MUSIC 161 (if not enough theory background to start with 261) / ENSEMBLE (1 of 2)  MUSIC 261: THEORY I (pre-requisite) / ENSEMBLE (2 of 2) / Applied lessons (0.25 credit) 
SOPHOMORE MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I / Applied lessons (0.25 credit)  MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / Applied lessons (0.5 credit) 
JUNIOR MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III / Applied lessons (0.5 credit)  MUSIC 361: THEORY II / MUSIC 490S or 500 / Applied lessons (0.5 credit) 
SENIOR MUSIC 461: THEORY III / MUSIC 401 (1 of 2)  MUSIC 401 (2 of 2) / Elective (approved by DUS) 

Even if you don't have enough theory background coming to Duke you should not hesitate to start your path as a music major. Even studying abroad would not impact completing your Major. Check with the DUS about taking a Music elective class abroad. 

Pathway III
  Fall Semester Spring Semester
FRESHMAN Ensemble (1 of 2)  Ensemble (2 of 2)
SOPHOMORE Applied Lessons (0.5 credit) / ELECTIVE (approved by DUS)  MUSIC 261: THEORY I / Applied Lessons (0.5 credit)
JUNIOR MUSIC 255S: HISTORY I / Applied Lessons (0.5 credit)  MUSIC 256: MUSIC HISTORY II / MUSIC 261: THEORY II / Applied Lessons (0.5 credit)
SENIOR MUSIC 361: THEORY III / MUSIC 257: MUSIC HISTORY III / MUSIC 401 (1 of 2) MUSIC HISTORY 490S or 500 / MUSIC 401 (2 of 2)

You are passionate about music. You arrive at Duke and start participating in ensembles and are taking lessons. You discover that music is a doable major in addition to your other major. Even if decide to become a music major at the end of your sophomore year, you will still be able to complete all requirements.